Bringing Awareness towards Islamic Culture at FIU
It was November 2012, the morning after I had shared the truth about my identity with my parents.
It all started when I let slip an “assalam alaikum,” or “peace be upon you,” when I answered a phone call. As soon as I set down the phone, my parents confronted me about my growing collection of Islamic literature and my interest in working for a Muslim publisher.
Tired of hiding the truth, I told them I had converted several months back. The sound of their hearts breaking filled the room. My mother ran into the room, crying, alternating between saying it was all her fault and asking me how I could do that to them. My father smoldered on the couch, cursing the day he bought me a computer.
At the time, my parents thought I had been brainwashed into joining a cult. They thought I had rejected Catholicism, the family, everything they had ever taught me in favor of a burqa. They didn’t know anything about Islam besides what they saw on TV and they were scared for me. Sadly, they were not alone.
According to the Pew Research Center, 55 percent of Americans feel they don’t know very much about Islam.
“For a Muslim in the U.S., especially with how the media portrays Muslims, it’s tempting to want to hide your religion,” said Farouk Farouk, the president of the Muslim Student Association at FIU. “Joining MSA helped me stand up for my religion.”
Luckily for converts like me, Muslim Students Association National began a project in early 1990s by the name of Islam Awareness Week. During this week, local Muslim Student Associations provide campuses with resources and activities to help people better understand Islam.
This year, MSA at FIU will be hosting Islamic Awareness Week from March 4 to March 6. There will be three lectures, one each day and topics will include “The Spread of Islam: Lessons from The Last Prophet”, “Islam and Foreign Policy” and “My Journey to Islam: Stories from Muslim Converts”.
According to Farouk, “Since it’s Islamic Awareness Week, we are gearing it towards the entire University community. We want to focus on more contemporary issues that are prevalent in the world,” said the senior biology major. “Now, in respect to what’s happening in Syria and Palestine, we thought it best to have someone talk about foreign policy and Islam.”
No matter the person’s experience or knowledge, Farouk said he was sure they will leave knowing something new.
“When we have our question-and-answer session, that allows people to ask questions. From that we could get a good exchange of dialogue,” said Farouk.
Kamal Mohamed, a senior political science and international relations major said he was interested in the convert story the most. He felt this event was important so people could understand why converts choose Islam and everything that they go through during that process.
Self-conscious about my own status as a convert, I asked Mohamed if he could tell converts apart from Muslims born into the religion.
“No, I can’t tell when someone is a convert. Everyone is different,” he said.
Mohamed said he looked forward to the convert stories because he already knew about Prophet Muhammad and foreign policy due to his background.
“I’m always interested in hearing [convert stories] to better understand their struggles and help them get used to things. Some family members may stop talking to them and they need people they can go to for comfort,” he said. “Once I met MSA, then I became a better Muslim. We started talking about religion and learning things together.”
I can tell you, that attending MSA events and surrounding myself with supportive people makes a big difference. At home, the subject is treated like Lord Voldemort, it’s that-which-shall-not-be-named.
Adnan Samma, senior economics and international relations major, said “There are a few things people need to know: there is one Islam, one Quran and one Sunnah.”
According to Samma, “Islam is not a religion, but a way of life.”
Source: FIUSM
