<p>In recent memory, technological advancements, outsourced labour and a reliance on social media have all contributed to a trend of globalisation and increased ethnic sensitivity and awareness. With these changes in social attitudes, America, often dubbed ‘the great melting pot,’ has developed into an international community composed of people of all races, religions, ideologies, and backgrounds that must coexist harmonio-sly in order for the country to operate efficiently.<br /><br />However, with so much ideological divide, one must consider the accessibility and liberty of various social institutions as members of all religions and races strive to maintain an equal sense of tradition and uniqueness. As cultural and religious practices are handed down to younger generations, universities and colleges also bear a responsibility to provide reasonable amenities so as not to limit their students in their pursuit of cultural and religious freedom.<br /><br />As a linguist and cultural theorist, I am constantly aware of a multicultural atmosphere that has been conducive to free worship. While there are hundreds of student-run groups, nearly all of them are based upon a certain ideology, race, culture, or religious affiliation. On the “Get Involved” website for student activities, they celebrate this multiplicity as the major theme of student involvement. The website claims “student involvement and leadership is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to be a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for community members.”<br /><br />The 250 Student Union-funded organisations receive a total budget of $2.4 million, or $409 per student at Washington University alone. Clearly, Washington University cares about maintaining its multicultural image, and I believe the school provides sufficient resources for students of all backgrounds to practice what they will. <br /><br />Multiple prayer rooms exist throughout campus and each is adjacent to large-scale bathrooms for wudu, the ritualistic cleansing procedure that every Muslim must undergo prior to praying. A Halal food option has been introduced. The Muslim Student Association even leads a weekly Friday Jumu’ah prayer in the Lopata House for those interested.<br />The Washington University is a private institution and thus strives to create a diverse environment for its students to learn from. In response to my question on observing faith, Rushda Sulaiman, a student, said that on campus there is a prayer room that acts as a hub for Islamic activity in the university area. Through the university, the prayer room is able to provide the university students with a place of worship as well as act as a spot for community gatherings for the Muslim students. Additionally, the university acknowledges Islamic holidays and allows students excused absences on such days.<br />Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) have been able to serve two important functions – one external and the other internal. Externally, the organisation of panels and lectures, that allow campus members to learn about the religion from an academic point of view and ask questions, can truly go a long way to dispel many of the inaccurate stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. Perhaps just as important, however, is the internal role that the MSAs play in serving the Muslim community on campus. This includes allowing for prayer rooms, religious lectures, and the development of a strong community on campus.<br />Shedding misconceptions<br /><br />Another student Aisha Sabar, who recently graduated from Washington University said, “During my senior year, in an effort to increase knowledge of and shed misconceptions about Islam, I helped organise inter-religious dialogues on campus through the MSA with friends that were members of other religion-based student groups, including Jewish groups. For example, I collaborated with friends to organise a panel of speakers with an Imam, a rabbi and a priest. I found students to be genuinely interested in learning and increasing dialogue. Overall, it was important for me to be able to associate with Muslim students during college, and I found my environment and peers at Washington University to be supportive of the MSA.”<br /><br />Sulaman Durrani, an undergraduate student has had an interesting experience.<br />“As Muslims, we definitely have a different schedule than most other students. We have to factor in our five daily prayers as part of our schedule. Our Friday prayer gatherings are a must. The best part is, our commitment to our faith brings us together,” he said.<br />“Indeed, there have been some times that I have felt alienated. Since 9/11, we have all had to experience facing someone who may be racist toward us, who may discriminate between us just because of our races and beliefs. But the happiness and belonging that I have been able to feel in America and in my university weighs out the cons by a landslide. To get rid of the racism and discrimination, I believe that the best approach is to act as an ambassador. We are the representation of the overall Muslim population, and to change others’ beliefs towards us, we must live on like true Muslims and treat others the way we wish to be treated,” Sulaman added.<br /><br />We live in a political world in which propaganda and backwardness both play roles in shaping the youth’s mindset, and in today’s age of religious polarisation, it is refreshing to see that institutions of higher learning respect the freedom that this country was founded on. We can only hope that this sense of tolerance and respect within colleges only radiates into all levels of society as we have begun to train an entire generation to respect diversity. Perhaps then, society will become more collaborative as America learns to embrace differences as learning experiences.</p>.<p>(The writer holds a doctorate in Linguistics and teaches at Washington University in St Louis, USA)</p>
<p>In recent memory, technological advancements, outsourced labour and a reliance on social media have all contributed to a trend of globalisation and increased ethnic sensitivity and awareness. With these changes in social attitudes, America, often dubbed ‘the great melting pot,’ has developed into an international community composed of people of all races, religions, ideologies, and backgrounds that must coexist harmonio-sly in order for the country to operate efficiently.<br /><br />However, with so much ideological divide, one must consider the accessibility and liberty of various social institutions as members of all religions and races strive to maintain an equal sense of tradition and uniqueness. As cultural and religious practices are handed down to younger generations, universities and colleges also bear a responsibility to provide reasonable amenities so as not to limit their students in their pursuit of cultural and religious freedom.<br /><br />As a linguist and cultural theorist, I am constantly aware of a multicultural atmosphere that has been conducive to free worship. While there are hundreds of student-run groups, nearly all of them are based upon a certain ideology, race, culture, or religious affiliation. On the “Get Involved” website for student activities, they celebrate this multiplicity as the major theme of student involvement. The website claims “student involvement and leadership is committed to diversity and inclusion, and strives to be a welcoming, engaging, and safe environment for community members.”<br /><br />The 250 Student Union-funded organisations receive a total budget of $2.4 million, or $409 per student at Washington University alone. Clearly, Washington University cares about maintaining its multicultural image, and I believe the school provides sufficient resources for students of all backgrounds to practice what they will. <br /><br />Multiple prayer rooms exist throughout campus and each is adjacent to large-scale bathrooms for wudu, the ritualistic cleansing procedure that every Muslim must undergo prior to praying. A Halal food option has been introduced. The Muslim Student Association even leads a weekly Friday Jumu’ah prayer in the Lopata House for those interested.<br />The Washington University is a private institution and thus strives to create a diverse environment for its students to learn from. In response to my question on observing faith, Rushda Sulaiman, a student, said that on campus there is a prayer room that acts as a hub for Islamic activity in the university area. Through the university, the prayer room is able to provide the university students with a place of worship as well as act as a spot for community gatherings for the Muslim students. Additionally, the university acknowledges Islamic holidays and allows students excused absences on such days.<br />Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) have been able to serve two important functions – one external and the other internal. Externally, the organisation of panels and lectures, that allow campus members to learn about the religion from an academic point of view and ask questions, can truly go a long way to dispel many of the inaccurate stereotypes of Islam and Muslims. Perhaps just as important, however, is the internal role that the MSAs play in serving the Muslim community on campus. This includes allowing for prayer rooms, religious lectures, and the development of a strong community on campus.<br />Shedding misconceptions<br /><br />Another student Aisha Sabar, who recently graduated from Washington University said, “During my senior year, in an effort to increase knowledge of and shed misconceptions about Islam, I helped organise inter-religious dialogues on campus through the MSA with friends that were members of other religion-based student groups, including Jewish groups. For example, I collaborated with friends to organise a panel of speakers with an Imam, a rabbi and a priest. I found students to be genuinely interested in learning and increasing dialogue. Overall, it was important for me to be able to associate with Muslim students during college, and I found my environment and peers at Washington University to be supportive of the MSA.”<br /><br />Sulaman Durrani, an undergraduate student has had an interesting experience.<br />“As Muslims, we definitely have a different schedule than most other students. We have to factor in our five daily prayers as part of our schedule. Our Friday prayer gatherings are a must. The best part is, our commitment to our faith brings us together,” he said.<br />“Indeed, there have been some times that I have felt alienated. Since 9/11, we have all had to experience facing someone who may be racist toward us, who may discriminate between us just because of our races and beliefs. But the happiness and belonging that I have been able to feel in America and in my university weighs out the cons by a landslide. To get rid of the racism and discrimination, I believe that the best approach is to act as an ambassador. We are the representation of the overall Muslim population, and to change others’ beliefs towards us, we must live on like true Muslims and treat others the way we wish to be treated,” Sulaman added.<br /><br />We live in a political world in which propaganda and backwardness both play roles in shaping the youth’s mindset, and in today’s age of religious polarisation, it is refreshing to see that institutions of higher learning respect the freedom that this country was founded on. We can only hope that this sense of tolerance and respect within colleges only radiates into all levels of society as we have begun to train an entire generation to respect diversity. Perhaps then, society will become more collaborative as America learns to embrace differences as learning experiences.</p>.<p>(The writer holds a doctorate in Linguistics and teaches at Washington University in St Louis, USA)</p>
