Muslim Students Advocate for Seamless Inclusion in SCSD Schools

In the Muslim faith, followers are taught to observe salat – prayer – five times each day. One of those prayers falls during the school day. For some students, navigating the process during their school day was a challenge.
 
During Ramadan, Muslims typically abstain from all food and drink from dawn to sunset. That meant challenges for some students when it came time to run around in gym class. Some Muslims abstain from music during Ramadan as well – which led to challenges in music classes, too.
 
Through her job as an English as a New Language (ENL) Home-School Relations Specialist, Heba Mohamed works to advocate for all students – ensuring that their culture, religion, and more are recognized and respected in the school setting. She also happens to be Muslim and speak Arabic – offering her a unique position to support the SCSD’s large population of Muslim students.
 
“The urgency and the need to support these students is great, because of the big number of students we have,” she shared. “These students need to be heard. I want them to be active in their community. Some of these students are lost when it comes to their identity. They’re Muslim, but some of them didn’t study Islam, and they don’t know that much about it. They’re trying to fit in here in a western culture. I’ve been in these struggles my whole life. I get the cultural differences. I’m blessed that I have lived through these struggles, because now I can pass on what I have learned. I want these students to know that I’m their sister, their mom, their teacher. I know how difficult it can be if you don’t have enough knowledge or enough support.”
 
Ms. Mohamed started in the SCSD as an English as a New Language teacher at Corcoran. For four years, she created a prayer space in her classroom, allowing students to request a pass to come to her room for the necessary prayer. In time, she saw the need to make these practices universally recognized. She began working with staff at various SCSD schools – arranging meetings with Muslim students from elementary, middle, and high schools.
 
It was through those meetings that she discovered: school staff were curious and had many questions when it comes to the Muslim faith and how that impacts their students. She created an infographic about praying and Ramadan to express the most important information for educators – so they knew how they could best support their Muslim students.
 
Ultimately, she is trying to bridge the gap between Muslim students and their teachers.
 
“I told the students that I’m a proud Muslim person,” she explained. “I can speak to the Islamic rules. They asked questions, and they listened to me, because I’m Muslim. I told them I want to know their concerns – and we talked openly. We discussed their needs in school, and I told them that as long as you communicate in a respectful way, you will be heard. They have learned that in any class, if there is something they don’t feel comfortable with because of their culture, they can speak up respectfully.”
 
Ms. Mohamed suggested to teachers and students that in music class, they can ask for a head set if they choose not to listen to music. In gym class, they can ask for an alternative activity that still falls within the curriculum. She has also stressed to staff the importance of acceptance and tolerance.

PSLA Prayer Room

To make it easier for students to practice their religious rituals, PSLA at Fowler recently created a designated prayer room. Students may request a daily pass and are given a set amount of time each day to pray, either alone or as a group, in the space.
 
School staff initially noticed that some kids were kneeling on their jackets or sweatshirts to pray, so as not to be on the ground. Seeing a need, the school purchased prayer mats to keep on hand in the room for students to use.  
 
“It’s an honor to have a prayer room, honestly,” senior Warda Issak shared. “Most schools don’t have one. My sister goes to another SCSD high school, and they don’t have one. I’m really thankful! My school gives us time to pray, too. Especially during Ramadan, it’s not ideal if you pray late in the day… so it’s nice we’re able to do that on time. I think of prayer as part of my religion, but also as a peaceful way to guide me in life. The school is respectful in giving us time and our own space. My classmates have been wonderful – my friends have even tried fasting with me! It feels good knowing I have friends that support me and who actively work to understand my religion.”
 
“It’s nice, because I don’t know of other schools that have a designated prayer room,” junior Abdi Mohamed added. “It’s good for our religion to be recognized and respected. We know where to come – having this space makes it consistent for us. Prayer helps us get closer to God. I encourage my classmates to ask questions. Ramadan isn’t just about fasting and feasting… it’s also about charity and changing your ways. People should feel free to ask us why we pray, what we do. Through my religion, I’m called to help others – I’m more than happy to help people learn about the Muslim faith!”

Nottingham Muslim Student Association

At Nottingham, students have taken their advocacy to another level – starting the Muslim Student Association back up this year. The group initially met prior to COVID, and students decided it was time to end the hiatus.
 
Sophomore Rudayna Thabet is new to Nottingham, having transferred from out of district. Now, she serves as secretary of the school’s Muslim Student Association – saying she was prompted by her brothers and cousins who are engaged with the Le Moyne College MSA and have spoken to her about the power of connection with others in the Muslim community.
 
“Having a Muslim Student Association at Nottingham is a game changer!” Rudayna shared. “It definitely makes me feel more included with the people around me, as well as the community. I can speak for many others in saying that it makes us feel like our culture is heard and valued.”
 
Each Friday, the MSA offers Jummah Prayer – an opportunity for Muslim students to pray as well as engage with Islamic guest speakers. Aside from supporting the school’s Muslim students, Nottingham Social Studies Teacher and MSA advisor Ramy Seyam said another objective of the group is to allow students a safe place to express their needs and concerns being a Muslim student in a predominantly non-Muslim society.
 
Rudayna noted that the MSA has shared posters throughout their school to inform classmates about Ramadan and Eid. The group also ran a fundraiser on National Hijab Day, dedicated to showing the beauty of the hijab. They offered hijabs for people to try on and also sold bracelets to raise awareness – raising more than $200. Students have also hosted an after-school trivia event to socialize and play both Islamic and non-Islamic games.
 
“Our events and fundraisers are open to the whole school, whether someone is Muslim or not,” Rudayna explained. “When we did the Hijab Day event, there were many non-Muslims coming up to our stand to try on the hijab. It was a beautiful thing to witness! This brought the chance to have a mix of cultures and beliefs… and there is so much one can learn from a culture! In my opinion, it greatly improved the gap between Muslim and non-Muslim students!”
 
The Nottingham MSA fundraisers throughout the school year support nonprofit causes. In previous years, they have donated to the Rahma Health Clinic, which provides healthcare to the uninsured and under-insured here in Syracuse.
 
We’re proud of the students and staff who are actively celebrating #SCSDDiversity and making our schools a place where all are welcomed and included.