Encounters in the queue in front of the prayer room, creating a tea corner in De Refter, an introduction party without beer. What’s it like to be Muslim at Radboud University?

The snacks and mineral water bottles are ready on the table in the associations’ hall beneath the Sports Centre. It’s Monday night and ‘Meet MSV’ is about to start. Treasurer Fatima Ba has made some chicken and beef snacks with her mother and there are all sorts of hummus, dips and bread. What there isn’t, though, is beer. The brand-new Board members of the Moslim Studenten Vereniging (MSV) extensively thank all those present for braving the cold and coming to congratulate them on their new position. They take the time to personally pour a drink for each visitor.

‘People who want to understand Islam better are also very welcome’

‘Meet MSV’ is a variation on the traditional Meet-the-Board events organised by student boards in October and November. ‘We sometimes attend those as well,’ says Sarah Boulehoual, Political Science student and the association’s Secretary, ‘but in our own way. For example, we attended the get-together for the Christian student associations as soon as it began, at 7 pm. We shook some hands, had a chat with people, and went home at a reasonable hour.’ She adds, laughing: ‘Sometimes people are surprised: ‘Oh my God, do Muslims attend Meet-the-Board events too?’ Sure we do, but because of our faith we choose not to drink alcohol.’ ‘Which is why we don’t organise drinks evenings ourselves,’ explains External Affairs Officer and Philosophy student Sümer Sen. ‘But we do want to meet everyone, which is why we organised this introduction party.’

Monsters

The new, fourteenth board of MSV consists of 4 students from Radboud University and one student from HAN University of Applied Sciences. The number of members has grown fast in the last few years and the association now has approximately 160 members. By comparison, the largest Christian association, ‘beer-and-Bible’ association NSN, has 183 members. ‘Our activities often attract non-members too,’ says Boulehoual, ‘for example our lectures about Mecca or on the question of whether God exists.’ What’s more, not all members are Muslim, explains Sen. ‘People who want to understand Islam better are also very welcome.’

This hospitality is immediately apparent at ‘Meet MSV’. When someone mentions that they don’t eat meat, medical student and Chair Sherin Said immediately takes it upon herself to ask her successors to bake some vegetarian snacks next year. The board members show visitors around their office, give tours of the associations’ hall and invite everyone to come back. The desire to remain in dialogue is strong, explains Sen, both in society, and on a smaller scale within the University. ‘When I hear that someone has never met a Muslin, I invite them to join us.’ he says. MSV members also visit primary schools to talk about Islam and Muslims in the Netherlands. ‘Distance creates fear, a dark street at night is filled with monsters,’ says Sen. ‘I think it’s important and rational to try to prevent this from happening.’

Hutspot and Couscous

This is why MSV likes to work with other parties. Members sometimes organise joint lectures with Christian association Quo Vadis and PTRS faculty association Awaz. In collaboration with these and with NSN and Political Science association Ismus, MSV also initiated ‘Hutspot and Couscous’, a series of activities in which students share a meal while listening to speakers and engaging in a debate.

Other activities include the annual trip, a course in Arabic, and Islam Awareness Month. To raise awareness, MSV for instance created a ‘tea corner’ in the Refter, where anyone who’s interested can drink tea with Muslims.

‘I’ve no idea who prays five times a day’

Although the board members don’t experience studying at a non-Muslim university as negative, MSV does meet a need many have for a place where they aren’t ‘different’. ‘Political Science, the programme I follow, is a very white study programme,’ says Boulehoual. Fatima Ba is also an exception on her Chemistry programme at HAN University of Applied Sciences. ‘As a Muslim and a non-white student. I don’t mind, but it’s nice to be here among like-minded people who have a similar approach to faith.’ Catholic Radboud traditions, such as the prayer at the opening of the academic year, don’t bother them. ‘The University isn’t so traditional anymore,’ says Sen. ‘There’s room for other faiths.’

For example, they are happy with the prayer room for Muslims at the Student Chaplaincy. ‘I often find myself chatting with people from other faiths, as I wait for my turn,’ says Sen. ‘It’s interesting, I learn from their perspectives on life.’ MSV also has good contacts with the other religious associations. ‘Even though we’re not members of CSN – which is after all an umbrella organisation for Christian associations – we can always turn to them for collaboration or advice.’

New car

Although religion plays a central role, conversations at MSV don’t only centre on prayer, says Boulehoual. ‘We have lots of fun, for instance during ladies’ nights.’ ‘We’re very funny, you know!’ laughs Ba. How you experience your faith is a very personal issue, says Sen. ‘I’ve no idea who prays five times a day. Praying is not asking for stuff like a new car. It’s entering into connection with Allah. This is a private matter.’

At the end of the evening, Sen gives the last chicken snack away to another member. He explains that he sometimes finds it important to give away something he really wants. Not to get attention, but to do good without self-interest. ‘For example, I always try to think through the reasons behind my actions. This applies to my studies too: I want to work hard. This is motivated by my faith, because I think I’m here for a reason. I want to get the best out of myself, and put all the talents I was blessed with to good use.’