While Muslim students feel safe at the University of Oregon, they don’t always feel understood.
When three Muslim students were killed at Chapel Hill, people all over the country entered into mourning.
Members of the Muslim Student Association on campus said that the university sent them an email to offer condolences and support after the shooting. Drew Williams, MSA member, said that his religious studies professor also reached out to him offering support.
Abdulrhman Aljaafari, president of the Arab Student Union, was surprised when domestic students contacted him and asked how the union was responding. Most ASU members identify as Muslim.
He said the Alliance of Happy Atheists in particular reached out and told him that the actions at Chapel Hill did not correspond with atheist beliefs. The two organizations then planned a discussion to share thoughts about the tragedy.
Williams said that the UO campus is particularly supportive and tolerant, and that’s why so many people acted in support.
“I just think that the University of Oregon and Northwest culture is a lot more open to different cultures and diversity and customs,” he said. “There’s just a general motif of diversity and openness.”
Aljaafari agrees that the UO campus has many respectful and tolerant people.
“Personally I haven’t faced any discrimination or racist situation except maybe once, from a girl, and I think she was drunk,” he said.
But Aljaafari does feel that there is a lack of understanding and knowledge about Islam. International students, Muslim and others, go through educational sessions about American culture and customs, but not all domestic students learn about other cultures.
Like the MSA, the ASU tries to raise awareness of their beliefs by co-hosting events like The Meet and Coffee Hour on campus where students from a variety of backgrounds are often present.
The MSA and ASU contribute to awareness and education by hosting discussion circles where they focus on invalidating stereotypes and misconceptions.
MSA also hosts activities to help bring different communities together and is currently collaborating with the Jewish Student Union.
For instance, Muslim women don’t feel comfortable going to the Student Recreation Center because they need to cover themselves around men to follow their religious beliefs. When fitness classes are offered with men and women, the women must stay covered while they are exercising and generating heat, which can be uncomfortable.
Anita Weiss, department head of international studies, said that at any university it is important for students, faculty, and staff to feel respected and welcomed.
“For most Muslim students, they haven’t experienced outright discrimination because I think there’s a heightened sense here that this is a wrong thing to do,” she said. “I think we’re doing a good job of respecting each other on campus.”