The Muslim Student Association Welcomes All Students

By Manahel Shuja

The Muslim Association Club (MSA) teaches students about Islam and gives a comfortable environment for all Muslims. The MSA participates in many events including charity bake sales and events that teach others the traditions and celebrations of Islam. This club is open to all, Muslim or not and is used as a place to learn more about the religion of Islam while also communicating with others from different backgrounds.

Some of the big events the MSA runs are bake sales. Last year they had a bake sale and raised money for a charity for people in need, and this year their first bake sale made over $300 for aid to the people in Palestine. President Alishba Zia said, “We hope to be able to continue to raise more so we can help our brothers and sisters in Falesteen, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.” In the MSA a big goal and part of the organization is to help others who need help. “Being in MSA has been a very rewarding experience and has taught me great experiences of coming together and helping others in the name of Islam,” said Zia. 

Recently, the MSA celebrated Ramadan. In Islam, Ramadan is a very important month of repentance and forgiveness. During this month Muslims give charity and try to help others the best they can, and the MSA hopes to help others as much as they can this month. The MSA also had an event which discussed the Holy Month of Ramadan with people all around the school informing others who may not know about Islam or Ramadan about the morals and ideas behind it. 

The MSA has allowed many Muslims to find a comforting community in the school where there are people they can relate to. Vice President Farheen Paracha said, “MSA has provided me the space to feel comfortable and happy! Building a community and creating more friendship that will last is always something to look forward to.” 

Amena Chaudhary, a member of the club for two years also sees the MSA as a comfortable environment where she believes that, “the members are very supportive and open to listening to each other's ideas.”  

Along with Muslims in the club many of the non-Muslim members feel the comfort that the club brings while also getting the experience more about Islam. Samantha Benjamin, a non-Muslim member, said, “Through my involvement in MSA, I have been able to explore Islamic culture, allowing me to connect with and understand my Muslim friends on a deeper level. I appreciate that this club accepts all students regardless of their religion, who can openly participate in discussions about real problems pertaining to how the Islamic faith is portrayed in society. In MSA, members also engage in conversations with different clubs, sharing knowledge and experiences while fostering mutual respect for one another.”