Mission

The Community we Strive to Create

A community that welcomes

  • People belong with us, and deserve to feel that their thoughts and their presence matters, because it does

A community of compassion

  • Give one another time, attention, and consideration. Love each other for the sake of God, and be there for one another.

A community of service

  • Programming that assists our students and our community, both on campus and locally. Purpose-driven for humanity.

A community of diversity

  • Have a wide gate into the community: allow people from various backgrounds, levels of spirituality, schools of thought, faith expression, etc. and incorporate everyone's strengths

A community of joy

  • Celebrate God, his Prophet SAS, and his Mercy. Be a community that sings, laughs, serves tea and snacks, and has a good time. Feel proud and joy in being Muslim.

Official Statements

Section I

The primary goal of the Muslim Students Association is to serve the needs of the Princeton Muslim community. The MSA shall strive to establish and maintain the Friday (Juma'a) prayers throughout the year, prayers and celebrations for both Eids, and iftaar (fast-break) meals during Ramadan. Additionally, the MSA shall make sure that there is a space on campus available for Muslim students to pray their daily prayers. Finally, the MSA shall do its best to increase unity within the Muslim community on campus through social events like study breaks, discussions, and dinners.

Section II

The secondary goal of the MSA is to serve the campus community. The MSA shall strive to enrich the diversity of campus life by educating our peers about the religion of Islam through lectures, events, dialogues, and similar events. Additionally, the MSA shall strive to create and participate in interfaith events that promote understanding and tolerance of the diverse religious traditions on campus.

Statement on Religiosity

Often there is the misconception that only those who are “religious” are meant to be in the MSA. As said earlier, for us, the MSA is really meant to be a space for anyone who wants to interact with Islam, their Muslim identity, or with Muslims in general.

We have members who came to Princeton with no idea how to pray, and we have members experienced in leading taraweeh prayer. We have members just now learning how to read Arabic, and we have members who have memorized the entire Quran. There is no “specific” type of Muslim who can join the MSA. We even have non-Muslim members, often good friends of Muslims in the community. Anyone is welcome, no matter their religion or spiritual level.

Everyone is at their own stage in their spiritual journey. We have no right nor the desire to judge anyone for the context that God has put them in. Some of us may have experienced judgement in the past that still lingers. We may struggle with faith, or with certain aspects of it. Given this, please do not hesitate to reach out to Imam Khalil or the MSA Board to discuss these issues; we are here to support you, not to critique your matters in any way. By the will of God, we hope to be by your side as you navigate life’s challenges.

All that being said, the MSA is what you make of it. We hope to be there for you, no matter what path you take. There is no compulsion in religion. Come when you can, leave when you must!