Islamic Awareness Week promotes understanding
By Ben Keyserling / Student Publications
Several Muslim students at Tech regularly visit the newly constructed mosque, located nearby at the corner of 14th and Snyder Streets.
In recent years, the deplorable activities of terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have unfortunately led many people to have many misconceptions about Muslim people.
Even the Islamic faith has become a victim of false accusations and beliefs as a result of the mistrust towards the Muslim community that has been precipitated by events like 9/11 and the 2005 London train bombings.
In response, Tech's Muslim Student Association (MSA) launched an Islamic Awareness Week last Tuesday, Feb. 13.
This week was meant to add momentum to the organization's attempts to break down common misconceptions about Islam and Muslim people.
The week's events were sponsored by the Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association and Stephanie Ray, the associate dean of students and director of diversity programs. To some, the need for this event was clear.
"There's a really negative view of Muslims right now in the world. It's not good to group all Muslims together into one category, and people should learn about the different types of Muslim people around the world and be open to understanding what Islam is really about," said Sheliza Bhanjee, a second-year Psychology major.
Organized in connection with the MSA at other Atlanta universities like Emory and Georgia State, Tech's Islamic Awareness Week does not fall into the category of a religious event.
"This event is aimed at being more [of an] educational [one] that benefits our community by creating awareness," said Umair Masud, a third-year Industrial Engineering major and president of Tech's MSA.
Amin Tomeh, a Tech alum and member of the Islamic Speakers Bureau, presided over the kickoff event for the week, an informational session held Feb. 13.
Tomeh talked about the basic beliefs of Islam and the meaning that Islam holds for its followers.
"Some of those who attended the session asked questions that cater to the common misconceptions that people have about the Muslim faith. Clearly, our faith does not, contrary to popular belief, declare that all Muslims are guaranteed [entry to] heaven. Our intentions and deeds are what take us there," Masud said.
Jihad was another issue that was discussed and clarified during the week.
"Jihad is directed towards purifying yourself and your inner values and not towards purifying the world by extraditing other religions," Masud said.
Masud also explained how wearing the hijab, the Arabic term for "veil," is not a method of oppressing Muslim women, contrary to popular belief.
"Muslim women wear the hijab to not only reflect their modesty and self pride but also to establish their identity in society," Masud said.
Other awareness events focused on Islamic moral philosophy, the history of Islam in America, the legacy of women in Islam and the scientific renaissance of the Muslim world.
"I feel that the week greatly [benefited] students at Tech," Masud said.
"Achieving a better understanding of a different culture fosters unity and cooperation and removes the tendency for segregation and division," Masud said.
For more information about the MSA, check out www.gtmsa.org.
