Frequently Asked Questions

I have applied to many colleges, including Georgia Tech. I have been accepted to Georgia Tech and was hoping you could provide me with some information about the Muslim community at Georgia Tech. How many members are there in the Georgia Tech MSA? Is there a mosque on campus? What halal dining options are there?

I'm glad you're thinking about joining us at Georgia Tech! Alhamdulillah, we have a great Muslim community here in Atlanta, and a great MSA here at Georgia Tech. We estimate there are well over 200 Muslims who study at Georgia Tech, but not all of them are due paying members. Alhamdulillah, we have a prayer space on campus (right in the Student Center), and the largest masjid in Atlanta (Al Farooq Masjid of Atlanta) is walking distance from campus, just a few blocks from campus! This is one of the finest multi-million dollar masjids around America, and its construction is nearing completion in the next few months. Halal food is not accessible on campus (yet, at least), but there are many vegetarian options at every restaurant, and many halal options around campus. One very nice halal restaurant is open right near the masjid (Mosaic Cafe). I hope that answers your questions. If you have any more, please don't hesitate to ask! I do hope you will join us at Georgia Tech, but I pray that Allah guides you to whichever path is best for you, your family, and the ummah at large, and that you remain in the pleasure of Allah no matter where life takes you. All the best!



How can we as American non-muslims believe that Islam is a peaceful religion with all the problem the world is having with Islamic terrorism?

I am also a concerned American, but my perspective as a Muslim eases my fears. My religion teaches me that everything is in the hands of God, and that He has control of all things, and He is good and just. My religion also teaches me that God has given mankind free will, and He is patient. He helps those who turn to Him, and leaves to stray those who don't seek His guidance. If someone acts against the principles of goodness and justice, they will be punished, either in this life or in the next. My religion teaches me that even Muslims go to Hell, and the people in the bottom of Hellfire will be those who said they were Muslim but in fact they were hypocrits who didn't really practice Islam, but they followed their own desires. Islam is not the problem. In fact, I believe a correct understanding of Islam is the solution. And I do believe Muslims are doing their part. Just google "Muslims condemn terrorism" and you'll find lists and lists and lists of sources proving that Muslims are definitely doing their part to bring the true understanding of Islam to the forefront. My biggest fear is that the voices of mainstream Muslims aren't echoing like the voices of radicals and extremists who claim to follow Islam. One reason the mainstream voices (which properly represent Islamic teachings) are not being heard in the West is because the media might not find it as stimulating as the latest suicide bombing in Tel Aviv, but I can assure you, throughout the Muslim world, these voices have never been stronger at correcting misunderstandings of Islamic teachings. The reason Osama bin Laden has any room to speak is because he is perceived to be the only one standing up to what people see as oppression against Muslims in many parts of the world. If you look to any part of history where violence and extremism existed, politics was the common denominator, rarely ever religion. I do hope you, as a concerned American, will do more to help us mainstream Muslims have our voices heard so that there can be less fear-mongering on both sides and more efforts towards cooperation, understanding, and peaceful coexistence. The more Americans understand that it is not the religion of Islam, but the politics that are facing the Muslim world today that are the cause of extremism and violence, the more Americans may be able to help change the way it is perceived in the Muslim world. If America is able to gain back the trust of the Muslims through its policies and practices (rather than simply its words and gestures), then I do believe these radical voices will have no room to stand on. The radicals thrive on the fact that America is a staunch ally with Israel, and much of the Muslim world sees Israel is an unjust oppressor which demolishes Palestinian homes and builds illegal settlements on Palestinian land, completely against all international law. I mention a political example simply to show that it really is only politics that fuels these extremists, because it's only the political situation in the Muslim world today that allows this sort of philosophy to exist in Muslim minds in the first place. If you read history, Islam has had hundreds of years of amazingly peaceful coexistence with communities of all faiths, during Islam's "Golden Era."

The media is not necessarily concerned with being politically correct nor historically accurate. They simply have a job to sell the news, so I do hope you won't buy into their misrepresentative and misleading stories. Do your own research, and I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusions that I have.



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