The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at the University of Memphis is hosting week-long events leading up to an open mosque event, where anyone is invited to a mosque to learn about Islam.
Robyn Pennella, co-president of MSA, said this week is about showing the community what “real Islam” is and how Muslims portrayed in the media are different from what they actually are.
“We aim to strengthen our own faith while teaching the campus and greater community more about Islam and to present it in a positive light,” Pennella said. “Tons and tons of people have misconceptions on Muslims.”
Pennella said people do not know what Islam is really about, and some of the media tends to discredit what the truth of the religion holds.
“This week is important because I want my campus community, my friends, to understand my religion,” Pennella said. “I don’t want them to think it’s some foreign concept, and I don’t want them to be afraid of us. People just don’t know about us, and they get their information from inaccurate sources, so we’re here to help the community.”
Ata Amro, co-president of MSA, said the association is here to better the society and offer services to those who need it.
“Basically, we try to be something good for the community, especially the youth,” Amro said. “We try to provide prayer access in rooms. We try to provide events on and off campus, like Islamic Awareness Week.”
Amro said he hopes for this week to go well, and he wants people to gain one thing from the events.
“Islam means to me peace and one god,” Amro said. “Islam revolves around God, where everything we do is for the sake of God and for the wellness of us and others.”
Tasneem Hassouneh, a student volunteer in MSA, said this week is important to her because it is about conveying the mission of Islam, and some media do not do it well.
“I feel like it’s our duty to tell people what Islam is about because it’s being butchered in the media,” Hassouneh said. “MSA is helping put faces to the religion. It’s beneficial for non-Muslims to know that we are here, and we are a part of your community, and we’re not what you see in the media. We are constantly having to defend ourselves.”
Islamic Awareness Week begins with Muslim students explaining to others what Islam is, and the next four days consist of discussions, a hijab and henna workshop and a fast-a-thon, where anyone is welcome to fast that day and break their fast in the University Center with food from MSA. Throughout the week, MSA is also hosting a canned good drive, where people can bring in canned foods to the MSA office to give to those in need.
Fatema Habib, a freshman in MSA, said she will be working the henna table Wednesday and is excited for it.
“I get to do henna for people, and I love getting to meet new people and tell them about Islam,” Habib said. “I’m going to be able to do these things with people I love for a good cause.”
Adil Abdurahaman, secretary of MSA, said he ran the Da’wah table, which invited people to ask questions about Islam, and thinks it would be helpful to the community.
“Islamic Awareness Week is about letting people know more about Islam,” Abdurahaman said. “There are a lot of misconceptions in the world and in the United States, so we’re just trying to clear up those misconceptions and misunderstandings that people have.”
Members of the Muslim Student Association, 19-year-old political science major Ata Amro, 21-year-old biology major Adio Abdurahaman, 18-year-old law student Muhammad Quadir and 20-year-old business major Zhuo Xue host a tabling event where they answer questions other students might have about the Muslim faith. They were giving out information about nearby mosques, so students could visit if they have any additional questions.
