South’s Muslim Student Association held their annual panels during freshman History of Worlds Civilizations classes on Oct. 24.
The panels took place when the freshmen were studying the Islamic culture. According to freshman Saarah Bhaihi, panelist, the Muslim Student Association has been doing their panels for the past few years.
“We felt that we needed to show the world that Muslims are not only portrayed by a small people, and if we reach out to the students it will change their minds,” Bhaihi said.
According to history teacher Daniel Zapler, sponsor of Muslim Student Association (MSA), the panels began as a reaction to Sept. 11. Since the panels were so successful, they have been going on annually ever since, said Zapler.
“There was a lot of misunderstanding and miseducating about what it meant to be a Muslim,” Zapler said of the time following Sept. 11.
According to Bhaihi, the students were very responsive to the panels and asked many questions.The panelists made sure the freshmen understood that they were allowed to ask controversial questions. Topics varied from the Hijab –scarf that girls wear to cover their hair– to what is it like to be Muslim in America.
“The freshman benefit to some degree but the MSA benefit tremendously,” Zapler said.
According to MSA co-president, senior Sabina Raja, the freshmen were very inquisitive, and wanted to know about “Muslims their age.” The panelists wanted the freshmen to have a better understanding of Islam.
“I think that the media has affiliated Islam with violence and merciless killings but Islam really does advocate peace,” Raja said.
According to Raja, the panels were very successful.
“Some of the teachers came up to us saying we did well, and how much they appreciated that we took time out of our schedules to do this,” Raja said.
Raja also feels a personal responsibility to help clear up misunderstandings relating to Islam.
“On Sep.11 it was not only six planes that were hijacked,” Raja said. “It was our religion too, because our religion was turned into something that it’s totally not and it’s our responsibility to clear the name of Muslims all over the world.”
