Post by tex on Sept 5, 2013 18:59:00 GMT -5
Alpha Lambda Mu is not your typical fraternity. Also known as Alif Laam Meem, it has the distinction of being the nation's only Muslim fraternity since its founding in February.
If "Muslim fraternity" sounds like an oxymoron, a look at a typical meeting reveals how ALM retains classic elements of being in a fraternity, such as community, service, and solidarity, while eschewing the more frivolous aspects of it, namely drinking. Instead of holding the ubiquitous red solo cups that are iconic in depictions of fraternity life, these brothers are recognized by their red kufi caps, a symbol of their membership and faith.
Founder Ali Mahmoud told The Huffington Post that the idea for the group came about as he and a childhood friend settled into college life at the University of Texas, Dallas, and considered their social options. Mahmoud's friend expressed his plans to join the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity to enjoy the social scene as well as the networking opportunities, particularly in the post-graduation context, but worried about the less academic aspects of being in a frat. They joked about how it would be great if a fraternity with Muslim values existed, and out of that joke, Alif Laam Meem was born.
They are a social fraternity with a strong emphasis on service, which seeks to "build men who can serve their communities," said Mahmoud. "Islam isn't just there to serve Muslims," he commented. "Islam is there to serve everyone." They do monthly volunteer activities as a group and seek out grassroots service opportunities, like the time they all made sandwiches and drove around the city handing them out to homeless people. Their initiation ceremony didn't involve beer chugging or keg stands -- instead the new brothers each donated $100 to charity, to demonstrate that their commitment to the fraternity was a commitment to their local community.
If "Muslim fraternity" sounds like an oxymoron, a look at a typical meeting reveals how ALM retains classic elements of being in a fraternity, such as community, service, and solidarity, while eschewing the more frivolous aspects of it, namely drinking. Instead of holding the ubiquitous red solo cups that are iconic in depictions of fraternity life, these brothers are recognized by their red kufi caps, a symbol of their membership and faith.
Founder Ali Mahmoud told The Huffington Post that the idea for the group came about as he and a childhood friend settled into college life at the University of Texas, Dallas, and considered their social options. Mahmoud's friend expressed his plans to join the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity to enjoy the social scene as well as the networking opportunities, particularly in the post-graduation context, but worried about the less academic aspects of being in a frat. They joked about how it would be great if a fraternity with Muslim values existed, and out of that joke, Alif Laam Meem was born.
They are a social fraternity with a strong emphasis on service, which seeks to "build men who can serve their communities," said Mahmoud. "Islam isn't just there to serve Muslims," he commented. "Islam is there to serve everyone." They do monthly volunteer activities as a group and seek out grassroots service opportunities, like the time they all made sandwiches and drove around the city handing them out to homeless people. Their initiation ceremony didn't involve beer chugging or keg stands -- instead the new brothers each donated $100 to charity, to demonstrate that their commitment to the fraternity was a commitment to their local community.