By Mary Martin-Mabry, digital communications specialist, Global Affairs

"The morning was crisp and the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, ushering in the last moments of summer. A group of young men and women dressed in their holiday finest worked quickly to unload large mats and pink pastry boxes while children ran up to each other to share hugs and exchange excited greetings.

People had come to the International Center to celebrate Eid al-Adha, one of two major Muslim holidays, commemorating the end of Hajj (the pilgrimage to Mecca). This was the second celebration hosted here by the Islamic Center of Davis and the UC Davis Muslim Student Association (MSA) in the past year, cementing their shared commitment to cultivating a welcoming community.  

Despite its proximity to campus (the Islamic Center of Davis is directly across the street on Russell Blvd), Muslim students at UC Davis didn't feel entirely integrated with the Muslim community who attended the mosque in Davis. MSA wanted to remedy this campus-community disconnect, while also trying to be more inclusive of Muslims from across cultures, like the multitude of Southeast Asian and African students at UC Davis who practice Islam."

Read the full story at Services for International Students and Scholars.