Ahmed Ali Akbar

Saginaw, MI
High School: Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Intended Major: Religion
Activities: Muslim Students Association, Diversity House, Collections Committee, Ambassador for Multicultural Affairs, Model United Nations Club, Cricket, The Alliance, Muslim Power Hour (radio show)

Favorite Haverford Memory:  “Definitely the Summer Tri-Co Institute.  I highly recommend that any incoming freshman interested in issues of race, class, and gender attend it before coming to Haverford.  I grew up in a very segregated town, and Tri-Co was an incredibly cathartic experience for me.  We did this pretty ridiculous skit about South Asians in America, where we parodied Bollywood movies, high school, our parents – basically growing up as the children of immigrants.  Also, uh, I played the girl.  I probably wasn’t very convincing though, what with the beard and all.”

Favorite Class:  “It’s a very close call between Islam in America and Religion and Violence.  We read so much brilliant material in Islam in America, and the class really spoke to my experience as a Muslim American from an academic vantage point, something I had never experienced before.  My Religion and Violence class also really challenged me to think, and the class developed an incredibly close, personal dynamic, and that made learning that much more interesting.”

Advice:  “I guess I’d like to say something about Philadelphia.  Use it.  It’s so easy to just pop on in and go to concerts, go shopping, go out to eat, go and do what your heart desires, you know?  It’s a whole city available for only $3 and 20 minutes away.  While some people may think of Haverford as small, it’s only as small as you make it.”