Zahra is a half-Indian, half-Polish Muslim with a passion for growing plants.
Name: Zahra Domin
Year: Freshman
Intended Major (s): Biology with a focus in botany
Hometown: Nashville, TN but currently lives in Skokie, IL
Favorite food: perogis in imli chutney (an Indian sauce)
Favorite music: I like country especially Luke Bryan, Michael Ray, and The Band Perry. I also enjoy rap. Brother Ali and Lupé Fiasco are my favorite.
What triggered your interest in botany? When I was younger, my dad and I used to garden back in Nashville. When he got cancer, he couldn’t go out and garden. Pollen negatively affects the immune system so he had to stay inside. However, orchids don’t have pollen grains so he started to grow those. The more we planted orchids, the more I just got interested in botany.
Dream career: I want to colonize the moon and grow plants on there. The first big forest on the moon will be called “Domin.”
What would be the title of your autobiography? The Blue Orchid
Where have you traveled to? China, United Arab Emirates, Canada, India, Pakistan, Germany, Switzerland, and approximately 35 out 50 states
How do you practice your faith while in college? Basically, being at a Catholic college doesn’t affect how I practice. I pray every day. When being away from your home, you can combine the five prayers required each day. It doesn’t take too long here.
How do you feel about being a Muslim at a mostly Catholic private school? It’s kind of disappointing. If you look at other Catholic colleges, there are larger Muslim communities. It’s off-putting. It’s the number two religion in the world, and there’s little to no representation on our campus.
Do you intend to spread awareness about being Muslim? Yes, but also no. Islam is such a big religion. To be a representative of all Muslims, it wouldn’t necessarily be fair. I also don’t know every single thing about Islam. You can’t teach people what you don’t know.
What made you decide to come to a Catholic school? I come from Catholic lineage even though my parents are Muslim. I wanted a school that fostered spirituality. Also I just wanted to go to an all women’s college because I felt it would better prepare me for my field than a co-ed college. Also, my older brother went to a liberal arts college. Saint Mary’s gives me new opportunities I can take advantage of. Â