One of the primary motivations behind forming the ISUT was to provide a place for the Muslim populace to perform prayers or salaat. 'Its okay for PhD-students who have larger living quarters, but Master's students don't have any room to offer their prayers', says Sri, an Indonesian PhD-student. With support from student counsellor Sa´d Benayad, a member of ISUT, the Mosque in the Vrijhof was established and is frequented by scores of people everyday.
Not yet recognised by the UT as an organisation, the ISUT board is waiting for the decision to be taken by Student Services & Campus (DiSC), as no recognition means no funds. And funds would make one of their chief activities much easier: conducting free Dutch and Arabic courses. These are held once a week for 1.5 hours each, in the Vrijhof Library and are open to everyone, not only Muslims. 'We only request a basic sense of respect for Islam' says, Mohammad Al-Haj Ali the treasurer. With around 15 students per class and more coming in, the rooms in the library are not big enough, hence, the ISUT wants to shift to the Mosque which is bigger. 'Without funds, getting equipment such as tables, board etc. is difficult', says Ma'rouf, who gives the Dutch classes, 'right now, members make contributions out of good will, guided by the Islamic economic concept of money circulation'. The classes have a very practical approach wherein students are taught words they are likely to come across everyday; the last half hour is dedicated to teaching new students how to adapt to the pluralist society here and get by at places like banks and railway stations by enacting real-life situations.
One of the ISUT's objectives is 'Increasing understanding and awareness about Islam and Muslims'. 'We are planning with SMIT to organise two events per year on a University scale, a kind of cultural day where we will share our culture with Dutch and other communities and in turn invite them to do the same. Islam is based on open-minded thinking, thus we are always open to fruitful discussions with others. We also have a lot to learn from the Dutch - the importance of sport in their lives, their open-mindedness- it will be a very enriching experience' says Ziad Abu El-Rub, ISUT Vice President.
A mailing list keeps members informed of any activities organised: excursions, biking, barbecues (weather permitting). The ISUT homepage (still under construction) is http://wwwhome.cs.utwente.nl/~allali/webpage/index3.htm.
