Three members of the Muslim-cultural Students Association sat in Norris University Center on Tuesday and played a game of Jeopardy, testing passersby on their knowledge of Islam.
The game was part of a week-long effort to educate the Northwestern community about the religion during Islam Awareness Week.
“The purpose of this week is to raise awareness about Muslims among the Northwestern community and to dispel any stereotypes people may have,” said Danish Qureshi, McSA’s co-president.
“Another positive by-product of the week is that it helps to increase bonds and build a stronger sense of community among Muslims on campus and McSA members.”
Events include presentations from well-known speakers, several firesides, a booth located in the lobby of Technological Institute and a mosque at The Rock.
McSA invited both Scott Alexander and Amer Haleem to speak this year. Alexander, an associate professor of Islam and director of the Catholic-Muslim Studies Program at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, spoke Tuesday evening about the historical perspective of Muslims in Jerusalem.
“Usually whenever we bring speakers to campus, we start by feeling out our members and (asking) them whom they would like to hear come,” said Qureshi, a Weinberg junior. “(Alexander’s and Haleem’s) names came up because people thought they would be interesting speakers.”
Haleem, a Chicago-based writer and former editor of Islamic Horizons magazine, will explain how Islam and Muslims today adapt to and work with the dynamics of a changing world, Qureshi said.
The speech, called “Islam in the Face of Crisis,” will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. in Fisk Hall.
In addition to the guest speakers, McSA also organized two firesides this week, both held in Allison Hall lounge.
Monday night’s fireside was a student-led discussion about the history of Islam in the United States, titled “What Puts the ‘U.S.’ in Muslim?”
The fireside included personal accounts from an NU student and a parent, who spoke about their experiences as American Muslims.
“America is our home, and it is a great place to live,” said Naveen Malik, the Communication junior who spoke at Monday night’s fireside. “It is important for us to reconcile any differences (American Muslims) see because really there are none. It is easy to be a Muslim in America.”
At tonight’s fireside, to be held at 7 p.m., audience members will discuss the treatment of Muslim women alongside a student panel. Sanna Bengali, a McCormick senior, will speak on her decision to wear hijab, the Islamic hair covering.
McSA members said the activities they planned have been a success and have fulfilled their goal for this year’s IAW.
“We are pleased with the turnout at the events, where about 30 percent of the audience was non-Muslim,” said Eram Alam, the executive vice president of McSA and the principal organizer of this week’s events.
McSA planned the events with the help of almost 20 other organizations and academic departments. IAW is a global event in which more than 200 universities across the United States alone participate.
This is the 10th year NU has participated in the tradition.
“The purpose is to facilitate an environment where it is encouraged to ask questions and exchange ideas,” said Alam, a Weinberg junior. “Every year the events accomplish this, and it’s why we continue to do it.”
