The Muslim Community here at Stony Brook University is vibrant, diverse, and tolerant. It’s a community where people of all walks of life are united under one religion, and no matter how weird you may be, the community will always accept you for who you are. Here is a list of nine experiences you will encounter as a brother:

 

1. Handshakes -  MSA brothers are big on their handshakes. There’s the classic lock hands together in a large *smack!* followed by embracing one arm over the other person’s opposite shoulder. Of course, you can always go with the classic handshake, or go for the neutral fist bump. Don’t be awkward like me who had a fist bump then switched to a handshake as the person gave me another fist bump.

2. Greetings - The Islamic Society Musallah is filled with different people, especially when we all have different breaks from class. You should never feel awkward in the prayer room because the MSA is big on greeting everyone, even if you are new outside of the Musallah. If I see someone I saw praying earlier, I feel very comfortable to give him salaam and spark a random conversation. Sometimes, others look at us as if we’ve been friends for so long.

3. Startling (from behind) - If you’re ever caught studying in the library, you would expect someone else to approach you, greet you, and ask how your day has been going so far. While it is true MSA brothers will do this, some like to kick it up a notch: They like to slowly creep behind you as you’re concentrating on your studying. It has happened quite a few times, especially if the library is not as busy and you are alone. You have been warned.

4. Basketball - The MSA Brothers are obsessed with basketball. Ball is Life is just an understatement. Whenever they get the chance, the Brothers will be constantly making spontaneous plans to start balling whenever and wherever they can. These typically take places either after Maghrib on Thursday or after Jummu’ah. Even if you are like me, who is not keen on sports in general, you can give it a try; maybe you’ll get a different experience.

5. Languages – The MSA is very diverse. Languages include but are not limited to, Urdu, Arabic, Hausa, French, Spanish, Turkish, Bengali, Punjabi, etc. Feel free to speak any language you choose, but at times, if you know it is alienating everyone else, perhaps you should stick with English.

6. Fundraisers -- Mash’Allah, many people from the MSA are involved in charitable clubs and organizations across campus. These clubs are also notorious for enacting quotas, which ensure members are raising funds. As a result, swarms of chain mail and random approaching by members by the MSA will emerge, pleading you to buy Bubble Tea or Gyros. They will tell you it is for a great cause, and even guilt-trip you, begging you buy it so they maintain their quotas. The constant spam, whether it is through text messaging, Facebook groups, or group chats, isn’t ending anytime soon.

7. Announcements -- After Maghrib at the Musallah, you will notice someone from the Brothers side will read off the announcements found on the board. For example, announcing prayer times and important events which are approaching soon. For some reason, however, there is always some hesitation on the Brothers side as to who should give the announcements. Brothers will stare at each other, while others insist someone else should do it. You will see this delay, especially when main members of the Board are not there.

8. Encounters -- Usually, if you see someone you are happy to see, you smile and embrace them. I typically like to give salaam, smile and hug them before asking them how their day has been going so far.

 

These are just a few typical experiences I encountered with the MSA. Everyone’s experience is unique. Even if some are awkward, your experience in general plays a significant role in shaping who you are as a college student. Make the most out of your experience with the MSA because previous alumni have stated, these are experiences you will never forget.

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