The Muslim Student Association seeks to inform students about Islamic culture

The Muslim Student Association isn't new to Wright State. President, Muhamed Gula and Vice Presidents Farzan Aziz and Taseen Ahmed have been working hard to unite the Muslim students at Wright State and provide them with spiritual resources and support since, for some members, it is their first time in America.

According to Gula, if you check on OrgSync there is about 20 members registered but in actuality there about 500 members. This organization holds Friday Prayer for its members which normally includes about 130 people. Friday Prayer is very important to Islamic tradition, for this reason and others, Gula plans to focus on making sure the foundation is strong.

"Being President of this organization has molded me to the person I wanted to be," Gula said. "I can now stand in front of hundreds of people and know what to say. I can handle the impact of responsibility. The impact of this organization is that we represent the International Students and make sure their visit here is what they need, for example: tutoring. For some it's really a culture shock, they don't know what's normal and what's not."

According to Gula, Friday prayers are mandatory and meets the needs of Muslims who have five days of prayers. For women, especially, it was hard to pray in front of people because of special movements. The organization's meeting areas have moved to different locations on campus because of the massive size.

"One of our challenges is that the University can't fulfill our needs the way we want it, like a bigger place," Gula said. "The members don't understand why they are not used to the separation of church and state. Where they are from, church is the state. Currently we are in the Rathskeller, but even that is getting full."

Gula, Aziz and Ahmed will be graduating soon and electing new leaders of the group. They are currently training individuals. They are also working on Islam Awareness Week for Spring Semester, they hope to bring speakers and inform students about Islamic culture and God.

"What's going on in the media doesn't portray what the prophet is really about," Gula said. "In other areas the Muslim community is divided. But Wright State is the only place that doesn't divide, because, here, it's not about culture, country you live in or the religion you choose. Our organization is open for anyone to join."

For more information about the Muslim Student Association contact Muhamed Gula at gula.4@wright.edu.

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