Fall 2005

Seeking the Spirit

Student religious leaders tell us why they participate, what they believe,
and why they still ask questions

Email Story

Mohammad Qasim Naqvi ’07

Naqvi is a member of the Muslim Student Association. The group meets on Fridays for congregational prayers and for other activities during the year.

When I was a freshman, the Muslim Student Association was pretty much inactive. Nobody was in charge of prayer on Friday. There were just two of us, Ali Shah ’07 and I, who talked to people just casually about praying on Fridays. As time went by, the numbers went up. Right now, Linda Morgan-Clement (campus minister) is our adviser, and we consult with Muslim professors when needed.

My beliefs have become stronger at Wooster. I’m from Pakistan, so I grew up in a large Muslim community. In this small Muslim community, I feel that we have a responsibility to show the rest of the college community what it means to be Muslim.

My faith feels well-formed. Islam provides a lot of concrete answers, so I feel like I grew up knowing many answers to traditional religious questions.

Also, being religious in college is entirely your own responsibility.  When you live at home, your parents tell you about religious duties. Here, it is all your responsibility, with nobody checking up on you. When you do everything on your own, it strengthens your beliefs „ you decide whether or not to make time for things. 

We’re a small bunch in MSA. When people have questions about our religion, we need to know answers.

Before I started college, I had some worries about how I might be treated, but once I got here I felt I was at home and everyone was friendly. People were respectful of religion, no one questioned it, you were allowed to practice what you believe. Wooster is a religious school to a certain extent, so I felt easy, I felt comfort.

During Ramadan we’re fasting all day. One of our C.O.W. Card swipes (for meals) is transferred from Lowry to Mom’s Truck Stop, so we can eat after sunset. MSA students talked to the dining services department so we would be able to do that.

 You mature in college as you learn about yourself and your religion. I’ve been taking religion courses and discussing things with my professors. I’ve also had many casual chats with friends about their traditions and religions. I think the most important issue is peace and how that is a universal issue in all religions.