Moroccan-Belgian student in Maastricht: “It’s the heart that counts”
October 13, 2008 22 Comments
My name is Esma Alouet and I grew up in Genk, a small multicultural city in the Belgian province of Limburg, about 20 km to the north west of Maastricht. That’s why I speak Dutch with a Flemish accent, which almost everyone in the Netherlands finds funny.
My roots actually lie in Morocco, and more specifically in the Arabic area to the north east of the country, where both of my parents were born. Morocco is a country of two peoples: the Berbers, who are its original inhabitants and the Arabs who arrived around 700 AD and brought with them the Islamic faith.
My uncle greets my grandmother on her return from Makkah
Economic reasons led my grandfather to emigrate to Genk. He worked in the mines, where he met all possible cultures, from Poland to Iran, from Italy to Turkey…
This important historical factor contributed to making Genk the multicultural city I find so beautiful nowadays. I see it as a people’s city, where the authorities and the citizens work together to fulfill community needs. The untouched nature around it is another much appreciated aspect. It is the place where I was born and it has my heart.
The mine in Genk
Multicultural Genk
After graduating from high school however, I had to look for another city to continue my studies.
Originally, I felt attracted to Brussels because it appeared to me as a big multicultural capital city where life never stops. But I was a bit frightened to be there all by myself. The prospect of moving to another region also made me nervous because I didn’t want to go too far away from my dear ones.
I decided to go somewhere closer to Genk. I knew that I was going to study psychology, because it was a subject that had interested me since my youth.
At first I never thought about Maastricht because I didn’t know much about the city or its university. I made my choice when a friend of mine who was studying psychology at Maastricht University told me about the faculty.
The relatively large amount of international students in Maastricht immediately struck me when I arrived. I was also surprised at the number of people who spoke English here.
Feeling at home in Maastricht
Back in Genk, I had a totally different image of Maastricht in my mind. I thought about my Belgian accent, and how Dutch people would perhaps laugh at it: “Maybe they’re going to say that I used strange Flemish expressions when I speak Dutch…” Luckily, this did not really happen. Only some laughing… In fact, they even loved my accent!
Wandering around in Maastricht, I was overwhelmed by the warmth of the city and the charming environment that looked even more attractive at the beginning of autumn. People were friendly and open towards each other. As I walked down the Saint Servatius bridge, I admired the beautiful sunset over the city and was determined to making this place my new home.
Saint Servatius bridge by night
Now, two years later, I’m studying both Psychology and Arts & Culture at the university. Student life here is pleasant and I never feel bored. There are enough associations for every type of student to get involved in. I especially enjoy the programme of lectures, debates and other cultural activities offered by Studium Generale every year.
So different, yet so alike
Even religious students are able to meet other students with the same religious beliefs. Through the Islamic Students Association Maastricht I have met other Muslims from many different countries. The Muslim student community here is a mixture of all kinds of nationalities. We have the group of Saudi students who came last year, Indonesians, Turks, Moroccans…
Even though I miss my family a lot, being a member of the Islamic student association makes me and the other Muslims coming from abroad feel less lonely. We know that we can always find someone to count on. The association organises lectures and conferences dealing with our religion. Last year we went to Paris and London to strengthen the bonds between members.
Trip to Paris with the Islamic Students Association Maastricht
On special Islamic celebrations, like the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, the association offers a dinner for Muslim and non-Muslim students. I’m glad to have joined this group, because faith is very important in my life.
Before becoming a member, I had never been in touch with Muslims from far away. I enjoy seeing how other Muslims practise their belief, learning from each other, because gaining knowledge is one of the main principles in Muslim life. I like being with fellow believers from all races, with their own cultures. So different, yet so alike.
In Maastricht, I only know the Muslims studying at the university and not the Muslim inhabitants. I don’t really get the chance to go to the mosque here because of the overlap with my classes.
Mosque in Maastricht
Nun and Imam
Being a member of the Muslim association doesn’t mean that I don’t mingle with students from Western countries. The nation is not important to me. It’s the heart that counts. Going to the gym or lectures together, doing all the fun things that students do…
I’ve also been practising photography for four years now. One of my favourite subjects is the reflection of the sunset on the river Maas.
Maastricht City Hall
Maastricht by night
Looking back, I don’t regret my choice to live and study in Maastricht. I feel that my life has already been enriched. I’ve had the chance to meet lovely people. People from all races who simply want to spend a fulfilling study time here… People who share the same goals in life, like helping others…
I plan to stay a few more years in Maastricht until I finish my study, and I want to make the best of it, as I’ve always done.
I’m satisfied with the way my life looks like right now because of all the experiences I’m building, academically and socially, and I know that I will always look back on my days in Maastricht with nostalgia.
By Esma Alouet
Esma Alouet is a second year Psychology student at Maastricht University. Her hobbies include reading, singing and photography.
Photographs: Esma Alouet and Foto-atelier Zwiep, Genk
More information: Islamic Students Association Maastricht
Hello,
I’m from South Africa, and will be living here for a couple of months.
Will it be possible to meet up with fellow muslims, as I feel so lost here…
Thanking you
Fuad
Hello Fuad,
You can contact me so that I can bring you with the muslims here.
Take Care
Esma
Hey Esma, I’m so glad that you’ve found others there in Maastricht with whom you can bond and share experiences, others who share some of your spiritual beliefs. As an American living in a rural region in the Netherlands for ten years the isolation in the beginning was very disconcerting, but also helped to make me a stronger person during the adversity that I now face.
I wish you and your colleagues all the success in the world, some of you being second generation immigrants, that you go on to achieve that better life that your parents were searching for when they relocated.
Dear Esma,
We enjoyed reading your blog. Its encouraging to see that muslims are taking advantage of their time at university and are allowing others to understand about islam more and for muslims to learn about other cultures.
Your experiences will encourage other muslims, who aspire to seek knowledge, to come and study in Maastricht without fear of being isolated because of their culture in a foreign country. It is also important, showing by your experience, that muslims in Europe can look upon universities with a positive light instead of seeing them as centres that may distract a muslim from seeking true understanding.
We look forward to reading many more articles by you and others who share your experience.
Take care,
Your friends Lozan and Ebraheem
Hi,
I am thinking about taking up a job as a university lecturer in Maastricht but am really scared about being lonely. I had a real hard time in France where they hate foreigners and had to return to my country in Asia. Now I am scared about being in Europe but Maastricht doesn’t sound so bad. How are the people and the Dutch? Is it possible to have deep friendships with them? It was not possible to make friends in France. Also, is it very cold there as I am really scared of being alone in the cold.
Regards
Hi Esma Alouet,
I’m thinking bout visiting Maastricht this weekend because I heared that it’s a very beautiful city, and the information cited above encouraged me more to visit the city and meet new people. I’d also like to meet some Saudi Students but i don’t know where i can meet them.
Thank you
Regards,
Mohammed, Saudi Arabia
hello Mohammed,
I’ll contact some saudian friends of mine, and then I let you know
Kind regards,
Esma
ok, Thank you in advance,
Are there muslims in Maastricht as I want to see South Asian Muslim when I am there in Maastricht, The Netherlands
Hi Esma Alouet,
I’m so glad that I can read your post. It is very encouraging, indeed. I plan to take a master course in Maastricht, but I’m really scare of living alone in a country where Islam is not the major faith of the society. I wonder that maybe I will face some difficulties in fasting, praying, or even trying to find halal foods. Thanks to you..After I read your experiences, I think that I will be able to overcome those difficulties
Anyway, I plan to study Neuropsychology, maybe sometimes you can share some information about studying Psychology in Maastricht. Thank you in advance
Regards,
Ami from Indonesia
hello Esma
This Russell from Bangladesh. Thank you very much for tthis blog.I would like to know about Masstricht muslim comunity as i am willing to study at Zuyd university.So far i know there is an anti islamic party in holland and they are very harsh for the islam.
pls give your valuable comments on masstricht islamic comunity and situation.
Kind regards
Russell
Hello, Esma and Russell.
I’m sure you need not be afraid of people in Limburg, although many of them voted for the anti-islamic party of Wilders. Most people in Limburg don’t have harsh feelings for muslims.
Wilders got many votes in the southern provinces, but that’s mainly because they are fed up with the national protestant leaders of the traditional christian cda party (, but not with the local catholic leaders). Many people are afraid of all the rapid changes ( European union, public services, immigration of strangers). They feel the politicians don’t listen to them, so they deliver a protest vote. But Wilders’ success probably won’t last long, because he has no people who have experience with governing. Moreover, nowadays, people tend to switch to other parties very easily.
As soon as you are allowed to vote, I suggest you may vote for the party for the animals (pvdd), like I do myself. Because they are really interested in long term solutions for the problems in the world.
Hello Sir ( Dr.H.Reuvers)
Thank you very much for your wise comments regarding my query. I am feeling honoured to have such comments from a person like you. Cause i belive and trust in those who are teacher.
thank you again and wish i could get advise from you in future.
Russell
Bangladesh
My dear friend Russell,
I’m not sure whether you are serious or not, but here’s some advice already: always stay away from imams with extreme standpoints.
Take care. Hendrik Reuvers sstt
Dear Sir ( Dr.H.Reuvers)
Thanks a lot for your kind advice.Will keep it on mind.
Thank you very much again for your nice friendly addressing.
kind Regards
Russell
Hello
I liked this article, especially your beautiful pictures. I wonder if it would be possible to get permssion to use the image of muslim student association in the next issue of Passage to Higher Education, a magazine published by the Ministry of Higher Education in Oman. I am editor and am currently writing about Maastricht University’s attempts to build stronger links with Arab world.
Hope you can help
Heidi
Hello Heidi,
1st of all, sorry for my late response.
I just saw your reaction (i don’t get any notifications)
Thank you for your nice comment. I wouldn’t mind if you use the picture of our association. I have to say that we quited now. So I don’t know if it’s still relevant for you.
However, the Arab and muslim students are always feeling good here in Maastricht
We (muslim friends) always organize events for Muslims and non-muslims and there are always positive reactions.
If you want to know more, you can just ask.
Kind regards
Esma
Hi
I am student originally from marocco and I am going to study in Maastricht in September 2011. I am looking for an accommodation and I wondered if there is a muslim student assocation to help me to find an accommodation or others muslim students who are looking for a flatmate.
Thank you very much in advance
rach
Hi Esma,
this is a nice article, could you tell me where I can meet other moslems. by the way I’m a student in Unimaas, I would like to know whether any prayer room available near unimaas centrum?
because i really need it, my course usually take place the whole day, so it’s impossible to go back to my apartment for praying, Thanks in adv
Hi Esma,
Please info, where is the mosque address.
We will go to Maastrich in August, It is fasting day..that why we need mosq more….
A waiting your info….
Thank you…
As-Salam o alaikum dear all,
My yahoo search dragged me to this site. I am planing to attend 3 weeks introductory course in Maastricht and looking for accommodation. Is there any one who can help me. Prayer and masjid is a preference but negotiable.
I like people of Maastricht, who helped me during my last visit, more than a year ago.
I am from faculty of medicine at king Faisal university.
Hoping to get a response.
Dr waseem
Hi Vita,
In the AZM (Life Sciences faculty) you have a small prayer room. All the students go there for the prayer. So there’s always some you can meet.
In the city centry, there was a prayer room in UCM, but I don’t know if it’s still there.
Check this facebookpage
https://www.facebook.com/AWOffice