MSU reflects on spiritual growth

Five times a day, heads of millions of Muslims bow toward Ka’aba, a giant black structure built by Abraham, the father of the Israelites. IU students involved with the Muslim Student Union join the masses in this practice.

In mid-November, an undulating wave of people encircled the sacred Muslim site, marking the Hajj, the annual holy pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

While most IU Muslim students did not make the trip in November, they reflect on their spiritual growth throughout college and honor religious traditions.

The MSU provides a community to serve as a catalyst for that growth.

Senior Sohaib Sajjad, a member of the MSU community, said practices like the Hajj are what Islam stands on. Similar to the Hajj, Sajjad said he feels his faith is a journey that requires time yet is rewarding.

Sajjad remembers growing up in Pakistan with his grandfather reading to him from
the Qur’an.

“When I was taught how to pray, I didn’t even understand what I was saying,” Sajjad said. “I felt like a robot.”

After moving to the United States in 1999, Sajjad said attending college helped him free his mind and discover why Islam is important.

“I went and explored why I pray and what it means to me,” Sajjad said. “When there are no parents and no siblings to watch over you, it tests how strong your faith is.”

While he sees IU as a liberal campus, Sajjad said it helps to be surrounded by fellow Muslims who share the same values and level of faith.

Senior Taufik Chhotani, vice president of the MSU, described the 70-member group as a close-knit family.

The students reflect on the importance of the Hajj but also focus on other traditions that don’t require them to deviate from their studies.

This year, their focus is to change the perception of Muslims on campus during times of adversity.

“Many are not familiar with Islam,” Chhotani said. “We want to open that door to them.”
In participation with other faith-based campus groups, the MSU helps sponsor
several events throughout the year.

For a group that strives to bring its members together in a social and spiritual way, gathering to reflect on religious traditions and practices is a reminder of the millions of Muslims around the world who are concentrated on the Hajj.

“Everyone is together, which shows so much acceptance within the community,” Sajjad said.

Amidst a hectic college schedule, many Muslim students also pray five times per day, which, along with the Hajj, is one of the five pillars of Islam.

At 3 p.m. on Fridays, the MSU organizes a prayer service at the Indiana Memorial Union called Jumu’ah, the weekly Muslim congregational prayer.

Before Jumu’ah, Sajjad remembers that prayer is a blessing, drawing his priorities to
the forefront.

Both Sajjad and Chhotani said maintaining their Muslim principles can be very difficult for college students, especially with parties, temptations and studies.

However, junior Omar Malik, outreach chair of the MSU, sees this as a positive challenge.

“College serves as a test for many students, putting strain on our morals and our beliefs, pitting social obligations against religion obligations,” Malik said.

“In the end, it’s our religious obligations that should be held above everything else.”
Malik said he has grown in his faith by keeping the basic principles of Islam close to his heart: being kind, understanding and giving.

He said he feels practicing these traits in college is how the Prophet Muhammad taught Muslims to live their lives.

“I think most Muslim students on campus regard their religion as their best friend,” Malik said.

“Sometimes you might forget about it, but at the end of a tough day, month, year, it’s always there for you.

“That’s what Islam is. We might forget about it, but it’s always there for us, to take us back and help us live our life the way it should be lived.”