Purdue sees increase in Muslim population

Publication Date: 11/27/2007

The fastest growing religion in the world, Islam, is an ancient religion growing in popularity at Purdue.

Enosh Kazem, a freshman in the School of Management, said there are 500-700 Muslim students at Purdue, with an increase in numbers due to international students.

"Islam to me is a complete way of life," said Israa Alrawi, a junior in the School of Health Sciences and Muslim Student Association member. "The comfort that is obtained through obedience to our Creator is the culmination of every action and decision we make, each and every day."

She said in many ways, Purdue is conducive to Muslim students' needs, no matter the student's goal in life. The Islamic Center provides a place for students to pray and celebrate holidays, and MSA provides a means for students who share ideas to congregate.

"We know students don't have families here, so they have access to Iftaar (free food) at the cultural center," said Ahmed Idrissi Alami, assistant professor of foreign languages and literature.

He also talked about students meeting at local Middle Eastern restaurants like The Blue Nile after sunset during the season of Ramadan. Here students can break their day's fast together.

Celebrating holidays is only a small portion of Muslim beliefs. There are five major pillars of Islam, based upon practices on the book of the Qur'an, which is the word of God reveled to Mohammed in Arabic.

"The first and most important is Shadadah," said Idrissi Alami. "There is no other God but Allah."

The other pillars include praying five times daily, fasting during Ramadan, paying a charitable "alms tax" and a pilgrimage to Mecca, which all Muslims are required to follow.

Many people fail to recognize that during the life of the Prophet Muhammad, Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived simultaneously in society, often times uniting to make society better.

"This is the reason why Islam literally means peace," Alrawi said.

"There has been a lot of curiosity about Islam post 9-11," said Idrissi Alami. "People see (Islamic) growth as a threat and I don't understand why. The root of Islam is peace; peace within yourself and towards others."

Idrissi Alami pointed out that Muslims never forced people to convert in the history of Islam. He also said that the term "Jihad" has existed for a long time, meaning "a struggle within one's self."

"You don't want to kill innocent people, kids or old people, you know?" Idrissi Alami said.

He also discussed the importance of students at Purdue portraying a positive image of Muslims for the world. He said it is often difficult to do when you are associated with a small group that brings negative attention to the entire Islamic community through political means.

Through the Islamic Center and the active participants in MSA, Muslim students at Purdue have a means to practice their religion and voice the real meaning of the religion.

"You will find that (Muslims) are normal people just like you and me," Idrissi Alami said.