North by Northwestern

The Muslim Cultural Students Association (McSA) invites students to learn about Islam this week through a series of events called Flipping the Script, which hopes to spin the narrative around Islam by discussing the belief system and bringing prominent speakers to campus.

Meet a Muslim – Monday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Norris

If you’re around Norris on Monday, save yourself from the forecasted rain (seriously, just when it’s finally warm!) and visit McSA members on the ground floor. They will be handing out candy and snacks, teaching students about Islam and talking about the week’s upcoming events.

Poetry with a Purpose – Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. in Harris 107

McSA and For Members Only are hosting a night of appreciation for Muslim artists with singer and rapper Khāled Siddīq and Muslim-American author and advocate Tariq Touré.

Siddīq is one of the world’s most well-known Muslim artists, with 144,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel. He often sings about his faith, seeking to dispel stereotypes surrounding Islam.

Touré writes poetry and prose on a variety of topics from social justice and arts to current events and Black Muslim narratives.

Breaking Ankles & Breaking Stereotypes – Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. in Rebecca Crown Center

Basketball player and Muslim advocate Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir will speak on Wednesday. But who is she?

First, she is an award-winning athlete — she broke the Massachusetts state points record with 3,070 points and was named Conference Newcomer of the Year in the NCAA.

Her professional career hit a roadblock because of the International Basketball Federation’s rule against headgear larger than five inches, preventing her from being able to play and wear her hijab. She advocated against this ban, and it was overturned in May 2017.

Abdul-Quaadir started an online campaign, “Muslim Girls Hoop Too,” to advocate for Muslim women’s ability to wear a hijab in basketball and to raise awareness for Muslim female athletes.

Restructuring the Perception of Muslim Achievement: Striving for Excellence through the Core of Faith – Thursday, Feb. 22, 7 p.m. in Lutkin Hall

This is the keynote for the week about Islamic philosophy and spirituality, as well as Muslim exceptionality in the world today. The speakers will be Imam Omar Suleiman and Imam Zaid Shakir.

Who is Imam Omar Suleiman?

He is the founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research. He is also an adjunct professor of Islamic studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at Southern Methodist University and an advocate of community service, interfaith dialogue and social justice.

Who is Imam Zaid Shakir?

He is the co-founder of Masjid al-Islam in New Haven, Connecticut, which provides spiritual, intellectual and physical resources to promote community. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor of political science at Southern Connecticut State University. Finally, he works as a writer and lecturer on African American issues and Islam, and is also the co-founder of Zaytuna College.

Khutbah & Kababs – Friday, Feb. 23, 1 p.m. in Parkes Hall

To finish off the week, on Friday there will be a khutbah, or sermon, given by Imam Zaid Shakir. McSA invites students from any religious affiliation to join them for a Friday Jumuah prayer. Lunch catered by Pita Inn will be available after the prayer.

Free hot chocolate! – Tuesday and Thursday, Feb. 20 and 22, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rock

If you can’t commit the time to any of these events, or even if you can and you just want hot cocoa, swing by the Rock Tuesday or Thursday to meet McSA members and get free hot chocolate!