As controversies surrounding eminent domain continue to weave their way through West Harlem, hundreds are offering their perspectives across the board. Members of a campus group have joined the discussion, saying that they too are affected by Columbia’s Manhattanville campus expansion.
The Muslim Students Association has established contacts with Muslim residents in Harlem, many of whom regularly attend the group’s events. But MSA members have voiced their concerns about losing this valuable constituency in light of the displacement of local residents due to Columbia’s development.
The MSA’s connection with Muslim residents began under former MSA president Adil Ahmed, CC ’09, who established contacts with what he called “local organizers.” Since then, the group has continued to reach out to community members. Local residents have attended Friday night prayer services in Earl Hall, campus rallies, and other events.
“I was really surprised to see how many people don’t even live here and just come to Friday prayer,” Ahmed said, pointing to the number of regular attendees at MSA events.
The MSA has also established a relationship with the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational center in Harlem. The two groups celebrated the breaking of the fast together.
“It’s a good way of uniting the Muslim community and giving them a chance to interact with each other,” current MSA president Suzanne Motwaly, CC ’09, said.
To address the problem of displacement, the group’s religious advisor, Iman Syed Zara Zafaruddin Sayeed, has reached out to Harlem residents. He held a meeting about the expansion with representatives of University President Lee Bollinger and concerned residents. Sayeed said that he believes that Harlem Muslims should continue to communicate with Bollinger whom he describes as “their only channel for expression.”
In spite of the displacement, members of the MSA remain optimistic about the presence of Harlem Muslims at MSA events.
“People don’t come to our events because they’re nearby,” Motwaly said. “I think they come because of our speakers and they come to support us. They’re going to support us no matter what.”
Through the extensive collaboration between MSA and local Muslims, Ahmed said that he has come to feel a sense of kinship with those soon to be displaced.
“You become close with these people, their families, so you feel this trouble that they’re going through, too.”
“The folks who live in Harlem have something unique to offer, I think, to the student body,” Al-Mahmoud said, echoing Ahmed’s sentiments. “They offer a different perspective often, I would say, for what it is to be a Muslim.”