The Muslim Students’ Association and NC State Women’s Center third annual Islam Fair was held in Riddick Hall on Tuesday to promote an understanding of the peaceful ideals of Islam to the NC State community.
The MSA with the Women’s Center helped to bring attendees an accurate understanding of how women are treated in the Islamic faith. Co-organizer, host and NC State student Karina Gomez said that the themes of the fair were centered on clarifying Islam’s ideas of gender equality.
The fair featured speakers and proponents of the Islamic faith, art inspired by the Quran and a henna tattoo station where women were decorated with traditional-style temporary tattoos.
Guests of the event walked between stations that taught the tenets of Islamic faith and featured pieces of Muslim culture. One station offered a learner’s course on the foundations of Islamic faith, while another showed the perception of Islam in popular opinion in western culture versus reality. The presenters dispelled notions that Islam is a religion that breeds terrorism or violence of any sort.
The presentations and the cultural booths were put on hold so that the hosts of fair could perform the Sunset Prayer, which is one of the five recognized moments of prayer per day in Islam.
After the prayer, the fair continued as a multicultural crowd of attendees spoke with representatives of Islam. Open and honest discussions between the hosts and the audience continued on through the night.
Elise Jaffe, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, an attendee of the event, said that she was very impressed with the audience of the fair.
“It’s a very diverse group of people,” Jaffi said. “It’s cool to see a group of young people come together and be open minded to new ideas.”
Hira Ahmed, a senior studying biological sciences, draws with henna on Olivia Gartz's hand, a freshmen studying engineering. Ahmed was giving henna tattoos as part of the Islam Fair in Riddick Hall, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015.
