Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world, according to Pew Research Center.
Although most Americans know little to nothing of the faith, the Carlmont community is changing that though the Muslim Fellowship Club.
Naser Abdelrahman, senior and vice president of the Muslim Fellowship Club, has been quite busy these last couple of months. His focus has been on orchestrating the multi-club effort behind the Fortifying Bridges event.
Abdelrahman has worked hard over the past couple years to create a very special club that functions both collaboratively, as well as on its own.
Abdelrahman started the club in 2015 as a sophomore.
Abdelrahman said, “My goal is to try to show people who Muslims really are, and give them a more representative image of who we are.”
The club focuses on stamping out stereotypes and distorted images portrayed in the news.
Originally working to provide a free place for Muslims and non-Muslims to discuss and have a deeper conversation, the club quickly became much bigger. It now also works to include all people, and through events, show Muslims upholding social justice.
“Essentially we want to offer a platform to all students, not just Muslims, in which they can challenge the world around them and feel empowered to pursue the social change they wish to see in their school,” said Abdelrahman. “It’s not the typical religious or faith-based club. It’s more of a social justice, social activism, social awareness club.”
From the club’s first event, the all-school Smiling Campaign, to the Muslim Fellowship and Feminist Club’s collaboration with Linda Sarsour, a popular Muslim feminist, the club has most certainly done that job well through a long and tedious process.
Abdelrahman recalled his trouble with initially getting Muslims on board to participate in events: “It’s hard to go from being misunderstood and shying away from openly displaying your identity to doing just the opposite.”
The Muslim Fellowship Club is open to everyone. Abdelraham said he started off working alone, but the club has quickly expanded. Out of the five officers, two are Muslim are three are not. “It’s no longer a purely Muslim movement,” said Abdelraham.
“It’s no longer a purely Muslim movement,” said Abdelraham.
As a graduating senior, Abdelrahman is already making plans for the future of the club. His sister, sophomore and current president of the Muslim Fellowship club, Zaina Abdelrahman, is now taking charge.
“It’s a hard responsibility,” said Naser Abdelrahman, “Starting the club, in the beginning, it wasn’t easy.”
Zaina Abdelrahman has been working on the Heritage Fair Assembly performance for the past three weeks. She’s developing her own skills to carry the torch of the Muslim Fellowship, along with the legacy of starting a meaningful conversation.
Naser Abdelraham said, “If you can sum up everything I’m trying to do in one word, it’s communication. It’s conversation.”
