"Actually, the thread is not about understanding Islam..its about a new Sorority with Islamic priniciples. This wouldnt be the place to understand Islam at all."
Hints why I wrote "I know that this is off topic... sorry. This just seems to be a great place to find better understanding. "

As I have noticed, most of GC threads take different paths all through out the discussion... see the Pan-hellenic topic if you don't agree.

I understand that "muslimism" isn't a word... I didn't know the correct term that is why I was asking for some clarity on the topic. I also understand that I cannot even begin to understand Islam, nor its subcatagories in this thread (just like I wouldn't ask anyone to understand Chrisitianity in one thread)... I was just looking for the basics.

The reason I was asking for clarity had to do with the topic because of all the different "rules" or "traditions" that people had never heard of.

OPhiARen3 helped. Thank you. It is hard to find the correct words all the time while posting... especially while posting at work.

I think an Islamic-focused sorority based on Islamic values is a great idea. There are several national Christian-focused sororities, such as Alpha Delta Chi Sorority and Phi Beta Chi Sorority. Since the concept of a religious-focused sorority is not new, it was only a matter of time for an Islamic sorority. I hope they succeed in establishing collegiate chapters! :D

Article Made CNN.com Today
 

http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/12/28/muslims.and.greeks.ap/index.html

Hopefully I linked that correctly, I apologize if not. This was on CNN.com today.....The university in question is Syracuse versus University of Kentucky.

Just thought I would share.

The link didn't work, so I just search cnn.com (gamma gamma chi search) and came across the article.

My mom actually told me the following, but I wanted to discuss...



Collins, the president and Abdul-Haqq's mother, says Gamma Gamma Chi eventually will take part in campus Rush Weeks and perhaps even join the National Panhellenic Conference, an umbrella group of 26 women's fraternities and sororities.



Now, correct my assumption if I'm wrong, but if they join NPC wouldn't they have to change quite a bit of the "rules" and whatnot? For example, they couldn't just say "we're only taking Muslin girls". Plus, the whole "gamma mail" thing mentioned earlier, wouldn't that be considered hazing? What about making the sisters read the Koran? I mean I know that other chapters were founded based on their religious backgrounds (AEPi being Jewish) but do they (the other ones in NPC) make the girls read the Torah?


Sorry if I kind of sound stupid, but I really don't know the answers to my questions (which is why I'm asking :D)

Just an FYI ASUADPi....AEPi is a fraternity, the sorority is AEPhi

I'm fairly certain things are usually only considered hazing if you (actives) make the new members do it. If the entire sorority reads the Koran, then that isn't hazing any more than the entire sorority having study hours I wouldn't think.

Also, I believe previous articles have stated that they'd be willing to accept non-Muslim women who were willing to uphold the values of the sorority. I don't think this is any different from a Jewish or Christian based sorority.

(didn't see the gamma mail so I can't comment on that)

I understand what you are saying, if everyone is doing it then you are not singling someone out. However, you are incorrect that hazing is making only new members do it. Hazing has a broad definition of anytime someone is made to feel uncomfortable active, alumna, new member or not. At least this is how my chapter was taught to view the definition.

No it's very different.

Jewish sororities aren't religious sororities. Greek rituals often have references to Christian symbols and culture. Jewish GLOs use Jewish references. There is no push to be religious.

I personally don't see the point in a Muslim sorority and how it differentiates from a Muslim RSO, but again if there is the population and demand to support it over time, good for them.

-Rudey

How is it very different?

Why is there no point in a Muslim sorority?

IMO, requiring any reading that isn't directly sorority related is hazing. It's a sorority, not a literature class.

If you're requiring someone read something, it's implicitly saying "this is our point of view. We wish you to adopt it as yours as well."

They are different because Jewish GLOs aren't religious. What didn't you understand?

-Rudey

Nothing now. But what's making the Muslim one 'religious'? Just curious. Is it because they have to learn verses from Quran? I know there are Bible verses that are known/used in the Christian based sororities. I don't know about the Jewish ones so I can't speak on them.

What is a Muslin girl? Is she a quilter or seamstress?:) The group could be a secret undercover quilting guild!!!

Actually I think it is a no harm/no foul situation. If the women don't feel a niche in the current NPC groups, there is nothing wrong with them starting their women's fraternity. They'll be another local or mini-national.

I'm saying the Jewish ones are different. It's not about religion.

The Christian ones are about religion and it seems this Muslim one is too. If they want another outlet for religion, that's fine, but will it ever become big if they can do that through Campus Crusade for Christ or the Muslim Student Union?

So I'm just speaking on the Jewish ones...that's all :)

-Rudey

Gotcha.