Zaid Al-Hadeethi `14

Coming from Iraq by way of Syria, Zaid has made quite the splash at Beloit.  Quite the talker, able to befriend just about anyone, he is proud to say that he remains loyal to all of his friends.

[Zaid Al-Hadeethi] 

“I’m Muslim.  I chose it.  My family let both my brother and I decide.  It’s funny; I actually used to brag about it.  When I was seven, I was already partaking in the prayers and fasting and I felt more mature than my friends.  When I was ten, I very intentionally decided to go with Islam for the rest of my life.  It made sense to me. Deep down, in my heart of hearts, it made sense to me.  It spoke to me the most.

“I believe God has a plan for life, but there’s also free will.  The world moves according to a plan, but not everything has been ordained.  God has foreseen every possible choice and every possible outcome. We make choices.”

Knowing that Zaid is from Iraq, and spent the last few years as a refugee in Syria, I ask him about his spiritual life here on campus.  “As a refugee, I practiced privately. Now that I’m here I still internalize it.  Being religious is a part of my being, but it’s a private part.  It gives me a clear mind.  I think it’s easy to be Muslim here.  I haven’t encountered anyone with a negative view of me because of my faith.  And of course, the Spiritual Life Program is a great encouragement.  There’s a small community of Muslim students, but shamefully, I’m a lousy member.  We celebrate holidays and have get-togethers, but I really see all of Beloit as a support community.”

Asked for a parting thought, he ponders, “I want to leave them with some wise last thought, but somehow, it never happens for me.”  He pauses.

“Ask.  If you have any question, ask.  No matter what you feel about that question, ask.  That’s the only way you’ll ever know anything.”