New Islamic Sorority
 

According to the Lexington Herald Leader,

"Take away the sorority house and alcohol-drenched co-ed parties. Keep elements of sisterhood and community service. Now add the tenets of Islam."

"The University of Kentucky is slated to become the site of the first campus chapter of Gamma Gamma Chi - the only Muslim sorority in America."


I have no problem with the Muslim sorority. But I am so upset that the article had to bash social sororities with the "alcohol-drenched" comment.

The article was written by Raviya H. Ismail, Hearld-Leader Education Writer.

I suppose it was only a matter of time.

There is already a thread about this.

This was in the Chicago Tribune last week...I meant to post this story! Here it is:

One sorority's modest start

By Jenny Jarvie
Tribune Newspapers: Los Angeles Times
Published November 23, 2005


LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Tottering on stilettos, Amira Shalash, a freshman at the University of Kentucky, tossed back her long, tousled hair and tugged at the neckline of her sweater, which had slipped off her shoulder.

Giggling, her friends--they wear hijabs, traditional Muslim head scarves--teased her that she wasn't dressed modestly enough.

The nine young women were gathered to learn about the nation's first Islamic sorority.

The motto of Gamma Gamma Chi: "Striving for the pleasure of Allah through Sisterhood, Scholarship, Leadership and Community Service."

The sorority hopes to establish its first campus chapter at the University of Kentucky.

Taking a seat at the introductory meeting, Boushra Aghil, 20, a junior in an olive green shirt and black hijab, studied the sorority's gold brochure. She was curious about how Gamma Gamma Chi would reconcile Islamic morals with sorority life--and the party atmosphere associated with it.

"My parents would never, ever let me join a regular sorority," Shalash said. "I don't know any Muslim sorority girls."

Yet many young Muslim women are intrigued by the concept. Since Gamma Gamma Chi was founded seven months ago, Muslim students from 14 states--and from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates--have e-mailed the sorority's national headquarters in Alexandria, Va. The biggest response came from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, a city with a Muslim population of nearly 2,500.

The idea for Gamma Gamma Chi came from Imani Abdul-Haqq, 34, a business administration major at Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C.

An African-American who converted to Islam in 2000, Abdul-Haqq considered joining a black sorority but worried that she would have to compromise her Muslim beliefs. Even the term for the nine predominantly black fraternities and sororities--the Divine Nine--makes her uncomfortable. Only Allah, she says, is divine.

"As a Muslim who dresses modestly and does not drink, I wouldn't want to set myself apart from the people I was pledging with," she said. "I want to feel the unity."

As the first Muslim sorority, Gamma Gamma Chi has the unique challenge of creating sorority life that is in keeping with Islamic law.

Although alcohol is banned in most sorority houses, a national study conducted in 2001 identified 62 percent of sorority members as binge drinkers.

That type of behavior won't be tolerated at Gamma Gamma Chi. Althia Collins, its president and executive director, has devised a strict induction process. An education consultant and former college administrator, Collins helped her daughter, Abdul-Haqq, establish the sorority.

"It will be a bit like `The Apprentice' or `America's Next Top Model,'" Collins said. "We will give them `Gamma mail,' which details a challenge for them to work on, like learning verses from the Koran."

If more than five students at the University of Kentucky submit membership applications by January, Gamma Gamma Chi hopes to establish its first chapter in February.

At her Nov. 6 presentation on campus, Collins wore the sorority's colors--lavender and green--as she explained the concept of a Muslim sorority. Collins, who converted to Islam in 1999, pledged Delta Sigma Theta--a traditionally black sorority--when she was a student in the 1980s.

Afterward, all of the women said they wanted to join Gamma Gamma Chi. They had just one question.

"Why," asked Aghil, "did you choose those colors?"

"Green is for the color of the Prophet," Collins said. "Lavender is a peaceful color; people like to smell it before they go to sleep."

Aghil frowned.

"I've never been a fan of purple," she said later. "But, I know, it's very superficial of me to worry. We could have a Muslim sorority, here in little town Kentucky."

A Sorority for muslim women, what a great concept!

I have a hard time believing they'll get bus drivers for their socials.......

:eek: :rolleyes:

I wish them good luck.

Actually, there is nothing wrong with this unless they become so Greekized that they cannot go Home!

It has to be a total New Window of Life for them!

I guess it just depends on How they look at it and interact with others of Greek Life.

ZING!

Originally posted by SigmaChiGuy
I have a hard time believing they'll get bus drivers for their socials.......



That's a bit harsh! and ignorant! :eek:


I wish the new sorority luck- it's gonna be a hard road, but with perserverance you can make it!

"We could have a Muslim sorority, here in little town Kentucky."

Congrats to Gamma Gamma Chi and On! On! U of K!

Gamma Gamma Chi Sorority, Inc.

I think that this is a good thing for Muslim women. They face a lot of discrimination, and anything that'll create a sense of unity is great for them.

Good luck!

I'm mad they don't even have a chapter and yet they have an exclusive paraphenalia site. :rolleyes:

It's still a good idea, I wish them luck.

Alpha Kappa Quaeda?!

Lol. No, that's just wrong.

Good for them.

"As a Muslim who dresses modestly and does not drink, I wouldn't want to set myself apart from the people I was pledging with," she said. "I want to feel the unity."

I don't really care for that comment, I am the things she mentioned, well not technically Muslim but that's another story, and I still feel the unity. But this is a wonderful idea and I'm sure with time it will be quite a popular group. I just hope they stick to their principles and don't deviate too far into "same thing different color" territory as 75% of the orgs popping up lately have done.

Yep, and that's all it is.

Now hold on... you should know there is a big difference between having a site - and having a site that works :rolleyes:

While I think it's a good idea (someone saw a market and went for it), I also don't like how they are generalizing/stereotyping all other greeks as having compromising morals.

I am conflicted about this. I am not sure why the need for a sorority structure with greek letters. Plus, I do resent the representation of sororities in the article.

All I know is that they are many Muslin members of the NPHC sororites who do not have a conflict--many of whom were already Muslim when they joined. In fact Betty Shabazz was a proud and active member of DST until her death.

I get the feeling that these are recent converts who are still feeling their way in their belief. In any case, I do wish them success.

Actually I'm not surprised - the image of most GLOs is in conflict with the pillars of the Islamic faith... but that's just it - it is in conflict with the "image". If by the creation of an Islamic based GLO the community becomes more aware of the reality, as opposed to the stereotype; then I say more power to them.

If it's wrong, why say it? But then again, for some people, muslim=Al Qeida...oh well.

Muslim women already have a sisterhood, but I do understand the reason for a sorority, because maybe they want to unite in a college setting, and sororities are a better way of doing it besides MSA (Muslim Student Association).

It's only cafe press. Any one can create a store.

Hell, I even have my own cafe press store.

This kind of offends me too. I guess along with the bans on porkchops and dogs as pets there's no play on words or rhyming concepts allowed in Islam. Could she have allowed herself to join back when it was the Elite Eight before it got all heretical and god-mocking? lol

Also, she wouldnt want to set herself apart? Thats a mighty high pedestal she just climbed her hajab wearing butt up on. Gotta love how people who have never been in or around any of our orgs are the experts at what goes on inside them. I hate that. Cause she dosent drink she cant 'feel the unity'? Maybe she shouldnt be all about generalizations either. Cause all arabs are terrorists, right? Bet she's had enough of that since 9/11. Double standard much? Yeah, I thought so too.

I'd rather them have their own sorority and be real about it then just have the MSA act like a GLO. I hate the shit. The MeCha (an ethnic student org at my alma matter) tried to pretend that they were a GLO; made big letters, had a rush. It was pathetic and stupid. There's GLO's and non-glo's. Each has a place and a function.

Good for them I guess. Just wish they knew the first rule of rush. You dont have to put others down to make yourself look better. You end up making yourself look bad overall.

Yeah...some of the comments made about 'regular' sororities offended me, too. I went to UK and I didn't drink at all when I pledged, but I still felt 'the unity.' :rolleyes: It's fine if they want to start a sorority that makes them feel like they're not compromising their relgious beliefs, but it'd be nice if they wouldn't put other sororities down.

I agree 100% I have sisters who are muslim...and they are as much apart of the sisterhood as everyone else. Fact of the matter is, anyone, Christian, Muslim, Agnostic, whatever you may be may not want to drink, party, whatever. And that doesn't matter in the long run. I have sisters of all faiths, some who drink and some who don't. All that matters is that your heart is in the right place. All of our activities do not center around drinking.

It's really sad that sororities get a bad rap for drinking, although to be perfectly honest, while I hate it, remembering the days on my campus I know where it comes from. Although not ALL the councils on campus were known for drinking and partying, some were. That is all some of the organizations seemed to do. Yes I'm greek and yes I know people in all orgs who didn't drink and party, but when it came down to events, com/serve, ect. Some groups just didn't do it. And on my campus, people thought of those groups as the drinking/party sororities/fraternities. So I guess if those groups do it to the point where other Greeks think of them as drinkers...then how can we blame GDIs for thinking the same things?

Cosign for Theta Nu Xi!

I believe she said EVEN the term "Divine" nine makes her "uncomfortable". Where did the "heretical and God-mocking" come from? As for the bans on Pigs and Dogs, what does this have to do with anything? This is not the thread to critize what you like and dont like about Islam.

Granted, the sorority didn't do a lick of research about other sororities. But this isnt the first time I've heard such comments being made about the image of social GLOs being a "drunken debauchery".

Have you watched that clip...? It's making fun of a similar situation.

rismail@herald-leader.com

I think that she would love to hear Educated rebuttals to her article. I think that this "little" town is growing in both understanding and culture.

You can also reach the newspaper at H-L

Greek letters, Islamic principles
UK students aim to found first chapter
By: Sean Rose
Issue date: 11/29/05 Section: Campus News
The Kentucky Kernel

The first chapter of the Muslim sorority Gamma Gamma Chi could be on UK's campus by late February said the sorority's founder and president Althia Collins.

Created last spring by Collins and her daughter Imani Abdul-Haqq, the only Muslim sorority in the country has been looking for schools with interest in having the first campus chapter. The national founding chapter is based in Alexandria, Va.

"What will determine who is first will be the level of interest we've seen," Collins said.

Along with UK, Collins said the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Maryland at College Park have shown strong interest.

Secondary education junior Boushra Aghil said she thought the sorority would be an extension of the Muslim community in a college setting.

"We're trying to find a way to unite our Muslim sisters and work for a better community," Aghil said. "We're basically bringing together the best of the east and the best of the west."

Collins said her daughter came up with idea for the sorority when she was interested in joining a sorority but didn't want to join a Christian-based sorority with a typical Greek social life.

Gamma Gamma Chi is open to both Muslim and non-Muslim women who exhibit the six pillars of the sorority, which include Islamic awareness and involvement as well as social awareness and involvement.

"A lot of people don't really know what our religion is about," said pre-pharmacy junior Sundus Elgumati. "This gives them an idea of what we're about."

Elgumati contacted Collins with interest in starting a UK chapter and Collins visited UK on Nov. 6 for a "Gold Presentation," the sorority's version of rush week. Going to the Gold Presentation was required to apply for membership in the sorority and Collins said it was a heartening experience.

"The enthusiasm was obvious and the chemistry was great," Collins said. "They came together and it was just a great opportunity to get to know each other."

There are no promises that any of the students will have a sorority however. There is a Jan. 10 deadline for membership applications and the women interested are currently trying to rally as much interest in the sorority as possible.

Originally, Collins said there needed to be 15 to 20 members for the chapter to open. Collins said the number had been lowered to roughly 10. Elgumati and Aghil estimated there are at least five girls who know they want to join.

"The interest is there," Aghil said. "But right now it's such an untouched subject many don't know what will come from this."

Susan West, UK dean of sororities, said it was important for sororities and fraternities to have more support than other campus organizations because they are more involved in the community and take on more projects. She added that because it's such a new organization it might be slow come together.

"We want to be sure that any group will be successful and have the support it needs," West said.

She added she supported the new sorority's efforts.

"I would support any group that supports women," West said. "I think women that have a common value system, it's good for them to be together and support them in a college environment."

If enough students complete the application requirements and are accepted by the national founding chapter then Collins will work with UK to establish the sorority.

Even if UK isn't the first campus chapter, Collins said she was pleased by the students' interest here and they would have a chapter eventually.

"I would love to have every one of them," Collins said.

And being the Horse Capital of the World doesn't hurt either.

Is anyone else confused about this:

Q #15. If I am a member of a Greek lettered organization already, may I join Gamma Gamma Chi?
We are unable to accept for membership an undergraduate who already belongs to another sorority. Graduates who have membership in another sorority are eligible to be considered; however, we hope that they will choose to discontinue membership in the other sorority in order to devote their time and attention to Gamma Gamma Chi.

I don't understand why it would make a difference whether you're an undergrad or have already graduated-letters are for life.




http://gammagammachi.org/FAQ/

You aren't the only one wondering:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=20901

It seems to perpetuate the "four years" myth about membership in GLOs.

interesting yet some of the points in the article I find disturbing.

When will people get the hint that putting down other orgs doesn't uplift your own?

Seriously. And I really think that they should get their facts straight about membership in other sororities before they start their own.

What will be interesting is once they form the sorority, will they add a selection process for who can join? And if so will it divide the already small Muslim community at the school?

that was a very interesting article to say the least, and considering i live in kentucky i take interest in it, and plan on passing it along.
And I agree with many of the posts bc i am a little trouble by the comments about other organizations. Even being a member of a service and not social GLO I have to disagree with many of the negative comments. But I think those who are not members and do not have a relationship with members of GLO tend to come up with their own concepts on how things go and how people behave and that is just how it goes sometimes. Stereotypes are dangerous things and they may need to go back to the drawing board when trying to develop their sorority. But I wish them much success as well

Lest We forget, A member of a Social GLO can be a member of a Service, Honorary, or Educational GLO!

If this certain type of Non National GLO wants to do this, then it is their perogitivy isnt it.

The problem is, it is their loss, not ours!:(