What Muslims need on Campus

The Muslim youth are currently at a pivotal stage of their development in British society. Almost daily, we are faced with events that push us to defend our faith, how Islam is being appallingly portrayed in the media and trying to come to terms with what non-Muslims think about Islam. One of the best opportunities for Muslims to engage with the wider society is at university, for it is a very short space of time (three years pass astonishingly quickly) when you will meet loads of new people and actually have the time to talk over issues that concern you.

The confusion all begins at the start of term. You need to settle into your course, make new friends and feel secure, etc. At university, there is an abundant and rich environment of different sports, societies and events that can be daunting at first, but such sentiments are quickly fought out and put to rest. Some settle in a week, for others it can take longer. Rarely, it can even take a few months to feel fully secure, but eventually, insha'Allah, people do begin to settle down. Social circles quickly get formed and before you know it, you have a new home. What is a concern, however, is that there is not enough effort in engaging the wider campus about Islam. Between a hectic social life, different events, new surroundings, some actual studying and keeping in touch with the family, there is often little time left that we specifically spend in talking to others about Islam. It is often said that we are at university to study - this is true. What is often left out is that we are here in this life to please Allah and spread the light and blessings of Islam, and the nature of this privileged obligation does not change wherever you are, or happen to be, in life.

When engaging non-Muslims, many simply do not want to listen. But, there are others that do want to engage in discussion. This can be done through a variety of different ways. Sometimes events are organised like dinners, debates or sports, but it can often be the most personal touch of sincerity, honesty and iman (faith) that brings people closer to Islam. To do all of this requires organisation and sharing of skills, so helping out in the Islamic society is paramount, and perhaps the only way to promote Islam in any meaningful level to the thousands of students, lecturers and busybodies on campus. Of course, some "ISOCs" are run better than others, but no matter the ability of individuals or the sheer number of Muslims in any society; the predominant factor that indicates how well an ISOC is run is how unified the Muslims are there. If there is sectarianism and arbitrary division then often nothing gets done except bickering over the prayer room and Jumma Khutbas (Friday sermons), which wastes all the available time and effort of the Muslims there. This is a truly great shame, for otherwise these efforts could be used in a productive direction.

If there is a unified ISOC, with trust and brotherly love, then good events are organised as well as engaging debates, interesting newsletter productions and most importantly a wholesome, welcoming atmosphere. It is only then that a non-Muslim can really see that Islam can produce productive and ingenious people. Of course mistakes will always be made, but at least in a unified ISOC there is a means for people to address misgivings and insha'Allah have the correct action result from the complaint. This is much better than leaving the ISOCs run by any faction, thereby dividing Muslims on campus. Further, it is amazing how the smallest actions can be all that matters in deciding if a non-Muslim would reflect upon his purpose in life. If this is all that is necessary in doing so, in spreading the light of Islam, shouldn't we strive to present ourselves in the best possible manner?

In the last National Union of Students (NUS) annual conference, the Muslim delegation (i.e. FOSIS - the Federation of Student Islamic Societies) was the biggest faction of all the factions outright, dwarfing even the likes of the Labour party who traditionally have held good ground in the student body. FOSIS held around 120 of the available 1200 seats, and I firmly believe that this is due to an increase in the political minds of Muslims. Perhaps it taps into what we are seeing: a global reawakening of Muslims and how they are beginning to assert their own identity and direction from a wholly Islamic basis. Such awakenings often start with the youth, and insha'Allah we have started to see the beginning of this landslide. Yet, this is still not all that we have to give on campus. We still have more numbers that can help, and more minds who have yet to fully assert themselves.

If we were able to augment all these resources in a unified, steadfast and swift manner, just imagine the possibilities of what could be accomplished.

(Published 09/06/06 in the Muslim Weekly)

by Omar Hashmi