“I was friends with somebody for two years, and then they got to know I’m Muslim, and they ended the friendship. But before that we were good friends.”
Alpay Altuntas, senior computer science major, shared with me some of his challenges at Union University as a Muslim. Union is unique in that it is Baptist in its theology and approach but does not require its students to adhere to the same beliefs. Athletes at Union come from all over the country and, in some cases, all over the world. They represent many different backgrounds and belief systems.
This isn’t my first time being around Altuntas. After playing two years of soccer together, I’ve seen him practicing his faith firsthand. My freshman year I was roommates with him on an away game and I got to witness him praying on his mat facing Mecca. However, I’ve never really asked him about his beliefs.
Even though I’ve never asked Altuntas about his beliefs I knew he was Muslim because he is very open about it. After being with him on the team for two weeks, I knew he was Muslim. I remember him talking to me about mission trips and how he does not understand them. I always took interest in the things he said because sometimes it’s important to look at a religion from a different angle.
I met up with Altuntas in a computer science classroom where he seemed at home. Equations and words I didn’t understand covered the whiteboard. The main reason I didn’t understand most of the words on the board was because they were written in German.
Altuntas grew up in Germany and moved to America to play soccer at Union. Like for many of the international students in athletics, this can be a hard transition. However, he wanted to come into college with an open mind.
“When I first got to Union, I was in a place in my life where I wanted to give all religions a try,” Altuntas said. “I read all of the Old and New Testament of the Bible but still felt like Islam was the religion I believe in.”
At a school like Union, it can be hard for somebody like Altuntas to fit in. He told me some stories about how he has felt excluded at times from other students. There are not many Muslims not only at school, but also in the town of Jackson. Though his faith doesn’t align with those around him, he has stayed true to it.
“This was a good week to talk because next week I start Ramadan, so I won’t being doing anything unless I have to,” Altuntas said.
Ramadan is when Muslims fast from daybreak till dawn. Even while Altuntas attends rigorous soccer practices every day, he will be observing Ramadan. There are many different things he must do during his daily life. He prays five times a day and doesn’t eat any pork. The dedication he has in his religion impresses me.
Altuntas explained how soccer at Union has always felt comfortable, but any other event with the school he feels like an outsider. He has asked for accommodations to his religion from the school, but, at the end of the day, Union remains a Christian institution. I was surprised by his understanding. He had no remorse against the school; he completely understood why he had to still do things like attend chapel.
“I miss going to mosque with my friends back in Germany. We used to go every Friday together,” Altuntas said.
While I spent time with him, he hinted many times at missing his family and home. He perked up, though, when he talked about heading back home this summer. Now that he is graduating, he and his wife will go live back in Germany.
“The best thing Union has given me is my beautiful wife, Emmy,” Altuntas said.
Emmy Altuntas, senior Spanish major, had nothing but great things to say about her husband.
“I could tell he was a bit different than other Union students when I first met him,” Emmy said. “I didn’t see him as an outsider, though, and learned to understand his religion.”
Altuntas’ wife seemed excited to be joining him in Germany starting in the summer. She grew up in Memphis but is looking forward to experiencing somewhere new. She supports Altuntas 100% in his beliefs and makes sure he gets everything he needs. She brings him food to his soccer games to eat during Ramadan and cooks pork-free meals.
Despite some of the frustrations of going to Union as a Muslim, Altuntas is very proud of his university. During our interview, he spoke at length about how he is excited to be getting a great degree from his college, displaying the Union logo on his shirt with pride.