The Strength and Wisdom of Ezoza Nomazova '13

On June 23, 2010, her flight from Moscow had touched down at Dulles International Airport, and two days later, she began an academic and cultural journey that she could imagine only in her dreams.

A native of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she had moved to Richmond with her brother (Timur) to join their mother (Mokhira), father (Radjab), and extended family.  

The language barrier tested her resolve, and the expectations overwhelmed her at times, but she was intelligent, motivated, industrious, resilient, adaptable, and fearless, noble attributes which would serve her well on her new and exciting adventure.

At first, she struggled to gain her bearings, but she found sanctuary in her music and abiding support from her family, friends, and teachers.  She never flinched, she never wavered from her goals, and she persevered.  Wow! Did she ever persevere!

The 2013 Collegiate alumna is now a junior biomedical engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, a Dean’s List student, and member of the Honors College.  She hopes to attend medical school after she earns her undergraduate degree.

She volunteers at the CrossOver Healthcare Ministry assisting immigrants from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan as they navigate uncharted waters as she did.   A virtuoso pianist, she continues to indulge her passion whenever time allows.

One day recently, just before her second-semester classes resumed, Ezoza returned to her alma mater to share her personal story as well as thoughts and reflections about her faith – Islam – at a Middle School assembly.

What follows is a sampling of the insights she delivered to a rapt audience.

What can you tell us about prayer in Islam?

The purpose of religion is to strengthen your relationship with God, thank God, seek forgiveness, and remind ourselves about God’s greatness. Our bodies require food and water.  Our souls also require some kind of spiritual needs.  Prayer is how we fulfill those needs.

Praying is the second pillar of Islam.  Praying five times a day is a requirement.  It’s difficult (for me) during the semester so I don’t pray the second, third, and fourth prayer at the designated times, but at other times, which is allowed. You pray whenever you’re available. The fifth prayer, at night, I pray with my family.

We have aps that have alarms that call for prayers.  In the middle of one class – it was in a lecture hall, about 300 students – apps called for prayer.  Friday noon is a very important service.  VCU made a room available for us.

Create a picture of prayer in Islam.

There are different postures during the prayer.  We stand up.  We bow.  We also put our forehead on the ground, which represents submission to God. There is a deep connection between body, mind, and spirit.  When you pray, everything works together.
 
How does prayer connect Muslims around the world?

The congregational prayers cultivate brotherhood, equality, and humility. So when worshippers pray shoulder to shoulder, it demonstrates that there’s no segregation based on race, nationality, color or family status. It means that you’re equal.  It connects everyone.

What does being a Muslim-American mean to you?

That I can practice my religion without oppression and also present the religion without fear.  Nowadays, it’s a challenge to do so. We’re humans.  Some of us commit crimes.  Some of us try to prevent them.  
People who commit crimes and shield under Islam are not true believers.  They’re criminals. They do heinous crimes to achieve power and money. Terrorists achieve by shielding themselves under Islam.

You became a naturalized American citizen on November 18.  What does being an American citizen mean to you?

I feel like I became an American as soon as I came to the United States.  From that moment, I was proud to be here.  When I got my citizenship, still I’m proud I’m an American now.  This country protects democracy and the freedoms of its people. It’s an advocate for freedom in other countries.  I’m just proud to be part of this nation.
                -- Weldon Bradshaw