Inspired by recent events, the Islamic Society of Boston University hosted an event titled “Unfiltered Talk: Activism, and Spirituality in the Age of Trump” Monday evening. More than 20 students attended the event in the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground.
ISBU President Doaa ElTemtamy said the discussion was going to get to the nitty-gritty — things that people do not always feel comfortable talking about.
“There are just a lot of topics that I feel like — not only just college students, but I feel like Muslims in general — are kind of nervous to talk about; like, am I allowed to answer on behalf of my whole religion,” ElTemtamy, a junior in the Questrom School of Business, said before the discussion.
ElTemtamy said she wanted all members of the campus community to come to the event.
“We definitely want our Muslim brothers and sisters as well as non-Muslim brothers and sisters,” she said. “We can all learn. We want all opinions to be voiced.”
She said the current political climate also prompted the discussion.
“Our Unfiltered Talks are a new series we’ve begun this year where we discuss the less talked about topics regarding Islam,” she said. “We chose this [week’s] topic because it is extremely relevant in today’s society and a topic we believe needs to be discussed on campus.”
Topics discussed in the event ranged from spiritual practices to President Donald Trump’s administration. Community activism and alliance-building were also part of the emphasis.
The discussion was led by Chaplain Noman Khanani, a first-year graduate student in the School of Education.
Several students said during the discussion that people should look past their differences and come together over this issue.
Ibrahim Rashid, a sophomore in College of Arts and Sciences, said those who are against Trump need to begin reaching out and organizing.
“The reality is that for the next two years or so, those of us who are on the left cannot control the national conversation,” Rashid said. “The Muslim community needs to start reaching out and forming coalitions … and preparing its youth generation for positions of leadership.”
Hannah Jacobs, a sophomore in the Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, said the atrocities occurring in the Middle East command people to put aside differences.
“I think coming from my perspective, from the Jewish community … they are apprehensive about this subject,” Jacobs said. “Of course you hear about the genocide in Syria and want to help, but there are some fundamental opinion differences on our homeland … and I think for a lot of people, it is important to get over that hump and speak up for this cause.”
Lara Apa, a sophomore in the College of Communication, said she thinks President Trump is trying to make the American population easy to control by turning its attention to the marginalized.
“A small and homogenous group is easy to control,” Apa said. “[Trump] is trying to create this opportunity to dismantle America, and it is unfortunately our job to prevent this.”
Deniz Hallik, a sophomore in CAS, said being active in current political times should be the group’s priority.
“Being actively there, and being in people’s faces — saying that you’re not going to deny my existence.”
Lul Mohamud, a sophomore in CAS who helped organize the series, said the discussion bypassed all creeds.
“I personally believe this is a humanitarian crisis, not a political debate,” Mohamud said during the discussion. “Anyone who is saddened by what’s going on around the world, I appreciate all their support. This is an issue that crosses all cultures, all religions, all people.”
After the discussion, Mohamud said she was happy with the turnout, and that the goal for the organization was to “really branch out and talk more about issues that start clashing with politics.”
