Muslim students share their perspective through poetry

Attendees listen to a speaker at the Islamic Poetry Slam on April 9, 2010, in the Gourmet Dining Room. (Nicole DuFault/City College News)

As part of Islamic Awareness Week, MCTC’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) commenced their first annual Islamic Poetry Slam on Friday, April 9, in the Gourmet Dining Hall.

“Starting with God’s name, we shall officially now begin,” proclaimed MC Mohamed Yousif, after a recording of a verse from the Quran was played.

As readers one by one approached the stand and shared their pieces, recurring themes throughout the poems became gradually apparent. Participants often made references to slavery, colonialism, sexism and racism.

“Would I be liberated if I were undressed?” a young female Muslim challenged in a piece entitled “A Classic.”

Midway through the event, MSA board members performed a skit about a hapless milk seller from Chechnya traveling to “US and A.” Illustrating the common occurrence of random selection since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the play parodied the results of racial profiling of Muslims.

After another round of poems, Saciido Shaie, President of Somali Youth Action, shared with the audience her vision for the Muslim Youth and Recreation Center. Displaying design plans and explaining the concept behind this new project, she stated, “I am in the land of opportunity, and I know I can make a change.”

A dinner buffet served a variety of traditional Muslim foods, and a game of “Islamic Jeopardy” enlivened the audience, a mix of Muslim and non-Muslim students alike.

Among the notable attendees were Interim President of the Student Senate Geoff Dittberner, ex-President T.J. Malaskee and President-elect Kerrick Sarbacker, who donned a vivid orange hijab (traditional Muslim female head covering) at the event.

The final few readings, especially, highlighted the pervasive religious imagery throughout the various pieces.

“Somalia has a disease,” one young poet declared. “And the antidote is Islam.”