Editor’s note: This is the fifth and final article in a five-part series exploring the role of religion in the lives of Ohio University students.
Finding spare time in college might seem a difficult task to many students, but for Muslim students, finding time to attend all of their classes and pray five times a day is a daily responsibility.
Salah Awad, an Ohio University graduate student studying biochemistry, said praying five times a day is mandatory, and although classes can get in the way, he heads to his room every chance he has to pray.
“I leave class whenever it ends and head to my room to pray,” Awad said. “I have to pray five times a day, and I always find time to pray.”
Although Islamic law typically calls for prayer at five specific times during the day, Shani Salifu, a graduate student studying instructional technology, said the religion has become more flexible to accommodate busy schedules, adding that he believes God cares more about intentions than actions themselves.
“God best knows when we are constrained,” Salifu said. “He does not go with what we say or think when we are constrained, and He judges us accordingly. The religion clearly states that ‘there is no compulsion in religion.’ ”
Loren Lybarger, assistant professor for classics and world religions and professor of Islam, said Islam has been a hot topic in the media and that he believes that publicity has sparked interest among college students.
“Lots of students sign up for my Islam courses because they are curious to learn more about this religion that they hear about all the time in the media,” Lybarger said. “Often what they hear is quite negative and quite skewed. But, they’re interested and willing to learn.”
Salifu estimated that there are about 150 students involved with the Muslim Students Association at Ohio University, which is based in the Islamic Center.
“Different students get involved in different capacities and at different times according to the need of the center or their free time,” Salifu said.
Both Salifu and Awad agree that many students have misconceptions about the Islamic faith due to negative publicity since 9/11.
Awad said many people view the Islamic faith as pro-violence or as an advocate for terrorism.
“The Quran says, if you kill one life, you kill all mankind, and if you save one life, you save all mankind,” Awad said. “It speaks against terrorism, not promotes it.”
Although some publicity has been damaging, Awad said he has never felt uncomfortable following his faith and will continue to do so because it gives him a sense of purpose.
“(Faith) describes who created me, what they want from me and what I should do in my life,” Awad said. “It also tells me what is going to happen after this. There are a lot of questions about life, and faith helps me understand those.”
ao007510@ohiou.edu
