By Marley Malenfant/se news editor
Islamic stereotypes were dispelled as Muslim students shared the truth about the Islamic culture during the Islam Exposed presentation Nov. 12 on SE Campus.
Students of different ethnic backgrounds expressed their views on embracing the Islamic culture.
Many of these students were former Christians, atheists, agnostics and Hindu followers.
Ahmad Alkhadra, president of the Muslim Student Association, said the seminar was designed to give non-Islamic followers a way to see what the religion is about.
“We expose the true meaning of Islam to the non-Muslims,” he said. “We went around campus basically and conducted interviews on camera with random students and asked them basic questions about Muslim to see their reaction.”
SE student Neal Harper said he shot the video, which shows the ignorance that students have about the religion. Most students on the video said that Islam was a country in the Middle East.
“The event is here to spread Islam and show the positive side of Islam,” Harper said.
Imam Hasan Khalil talked about the lifestyle of Islamic people.
“When you talk about Islam, you talk about submission to the will of Allah,” he said. “In order to be a Muslim, you have to testify that there is none greater than Allah. So Islam is all about worshipping Allah from A-Z.”
Khalil said Islamic people pray frequently.
“Muslims pray five times a day,” he said. “You worship Allah at home, at work, in the street, during transactions, all the time. The supervision of Allah has to be present in your heart.”
Kimberly Tipton said Islam is the way people should live.
“The religion is perfect and not the people,” she said. “Islam gives us everything that we’re supposed to do. Islam has the men’s role and women’s role of how we’re supposed to live.”
SE student Zena Salin said Muslim women wear their scarves by choice.
“We wear the hijab for modesty,” she said. “Women can wear what they want, but Muslim women cover up out of respect for their husbands.”
SE student Alaa Druz said many Americans have stigmas toward Muslims.
“Just because one stupid Muslim did something doesn’t mean we’re violent people. People assume that we’re so different, but we’re just like most Americans,” she said.
