Student Union
Question of the Week: Being a Muslim (or Anything Else) on Campus
This week we’ll be looking at prejudice and tolerance on American campuses - what prejudices you might encounter and which ones you’ve heard about that aren’t true at all. What have you heard about how different races, religions and ethnicities are treated in America? Would you be worried about how U.S. students would accept you?
We’ll look in particular at what it’s like to come to America as a Muslim. I recently received the following message from a student on Facebook:
I really want to study abroad, to America of course... Actually, my boss would probably pick Aussie for us as most of them had studied there, but I need to go further than that :)
But, the "jilbab" that I wear quite worry me, I hope American people wouldn't bother it at all for a moeslim girl like me study and live in their neighbourhood :)
I wanted to write back and say, “Of course it wouldn’t be a problem.” But the reality is probably more complicated.
On the one hand, many U.S. colleges are taking steps to make Muslim students feel more comfortable on campus. Earlier this year we shared a story about how George Mason University in Virginia has set up special facilities to accommodate Islamic daily prayers. In December we talked about how many campuses (like UMass and MSU) held celebrations for Eid al-Adha.
It’s not difficult to find examples of Muslim students who are completely integrated into campus life. In fact, one of the top college basketball players right now is Arsalan Kazemi, an Iranian who studies at Rice University. And many college campuses all over the country have active Muslim Student Associations to support Islamic students on campus. This past weekend, the Muslim Student Association west coast division held a conference for its member organizations – its 13th annual conference.
However, there can be no doubt that being a Muslim in America is not always easy, and that there are Americans who may react negatively to a woman wearing hijab or a man kneeling down for daily prayers.
Tellingly, comedian Dean Obeidallah, whose father is Palestinian, wrote for CNN about the shooter who injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killed 6 others:
But if you are Muslim or of Arab heritage, your reaction to the news of the arrest was likely: "Please don't let him be Arab ... please don't let him be Muslim." Believe me, that was my reaction.
…
let's be brutally honest. If the suspect's name wasn't Jared but was Jamil or Mahmud instead, America's reaction might have been different. What if a Muslim-American had made anti-government statements and shot a U.S. congresswoman at a political event?
There are reasons to ask questions about how accepting U.S. colleges and college students are of Muslims, particularly Muslims who look Arab or have an accent. So, this week I’ll be talking to a few Muslim students here in the U.S. so they can tell you honestly, from their perspective and their experiences, what it’s like to study in America as a Muslim.
What questions do you have for these students about life as a Muslim at a U.S. college? What else do you want to know about prejudices and how you might be accepted if you studied in the U.S.?
See all News Updates of the Day
Historically Black colleges see surge in applications
After the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in college applications, competitive schools are reporting a decline in first-time minority enrollment.
But the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities are seeing a surge in applications, Liam Knox writes in Inside Higher Ed. (September 2024)
- By VOA News
Fewer men enrolling in college
In the last few years, the number of men enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities has dropped by 6%, and the proportion of male students is at an all-time low of 41%.
Lauren Hamilton of WAMU American University Radio looks at why the shift is happening, and what universities are doing about it. (August 2024)
Nine charged in police breakup of pro-Palestinian camp at US university
Authorities have filed charges against nine people who are accused of trespassing or resisting police during the May breakup of a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan.
"The First Amendment does not provide a cover for illegal activity," Attorney General Dana Nessel said Thursday, a day after charges were filed in Washtenaw County.
The camp on the Diag, known for decades as a site for campus protests, was cleared by police on May 21 after a month. Video posted online showed police using what appeared to be an irritant to spray people, who were forced to retreat.
The university said the camp had become a threat to safety, with overloaded power sources and open flames.
Nessel said two people were charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor, and seven more people were charged with trespassing as well as resisting police, a felony.
Protesters have demanded that the school's endowment stop investing in companies with ties to Israel. But the university insists it has no direct investments and less than $15 million placed with funds that might include companies in Israel. That's less than 0.1% of the total endowment.
U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Detroit Democrat who supports the protesters, said the charges were "frivolous" and a "shameful attack" on the rights of students.
Separately, Nessel said state prosecutors charged two people for alleged acts during a counterdemonstration on April 25, a few days after the camp was created.
Nessel said authorities still were investigating spring protests at the homes of elected members of the university's governing board.
- By VOA News
Colleges get ready for return of protests
After a summer lull when most students left campuses, colleges and universities are getting ready for the possible return of protests over the war in Gaza.
USA Today reports that while activists are likely to resume demonstrations, many schools have prepared by enacting harsher rules for those causing disruptions. (August 2024)
US research university ends ties with school in China
Amid national security concerns, the Georgia Institute of Technology has ended its partnership with Tianjin University in Shenzhen, which U.S. lawmakers say has ties to the Chinese military.
The Washington Post reported that an official at Georgia Tech said the Georgia Tech Shenzen Institute became untenable because of a problematic partnership, global politics and pending legislation. (September 2024)
