Abidah Ali's friends recognize her by her shoes.
The black-and-gold Pumas peek out from under the clothes that cover most of the 20-year-old sociology junior's body. She wears a floor-length abaya robe and a hijab head scarf, signs of her Islamic religion.
Before the current president of Islam On Campus moved to Gainesville, she was afraid she'd be a target of prejudice.
To change biased perceptions, the organization is putting on Islam Awareness Month during February. Members hope to work with individuals to change the broad perception of Islam, Ali said.
She found that her religion wasn't really an issue at UF but said she feels the 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the general American population's view of Muslims.
UF assistant professor of Arabic Sarra Tlili said she agrees that Gainesville is relatively accepting because the university allows people to be more educated on religion.
Student Government funds Islam Awareness Month, which costs about $21,000, Ali said. She expects about 200 people at each event.
Three main events showcase the fundamentals of Islam. Each event is color-coded to coordinate with the theme, "Colors of Islam."
The first event is Islam 101, a forum on Thursday for people to ask questions about the religion.
A Monday lecture titled Me, Myself & God explains what is asked of a Muslim in a relationship with God, Ali said.
The third lecture on Feb. 23 will consider how Muslims view Muhammad.
Other events include a "Malcolm X" screening, a Henna tattoo booth at the Reitz Union's Gator Nights and a Jewish-Muslim comedy show co-sponsored by UF Hillel and the Jewish Student Union.
Ali said she hopes to make a difference at UF through Islam Awareness Month.
"If by having these events one non-Muslim can understand Islam better and respect Muslims better and respect the faith better, then that means I've succeeded as a president," she said.
