Issue 9
The UIC MSA Publication
UNITY
April 2016
Al-Bayyan
Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th
Shapla Shaheen, sophomore
Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8
Maryam Siddiqi, Junior
Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8 Al Bayyan Live April 11th Latino Cultural Center 6-8
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Introduction When Islam Awareness Week came to an end about three weeks ago, I wondered to myself if I would ever again witness a series of events like those that transpired that week. I wondered to myself if I would ever again feel what I felt in my heart, think what I thought in my mind. I wondered if He would ever bless me with this again. I wondered. The theme for this year’s IAW, Defenders of Peace, ran side by side with the theme of this month’s Al-Bayyan issue, Unity. A five letter, 3 syllable word so simple to say but so difficult to define and comprehend. How do we, a community and society so stricken with external attacks and internal issues, come to sense of what this word means? Our religion is the basic formula for overcoming divisions amongst ourselves, but how many times can you say you see that model today? Not often. We as, not only Muslims but amongst our fellow humans, struggle mightily with this concept. Our minds tell us one thing, while deep down we know that we cannot succeed like this. We cannot thrive, or even survive, like this. Divided.
But, alas, a wave of change emerged the morning of March 7th, beyond the doors of SCE. It reached seismic proportions the evening of March 11th, inside the UIC Pavilion. Over the course of the whole week, beacons of light shined brighter, friendships were forged, and bigotry/hate ran scared for the hills. Our hearts connected with each other, Muslim and nonMuslim. And in that, my friends, lies what we must do to keep the spirit of unity alive, both as individuals and as a large, diverse community. Look past the differences. Look past the disparity, the opposition. See each other as brother, not other. A Chinese proverb says that “If people are of one heart, even the yellow earth can become gold.” If our hearts run together, the possibilities are endless. Scars of discord may still be there, but when we are bound together by compassion and understanding, there is no better healing. Unity can be a difficult picture to paint. But, with confidence, I can say that we picked up a brush and began painting something, sincerely and truly, beautiful. Abdul Basith Basheer Staff Writer
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Poetry Talk facts, not smack.
Letter to Donald Trump
Why is that when people turn their backs we’re so quick to talk smack? We clear our throats and speak with no tact about rumors that are backed by no facts.
I am a Muslim but an American too Growing up when I came home from the masjid I would usually end up watching Spongebob or America’s Funniest Home Videos While microwaving a bowl of spaghettios And turning up the who let the dogs out song on the stereo
But when that one fella forgets his hat, do you run up to him and give it back? No, we swallow a few times, look up behind him, and our limbs stay intact. We reassure ourselves by creating doubt and asking ourselves, “Was it even his hat?” When you hear a friend stereotype a race that isn’t hers, even though we may be at a loss of words, we shouldn’t simply squirm. Set her aside and tell her what’s right. When an officer notices his buddy act out of malicious intent, does he stand up or just sit back and allow it to ferment? These are questions I ask, because I am in fact tired. Tired of the bystanders. You claim your situation is different or this is all just exaggerated, but I bet those who witnessed any injustice in the past said just that. It may be part of human nature to make excuses, but I see it as people saying “deuces.” Don’t tell me you’re not informed enough to act. You don’t need to read up on a Wikipedia article to know about the facts, like racism is in the haps. Nor do you have to Google the definition of bullying to be sure you just saw some sullying. I can’t hear another person say their speech isn’t articulate enough or being brave is too tough. I’m tired because we’re human. It’s an inherent part of us to be able to recognize right from wrong. We can tell when someone has been hurt or has experienced some injustice. It’s time to clear our throats for something better, and stop being apathetic bystanders.
But today, as soon as I changed the radio dial A man said that mosques shouldn’t be built in America “This is the land of the free and home of the brave” And a women called up and said that “I bet the founding fathers are turning over in their graves” And I wonder. If we looked back at the documents saved Can we predict what the founding fathers would have said? Let’s give it a try. Thomas Jefferson the author of the Declaration of Independence Owned his own copy of the Quran and even hosted the first Presidential Iftar. Benjamin Franklin said that he would proudly provide a pulpit at the service of the Mufti of Constantinople if he were to come to America and preach Islam. And even George Washington himself said That he personally invited Muslims to Mt. Vernon asking if they were good workmen
So really, Why all the hate? When a Muslim leader, the Sultan of Morrocco Was the first to recognize the independence of the United States. So you see, Islam in America is not something new because The first Muslims in America were African slaves that Were forced to represent the red, white, and blue. Is it fair for me to say all Americans support slavery? No. So then just know that not all Muslims support terrorism. Because the average Muslim and the average American Are just trying to make ends meet Like that working father who just got laid off And still smiled at me on the street. So is it possible to be a patriotic Muslim? Being patriotic to me doesn’t mean I blindly support every act of this nation Or every piece of legislation Because honestly I could do without a lot of this foreign policy. Being patriotic to me means That I want the best for this country and the people in it. And no my great grandfather was not from here In fact it’s a place he has never known But I hope my grandchildren can call this place Their own. Javerea Ahmed
Sarah Ather
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A Union with Self
The Same God
Come, you parted and torn Make whole yourselves anew What is not lost, we shall not mourn For as the phoenix rises from ashes its ownBeloved, so shall you
it is the same God That grants you power To awaken, as He calls you To meet with Him, At the darkest hours of the night. When the sky is spilled black ink, And your heart is brilliant, white Parchment.
See how it grows weary, The wolf that is good and pure As its brother, shunnedlongs to live, accepted And what might you shall know in the union of the two wolves You desire for the sun to never set on your day Yet your day shall never be complete without your night And what truths you may learn in the abyss of night You wish only for light But do you not see Without darkness Even the stars do not shine And what battles you shall win in the darkest hours Come, you parted and torn Make whole yourselves anew What is not lost, we shall not mourn For as the phoenix rises from ashes its ownBeloved, so shall you Anonymous
and it is the same God that descends to the lowest heavens and hears your calls and pleas hears your every wish and whim, although you whisper ever so softly in your prostration. and it is the same God it’s an odd night. Could it be That you pray to the night When the sun is at that is one thousand months? its highest; You don’t know, but your head your day and your mind spins are racing with each other. as you tell Him what you want. You’re working hard, He knows. and suddenly, you remember your Lord. He knows the night, “...And my success is from none but and He knows what you want God.” before you ever wanted it. for a few minutes, time slows, you retreat from your work you retreat from your duties you retreat from the dunya, and strip yourself from its plastic glory. You are slave. You are creation. Repeat, repeat, repeat. and it is the same God that strikes you with ailments, and suffering, with tests, and trials, to show you how strong your shoulders are; to honor you with experiencing the power of duaa, to acquaint you with Him further For had you not been cut, and scarred and torn, you would not have had the opportunity to thank Him for healing you.
and it is the same God that is the giver of the best of presents wrapped with care, generosity, wisdom. You open them, one after another. your heart melts out of thankfulness. “And when you are thankful, I will give you more.” knees, palms, forehead greet the Earth, and can’t let go. Your love, it’s indescribable. Suddenly, you realize your love and thankfulness is itself a delicately wrapped parcel written for you by Allah “How can I repay this?” Allah is in no need of it. “But…”
Sara Alattar
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PEACEMAKER
Heart & Soul
WE all walk different paths in life. WE are all different. But what if I told you, there is a specific type person, WHO emanates the best and worst of ALL of us.
I left my soul in Makkah, I left my heart in Madinah
The Peacemaker. The one who is devoted, above all else, To finding internal and external peace. A mysterious figure, the Peacemaker is one Who doesn’t reveal himself, but is definitely close by So let me tell you more before you go He yearns for peace and harmony in the world, but more so Dreams for peace of mind within himself, Looks for the silver lining in every cloud He fears detachment from those around him He would sacrifice so much for them To see them happy, to see them succeed His own worst critic, he avoids conflict and tension He lives in the clouds, spiritual But is attuned to our problems down here He isn’t devoid of his own faults, But at his best, he is indomitable and all-embracing He can bring people together and heal conflicts. So YOU may ask me why I say these things… So I will tell you this… The Peacemaker sees a little bit of all of us in him He feels our struggles, he feels the same pains, but I tell you this with sincerity, It is time we all start seeing some of the Peacemaker Within OURSELVES.
At the gates of the sacred mosque, with white marble floors domed ceilings, intricate carvings, lanterns, gold pillars, calligraphy etched on the walls, and a mosaic of colors and brightness. But the millions of pilgrims looking for one thing: the house built by our father Abraham, The center of the world. I left my soul with the perfume on the Kaba, woven in every thread of its hijab. In the zamzam water soaking our tired feet, In the blessed circuit between the two mountains. I left my soul in the corner of the doors Where I barely hung on with my fingertips and prayed. I left my soul in the streets where the Prophet walked, his first home, peace and blessings be upon him The mountain of light where he was visited by an angel, peace and blessings be upon them. (Read, in the name of your Lord) I left my heart in Madinah The nameless city, The City with
no need for another name. With the rain and tears soaking my skin before the first prayer of the day, before the sun rose In the Prophet’s mosque, and the home he built with his own hands And the fragment of heaven between his door and his pulpit I left my heart with the mechanical umbrellas Stretching up to the sky and blooming in the sun like white flowers When the breeze in Madinah could carry away all your worries And take them above the seven skies to God Himself And leave your heart lighter. So my heart remained In its clear skies, clean air, happy smiles, Scarves flying through the air in the market and vendors maneuvering carts full of candy, or dates, or fruit Through narrow streets and throngs of people. In the masjid built on the site where the direction of prayer changed And we turned our hearts and souls to the Kaba. It was too painful to leave my heart and soul behind So I left them with the promise and the prayer That I would return soon. Sumaiyya Ahmed
ABB
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IAW Reflections Islam Awareness Week: Over the Years Umayr Ahmad
IAW 2016: Defenders of Peace IAW 2015: Champions Of Justice IAW 2014: A week of enlightening people about the most misrepresented religion IAW 2013: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): The Man You Wish You Knew IAW 2012: Turning the Tide of Islamophobia Being in my final year at UIC, I’ve seen quite a few things change for better and for worse. Islam Awareness Week is one of those things. From top to bottom I’ve listed the five IAWs I’ve had the utmost pleasure of being a part of. Every year I have seen beautiful things happen that have really changed me and made me even more proud to be an “MSA guy.” Unfortunately, not all of the IAW traditions have been carried on year to year but understandingly so-- between different budgets each year to several UIC rule changes, it’s difficult to do. I have seen free hot chocolate in front of SCE, Jummah in the lounge, and scholar chill session after IAW dinner all disappear. Excitingly enough though, every year I have witnessed brotherhood like never before and new events that have prospered generously. I have seen Muslims come together for a cause that’s bigger than themselves. The hard work and extreme level of preparation that goes into the best week of the school year is simply
astounding. Shura provides the framework and everyone comes together to truly deliver an amazing week every year! The teamwork, the brotherhood/sisterhood, the bonding and most importantly the UNITY of the ummah during this week is awesome, and that is something I’m so happy to say I have never seen change in my time at UIC. I salute UIC MSA for always doing a great job no matter the circumstance. This week changes lives, and I am the first to attest to that. I was a lost freshman in 2012 with barely any Muslim identity when I came across IAW 2012. What I witnessed that week, from being able to attend events and meeting many Muslims on campus, really changed my life. It’s important that we keep this up each and every year, not just because it brings us together but also because that week brings the true religion of Islam in front of so many non-Muslims. It gives them the chance and the opportunity of a lifetime to come see what Islam is really all about. Even if one non-Muslim at the end of the week has gained some insight then we have succeeded. We may have lost a few traditions along the way but don’t ever let yourself lose out on participating in the tradition of having IAW each year at UIC, as that is the most important at the end of the day. Mov-
ing forward, I know that IAW will undoubtedly be one of the many things I miss most about my time here at UIC. I strongly urge everyone, especially the freshman and sophomores, to keep up the great work at every IAW and continue to make each year better than the last. Take advantage of your time here to participate not just in IAW but also in the MSA. Be as involved as possible and you will meet amazing people along the way. It is now your job to show next year’s freshman and each generation onwards what IAW and UIC MSA is all about. It’s up to YOU to do this because if you don’t then who will? Build the hype, invite your non-Muslim AND Muslim friends, make new traditions, eat together, laugh together, discuss together, skip your classes and attend the lectures and make this week great. Make UIC MSA great. It will always only be as good as you make it out to be so make the most of it and you will not regret it iA. Be kind to one another, treat each other with respect, work together and you will achieve greatness. It will always require an immense amount of money, hard work, dedication, and courage but at the end of the day when your time is at UIC is coming to an end I know that we will all be able to say it was worth it. I very well know I can. Alhamdulillah.
IAW Reflection Crystal McIntosh
My experience attending Islam Awareness Week was informative and engaging. I attended three IAW lectures and the final dinner with members of my service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. We enjoyed each lecture for different reasons. Some of the speakers were incredibly vibrant like Ubaydullah Evans. Some of the lecture topics were completely relevant like “Have No Fear “ and “Being Different Can Be Beautiful”. Overall, I felt like the week successfully fulfilled its purpose. I left the week with more knowledge than I previously had and a desire to learn even more. 7
IAW Reflection Hanan Nashh
As a freshman I really wanted to be involved with the MSA. But it wasn’t convenient for me. The talks were always too late for me and I felt that I wasn’t getting my daily prescribed MSA dosage. Then, IAW came along and it allowed me to change all that. I helped out at the booth--mostly the hijab booth--and the turnout was so amazing. Alhamdullilah I can’t thank Allah enough for this opportunity. I remember putting my favorite scarf on a girl, and then finding her later on that day in SCE. It was a pleasant surprise, and gave me an amazing feeling. One girl questioned us for about an hour on Islam. She fell in love with the hijab. She then asked about prayer. I said, “Well.. I have to pray right now, do you wanna come watch?” She decided to join me. She came with us to prayer on Friday and she prayed beside me. I was
astonished at the level of enthusiasm she possessed. We went out to eat after that and then she hung out with my MSA friends while I was in class. During one of the talks, Lead with Humility by Amal Ali, she said that it’s okay to feel like the MSA is our second home. Amal explained that it isn’t okay to make ourselves separate from non-Muslims. Needless to say, the MSA girls made a new friend that week. My best friend wore a hijab to school that Friday, too, and it felt amazing seeing her in hijab. IAW made me realize how open minded other people can be, and that I should push myself to become this open minded. These people coming to the booth were not only respectful, but ready to learn. I never really put effort into learning about other religions, yet many people wanted to learn about Islam. I feel that
as Muslimeen we should be putting ourselves out there, and learning about other people and loving other people. Farooq mentioned to the Outreach Team that in a survey done, researchers found that the best way to decrease Islamophobia is for a person to know at least one Muslim. IAW was not only just fun, it made me realize that I can use my loud voice and talkative self to make a difference; and insha’Allah that’s what I plan to do.
as much as they learn from us – this is the ideal. I was amazed to see the Muslims on campus build such strong relationships with the rest of the campus community – from standing in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters during Black Lives Matter demonstrations to coordinating service projects with other student organizations to better serve disadvantaged communities in Chicago. The culmination of all of this was the IAW dinner itself, which many of our fellow students of other faiths attended. However, I still didn’t appreciate the intimacy of this fraternity until the very next day, during Donald Trump’s rally in the Pavilion. Many Muslims, myself included, went inside the rally to protest Trump’s bigotry and hatred. Yet, when prayer time hit, we had to fulfill our right by God. I cannot describe how awestruck I was when, as some of us were standing guard around others as
they prayed in the midst of thousands of Trump supporters (we would take shifts like that for safety), students who were not Muslim joined us in standing guard, and some of them told us how they were at the IAW dinner the night before! I am proud to call this IAW my last as an undergraduate. I have seen amazing work and incredible energy from my fellow Muslim sisters and brothers, many of whom are underclassmen. I am confidant that this community’s future is in very good hands, and that this is only the beginning of incredible goodness, God-willing. I pray that God helps us all to continue to build meaningful relationships, tight-knit communities founded on genuine care and concern, and that He helps us all to be the change that we wish to see.
P.S.: The dinner was amazing too! P.S. 2: I’m so grateful for the stronger bond this built between myself and the MSA girls. I’m slowly falling even more in love with UIC MSA.
Implementing Actions over Words Zamaan Sohel
Often, when Muslims are asked about the purpose of Islam Awareness Week (IAW), the first response tends to be “da’wah”. When asked what is da’wah, we give the textbook definition: “calling others to Islam”. But what does this really mean? I truly have never seen it better defined than during this year’s IAW. No explicit definition for it was given. It wasn’t defined through words…and that was the point. Da’wah isn’t an act of speech; it’s an act of the heart, it’s a state of being. I think the Muslims on campus this year really understood that. Many times, we speak to or associate with people of other faiths with the agenda of telling them more about Islam and changing their opinion about it. But our sisters and brothers this year demonstrated that the best da’wah is to be without any agenda. To be genuine with others, to listen as much as or more than we speak, to learn from them
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Parts of a Whole Sarah Basheer
I feel the presence of people surrounding me in all directions. With my head bowed, I listen to the melodious words flow forth. The beautiful verses pause and a resonating AMEEN fills the room. In these moments, the divisions of race and class do not exist: what remains is only brotherhood and sisterhood. Shoulder to shoulder, with no gaps. One ummah. Surprisingly, for a religion that equates so much to unity, this is something we often lack. We let places of origin, status, and even levels of faith create distinctions that separate us. The filters of this world have a strange and uncomfortable way of making us seem unattached and disconnected at times, free bodies floating in space. Success bolsters our ego and credits the individual. We forget about the people that brought us there. While struggle makes us feel isolated and we carry our burdens alone, we forget to acknowledge that the person next to us could be going through the same thing. Individuality is invigorating at times, but we all need tethers to
support us. The same things that strip us down to our core identity, the differences, work in reverse, with our similarities, until we eventually reach a unified body that includes everyone. It might start with your fellow Turks, Hyderabadis, or Palestinians, the people that understand your food, the way you talk. But you also take company with Arabs and Desis who are different, but not too different. And yet you all find common ground with your MSA family, and what it means to be Muslim at UIC. Then we relate to our minority brothers and sisters, and the struggles we face in a growing white mentality America. Finally the people we thought had no connection to us in color, age, or religion create a connection through our humanity. The one thing that will bind us to every being on this planet. Because we all have the same Creator, the same flaws, and the same worldly end. And when we realize the connection that exists like a root system, unseen but unbelievably strong, then we find the key to having a little patience for other people and open our arms to kindness
and respect that everyone deserves. The event that everyone’s been talking about is the perfect example. The Trump rally was the quintessential finale of an IAW devoted to unity. I stood beside people of all faiths, colors, and ages, and we were bonded by a common threat and a call to action. The lines that society draws were blurred. One thing that struck me, and there were a lot, was when I was waiting to pray. We were all prepared for something to happen, and a complete stranger, a white woman patted my shoulder as she walked by, smiled at me and said, “I’m glad you’re here.” And I smiled back, thinking, “I’m not going anywhere.” No matter how the numbers grow, and the list of people who hate me and what I stand for goes on, I’m not going anywhere because the fabric of this country was weaved with all of us, and that includes you and me. And we are the most formidable force when we are united. Perhaps united by gender, race, or religion, and by simply being human.
times and was very excited to finally be a part of it. Soon enough, I found myself in multiple committees, trying to help each committee in any way possible. Throughout the entire week, not only did I see the unity amongst Muslim brothers and sisters, but also from individuals from different religions, ethnic groups, ages and genders, all supporting IAW’s theme of #DefendersOfPeace. I am glad I got involved with the committee’s during IAW, most specifically the ushering and outreach committees since they both instilled a sense of belonging within me. IAW week rolled around and I found myself driving busses alongside my partner in crime, ABB, and enjoying
every minute of the ushering process. I also really enjoyed the outreach committee where I was able to connect with nonMuslims and increase awareness about Islam as well as counter the negative stereotypes associated with Muslims and Islam. Through IAW, I was able to make new friends and connect with people in a level I never deemed possible and for that I thank the UIC MSA. Reflecting back on IAW, I know I will look forward to next year’s UIC IAW and cherish these moments for a lifetime.
A Time And A Place For Everything OK
It is well known that freshman year is a time for maturity, freedom, new opportunities and new friends. It is a time to start off fresh, a time to forget your past mistakes and to move forward as you to try to figure out your life. At a time of such uncertainty, people say it is best to associate one’s self with a group of friends that will help guide you in the process. Fortunately for me, I couldn’t ask for a better group of friends than the brothers in the MSA. The lounge not only united a group of frightened, disoriented freshmen, but it also gave us a safe haven from the confusion that we withstood at such a huge campus like UIC. Throughout the year, I remember hearing about IAW multiple
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IAW Reflection Sauban Farooqui
As a high school student, even before deciding on UIC, I heard a lot about the brotherhood and the sense of unity and belonging at UIC’s MSA. Seeing the Islam Awareness Week pictures and videos testified to that. So right off the bat, I could feel something special about UIC. There was just something there that couldn’t be found anywhere else: the sense of community. Months later, as a student at UIC, everything was wonderful. The brothers were really welcoming and I found myself looking up to many, many role models here. But needless to say, there was still something missing. It felt like the past years had something that we don’t anymore. Maybe it was the presence slowly fading away from the brothers’ side of the lounge or the appearance of many different cliques or “squads” dividing our community. Regardless, I was really happy, yet not completely satisfied. In the weeks leading up to the Islam Awareness Week the excitement was building up. The General Body Meeting that gave us the opportunity to get involved and help out in different committees around IAW, the special IAW shirts, booth preparations and, my favorite, Cookie Connection! The hype was real and there was a lot to look forward to. Finally came the much awaited week, Is-
lam Awareness Week. It was an amazing feeling seeing that the entire week was lined up with amazing speeches, activities, and workshops. I remember waking up Monday morning having a completely different, more rejuvenated feeling than I have ever had, to go to school. Welcoming scholars and speakers to your own campus and getting familiar with them was simply amazing. The speeches were phenomenal. Many things went into making the speeches great; the speakers and the topics were undoubtedly a huge part. But at the same time, everyone coming together for them was just as important. No one said “Let’s go play pool in the Alley.” Rather, it was “Let’s go to the 2 o’clock speech.” There was always something to do throughout the week. The IAW booths were also really fun to be a part of. My favorite effect of IAW was the increased presence of community in the lounge. Before, between, and even after all the speeches everyone got together in the lounge and just spent more time in the company of each other. It was an amazing sight to see, SubhanAllah! Dinner on Thursday evening was beyond words. It was inspiring to see so many people, of all religions, ethnicities, and color coming together for one evening to learn how to be defenders of peace. The speech was great and the community
was even greater. The pictures at the end of the dinner gave me the same exact feeling I had gotten a year ago, from the outside. The only difference was that this year I was a part of this wonderful organization, the UIC Muslim Student Association. Friday morning was very different from other Fridays from the year. Many of us still weren’t over the amazing week and the phenomenal event from last night. However, there was one more thing to look forward to after Jummah: The Trump Rally. This experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Going in a group with MSA was a really smart idea to ensure everyone’s safety. Everyone had each other’s backs on the way there, inside the Pavilion, while praying, and on the way out. We sent a huge message to the rest of the country that day: “Not on Our Campus.” I couldn’t have been more proud to be a student of UIC that day. This was the best ending to IAW that anyone could wish for. It was this feeling that finally satisfied me, the strong sense of community, everyone coming together for a week-long purpose, and just gaining knowledge for the sake of Allah. IAW was the greatest week of my freshman year and it filled in a lot of gaps that I thought wouldn’t be filled.
lot of non-Muslims attending lectures and learning more. Not only did we want to better the people, but more importantly we also wanted to better ourselves. I learned a valuable lesson that when we want to judge or criticize others, we have to look within our own selves. This in turn tells the person to check their own flaws first before they decide to talk about others. Also, that our souls need to develop dynamic Tawhid. To apply the oneness of God in our lives. Being like a flowing river that is constantly moving instead of being in a static position, which causes corruption. A week filled with gems and
defenders of peace will be missed. But this doesn’t mean we stop. This week gives us a running start to be proactive in our community. To use our energy as young people to bring change. Because when our Islam is challenged from uneducated politicians and their supporters, we use our youthful energy to stand firm with the word of Allah. I end this reflection with the sad feeling that IAW won’t be witnessed until next spring, but I pray we continue to become better people during this time and make an even better IAW in the future.
IAW Reflection Hamza Hasan
In this miraculous week, I felt success in the air. The organized planning, the hectic atmosphere, the intrigued listeners, the intrigued questioners, and of course the boost of Faith that comes with it. We showed our side of the story through our character and respectable replies. Our MSA couldn’t have done a better job. Their hard work was on display the entire week. To see brothers and sisters work together with sincerity to spread our religion is a beautiful thing. I pray that we all keep working hard to explain the Deen to the people. I believe that this week showed who we really are. It was great to see a
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Editor in Chief Farooq Chaudhry Staff Writers Abdul Basith Basheer Sarah Basheer Staff Artist Shapla Shaheen Copy Editors Ibrahiem Mohammad Asif Mazhar Lilian Maali Layout Nuha Abdelrahim Creative Direction Noor Abdelrahim
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