The Muslim Student Organization is hosting Islam Awareness Week, with the theme of #IslamInMurica, beginning with a Taste of Islam on Tuesday and ending with Jump Rope with a Muslim on Friday.
Due to rain, Taste of Islam was rescheduled from Monday to Tuesday. It will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lowry Mall.
“To get the word out there about our events this week, there will be free food from Olive Café,” MSO spokeswoman Farah El-Jayyousi said.
The Islam Awareness Week committee and other members of MSO will be passing out hummus, falafel and baklava for students to try.
Scarves for Solidarity is also Tuesday.
“Girls who don’t normally wear a scarf covering their hair can try it out for a day to help raise awareness about Islam and what some of the things Muslim women do,” El-Jayyousi said. “About one in two Muslim women worldwide cover their hair.”
There will also be a panel discussion at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Memorial Union S016. Women can talk about their experiences wearing scarves, and those who participated can talk about what they learned, El-Jayyousi said.
Fast-a-thon will be held from 5:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan, which this year started in July and ended the day before fall semester. Students can try fasting for less than 10 hours. A free dinner will be provided after the fast in Bengal Lair in Memorial Union North. People are asked to bring a donation for the Tiger Food Pantry as well.
“The spirit of fasting is to give and help out community,” El-Jayyousi said.
A short presentation on Ramadan will follow the dinner, during which students will share their fasting experiences. Food will be provided from Oasis Cafe and dishes MSO members will bring to share.
The keynote speaker for Islam Awareness Week will talk Thursday in Bengal Lair.
During “Islam: Fact vs. Fiction,” Nurdeen Lawal will address some misconceptions about Islam. Lawal is a speaker from Kansas City. A Q-and-A session will follow the speech.
“I want Islam Awareness Week to basically serve the purpose of raising awareness about our religion,” MSO President Fareeha Amir said. “We won’t be able to affect everyone on campus, but as long as we clear up at least some misunderstandings, then it will be a success.”
Islam Awareness Week will conclude with Jump Rope with a Muslim, which will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Friday in Speakers Circle. Students participating will be able to enjoy free tea or hot chocolate.
“(This event) makes fun of some of the stereotypes about Muslims, the idea that Muslims are scary and strange,” El-Jayyousi said. “This hopefully breaks some of those ideas. It’s showing we’re not that scary after all — we like to have fun.”
These events for #IslamInMurica allow for Muslim students to come together.
“I like MSO because it’s nice to get together and see other people with the same religion as you,” third-year member Fatima Haider said.
Islam Awareness Week not only brings Muslim students together, but also allows them to share their faith with the community.
“Our main goal is to show how Muslims are in America, and (make people) realize we are just normal human beings,” Amir said. “We hope to teach people about our religion and the beauty of it.”
