October, the month where leaves turn red and orange, where Halloween creeps its frightening head, and where Breast Cancer awareness begins. At HFCC, Breast Cancer awareness strikes all groups in many ways. For instance, the Muslim Student Association hosted a Pink Hijab Day dinner, where they raised donations to support Susan G. Komen Detroit Race 4 the Cure and Karmanos Cancer Center. The event was elegantly formed as many showed up to give support to the cause. The Pink Hijab day Dinner was a mixture of cultural and health connections.
The Muslim Student Association, or MSA, the Muslim Students Association works for the betterment of the Muslim and non-Muslim community on Campus. The MSA promotes an understanding of Muslim Beliefs through community Service Projects, Educational forum, and public awareness; as well as unity on the College campus. The organization allows all individuals to become members and realize the truth behind what Islam is and what being a Muslim means. The organization also discusses Muslim conflicts that are present in the world, today. The group aims to show what people should look at, rather than what is shown to them through the media. It is a spirited association of young adults that are led by Talaat Pasha, their club advisor and a professor at HFCC.
This event was very important to the members of the Muslim Student Association. As explained by the president of MSA, Reem Saleh, the idea behind the event was to enforce a certain bond between Muslims and non-Muslims. It was a way for all groups to come together and realize that Cancer does not discriminate. A sad truth, but a serial moment as each individual opened their hearts to the matter at hand. Reem was inspired by a family member that past away from breast cancer and understands the risks and strength that comes with being a victim of breast cancer. I am sure she speaks for most individuals who have or had a relative that was infected with this disease.
The two speakers at the dinner were Imam Dawud Walid and Phyllis Nelson. Imam Dawud Walid is the executive director of the Council of American Islamic Relations Michigan Chapter and he took the time to enlighten the audience on certain Muslim matters. He participated in the event because he believed “it would be beneficial to share some of my thoughts with people of other faiths as it relates to Islam”. Mr. Walid makes a clear comparison between Islam and breast cancer when he states “Islam’s spiritual principles guide believers to have concern about creation, and the most noble of the creation is humans. Islam’s final prophet, Muhammad, taught humanity certain steps to prevent illness and discussed the merits of those who seek to alleviate hardship of people”. He also knows what he’s talking about, because his mother in law was diagnosed with breast cancer. This sad truth can be felt by many and Mr. Walid wants us all to join forces to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Phyllis Nelson, from the Karmanos Cancer Center, informed the audience on the different effects of breast cancer. She wanted to sink disparities between cultural groups, because breast cancer attacks all people. She wanted to educate individuals and remind them to take breast screenings for those that may believe that they have breast cancer. A way a woman can check if they have breast cancer is by doing a self-breast exam while in the shower. By feeling around a breast a woman can find begin to feel lumps and if there are lumps then they should call their doctor right away. Mrs. Nelson also states that as college students a good healthy lifestyle, some exercising, and a low fat diet will be handy to prevent breast cancer in the future.