Spring Break
Increasing Islam
Amanda Wowk
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: News
Media Credit: Ryan CalacsanMuslim Student Association member Brian Becker promotes upcoming events featured during Islam Awareness Week.
At this year's Islam Awareness week, UIC's Muslim Student Association (MSA) brought guest speakers to present various topics, quizzed students for fun with "Islamic Jeopardy" and, most importantly, attempted to increase their fellow students' understanding of one of the world's fastest growing religions, Islam.
"We're breaking the stereotypes people have in their minds," said Bushrah Bakhsh, a fourth-year economics major.
"As Muslims, it's our job to stand up for our religion. It [Islam Awareness Week] is going to present a fair image," said Bakhsh.
Throughout the week, the MSA was a noted presence across the campus, especially in Student Center East. Lectures and speeches, such as "Islam 101," "A Day in the Life of a Muslim Student" and "Hijab: The Greatest Honor Given to Women" were held each day during the week.
An exhibit featuring Muslim holiday celebrations was on display Wednesday, and a recitation of the Quran, the Muslim sacred text, was held on Thursday. The week's events were rounded out with a Friday sermon in the Rathskeller.
The most important goal of Islam Awareness Week was "to create an environment where people can ask questions," Bakhsh stated. "We're not here to convert anyone. We want you to understand our religion."
The MSA also emphasized helping students to understand their peers and dispelling myths and stereotypes about Islam.
"It's not always in numbers," said student Ivana Zajkobska, "as long as you made someone realize that they held to untruthful stereotypes."
"To me, success is someone getting comfortable approaching Muslims with questions," said Aminah Yassin, a first-year communication disorders major. "It's about understanding what we do, and how we do it. It brought more unity to the campus."
The yearly event, taking place in the first week of February, was a success not only because of the people who attended events got the free hot chocolate or listened to a lecture about Islam's greatest prophet, Muhammad: it was a resounding success because it increased open dialogue between all students across campus about a religion that many make assumptions about, but rarely take the time to honestly study.
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"We're breaking the stereotypes people have in their minds," said Bushrah Bakhsh, a fourth-year economics major.
"As Muslims, it's our job to stand up for our religion. It [Islam Awareness Week] is going to present a fair image," said Bakhsh.
Throughout the week, the MSA was a noted presence across the campus, especially in Student Center East. Lectures and speeches, such as "Islam 101," "A Day in the Life of a Muslim Student" and "Hijab: The Greatest Honor Given to Women" were held each day during the week.
An exhibit featuring Muslim holiday celebrations was on display Wednesday, and a recitation of the Quran, the Muslim sacred text, was held on Thursday. The week's events were rounded out with a Friday sermon in the Rathskeller.
The most important goal of Islam Awareness Week was "to create an environment where people can ask questions," Bakhsh stated. "We're not here to convert anyone. We want you to understand our religion."
The MSA also emphasized helping students to understand their peers and dispelling myths and stereotypes about Islam.
"It's not always in numbers," said student Ivana Zajkobska, "as long as you made someone realize that they held to untruthful stereotypes."
"To me, success is someone getting comfortable approaching Muslims with questions," said Aminah Yassin, a first-year communication disorders major. "It's about understanding what we do, and how we do it. It brought more unity to the campus."
The yearly event, taking place in the first week of February, was a success not only because of the people who attended events got the free hot chocolate or listened to a lecture about Islam's greatest prophet, Muhammad: it was a resounding success because it increased open dialogue between all students across campus about a religion that many make assumptions about, but rarely take the time to honestly study.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 12
Abu Kawthar
posted 2/11/08 @ 7:54 AM CST
Dear friends,
I have a lot of friends that are getting wrong info on Islam from the Media that potrayed only negative sides.
It's about time Muslim born in America takes over!
Great Youth effort Job! May God gives you the best reward
Kevin Schneider
posted 2/11/08 @ 10:19 AM CST
A good quote...
"God is the immemorial refuge of the incompetent, the helpless, the miserable. They find not only sanctuary in His arms, but also a kind of superiority, soothing to their macerated egos; He will set them above their betters. (Continued…)
Michael
posted 2/11/08 @ 3:29 PM CST
Another good quote...
"Where questions of religion are concerned, people are guilty of every possible sort of dishonesty and intellectual misdemeanor. (Continued…)
Qamrul A. Khanson
posted 2/12/08 @ 2:01 PM CST
A reverent Muslim faithful is always in the tune of Almighty The-God which is indeed a service to humankind and animalkind because The-Creator Lord The-God instructs Muslims to be giver of peace in the world. (Continued…)
Losing Weight
posted 2/14/08 @ 7:05 PM CST
It is important for people to have some understanding of religions other than the one they are following. This way people can get along a lot better.
Christopher Skeet
posted 2/16/08 @ 7:54 AM CST
Kevin,
I'm no Muslim and I don't believe Mohammed was a prophet. However, your ignorance of Islam and of religion in general really is quite shocking. (Continued…)
Christopher Skeet
posted 2/16/08 @ 8:27 AM CST
Dear Whitney,
I always appreciate reading your responses online, because there is always a sense of prudence in your words, but this time I have to vocally disagree with you. (Continued…)
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