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Islamic studies graduate student Hisham Mahmoud travels the world to promote his culture.

After a busy day that ended at 1:30 a.m., Hisham Mahmoud speaks enthusiastically about his passion: educating others about his culture.

As a respected leader in the community, Mahmoud – a graduate student in Islamic studies at UCLA – is driven to fight ignorance and help educate people about Islam.

“I’m just the guy they call when the scheduled speaker doesn’t show up,” Mahmoud said during a phone interview.

But Mahmoud isn’t just a second-place choice to absentee speakers. He’s developed a reputation among the local Muslim community and beyond for his scholarship and activism.

Having acquired a command of five different languages and an international educational experience that has taken him to Europe and the Middle East, Mahmoud said he feels an immense sense of responsibility whenever he’s called upon for leadership.

“I’ve been blessed to meet, talk, and study with many intelligent scholars. ... I feel a great sense of accountability, not pride,” he said.

Mahmoud, whose family immigrated from Egypt, has actively used his education to raise awareness about Muslims to anyone who is interested, sometimes going to extraordinary lengths.

Back in the summer of 2001, Mahmoud said he began noticing a surge of Muslim converts of Spanish descent within the Muslim community. To help the new converts with their newfound faith, Mahmoud decided to learn Spanish.

But unlike most people who learn a new language, Mahmoud didn’t enroll in a language course or buy instructional tools.

Instead, he packed his bags, boarded an airplane and spent months in Spain to learn the language.

“Before I went to Spain, I didn’t know any Spanish,” he said.

Mahmoud continues to respond to the increasing interest in Islamic culture in the United States.

As a response to the Sept. 11 attacks , Mahmoud said he has noticed a “skyrocketing” demand for knowledge about Muslim culture at universities and Christian churches.

If there is any silver lining to the terrible events of Sept. 11, 2001, Mahmoud said, it lies in the channels of communication that have been flung open.

“We’re seeing a lot of bridge-building: people contacting Islamic centers, more interfaith dialogue, all day seminars. This didn’t happen before the 11th,” he said, adding that American efforts to understand their Muslim neighbors has been “outstanding.”

As a devout Muslim, Mahmoud has taken part in the Hajj, an annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

As one of the “five pillars” of the Muslim faith – which include a declaration of faith, daily prayers, offering regular charity, and fasting during the month of Ramadan – the Hajj is an obligation for Muslims who are physically and financially able to do so.

Recalling when he went to Mecca in 1996, Mahmoud said he found himself at a lack for words to describe the experience.

“I can’t even find the words. ... It was surreal,” he said. “You have every type of human being represented – all languages and types. There is no place in the world where two million people are completely silent.”

Despite his efforts and the bridge-building that has occurred, Mahmoud said he believes Muslims continue to face challenges.

Pointing to the recent French ban on hijabs and other religious symbols, Mahmoud said he feels the biggest challenge facing Muslims is the mainstream notion that Islam is a violent, terrorist-spawning religion.

His involvement in the Muslim community is an inspiration to many.

“We see him as a teacher, a mentor and an example,” said Mohamad Ahmad, a second-year business economics and international developmental studies student.