"Well, I think it's kind of silly myself," Jamil said, "but Professor Martinez said you should have an alternate name for the MSA. Lots of clubs do it as a way of fitting in. It'll be how you introduce yourself to everyone and what everyone will know you as, and it helps with stopping preconceived notions. Plus," Jamil continued, "it means no one can Google you!"
They both laughed at this, and Dakota did like the idea of not being tethered to his real name, since he was already feeling very embarrassed and out of place. "An alternate name?" he asked. "Do I get to choose it?"
"We chose for you as soon as you walked in! 'Hussein,' because it means 'handsome,'" Jamil said with a grin. "Not every day we get a cornfed blond jock in here, we needed to be sure we honored him properly!"
Having his blondness mentioned made Dakota scratch nervously at his chest. "Oh, um..." His expression wavered, but he didn't want to be rude. "'Hussein,' it's just, um..."
"Oh, come on, it's not after Saddam," Jamil reassured him. "The prophet's grandson was named Hussein! And remember, it's Barack Obama's middle name too. It's a very common Arabic name. No one will think twice about it. Remember part of this project is having an open mind."
"Right, right, I'm sorry."
"We'll also want you to pray with us tonight, provided that doesn't interfere with any other religious practices of yours."
Dakota grinned. "I actually already prayed earlier today as practice!"
"Well look at you go, Hussein! Maybe if you wanted to help lead the group in prayer I could get Professor Martinez to give you extra credit. If that's something that wouldn't make you uncomfortable. Everyone would be very understanding."
"I could try it," Dakota said. "I wouldn't want to mess it up or come off as disrespectful, though. Like, be honest with me, how does this sound?" Dakota cleared his throat and thought back to what he'd prayed earlier in the day. "All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all that exists, the most gracious, the most merciful, Master of the day of judgment..."
At least, that was what Dakota was hearing himself say. What actually came out, in a low, melodic, and perfectly accented drone, was "Bismillaahi’r-Rahmaani’r-Raheem, Al-hamdu lillaahi rabbil-`aalameen, Arrahmaanir raheem, Maaliki yawmid-deen..." He trailed off when he saw Jamil's bug-eyed expression, thinking he'd offended the man.
"WOW," Jamil said with a gasp. "That was incredible! Where'd you learn that?!"
"The Internet," Dakota shrugged. "It really wasn't bad?"
"No, that was amazing! You should totally help lead. But it isn't time yet, so I'll find you when it is and we'll see how you're feeling. In the meantime, why don't you meet some other members and tell them about yourself?" Jamil grinned and squeezed Dakota's shoulder. "You're gonna fit in just fine here, Hussein! I'm glad you got assigned to us."
"Thanks, I'm glad too," Dakota said. "Ma'aasalaama for now, brother."
Jamil raised an eyebrow. "Ma'aasalaama, Hussein."
Dakota heart thudded in his chest at the mere thought of having to introduce himself to strangers. He wasn't an anxious guy as a rule, and was certainly extroverted, but this was an inherently weird and uncomfortable situation. He stood in the corner for a few moments, scratching at his itchy chest hair as he looked for a friendly face he could introduce himself to as Hussein.