Islam week promotes diversity on campus
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The university’s Muslim Student Association hosted its first-ever Islam Week from April 25-28.
The event kicked off with a calligraphy workshop on April 25, where attendees learned how to write the 99 names of Allah and practice their handwriting skills. Day two included guest speaker Sheikh Shahid Ali, who discussed the Holy Quran at the Becker Amphitheater. Day three featured a Muslim Cultures Around the World event, with tables set up along the Titan Walk displaying different countries with significant Muslim populations. Student representatives from the countries involved showcased different aspects of their country’s culture, some wearing traditional clothing.
Lyba Batla, a third-year CSUF student and president of the association, attended the Titan Walk event and managed the check-in table.
“There are multiple stereotypes, a lot of them are negative unfortunately due to the media. So that’s what we’re trying to do is kind of educate Titans about like, hey you know, this is kind of what our religion is in this. These are cultures around the world that embody that religion,” Batla said.
Batla also shared some of the goals of the association, some of which include educating non-Muslims about Islam and providing a comforting environment for Muslims on campus, especially those who are in dorms and away from home.
April is Arab American heritage month which coincided with Islam Week. The South West Asian and North African community on campus also held events to celebrate the month, including a movie screening with food from Shawarma Loca on the Tuffy Lawn on April 28.
On May 8 the Titan Student Union Pavilions will hold the first Eid banquet at CSUF, presented by the MSA. The banquet will begin at 5:30 p.m. It is open to all CSUF students, alumni and any other college students who can verify their student status. The event will be free for all attendees. There will be South Asian food as well as Arab food, boba drinks, games, a photo booth and raffles. The dress code is formal, and an RSVP is required. More information can be found on their Instagram.