Collegio Online

Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Front Page

Media Credit: Shiho Itooka/Collegio Ahoud Alwarsh, student in the Intensive English Program from Saudi Arabia, eats food from Sodexho with her son, Mohammed Albanawi, at the "Eid Al Fter" celebration, which marked the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. A number of Muslim students have come to PSU, many from Saudi Arabia.

Many Muslim students at PSU say that Pittsburg is almost designed for international students.
"It is a good place to study," said Mohammed Alwaheeb, graduate student in human resources and president of the Saudi Students Association who arrived here in June.
PSU has seen a constant rise in the Muslim population, now at about 75 total students, with 65 of them from Saudi Arabia alone.
"As part of the admissions we don't ask people's religion." says Melinda Velasquez, a student employee in International Programs and Services, adding, "We know what we see on TV. So probably education would be a good thing to help them spread the message that they aren't bad."
Despite world tensions concerning the war in Iraq, the insurgency there and tensions between the U.S. and other Arabic countries, Muslim students say they have not felt any overt acts of discrimination in Pittsburg.
Since arriving here, Alwaheeb says, he has found Pittsburg a comfortable community, especially because of its compactness and an environment that fosters education. Unlike big cities, which can invite distractions through a lot of entertainment, Pittsburg looks more education-friendly to students like Alwaheeb.
"People here are friendly, helpful," Alwaheeb said. "The cost of housing and living is also not expensive."
Alwaheeb adds that he enjoys the "healthy environment" Pittsburg offers.
"Unlike big cities, pollution is less, traffic is light, and it's also safe to stay here," Alwaheeb said.
On the other hand, Mustafa Alzanadi, freshman in engineering technology, offers a different opinion. When Alzanadi told his American friends about fasting for Ramadan and some of his other religious obligations, some of them called him "crazy."
"It's hard sometimes," says Alzanadi. "I have to fast. I can't go to bars because of my religion. Sometimes I feel bad."

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