When several hundred students pack into the Louis Room and onto the Norris University Center South Lawn next Friday evening for 30 hours of dancing, 16 students will head to a separate Norris room for their own Dance Marathon.
For some members of the Muslim-cultural Students Association, the mixed-gender dancing environment of DM does not agree with their traditional Islamic value of modesty, according to Weinberg junior Aamna Anwer, one of the alternative DM participants.
But that won't stop them from participating in one of NU's most anticipated events of the year.
"Just like everyone else, we're getting pumped up and hyped up and excited about everything," said Weinberg junior Sarah Dar, one of the four students involved in planning the substitute DM block schedule. "We'll feel the same thing that all participants of DM do - just the spirit and idea that you're all there for a common purpose."
This is the first year that McSA will participate as a group in DM. After meeting with members of the DM Executive Board, McSA came up with an alternative block schedule that will require them to stay in Norris for the full time period but that will involve a series of creative recreational activities in place of dancing.
"McSA always tries to be involved in events that incorporate different student groups on campus," Dar said. "Dance Marathon is something we've always talked about."
The idea of participating in DM as a group first came about when Anwer approached the McSA Executive Board after her experience as an individual participant in DM last year.
"I loved it," Anwer said. "The last block was so emotional - people were dancing and jumping and you felt connected to everyone. I honestly think that everyone should participate in Dance Marathon before they graduate."
But while the group as a whole agreed it was fine for members to dance individually because of the wide range of Islamic stances, they decided against having the McSA name associated with the dancing, Dar said.
2008 Woodie Awards
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