When Muslim students at Prospect found out that Associate Principal of Instruction, Dania Saleh, practices the Muslim faith, they immediately felt comfortable speaking about their religion to her, and they urged Saleh to join the Muslim Student Association club.
“Sometimes when you work in these roles of administration you don’t get to connect with kids as often as a teacher,” Saleh said. “So for me it was really exciting to work with a group.”
Ever since last school year, Saleh has been attending the Muslim Student Association club meetings, and connecting with others who share the same beliefs.
Her mission is to support the MSA students and allow them to have a safe space to embrace their religion.
“Honestly I just want them to have a space where they’re able to express their belief system, but also just navigate what it’s like to be a teenager,” Saleh said.
While Saleh mainly sits back and watches her club, the students are nothing short of productive.
This year, the first MSA meeting was held on Oct. 8, with 13 students attending. The president and vice president of the club typically take charge of the meetings, this time providing a get-to-know-you activity.
Though this year’s MSA club is just taking off, last Ramadan, the students came together and set their minds on hosting a potluck for Iftar, which is the fast breaking meal eaten in the evening. Over 25 other MSA clubs from other schools around Illinois came to Prospect to attend the potluck.
This year John Hersey High School is going to be hosting this new tradition started by Prospect.
“We had this really awesome moment to break our fast together. That was such a joyful moment to see them do that,” said Saleh.
Saleh is certain that the idea for the potluck spread by word of mouth because many Muslim students who go to different high schools attend the same mosques where they talk about how their culture is represented at their schools.
When, Muslim students are wanting to pray throughout the school day, they can reach out to Saleh for something called a prayer pass, which allows them to leave class for a period of time to pray.
Saleh supervises the club and their events, as well as posts announcements, but it is mainly a student run organization.
“I think the students want to make sure it feels very inclusive and people know what it means to be Muslim,” Saleh said.
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