MSA Wants Campus to Understand Islam

Even before Islam became a subject of national attention, the
Muslim Students Association had already planned its events for
Islam Awareness Week as a forum for understanding their faith.

The annual Islam Awareness Week begins today and runs until
Nov. 16. This year's theme is "understanding Islam." MSA
Treasurer Rashid Hassan, CC '04, Hassan said the week will be
"geared [toward] non-Muslims" and informing them on "the plain
basics of what Islam is about."

"They are very basic things we're trying to get across," said MSA
President Ayesha Syed, BC '03.

"I'm just excited about the fact that there's going to be a huge
diverse group of people coming together to understand the beauty
of Islam and the fact that this week promotes understanding—how
we shouldn't view people as being others," said MSA General
Secretary Henna Hussain, BC '03. "We all [have] the same bonds
of humanity."

A different speaker will be featured each evening, with Abdul Malik
opening the week tonight with a lecture on the general concepts of
Islam. The topic of Tuesday's talk will be "Who is Allah? The
concept of God," and Wednesday's speech will focus on Islamic
scholarship. The upcomming holiday of Ramadan will be the
centerpiece of Thursday's event, and the week will conclude on
Friday with screenings of the videos Muslims in America:
Misunderstood Millions and Islam: A Closer Look.

MSA Vice-President Nabeel Cheema, CC '03, said he is "really
excited" about the week's events and, specifically, the speakers.
"We're lucky to get the people we've gotten," he added, explaining
that because Islamic Awareness Week is a national event, good
speakers can be difficult to schedule.

MSA members said the aftermath of the Sept. 11 tragedy have had
some impact on the week's plans. "It definitely affects it in some
sense," said Hassan, "although we were intending to do the
basics of Islam anyway."

Cheema said this year's Islamic Awareness Week is "more
important than in years past" and expects an "increased interest"
from non-Muslims in learning about the lifestyles of the 7.5 million
Muslims who live in the United States.

"A lot of people would like to learn more [about Islam] now," he
said.

"I think that people are going to be more curious this year in
general," said Hussain. "I know there are always constant unfair
biased generalizations being made. People are curious what this
religion is." Because of the added interest, Hussain said the group
had been working harder to publicize the events.

"I know after coming to these events people realize Islam means
peace," she said. "It means submission to the will of God. This is
the same God that is worshiped in all the religions around the
world."

According to Hassan, the week's highlight will be Malik's lecture
tonight, which he termed "a form of explanation of what we stand
for."

Hussain agreed. "I'm excited about the first event, Understanding
Islam, because people are going to know what the basics of Islam
are," she said. "I think that's going to draw a huge, diverse crowd to
the event."

Hassan called the week "a great way to bring together the
community." The events are co-sponsored by a diverse array of
student groups, including Liga Filipina, Turath, Asian American
Alliance, Hindu Students Organization, Asian American Pacific
Awareness Month, Club Zamana, Organization of Pakistani
Students, Hillel, and the Anthropology Club.