Marquette University Muslim students talk about discrimination they face

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Wednesday 18 Nov 2015 - 11:31 Makkah mean time-6-2-1437 Marquette University. Image from musg.mu.edu Milwaukee, US (IINA) - A moving tribute to the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks was attended by Marquette University students of all faiths in USA on Tuesday night, WISN Milwaukee online news reported. Dozens gathered at Alumni Memorial Union to pray and hold a moment of silence for those killed. The university's president said this was a moment where all of Marquette’s students stood together. The vigil was organized by the Muslim Student Association, (MSA). Before the vigil WISN 12 News reporter Christina Palladino sat down with a group of students on campus to have a real discussion of what it's like to be Muslim. All of them told her they have been discriminated against because of their religion. "Islam is a very peaceful religion, and we condemn any acts of terror, especially on innocent lives, especially the ones in Paris, Beirut and in Kenya,” Marquette University student Gadeer Ayesh said. "You're always going to have a bad person within any religion whether it's Buddhism, Christianity, Islam but that should never define an entire group or sect of people,” student Alaa Shanaa said. "It's kind of funny when someone says, 'Oh go back to your country,' and I say, 'I'm a U.S. citizen as much as you are. I was born here like you. This is my country, so I don't know what you're talking about,'” student Salma Jamal said. "If everyone got the opportunity to meet a Muslim and be open-minded to see who they are, what type of American citizens they are, they would see we are just like you and everyone else,” Mohammed Abdel Rahim said. All of the students Palladino spoke with said that despite sometimes rude remarks they do feel a sense of inclusion on Marquette's campus and in most parts of Milwaukee where they grew up. SM/IINA