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Engaging faith
Engaging faith: A Muslim Student’s Perspective
The first question that Bashair Alazadi ’13 gets from fellow students usually is framed like this: “Do you really want to wear a hijab, or is your husband making you wear it?”Or some variation thereof. But the real answer: It’s a choice for her, a declaration of modesty, and also to be taken seriously as a woman, student and professional.
“I really think it is important to start a club, there is a lot of misinformation about Islam,” said Alazadi. “Our goal is to spread information, not really to convert anyone with this group.”
Both see the 10th anniversary of 9-11, and the death of the Osama Bin Laden this year, as a chance to move the conversation about Islam and what it means to be a Muslim beyond stereotypes and the attack.
“I had to point out to my mother that the Virgin Mary is always wearing a head covering,” he said.
Back to the hijab question. Alazadi said that some of her Muslim friends wear a hijab, some don’t. The Koran stresses modesty, not a veil, she said.
“That’s a question that’s between each individual and God,” she said.