Representing less than one percent of the student body, about 40 to 50 Muslim students attend BYU.
Mohammad Hameed, president of the Muslim Student Union, said he prays five times a day and meets with other Muslim students weekly for a sermon and prayer in the Wilkinson Center. He said being at a religious school makes it easier for him to practice his faith.
“Being in a school that's full of people that fear God and know what faith is, helps us accommodate for our prayers and worshipping," Hameed said.
Adam Arnaout has been going to Friday prayers with his family since he was five years old. It has been a source of relief and a way he has stayed grounded in life.
“It helps keep me centered. It keeps me grounded. Yeah, it gives a break from all the other things in life," Arnaout said.
As soon as Arnaout came to BYU, he sought opportunities to gather and pray with other Muslim students and expressed gratitude that there is a space on campus where he can practice his faith.
“That creates this sense of belonging and allows us to experience something that we really value back home," Arnaout said.
Hameed is also grateful for the culture of belonging at BYU.
“BYU does have a lot of nonmembers or students that are not Christian or are not members of the Church, yet they feel belong," Hameed said.
On Friday, the imam, a religious leader who gives the sermon, shared a message about gratitude and encouraged students to attribute their successes to Allah, or God.
Hameed has noticed that many people hesitate to ask him questions about his faith because they are afraid of being offensive.
"We know when you're asking to be offensive, and you know when you're asking out of curiosity. Most people here ask out of curiosity, so go ahead and just ask your question. We don't get bothered by that," Hameed said.