Interfaith Council’s Aladine Elsamadicy
Aladine Elsamadicy
Vanderbilt Interfaith Council President
As the year comes to a close, we sat down with the outgoing Vanderbilt Interfaith Council President Aladine Elsamadicy to talk about religious life and role of Interfaith Council on campus. Aladine has been the President of Interfaith Council for the past two years and has overseen the council as it has grown and brought some exciting events to Vanderbilt.
How did you first become involved in Interfaith Council?
- I first became involved with Interfaith Council Freshmen year when the President of the VIC asked me to check out a meeting and be the Muslim Rep on the Council. I missed the first meeting, but went to every single one afterwards and I fell in love. At the time it was small and more personal, so I got to know everyone really well and I knew that I wanted to do Interfaith Council every year afterwards.
What do you think are the greatest aspects and accomplishments of VIC?
- In a time where talking about religion can get uncomfortable, VIC has been able to take that and turn it into positive conversations. More specifically, VIC has taught many students how to converse with people of different religions and respectfully talk about different views of each religion. VIC has also made a presence on campus, as a leading student organizations that the whole campus respects. We put on many events along with our bi-monthly council meetings, we have the Interfaith/MLC Soccer Tournament, Faith and Art, and the Interfaith Panel which reached a record high this past year.
As a senior, what can you say about religious life on campus?
- Religious Life on campus is strong, despite what may believe or hear. There are many religious organizations participating in Interfaith Council as well as putting on their events and opening it up to everyone in the community. Religious Life is also supporting more student events than ever, and is putting on new programs that allow the Vanderbilt Community to come together.
What would you like to see in the future for VIC?
- I would like to see VIC go to the next level, whatever that may be. VIC has been on a steep incline, and I want it to continue that way. I would like to see a major conference, such as Coming Together, to be hosted here at Vanderbilt. But honestly, VIC is way ahead of the game, where many universities are trying to emulate how VIC operates because we are doing big things here. I am so proud to have been part of VIC and I am excited to see where it goes next year!