With 67% of Loyola University Chicago’s students identifying as Catholic, one might think it’s a tough environment to thrive in as one who identifies with a non-dominant religion. Quite the contrary, it seems as though Loyola is a good place not to be a Catholic. 2% of its students identify as Jewish, 2% as Hindu, and 6% as Muslim, and these minorities explain that they consider Loyola an overall accepting environment.
Prachi Shah, president of the Hindu Student Organization (HSO), notes that the Loyola is “one of the only campuses in the Chicago area with its own puja room (prayer space)”. The new Damen Student Center gave many faiths at Loyola a great space to practice their respective religions. The great thing about that hallway is that it separates the religions by room, but unites them in proximity to one another. If a Catholic student wants to check out a Hillel event, she can simply walk down the hallway.
Prachi also noted the general acceptance she feels as a Hindu from the Loyola student body, saying “I have many non-Hindu friends that want to learn more about Hinduism. However, at the same time I feel that there are many students that are ignorant of Hindu students, or students of other faiths in general”. This was reiterated by Laith Elkurd, President of the Muslim Student Association at Loyola. Laith said that “Loyola has a generally accepting student population. At times, I feel that they are uninformed about different religions and their respective practices, yet they most definitely accept them”.
Julia Caproni, Social Chair of Metro Chicago Hillel, Loyola’s Jewish student organization, appreciates the effort she witnesses by non-Jewish students on campus to understand her faith. She says “for the most part, everyone is really wonderful excited about doing things that are different from what they do all time, which I think speaks to the students at Loyola. It makes me really happy when people put “The Chanukah Song” on their holiday playlist, or remember that there’s a Jewish holiday and wish me a good one. I’m always so grateful to people who put in the effort, no matter how small.”
Julia, Prachi, and Laith all shared the sentiment that it is crucial for Loyola students to educate themselves about faiths other than their own. “Not only does it allow you to understand the religion better, but it allows you to understand other students better”, says Prachi.
“I think the awareness of what it’s like to be in a non-dominant group matters for empathetic reasons, religious or otherwise. It’s important to know what it’s like to have the world not set up to work in your favor, and figure out how to get what you need anyway”, Julia shares. Laith reiterates this view, saying that he “sincerely think[s] that we have to grasp the perspective of those that we interact with in our society on an everyday basis, and approach our interactions with and attitude of love and acceptance”.
A better way to become more educated about these religions and their practices, no matter what your religious affiliation, is to join Hillel, HSO, and MSA at their many events throughout the academic year! Some notable ones include Hindu Awareness Week and Muslim Awareness Week in spring, as well as the Shabbat celebrations on Friday nights put on by Hillel.
Julia shared a piece of advice she received from the cantor at the Hebrew School she works at in Roger’s Park. She said “Going to an event that is not of your faith is like going to a birthday party that’s not yours. You can still celebrate and have a good time, but it’s for others. And when it’s your birthday, hopefully they will show you the same courtesy.” Here’s hoping that lots of celebrating happens on Loyola’s campus by people of many faiths!