Now a postdoctoral researcher in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, Idris Cerkez came to Auburn in August 2008 through a scholarship program.
As a Turkish Muslim, Cerkez said students and professors alike have been accommodating and supportive of his Islamic beliefs.
"You really do have freedom in terms of religion, I think, here," Cerkez said. "I can pray in my lab. We have prayers that we need to attend every week, and if I have any course or need to do something in the lab, my advisers and professors are always OK when it comes to religion."
Cerkez recently earned his Ph.D in polymer and fiber engineering, but became more interested in chemistry because he felt he could help more people in that field.
"I decided to have a chemistry-related academic life because you can produce products useful to humanity and develop solutions to global issues such as pandemics and epidemics," he said.
Cerkez said Islam teaches its adherents that all life should be appreciated and respected, as each living thing contains a part of Allah.
"I don't want to generalize anything, this is just how I view it, but the only thing you need to do is just to see the signs of your creator, your God--we call it Allah--everywhere you look," Cerkez said. "We have five pillars of faith and different things you need to do, but that's the main thing a Muslim should do I think."
Cerkez also said the word Islam is derived from the Arabic root S-L-M, which means peace.
Asim Ali, adviser for the Muslim Students' Association, said about 20 percent of the Muslim population on campus use the MSA to meet with one another.
There are only about 80-100 Muslim students at Auburn, but many non-Muslim students participate in events hosted by the organization, as well.
MSA hosts many lectures, and Vice President Emad Mansour recently spoke on the prophet Abraham's role in Islam.
The group also goes on outings together, such as bowling nights. Ali said there are many reasons a non-Muslim student might attend one of the MSA's events.
"If it's a speaker it's generally because of extra credit for a class, and if it's a social activity then it's usually because they want to have fun with some of their Muslim friends," Ali said.
Cerkez said he has a lot friends from different religious denominations, and he is happy to discussreligion with all of them.
"I have lots of Christian friends. I used to go to their Sunday school," Cerkez said. "We would study the Quran and the Bible together, and I feel that we have so many commonalities, and that's the thing we need to focus on. That's how we can keep the society together I think."
Though Islam isn't as prevalent as Christianity in this area of the world, Cerkez said he still has a place to worship.
"There is a small masjid, or mosque, nearby," Cerkez said. "We have different denominations, different Muslim people, but we all go there and pray together. There's a good harmony there."
Though religious differences can at times be polarizing, Cerkez said he hasn't experienced intolerance from other religious groups on campus.
"It doesn't matter if you are Muslim, atheist, Hindu or whatever," Cerkez said. "I think it is totally the same. Everyone is really accommodating. It may not be the same around all the University, but that's what I've experienced, and it's been great."
Living in an educated community plays a role in how Muslims are treated, said Ali, who came to Alabama at 10 years old when his father was hired as a professor at Tuskegee University.
"For me, personally, it's been very comfortable," Ali said. "I guess the advantage of living in an educated community is there are people who are willing to appreciate a diverse community."
Without a doubt, the tradition of rolling Toomer's Corner with the Auburn Tigers after football games was my favorite part of being at Auburn University," Cerkez said.
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