How about "congratulations and make sure you aren't judgmental of other sororities as you don't want others to be judgmental of you and yours."

While you are now trying to keep the peace and type about sororities fitting peoples' needs, much of what you have typed about how your sorority is "different" can be condescending toward other sororities.

BTW, every newly founded organization believes it will be soooo different from all organizations that come before it. While your organization will always be an Islamic sorority, with age it might adopt some of the things that its founders wished to avoid. That's the circle of life.

As you can see with my few number of post, I usually don't get involved in online debates but this thread caught my attention. So are you saying that basically, because these women are muslim, they will not look up to these people (founders, mentors, president, etc) as gods?

Why can't people ask questions? Isn't that what this website is for? What sorority or fraternity that was founded did not have to deal with questions and hard times at first? Isn't that a sign of a strong organization that can go through many trials and still survive?

The funniest part of this is, they're attempting to assimilate into American culture by taking on Greek letters, but then not assimilating by forming their own groups. I mean, Christian fraternities are no different, but they are already assimilated into American culture.

edit: As was said earlier, the organization may very well change. Many of our fraternities such as Sigma Chi and others are based on Christian ideals and were at one time not secular at all. Since the infiltration of the liberal, it has become that way.

What are Islamic principles and how is this org not a religious org if it follows them?

-Rudey

I am not even a member of a sorority to pass judgment in the first beginning. I've always been about peace since I entered this conversation. I love the concept of the new sorority and I feel it was very well needed. There are muslim sisters who want to share in sorority life without compromising their beliefs. I will never put down another sorority to boost another one up. If you look back on my 6 or 7 posts you will note that I never tried to be negative to anyone's organization.

Other members are lashing out trying to figure out what is so different about Gamma Gamma Chi, which they shouldn't do, just accept that they are here now. Honestly it amazes me how people who already are loyal members of an organization have so much negativity towards a new organization, why is that?

Let people find where they want to be. Dr. Collins is a member of DST and I love and respect her for her knowledge, professionalism and overall personality which speaks VOLUMES for Delta Sigma Theta in my book. I think its absolutely fabulous that she found a void and was equipped to fill it, that beyond excellence, that's your soror.

Peace

But part of the problem is that the articles written about this attribute Dr. Collins' reason for founding the org as her daughter attempted membership in DST and was "treated" differently because she wore a hijab.

That offended many of my sorors, because we do not discriminate against Muslims as evidenced by our membership. It is quite possible that her daughter was treated differently for other reasons, i.e. the chapter just did not want her.

Personally, I have no problem with the formation of this sorority and wish it well. But I want to know the answer to the same question Rudey has asked twice. What are Islamic principles?

I know who my Soror is, thanks.

My point to you, Dr. Collins, and whomever else this may apply to is simple: The worth of your organization can be found without stereotyping sororities. Since there are devout and disciplined Muslim members of other sororities, it is clear that what makes your organization different is that Islamic principles are the core. That is distinct from the belief that your principles will undeniably be compromised if you were to join another sorority. ;)

"Congratulations."

I would also like to know what Islamic principles you're talking about. :)

So, My Question is why worry about what they want to do With Their Organization?

Why do any of Us think that We were Started and for What Purposes?

There were Organizations started for Christian , Other Religious and Racial Principles.

So, Let Them Do Their Thing!:)

No one said they couldn't....

Catch up Tom.

My guess is that perhaps only a member of Gamma Gamma Chi can answer this question. Until then, and for what it is worth, I did find these at the Gamma Gamma Chi website under FAQ's.

Q #5: How is Gamma Gamma Chi different from other sororities?

A: We are different from other sororities in that we are a sisterhood whose practice is based on Islamic principles. This means that although we use Greek letters in name, we do not engage in doctrines that are traditionally associated with "Greek Life." We are Islamic based; therefore, we do not participate in any form of shirk or any other practices that conflict with Islamic principles. Our focus is to provide an alternative to traditional sororities that allows women to maintain and celebrate their Islamic identity in rewarding, meaningful, and fun ways within a sorority structure.

and this

Q #7: Do you participate in rituals?

A: We adhere to activities that coincide with the Shariah (Islamic Law). We observe salat whose timing occurs during a meeting or an event, as well as other important Islamic observances such as Eid celebrations, fasting and Itikaf in the month of Ramadan. There is a special secret ceremony involved in becoming a member.

and this

Q #10. How Islamic is Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc.?

Being Islamic-based means that we will adhere to the Sunnah in all that we do. Being a sorority means that we have certain expectations and responsibilities that we plan to meet inshallah. The expectation is that we will have an organization that enables us to enjoy sisterhood, maintain scholarship and academic excellence among our sorors, to engage in activities that will help strengthen leadership skills, and to provide community service--particularly to the Muslim communities in which we live through our chapter involvement and at the National level. While we will not proselytize, we will demonstrate ways to try to serve and please Allah (SWT) in all that we do. We see this as an excellent opportunity to give dawah to non-Muslims, so they are welcome to join us as long as they help advance the mission of promoting positive visibility of Muslim women and Islam in general.

It doesn't quite answer it and in the parts that it gets close to answering it (ie "activities that coincide with Shariah"), it sounds like a religious organization.

And that is fine, but call a spade a spade if that's the case. It just looks like they're tip-toeing around the issue for one reason or another and if you ask a question, the retort is "Why are you questioning us?"

-Rudey

I think you're right. I was asking her specifically because she mentioned it in one of her posts.

I just want to say my question and I believe some other people's questions are just that, questions. I don't believe some of our questions are coming from a negative standpoint, I think some of us really want to learn. What is wrong with that? I don't mean to put you on the defensive, I was just wondering if you knew what Islamic principles the sorority was talking about.

And right you are. ATLG1RL even wrote "I am not even a member of a sorority..." so I should have been more clear and directed my reply to her. As such, while I respect that she - and others - may know a lot about Gamma Gamma Chi, it would seem that only a member of the sorority can (should?) address how Gamma Gamma Chi follows Islamic principles. Any thing else would be speculation on her part.

Edited in an attempt to be yet again, some what clearer. But apparently, not doing such a good job of it.