Our Community Is Growing
The Muslim community at UVA has been growing exponentially. Back in the 1980s, there were less than two dozen Muslim students in the average graduating class. Today there are more than two hundred Muslim students, according to our internal study of UVA alumni data. In collecting this data, we thank the Muslim Students Association, the UVA Alumni Association, and Charlottesville mosque community members, such as Dr. Aalia Khidr and Dr. Emaad Abdel-Rahman.
Our Community Is Under Threat
Over the past few years, Muslim college students across the country have been suspended, arrested, and even deported for expressing their first amendment rights. Even worse, Muslim students continue to face Islamophobia – perhaps at an even worse rate than after 9/11.
Our Students at UVA Live in a Muslim Desert
UVA students don’t have access to a single full-time religious leader or counselor within a 50 miles of driving distance of UVA. In this “Muslim Desert,” there is only one mosque, the Islamic Society of Central Virginia (ISCV). Though a wonderfully welcoming and inclusive community, the mosque hasn’t had the financial resources to retain a full-time imam in several years.
Ramadan Is Now During the School Year
Ramadan has been in the summer time for roughly the past decades. But now, Ramadan is in March-April and will continue to be during the school year for the next two decades. While UVA Muslim students fast the holy month together, UVA alumni can band together to sponsor community iftars.
We Can Build a Flagship Program at a Public University
Looking at the Top 25 Universities (according to U.S. News), we discovered that 18 have a full-time Muslim chaplain or are actively seeking one. However, almost no public university has a robust, sustainable program – creating a unique opportunity for UVA to lead the country on Muslim life at a public school.