Campus offers open mind to Muslim students

By Jeanette Prather
Daily Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

One commonly misinterpreted religious group that inhabits Cal State Long Beach that is practiced by less than one percent of the campus population, yet still holds a strong and dedicated following, is the Muslim Student Association.

According to Zahra Billou, Muslim Student Association president, the Muslim religion is an individual approach to life. Diversity and the willingness to explore other cultures play a major factor in CSULB's open mind.

"It's easy to be a Muslim on campus, partly because so many people come from so many different backgrounds here," Billou said.

Even when Billou attended CSULB as a freshman during 9-11, she had no problem with hate crimes or prejudice assaults.

"CSULB was a good place for a Muslim student to be at," Billou said. "I had no negative experiences in regard to 9/11, and the school's administration even helped us out a lot during that time."

Billou is now in her senior year, and as if that weren't enough, she heads the MSA in addition to being a loyal Muslim. A typical day for Billou includes praying in the morning before sunrise, attending class until mid-morning, praying in the early afternoon, attending class again, praying in the late afternoon, attending yet another class at the Long Beach Convention Center, praying after sunset, and praying again before she goes to sleep. This amounts to five prayers per day, universal throughout the Muslim religion.

"Prayers are consistent for Muslims," Billou said. "I schedule my classes around them."

On Fridays, Muslim students try to get together and form arranged prayer groups, or "mass" during lunch. These are usually the only group prayer sections on campus.

"I try to go on Fridays to pray with the other Muslims," Billou said, "but if I'm in a hurry, then I'll pray anywhere."

Muslims tend to pray in the USU building where other, non-Muslim students dwell on a regular basis. Billou said, CSULB has a very good and open understanding of other cultures, and there have been few problems with hate and sensitivity issues in the past. Billou said the last time there was a problem was in summer, and that she has never personally been harassed at CSULB because of her religion.

"In the summer there was a teacher who offended a Muslim student," Billou said. "It was a sensitivity issue; I think that can be fixed with some education into the religion."

Billou encourages non-Muslims to embrace the religion and learn about it with an open mind. For example, on Nov. 4, there will be a "Fast-a-Thon". This is designed to help non-Muslim students understand the fasting process which consumes one-twelth of the year in the Muslim religion.

"It promotes health and well-being," Billou said. "I think it's great for non-Muslims to try."

Meanwhile, Billou continues her education at CSULB and her presidency with MSA. She encourages anyone interested in the Muslim religion to get educated by attending a meeting, social gathering, or stopping by the MSA office in USU-306. More information on the Muslim religion and Islamic beliefs are provided through CSULB's Web site under student organizations and religious club links.

"CSULB's a great school for diversity," Billou said "I feel fine here."