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.
Hybrid Mode
