Understanding Muslim Students

Presented on January 10, 2013 by,Ashley ArnoldJacob ArzagaDerrick GutierrezAlysha MartinBen Speicher

Learning Goals:• Students will be able to examine the differences Muslim students

compared to Jewish and Christian students.

• Students will be able to examine a few assumptions that other cultures may have toward Muslim students.

• Students will be able to identify different ways to provide a safe inclusive environment for Muslim students.

• Students will be able to develop programs that give Muslim students the opportunity to interact with other cultures.

Presentation Outline:• Introduction: Knowledge is Power• Did you know?• Research findings• Muslim Awareness in Student Affairs• Case Student/ Scenarios • Case Study Post 9/11• Safe Environment for Muslim Students• Video• Closing Remarks• Citations• Questions & Answers

Knowledge is Power (Derek)

"Islam is often portrayed as monolithic, insular, and extremely conservative -- a view reinforced since the September 11 attacks. But the truth is as complex as the lives of the people it enfolds" (McMurtie 2001).

Open Class Discussion (Derek)

What assumption/ knowledge do you have of Muslim students?

What stereotypes do you know that are associated toward Muslim students?

Did you know? (Jacob)

• Religious Text: Qurano "that which is often recited"

• Deity: Allah

• Main Religious Figure: Muhammad

• 5 Pillars of Islam:o 1. Testimony of Faith (Shahadah)o 2. Prayer (Salah)o 3. Charity (Zakah)o 4. Fasting (Sawm)o 5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Did you know? (Ashley)

Muslim: A follower of the religion of Islam.• Islam spans across all racial/ethnic groups as the world's

second largest religion and the third largest religion in the U.S Cole & Ahmadi, 2010

o Muslim Americans: 15% claiming Arabian descent 28% South Asian descent 27% African American

A review of available statistical data shows population estimates of Muslims in the U.S. varies between 1.8 to 7 million Cole & Ahmadi, 2010

• Muslim students on college campuses have received relatively little attention in higher education Cole & Ahmadi, 2003

Issues Muslim Students Face: (Alysha)

• "Islamophobia" & 9/11o Stereotypes, prejudice, hate crimes

• The Christian Calendar: Religious Holidays v. Academics for Muslim students

• Lack of locations for daily prayero Prayer 5 times a day

• Dietary restrictionso Ramadan

• Female Muslim Students and the Hijab

(Ali 2009)

An NYC Post 9/11 Study: (Ben)

• 68 Muslim students from 7 schools in the Twin Towers are of New York City

• Conducted September 30th-October 5th• Focus group interviews of 3-15 students• 4 Individual Interviews• Most students considered themselves "highly

religious" and demonstrated this characteristic in their appearance (hajib, niqaab, beard)

(Peek 2003)

An NYC Post 9/11 Study: (Ben)

• The University Response• Community Reactions• Family Responses• Students' own reactions• The Role of the Media

(Peek 2003)

Activity 1 (Everyone)

• Please check to see if you have an index card under your seat. If you have an index card you are a Muslim there are only three Muslim students in this activity.

Please read your case study amongst your groups

Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) (Jacob)

History:• Established in January 1963• At the University of Illinois at Urbana -

Champaign by a conference of Muslim students from around the U.S. and Canada.

Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) (Jacob)

Guiding Principles:

"Sincerity is the foundation of our existenceKnowledge precedes our actionsHumility guides our conductPatience is the hallmark of our planningTruthfulness is the mark of our speechModeration is the compass of for our journeyTolerance is the banner of our outreachGratitude binds our heart togetherForgiveness precedes our reconciliatory efforts"

Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) (Jacob)

MSA Programs:

• Regional, Zonal and Continental Conferences with a few hundred to a few thousand attendees

• Fast-A-Thon with over 200 schools that raised over $20,000 for chairty.

• Islam Awareness Day/Week• Constellation Program to network and educate nearly

150 MSAs in 25 cities.

Muslim Student Associations (MSAs) (Jacob)

MSA Resources:• Manuals:

o Start or Improve your MSAo Make your Campus more Muslim Friendly

How to Achieve Islamic Holidays on Campus How to Establish a Prayer Room on Campus How to Achieve Halal Food on Campus

o Learn Professional MSA Management Skills

• The MSA Zone website with MSA contact and project information, online forums, event registration, news and announcements.

Prayer Times schedule at UCLA:

Muslim Student Association (MSA)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Duhr: 1:15 pm Asr: 3:30 pm Maghrib: 5:00 pm Isha: 7:00 pm

http://www.msabruins.com/#events

College Experience for Muslim Students: (Ashley)

Are there differences between Muslims and their Jewish and Christian peers?

Muslim students differ from their Jewish and Christians peers primarily in that they are likely to be older, non U.S citizens, speak English as a second or third language.

Muslim students differed from both Jewish and Christian students, in that,they spent more time attending racial/cultural awareness workshops, having a roommate and socializing with someone of a different racial/ ethnic group.Cole & Ahmadi, 2010

Cole & Ahmadi, 2010

Muslims Students College Satisfaction:(Ashley)

Are there also differences between Muslim, Jewish, and Christian students academic achievement and overall

educational satisfaction?

In terms of overall college grades or satisfaction with their college experiences there are no significant differences between Muslims and Christians. Muslim student reported however being less satisfied with their overall college experience than their Jewish peers. Cole & Ahmadi, 2010

Muslim woman wearing the hijab reported that some peers and faculty held negative misconceptions about veiled women. For example, having limited English speaking ability because of her veil.Cole & Ahmadi, 2003

Resources for Muslim Students (Derek)

National/International Organizations:http://msanational.org/

On Campus Organizations:Encourage students to look for MSA's on

their campuses (Examples, CSUF, UCLA)YOU!

Make sure staff and faculty at your university are educated on muslim students and their needs.

Video

References:"AICA (Association for InterCultural Awareness) | Student Government & Programming | Associated Students, CSUF, Inc.. "Home | Associated

Students, Inc. | California State University, Fullerton. N.p. n.d Web. 7 Jan 2012. <http://www.asi.fullerton.edu/programs/aica.asp>.

Ali, S., & Bagheri, E. (2009). Practical suggestions to accommodate the needs of Muslim students on campus. New Directions For Student Services, (125), 47-54.

Cole, D., & Ahmadi, S. (2010). Reconsidering Campus Diversity: An Examination of Muslim Students' Experience. The Journal of Higher Education, (81)2, 121-139.

Cole, D., & Ahmadi, S. (2003). Perspectives and experiences of Muslim women who veil on college campuses. Journal of College Student Development, 44(1), 47-66.

McMurtrie, B. (2002). For Many Muslim Students, College Is a Balancing Act. Chronicle of Higher Education, 48(11), A55.

"MSA National." MSA National. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2013. <http://msanational.org/>.

Nasir, N., & Al-Amin, J. (2006). Creating Identity-Safe Spaces on College Campuses for Muslim Students. Change. 38(2), 22-27.

"Profile-Muslim Student Association - YouTube." YouTube. N.p., n.d. Web 7 Jan. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v_X_yAylftVaE>.

"UCLA MSA." UCLA MSA. N.p., Web. 7 Jan. 2012. <http://www.msabruins.com/>.

Lori A. Peek (2003): Reactions and response: Muslim students' experiences on New York city campuses post 9/11, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 23:2, 271-283

Thank you,

Questions and Answers