Places Of Worship Vary for Religious Students

February 16, 2010

Author: Saira Thadani

Source: The GW Hatchet

http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2010/02/16/News/Places.Of.Worship.Vary.For.Religious.Students-3872463.shtml

No matter the religion one practices, there is always a special location - a temple, a church, a synagogue - that serves as a place for worship. In many ways, these settings are a symbol of the beliefs they embody.

For the four students The Hatchet spoke with, though, attendance at such a place is not a prerequisite for worship. While prayer is a constant, each student had a different way of honoring their beliefs - with some preferring to pray alone and in private, while others enjoy worshipping with a group of believers.

A private celebration

"I feel that religion has to come from within. It is a personal topic to even discuss. It is between you and the higher power," junior Habiba Belguedj said.

While some Muslims at GW worship at the prayer room in the Marvin Center, Belguedj chooses to say the five daily Islamic prayers - called Fajr, Dhuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib and 'Isha - in the privacy of her bedroom.

"I find prayer to be a personal commitment. I am much more comfortable doing it alone. In my opinion, religion is just between God and me," she said. "I don't want anyone to watch me. No one else should have a presence during my prayer."