Humber welcomes Islamic awareness
Humber College’s Muslim Students Association organizes its second annual Islamic awareness week in an effort to eliminate stereotypes and inform students and faculty about the Muslim faith.
Running from March 21 to March 25 the MSA will be setting up an information booth in Humber North Campus that will be open throughout the day to answer questions and give information about the importance of Islamic awareness.
This year, the focus for the week is “What Islam has Given the World” which will be focusing on the many great inventions and knowledge Islam has brought to the world.
MSA Marketing Director Nayha Ali said ultimately Islamic awareness is important because they want to explain why they are not their stereotype.
“A major misconception is that Muslim women do not have a voice within the Islamic community, and this is not the case,” she said.
Nayha said that this week alone would enforce that this stereotype is inaccurate by allowing her to speak out. It will also cover a lot about the “terrorist” stereotype.
“We are not afraid to answer questions, and we want people to ask real Muslims the information. I feel the best part is watching the enlightening on people’s faces once they have their questions answered,” she said.
President of the MSA Taha Ali said, “One of the main reasons for this week is to build bridges between the Muslim community and other communities on campus.”
There are misconceptions about the Muslim religion being violent, and they want to use this week as a platform to shed light on the many good things Islam has done said Taha Ali.
“Few people will ever take a religion course while in university which is why having this event creates an easy way for students to learn from their peers,” he said.
Taha Ali said it is better to get this kind of information this way rather than through the media and its filters.
He also said they are aiming to be a voice for the Muslim students because they want their needs to be met on campus and feel it is an important part of one’s academic experience.
“Humber’s community is so positive, very inclusive and willing to learn, and that’s why I love doing this awareness week” she said.
Nayha Ali feels that the more we are able to learn about not only the Muslim religion, but other religions as well, the easier it will be to create a mutual respect.
Islamic awareness supporter Ariba Bukhari is a Muslim student and said that she thinks Islamic awareness week is a great start to something even bigger.
“I hope to see this awareness week adapted by not only schools, but the world as a whole,” she said.
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