Young Muslim Americans visited SMU to share their stories and feelings of what it is like to practice Islam as a young adult Saturday. Political science major, Asad Rahman, president of the SMU Muslim Students Association, led a panel of students who described their experiences of education, work, social life and the world post 9-11.

The panel included SMU students, SMU graduates, and students from local Dallas high schools.

Hibah Yousuf, a sophomore at Greenhill School, said she came to the panel discussion to help raise awareness about her faith. By speaking about her experiences, she hopes other people can gain a perspective of how we live our lives as an American Muslim.

Many of the panelists expressed a need to maintain a balancing act with everyday American activities with their Muslim duties. Being a student and young adult, praying three to five times a day and retaining all aspects of Islamic life can be difficult.

“It can be challenging, but I always remind myself that we are Muslim first. We must always think of God first, in every aspect of our lives,” said Nazreen Hassan, an SMU graduate and former president of the SMU Muslim Students Association.

One of the most challenging aspects Hassan talked about was going to prayer during school hours.

“You don’t want to draw attention to yourself, but it’s your duty.” Hassan said.

Before prayer, Muslims are required to wash their face, hands and feet. SMU turned a janitor closet into a private place where SMU Muslim students can wash before prayer.

Another question, posed to girls on the panel, asked what it is like to be at a school with bared navels and low cut jeans. Many of the Muslim girls felt a need to dress more modestly.

“No one forced me to cover. I cover first for God and then out of modesty. I don’t want to be judged for my appearances, but I’d rather be valued for my mind,” Hassan said.

Almost all Muslim-Americans faced change after the attacks on Sept. 11. For young Muslim students, the university atmosphere became a place where their Muslim faith was questioned. Muslim students took these inquiries as an opportunity to teach and correct the wrong stereotypes.

Omar Abdalla, a junior at Plano High School, said that on Sept. 11 people would joke with him and ask him questions about why the ‘Muslims’ would do something like this. During a soccer game, the questions got so intrusive that he struck back. Abdalla hit someone.

“The person said to me ‘Just because you knocked down the towers, doesn’t mean you can knock me,” said Abdalla.

Hibah said that ultimately this is why Muslim students come to SMU. To remind people to “be tolerant and open-minded”.