Founded in 2016 by Samira Maddox, Mu Delta Alpha is the first Muslim sorority in Texas, opening its Beta chapter at UT-Austin in the fall of 2017. In its first year, the sorority saw more than 100 female students apply, of which ten were accepted as members. Eileen Flynn DeLaO, a journalism lecturer specializing in religion, says the sorority allows Muslim women to take part in Greek life. “What the sorority is doing is saying, ‘We’re normal, we’re part of the scene.’”
Sarah Youssef, vice president of the Muslim Students’ Association, says the sorority’s small size allows them to focus on the local Muslim community and interpersonal relationships. “As a minority, I think it’s really important to be around people who have similar experiences to you. They’re building a sisterhood.”
