Can I go to freshers' week events as a Muslim?

Yes, many freshers' week events are fine for a Muslim. The freshers' fair, campus tours, society taster sessions, sports trials and free pizza are open to everyone. What you'll want to skip are the club nights, bar crawls and drinking games, which are a big part of freshers' culture. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the week and make good friends.

What freshers' week actually is

In the UK and Ireland, freshers' week is the first week of university, full of welcome events for new students. In the US and much of Europe it's called orientation or welcome week. It's designed to help you settle in, find your way around and meet people, and most of that is completely halal.

What's fine

The freshers' fair: sign up for societies, collect free stuff and find the Islamic Society (ISoc) stand.
Campus and city tours: learn where your lectures, the library and the prayer room are.
Society taster sessions: debating, coding, hiking, volunteering, film, sports.
Daytime socials: picnics, quizzes, games and food events, as long as they aren't built around drinking.
ISoc welcome events: dinners, sisters' and brothers' socials, and Friday prayer.

What to skip

A lot of freshers' nightlife is built around alcohol: pub crawls, themed club nights, drinking games and "pres" (pre-drinks) in someone's flat. These usually also involve heavy flirting, dancing and hooking up. The Quran describes believers as people who walk past such things without getting pulled in:

وَٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَشْهَدُونَ ٱلزُّورَ وَإِذَا مَرُّوا۟ بِٱللَّغْوِ مَرُّوا۟ كِرَامًۭا "And [they are] those who do not testify to falsehood, and when they pass near ill speech, they pass by with dignity." Quran 25:72

Skipping these isn't being antisocial. It's simply choosing a different kind of fun. See Can I go to a bar with friends if I only drink soda? and Can I go to college parties if I don't drink?

Find your people early

The friends you make in your first weeks often shape your whole university life. The Prophet ﷺ said, "A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he makes his friend" (Sunan Abi Dawud 4833). That doesn't mean only having Muslim friends. It means choosing at least a few people who support the person you want to be.

Many universities and student unions now run alcohol-free freshers' events too, such as "sober socials", morning brunches and late-night games. Look for them in the freshers' guide or app. See Can I join the Muslim Student Association as a new Muslim?

Saying no without the awkwardness

People will ask you out a lot that week. A short, friendly answer works best: "I don't drink, but I'm up for the quiz tomorrow." Suggesting an alternative keeps the door open. Most students are relieved to find someone who wants to grab food instead of queuing for a club at midnight.

Key points

Most daytime freshers' events are fine.
Skip pub crawls, club nights and drinking games.
Find the ISoc and alcohol-free events early.
Say no kindly and offer an alternative.

Tip: Before you arrive, follow your university's ISoc on Instagram. Many post a full freshers' schedule with welcome dinners, prayer room tours and meet-ups for new students.