Muslim students find community, study religion, celebrate holidays together

The hardest part has been convincing people he would like to be called by his name.

Osama Aljohani, a senior electrical engineering major, is studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on a scholarship from his home country of Saudi Arabia. Aljohani came to UNL in 2006 and said it took about two years for him to feel comfortable as a practicing Muslim on campus.

"In the beginning, it was hard since my name was Osama," Aljohani said. "I lived on campus for two years and people made jokes, but I didn't really know English or have many friends."

Aljohani said every year he has had professors and acquaintances ask if they should call him by his first name. He said he will often get strange looks the first couple of days in class.

"They just need time to adjust," Aljohani said.

But things are much better now than they were. Aljohani has made friends and adjusted to life as a Muslim on campus, partly thanks to the Muslim Student Association (MSA), of which he is now president.

The other officers of the organization agreed that MSA both helped them make friends as well as spread awareness about the Islamic religion.

Symone Kayyem, secretary of MSA and a junior international business major, said she has encountered stereotypes and misconceptions about Muslims among UNL students.

"I met someone on campus who said to me, ‘You're way too pretty to be Muslim,'" Kayyem said. "And I thought, ‘Oh, I didn't know Islam had a face.'"

Kayyem said many students are often "shocked" to find out she is Muslim because she doesn't wear the scarf covering many Islamic women wear. Whether a woman chooses to cover has to do with her own personal faith journey, Kayyem said.

"Once I've reached a certain point in my religion, once you're ready to do that, that's when you're ready and that's when you cover up," Kayyem said.

Aljohani, whose family came with him to Nebraska, said his wife experiences similar misunderstandings.

"People will ask her, ‘Does your husband make you wear that?'" he said. "They don't understand that it's her choice."

Kayyem said many women in Western culture see covering up as being oppressive but Kayyem said the effect is actually very liberating.

"It gives them more respect; it empowers them," Kayyem said, "(A woman who covers) is not defined by what she wears, how long her hair is, or how much makeup she wears."

Junior international studies major Patrick Barney is a convert from Christianity. He said he's dealt with misunderstandings among his peers and family members who, despite living in the Middle East for eight years, still don't know much about Islam.

"My dad is a Christian conservative, and a big fan of Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh … He told me I was going to hell, and he threatened to kick me out," Barney said. He said his mom and sister were afraid he would try and convert them.

The students said practicing the Islamic faith as a college student can bring challenges, like fitting in five prayer times a day or observing the Islamic dietary restrictions.

Aljohani said finding a place to pray, as well as scheduling the prayer, can be difficult.

"It's kind of hard to go outside to pray," he said. "Some people might make fun. But some are comfortable praying wherever."

If classes interfere with prayer times, Aljohani said, Muslim students must pray right after class.

As far as the dietary restrictions, Kayyem said Muslims must eat meat that has been prepared and blessed in a special way, similar to Kosher food. However, for Muslims who are visiting other countries, it is okay for them to eat meat prepared by Christians or Jews, who are considered "People of the Book."

Pork and alcohol, however, are still forbidden.

"Honestly, pork is sort of fatty," Kayyem said. "I don't want to eat it, even if it's allowed. If it wouldn't be for my religion, it would be a personal choice."

The MSA officers agree the group has given them a home on campus and a way to grow in their faith.

"The religion is so vast and there's so much to know, it's nice to be in this group and have people you can ask questions," Kayyem said. "There's always someone you can relate to."

With about 30 active members, MSA has several activities a month including halaqa studies, which Kayyem explains are kind of like "Muslim Bible studies." There are also events celebrating Islamic holidays or simple get-togethers. Students of all faith backgrounds are invited to these events.

Kayyem said she hopes people who are curious about the Islamic faith come to events or ask questions to learn more and to dispel some of the stereotypes.

"Just don't be shy," Kayyem said. "Come up to us. We really don't bite. This is why MSA is here."

Students wanting to learn more can visit the MSA office in room 348 of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center or visit MSA's website at www.unl.edu/msa/home.

maryrezac@dailynebraskan.com