Student promotes positive image of Muslims

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Farrukh Mohiuddin performing a Nasheed at Laugh & Dine 2013. Nasheeds are popular throughout the Islamic world. The material and lyrics of a Nasheed usually make reference to Islamic beliefs, history and religion as well as current events.

Farrukh Mohiuddin, a third-year biomedical engineering student from Queens, N.Y., is the administrative secretary of the Muslim Student Association. The association will be hosting its annual Laugh & Dine charity event at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12, in the Clark Gym. The event is the largest annual Muslim celebration in the greater Rochester area. Interested in attending? Tickets will be sold from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday in the Infinity Quad and at the event.

Question: What brought you to RIT?
Answer: The engineering and co-op programs brought me here. RIT has a very enriching curriculum and really does prepare you for your career. I was also accepted with good incentives, which made my decision even more firm.

Q: How did you become interested in biomedical engineering?
A: My original aspiration was to become a cardiologist because heart disease runs in both sides of my family. But after I started volunteering at a hospital in Queens, N.Y., my perception of the medical profession changed and it didn't feel like a good fit. I became more interested in the research and development of medical surgical instrumentation, devices and prostheses which led me to pursue biomedical engineering. It bridges the gap between an engineer and a doctor, and it allows me to stay involved with medical processes in some way or another.

Q: What is the Muslim Student Association?
A: We are an association of students open to members of any and all faiths. We hold weekly E-Board meetings along with bi-weekly general body meetings known as "Halal Night." On the alternating weeks are "Imam Nights" in which an Islamic scholar has an open discussion with the youth on campus about a variety of issues.

Q: Why did you get involved with the association?
A: I wanted to be able to promote a positive image of Muslims by carrying out events for noble causes, such as the upcoming Laugh & Dine Charity Event, in collaboration with various groups around campus and other universities and colleges throughout Rochester.

Q: What is the Laugh & Dine Charity Event?
A: It is a charity event that is a celebration for Eid-al-Adha, which completes and concludes the Muslim observance of Hajj, and our reverence for Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). While we anticipate a night of excellent food, entertainment and community celebration, we also look forward to raising money for the crisis in Palestine and recent flood victims in Pakistan. This has become the largest Muslim event of the year in the greater Rochester area in the past few years and has more than 600 attendees every year. We are hopeful for a similar turnout this year!

Q: What is your role with MSA?
A: I am the administrative secretary for MSA, which is one of the top three leadership positions in the club, and I am also the lead singer for the Nasheed group known as the Halal Guys. My group and I will be performing for the Laugh & Dine this Sunday and are hopeful of taking part in future talent shows, such as the Global Union Unification show.

Q: Do you feel like your experience at RIT is any different as a Muslim?
A: Not in the grand scheme of things, no. But I do think that it is, in part, my responsibility to portray Muslims in a better light and change the negative perceptions about us wherever there may be any. RIT has always made me feel very comfortable with my identity and the general population embraces me and makes me feel at home wherever I go on campus.

Q: Is it hard to balance your time between class and your all of your activities?
A: Oh yeah! It can actually get very difficult and stressful sometimes. I am currently working a full-time co-op and taking a University Physics II night class on top of the work I do for MSA. I also have to balance my home responsibilities because my family also lives in Rochester!

Q: What have been some of your best memories from your time at RIT?
A: Spending time with my friends at RIT and attending or planning events as a group, such as the Laugh & Dine. My friends and I are all a part of the planning committee for the event and as much work and stressful as it can be, it feels like a blessing to be able to do all of this with them.

Derrick Hunt compiles “Student Spotlights” for University News. Contact him at djh9758@rit.edu with suggestions.