Campus Greek Life Could Get Islamic Touch

[mccoyred]

Well, this is interesting. I am also surprised that it took so long to form given the Muslim population, both converted native-born and immigrant. I think it would be interesting to see how the sorority grows with regards to women from Islamic countries who attend college in the states and with regard to international chapters in other Islamic or secular countries.

I am a little concerned that the ED, who is also a Delta, tried to push a little of Delta into the org rather than creating from scratch (ie Five Pillars). If SHE is a practiving muslim (not clear from the article or website), I am also concerned that she may have felt that Delta did not meet her needs as a muslim woman. There are many muslim women who are members of the D4 so I wonder if this is something that they will look towards instead of D4 or mulicultural sororities?

[Jill1228]

I wish them well!

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by mccoyred
I am a little concerned that the ED, who is also a Delta, tried to push a little of Delta into the org rather than creating from scratch (ie Five Pillars). If SHE is a practiving muslim (not clear from the article or website), I am also concerned that she may have felt that Delta did not meet her needs as a muslim woman. There are many muslim women who are members of the D4 so I wonder if this is something that they will look towards instead of D4 or mulicultural sororities?

I was also a little concerned about the fact that she pushed a little of Delta into it instead of basing it on the five pillars (for example). I think I would have liked that better. I would be saddened if she felt that Delta did not meet her needs as a Muslim woman. I'm Muslim and to me, it doesn't conflict with Muslim principles, but I guess one can look at that in different ways. I do think that it's about time that something like this has come along, though.

[jubilance1922]

Originally posted by mulattogyrl
I was also a little concerned about the fact that she pushed a little of Delta into it instead of basing it on the five pillars (for example). I think I would have liked that better. I would be saddened if she felt that Delta did not meet her needs as a Muslim woman. I'm Muslim and to me, it doesn't conflict with Muslim principles, but I guess one can look at that in different ways. I do think that it's about time that something like this has come along, though.

Ditto on everything you said. My line sister and I are both Muslim, and nothing in Sigma Gamma Rho has ever conflicted with my faith. But I wish my Muslim sisters the best of luck.

[Eclipse]

mulattogyrl & jubliance,
Do you mind if I ask you guys a few questions?

Do you wear the hajab and do you interpret the modesty of dress the way they do in many Middle Eastern/African countries (i.e. long dresses, etc)? Has this impacted the pari that you wear? I know I was suprised to see the items in their shop, especially the baby t-shirts and the tank tops.

As I understand it (and please forgive me, because I am not knowledgable about Islam), there is the expectation that you pray several times a day, facing Mecca. How do you handle it when you are at a sorority function/meeting?

[jitterbug13]

I think this is a good idea and that I feel that it is something that is needed. I know some who are Greek and Islamic, but for those who don't think that Greek life and Islamic beliefs work together, this will be a way for them to have both. It also gives them a chance to fellowship with others of their same beliefs and they may also share what's different (ex. those who are from Islamic counties, Nation of Islam, etc.)

Co-sign with RACooper that this should have been done a while ago.

Also co-sign with Soror mccoyred...I think their pillers should have been more orginal.

Best Wishes to them!

BTW: Did anyone notice that the founder's mother used to be the president of Bennett College?

[jubilance1922]

Originally posted by Eclipse
mulattogyrl & jubliance,
Do you mind if I ask you guys a few questions?

Do you wear the hajab and do you interpret the modesty of dress the way they do in many Middle Eastern/African countries (i.e. long dresses, etc)? Has this impacted the pari that you wear? I know I was suprised to see the items in their shop, especially the baby t-shirts and the tank tops.

As I understand it (and please forgive me, because I am not knowledgable about Islam), there is the expectation that you pray several times a day, facing Mecca. How do you handle it when you are at a sorority function/meeting?

Thanks for the questions. Please keep in mind that I am answering only for myself, so my views may not be held by others.

I do not wear hijab. For me, it was a personal and spiritual choice. However, I do dress modestly, and more conservatively. But I do wear t-shirts. Generally my lower arms are the only uncovered part of my body, besides my head. Naila has not been an issue for me, because I mostly have jackets, sweatshirts and t-shirts. I personally feel that most sorority tank tops are too skimpy.

As for meetings and prayer, generally my chapter meetings occur around the time of noon prayer. I'll either make salat (say prayers) after the meeting, because our meetings only last 1.5 hours. When we have food/fellowship after our meetings, I stick the foods that I know I can eat, and sorors are great about making foods that everyone can eat (Example: at our last meeting, a soror made greens w/turkey meat instead of hamhocks).

[DC_Zeta1920]

interesting indeed.....

Jubilance1922, your insight answered my questions as well. I had always wanted to know since I found out that muslim women and men have (and still) become members of the D9.

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by Eclipse
mulattogyrl & jubliance,
Do you mind if I ask you guys a few questions?

Do you wear the hajab and do you interpret the modesty of dress the way they do in many Middle Eastern/African countries (i.e. long dresses, etc)? Has this impacted the pari that you wear? I know I was suprised to see the items in their shop, especially the baby t-shirts and the tank tops.

As I understand it (and please forgive me, because I am not knowledgable about Islam), there is the expectation that you pray several times a day, facing Mecca. How do you handle it when you are at a sorority function/meeting?

I don't wear hijab either. I dress modestly most of the time, (although I have worn things that weren't so modest :0). Some of the baby t-shirts and tank tops could be worn in the privacy of their homes, or maybe under their other clothes, or something like that. I don't have a problem wearing para either because it's mostly t-shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. I personally don't like baby-t's and tank tops with my letters on them.

I wouldn't see it as a problem to go and pray during a sorority meeting. Muslims go to work every day and manage to either make prayer or make it up, one way or another. It's personally never been an issue for me though .

[darling1]

i think this is a wonderful idea. its nice that women who would like to join a sorority and remain strong with their faiths can do so without the conflict. relative to some of the non-D9 orgs, this is a welcome change.

[RACooper]

Again personally I can see creating a sorority that purports to uphold a Islamic ideal... or at the very least is based off of a Islamic principle...

Now for the Muslims out there who do you think they might choose as an exemplar or ideal - in keeping with Islamic traditions and faith? I'm personally voting for the Prophet's mother...

[mulattogyrl]

Originally posted by RACooper
Again personally I can see creating a sorority that purports to uphold a Islamic ideal... or at the very least is based off of a Islamic principle...

Now for the Muslims out there who do you think they might choose as an exemplar or ideal - in keeping with Islamic traditions and faith? I'm personally voting for the Prophet's mother...

That's interesting. What about the Prophet's first wife Khadijah?