The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life supports a diverse Muslim Community with hundreds of students at SMU, offering regular gatherings for Jumu’ah Prayer, general body meetings, holiday celebrations, and a series of programs for learning, creating unity and socializing. Led by Dr. Bilal Sert and MSA at SMU’s Executive Board, we are growing a thriving Muslim community as Mustangs.
Muslim Life
Jumu’ah
and
Holidays
Jumu’ah Prayer
We meet in Hughes Trigg Student Center room 220 BC for weekly Jumu’ah Prayers offered at 2 p.m. Welcome members of the Muslim and Non-Muslim community to listen to a “khutbah” (Sermon) and then pray together. All are welcome!
Holidays
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan (a month of fasting during daylight hours), and Muslims may perform acts of zakat (charity) on the occasion, which begins after the new moon is sighted for the beginning of the month of Shawwal. Celebration begins with prayers on the morning of Shawwal, followed by breakfast, and often celebratory meals throughout the day.
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah, when the Hajj pilgrimage takes place, and lasts for four days. Muslims may perform an act of zakat and friendship by slaughtering a sheep and distributing the meat to family, to friends, and to the poor. Muslims are also encouraged to be especially friendly and reach out to one another during this period.
Muslims celebrate when the Quran was revealed to Muhammad by fasting from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Fasting is a purifying experience so that Muslims can gain compassion and deepen their faith in Allah. The act of fasting represents the condition experienced by the needy. Muslims fast by denying themselves food and water, but people with chronic diseases or unhealthy conditions such as diabetes, and children are exempt from fasting.
Ashura is observed on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of Muslim lunar calendar. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fasted on this day, so it is His tradition (Sunnah) to fast on this day. The obligation to fast on Ashura was dropped after fasting in the month of Ramadan became an obligation for all Muslims. Shiʿi Muslims annually commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Husayn on this day. Muslims believe that Allah parted the Red Sea to save Moses and his followers against pharaoh.
Al-Hijra is Islamic New Year. Marks the end of Mohammad's migration from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution.
Mawlid is the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the 12th day of the month of Rabīʿ al-Awwal.
Leadership
Our Muslim Chaplain Dr. Bilal Sert and the Muslim Students Association at SMU work together to provide fun and meaningful activities for the campus Muslim Community.
