Muslims are people who follow the religion of Islam, which is based around the following five key pillars of practice & belief:
The word halaal is an Arabic word meaning permissible. It refers to practices and beliefs that are allowed but is most commonly associated with what Muslims are allowed to eat. Conversely, haraam, means forbidden.
In the context of food, pork products and alcohol are haraam. Other animals have to be slaughtered in a certain way in order for the meat to be considered halaal.
Muslims who observe a strictly halaal diet will only eat food from a kitchen which has been certified as being halaal by a certification body. A certified kitchen undergoes an inspection to ensure that there is no contamination of halaal food. In this case, contamination might entail the presence of non-halaal meat or alcohol on the premises. It might also mean that the kitchen utensils, surfaces, and appliances have come into contact with contaminated foods. A halaal certified kitchen will have a certificate on display which is valid for a year.
How can I include students who observe halaal diets in my planning?
Where do I get student-card access to halaal food facilities on campus?
At Stellenbosch University, alcohol is present at most events and presumed to be the default drink of all those in attendance. The social culture on campus is deeply intertwined with drinking culture.
Many activities intended to build community center inherently on alcohol as a tool to bond, through games, and as prizes and incentives. For Muslim students, to whom consuming alcohol is haraam, they do not have the same opportunities to connect with their community members as their peers. This leads to feelings of alienation and exclusion.
How can I make Muslim students feel more included in events where alcohol is served?
One of the integral parts of the Islamic faith is observing 5 daily prayers known as salaah. The timeous completion of these prayers is important.
Salaah can be performed anywhere that is clean and without distraction. Many Muslims prefer to pray in the privacy of their own rooms. On campus, there is a Jamatkhana (prayer facility) on the third floor of the Neelsie. There is also a mosque in Banghoek Rd.
Where do I get student-card access to prayer facilities on campus?
Attending Jumu'ah prayers (Friday midday congregational prayer) forms the basis of observing the sabbath day. Some Muslim students will not be in attendance of events or classes between midday and 14.00 on a Friday afternoon.
The observance of the Sabbath begins after sunset on Thursday evenings and ends after sunset on Friday evenings.
The festival of Eid is celebrated twice per lunar calendar year. The length of each month in the lunar calendar (whether it will be 29 or 30 days long) depends on whether the moon is sighted on the 29th night of each month. As such, the dates available for Eids at the time of publication are only predictions and may be subject to change. The predicted date for Eid-ul-Fitr 2020 is 24 May while Eid-ul-Adha is predicted to fall on 31 July.
Modesty is a key element in the character of a Muslim. Muslims believe that dressing in a way which covers certain parts of the body is one such aspect of modesty.
It is this modesty that sees some Muslims wearing more covering clothing with longer sleeves, longer pants legs, looser fit, and sometimes covered hair.
Many times Newcomers are assigned clothing that they have to wear during Welcoming week or costumes to adhere to for the Vensters performances. The design of this clothing does not align with the manner of dress of modest-dressing Muslims. This includes men and women but is particularly troublesome for Muslim women who observe hijab (the covering of the entire body, including the hair).
How can I make my Welcoming clothing inclusive of Muslim students' dress habits?