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Assalamu Alaikum,
Dear Muslim students:
Welcome
to MSA National's September edition of the E-letter! If you have an MSA success
story or would like to share your MSA news, we would love to hear from you. The
deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month. Please
send all submissions and direct any questions to eletter@msanational.org.
Please
note: MSA National does not endorse and is not responsible for any of the
activities, events and projects listed in the E-letter
other than those organized by MSA National
itself.
Thank-you,
Your E-letter Team
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| Congratulations to Altaf Sharif, Winner of the MSA National Logo Competition!! |
Congratulations
to Br. Altaf Sharif from New York, the winner of the MSA National
Logo Competition! Br. Altaf's design was
chosen as the new logo of MSA National and was launched at the Continental
Conference in Chicago, IL. In the center is the Arabic word "Salam" which
means "Peace". It is also the first part
of the Muslim Greeting "Assalamu Alaykum" meaning "May the Peace and Blessings
of God be Upon You." This greeting is
the first step in networking and getting to know fellow students. The five stars represent the five zones. The maple leaf and the colors represent the US and Canada. 
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| From the President's Desktop |
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From the President's
Desktop
Asma Mirza
September 2007
 Salams MSAers and
Ramadan Mubarak! I pray your school year and Ramadan has gotten off to a
great and MSA-filled start.
Alhamdulilah, we started
off the school year with the 44th Annual MSA National Continental
Conference in Chicago, IL. From Action
Hour, PD Live, the Speech Competition, Logo Launch, MSA Executive Roundtable,
introduction of "Peace Not Prejudice" the $1 Campaign and so much
more, the conference was a huge success. Please keep all the volunteers
in your prayers; they worked tirelessly and ran mostly on sugar and caffeine to
make this year's conference a success.
At the Continental
Conference, we were proud to raise nearly $2,000 for the Ummah Clinic and Islamic
Relief. In addition, I was excited to reveal our new logo,
designed by Altaf Sharif of New York, winner of the international logo
competition and the location of the 2008 East Zone USA Conference - New Jersey!
Between speaking at
MYNA, ISNA and MSA sessions, I met with many MSA, organization, government
officials and community leaders to discuss MSA National's latest project, the
"Peace Not Prejudice" campaign, also known as PnP.
The PnP campaign is a
series of interfaith and educational activities MSA students can host on campus
this fall. I strongly encourage you to host a "Peace Not
Prejudice" event on your campus so we can do as Sheikh Hamza asked MSAs to
do at the Continental Conference, to "Hold something educational on your
campus, reach out to the students." If you're an MSA interested in
hosting a PnP, please e-mail peacenotprejudice@msanational.org from your
school e-mail address.
I
was also honored by a request for MSA National to provide logistical support
for a meeting where many of our teachers discussed the relationship between
Sunni educational institutions. Specifically, all the attendees agreed to
quell any negative speech between their institutions and strongly discourage
any ideological disagreements on campus and in our communities. The
agrement is called " Pledge of Mutual Respect and
Cooperation Between Sunni Muslim Scholars, Organizations, and Students of
Sacred Knowledge".
This
historic meeting included Imam Zaid Shakir, Sheik Yasir Qadhi, Sheik Faraz
Rabbani, Dr. Sherman Jackson, Dr. Munir Fareed, Imam Mohamed Magid, Sheik
Mukhtar Maghraoui, Sr. Omaira Alam, Br.Altaf Husain, Br. Mohamed Sheibani,
myself Asma Mirza, and many others. This
agreement sends a strong signal to our Muslim students that unity on campus and
across the continent is critical to our success as a community.
In front of 10,000 of
our brothers and sisters, MSA National and along with major Sunni and Shia
organizations signed the Muslim Code of Honor, a pledge to work towards ending
disagreements between Sunnis and Shia.
Alhamdulillah, through
the hard work of our volunteers and our speaker's passion for MSA National, we
raised over $70,000 in cash, checks and pledges during the Continental
Conference. Thank you to all of our generous donors and MSA Legacy Fund
members who provided critical support for MSA National.
In the few weeks since
the Continental Conference, our Information Technology Task Force (ITTF) has
been working around the clock to launch the new MSA National Website!
While only the first phase, the new website is the first step in improving our
web presence and increasing communication, one of our three strategic goals for
this term. Please visit www.msanational.org today and send us your
feedback!
As we head into the last
half of Ramadan, don't forget to register your Fast-A-Thon with fastathon@msanational.org
so we can provide up to date statistics to MSAs and media outlets.
Also, between classes,
exams, e-mails, and MSA activities, I hope we all take at least a few minutes
to enjoy the blessings of Ramadan.
Wassalams!
Asma Mirza
President
MSA National
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Updates From Your Zonal Reps
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EAST ZONE USA:
Assalamu Alaikum,
MSA National's East ZoneUSA is currently seeking active MSA
students to fill the position of MSA state representative. State
representatives are liaisons between local MSA chapters and the MSA National
board. This new system requires that state representatives constantly update
themselves with the latest activities of local MSAs as well as the national
MSA. From there, they will be required to update their respective MSA East Zone
commissioner with a monthly report.
The following is a list of
states that are still in need of state representatives:
Vermont
New Hampshire
Maryland
Delaware
Rhode Island
West Virginia
New York
Connecticut
North Carolina
Florida
West Virginia
Massachusetts
Maine
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
If interested, please send an email
to Sister Sumrah Haider at ezrepusa@msanational.org
with your contact information.
EAST ZONE CANADA
Assalamualaikum Muslim Students in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland!
Do you have experience serving the community and would like to
contribute further by joining the MSA National zonal team to help establish,
revive and improve MSA's in Canada?
MSA national has many resources and tools to help make executive
transition efficient and productive, social service campaigns to outreach in
your local community and many more tools to aid MSA's improve and network with
other Students.
We need your help to find out what Canadian Muslims students want and
need on their campuses!
Join the Canada East Zonal Committee by applying today! Please email ezrepcan@msanational.org to request
an application form. The deadline for completed applications is October 3rd.
Jazkallahu khair,
Wa salaam,
Qudsiyya Zalgaonker
East Zone Rep Canada 2007-2008
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Send Your Feedback on the Continental Conference
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If you attended the MSA National 44th annual Continental Conference, we would love to hear your feedback! Please complete this online survey to share your thoughts on the year's largest event.
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MSA National does not endorse and is not responsible for any of the
activities, events and projects listed in the E-letter other than those
organized by MSA National itself. The following activities, events and
projects are not organized by MSA National:
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| The Devil in Me
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This American Life, a
radio station in Chicago, aired a show titled "The Devil in
Me." One compassionate story came from a young man named Sam Slaven from Indiana who was sent to Iraq in 2003. After his traumatic
experiences abroad, he festered deep feelings of hatred and fear towards
Muslims even after re-entering society in the United States. Slaven's story describes the
beginnings of his post-traumatic stress disorder and his resolve to fight
against his prejudice of Muslims and Islam.
Slaven was stationed in SadarCity and he describes how relations
between the community and the soldiers were amicable. He states "they were
happy to see us" and the soldiers and Muslim men would "sit and socialize."
However, imams in the community began advocating the killing of the "infidels"
and tensions arose. Then, one specific experience rattled Slaven and completely
altered his feelings towards Muslims.
On October
9, 2003, a
platoon close to where Slaven was stationed was tricked into an ambush by a
woman and child pretending to need help. Slaven says, "I've never seen anything
like it even in a horror movie." Two men from Slaven's unit were killed that
night. He describes the overwhelming fear and intense anger he felt whenever he
saw Muslims. One year later he left Iraq and was stationed in Miami. However, he was constantly
reminded of his past-the hot weather and palm trees resonated with the image of
Iraq. In Miami, Slaven worked at a recruiting
station.
Incidentally, there was a
mosque between Slaven's apartment and his station. He says, "I could physically
see myself tense up. My heart would start pounding, it would make me angry"
when he would see the mosque and Muslims. When he would see Muslims entering
the mosque, he considered writing down their license plate numbers so that he
could track them.
Soon after, Slaven began
having nightmares and experienced other signs of post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). One day, a presentation was being made to the young men who had been
recruited, informing them that Iraq was not a bad place to be. Slaven
sat in the back of the room, listening and thought, "We're training people to
lie to these kids." He left the room and began crying. He describes that
incident as the moment he hit his lowest point. As he sat in the room crying,
he knew he could not longer continue in the army. He left and began treatment
for PTSD.
In May 2006 at the age of
28, Slaven began taking classes at ParklandCommunity College in Champagne, Illinois. One day, he came across a bearded
man in a hallway who looked Middle-Eastern and Slaven found himself wanting to
physically hurt the student. He describes how his mind raced as he battled his
physical desire to be violent while his mind was reminding him that he was no
longer on the battlefield. Slaven was astonished at his reaction and thought,
"What have I become?" As he sat in a classroom, he looked up and saw a poster
declaring "Learn about Islam. Join the Muslim Students Association." He decided
to attend their next meeting and thought "Maybe that would be good for me." He
says he "wanted to get back to the way he was-a better person."
Slaven describes how he
was sweating and trembling when he attended the meeting and he felt he was
going to have a major anxiety attack. He saw that the male and females were
sitting on opposite ends of the room. From his training in Iraq, he knew he should not sit with
the females-but the door was closest to them. This was the first time he was
outnumbered by Muslims since his time in Iraq. There, he saw the same student
whom he had wanted to hurt in the hallway-Yusuf Radiv-founder and president of
the MSA. He is also an Iraqi.
Muslims were also
ambivalent about Slaven's presence at the meeting. Some believed he was a spy
for the government because Slaven asked many questions, including the origin of
the students and how to spell their names. One student asked why he was there.
He confessed that he was an Iraq war veteran and this was part of
his self-prescribed therapy.
Approximately six weeks
later, Slaven moved from sitting by the door. He asked questions to better
understand Islam and dispel the incorrect information he had received. Soon, he
became one of the most active members of the organization. Moreover, Yusuf and
Slaven became very good friends, even spending time outside of MSA. Slaven
describes the amazement he felt when he realized that a Muslim man had become a
friend-a genuine friend.
Yusuf Radiv is currently
studying biochemistry at the University of Illinois. Sam Slaven is studying at EasternIllinoisUniversity to become a math and science
teacher.
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| Panel Addresses Myths About Muslims
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Muslim students say there
is no shortage of myths and misconceptions when it comes to Islam.
Women are oppressed in Islam, all Muslims hate the West, Islam encourages
terrorism and Muslims don't believe in Jesus were just some of the myths
addressed during a panel discussion held last Wednesday in the Union Theater.
Maryam Shahrebani, a senior in biomedical engineering and a member of the
panel, said the media's portrayal of Muslim women as oppressed, second-class
citizens is inaccurate.
Many of the stereotypes about Muslim women stem from the wearing of head and
body coverings known as the hijab.
Read full story here.
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Education Key in Understanding Muslims
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Omar Conteh was a
15-year-old student at BangorHigh School six years ago.
Now a student at UniversityCollege in Bangor studying mental health and human
services, he said Monday that his relationships in the community haven't
changed since Sept. 11, 2001.
Conteh, who has lived in Bangor for a decade and played soccer in
high school, also said that Muslims who come to Maine from overseas to attend the
college feel much more apprehensive than people who have roots in the community
as he does.
"Some have concerns
about safety in the back of their minds," Conteh said, "so they try
to stay out of any situation that might be sticky."
Conteh knows most members
of the small Muslim community in Greater Bangor through the Islamic Center of
Maine in Orono. Fifty to 70 people, many of them students attending the University of Maine, worship at Friday prayer
services, he said.
The mosque opened in
January 2002 at the corner of Park and Washburn streets in Orono. Although
Muslim communities in southern Maine are larger than the northern Maine group, the Orono community was the
first in the state to own its own land and building.
Read full story here.
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| Students Celebrate Holy Days
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Wednesday
marks a holy time for many Jews and Muslims as Rosh Hashanah and Ramadan begin,
and students are preparing for a time of increased reflection, prayer and
celebration.
Senior Saher Mir Shafi has been participating in the Ramadan fast since she was
an adolescent. Shafi said that the first day of the fast is the most difficult
for her.
"In the morning we have food very early. We eat at about 5
a.m.," she said.
Shafi said that fasting people have more energy at the beginning of the day,
but starting at 3 or 4 p.m., that energy declines.
"Your body gets used to it after the first day," Shafi said.
Shafi said that the fast helps her achieve purity and to also sympathize with
those poorer than her.
"When you are hungry, it makes you feel how poor, hungry people
feel," she said. "You feel bad about lower class people."
Shafi said that she sometimes relies on friends who are also fasting during
Ramadan. She is a member of the Muslim Student Association at YSU.
"We get together before Ramadan. It helps when you're not alone. It's
usually supportive," she said.
Ramadan
Mustansir Mir, philosophy and religious studies professor, said that Ramadan is
a month-long fast that helps religious followers to focus on the expression and
commitment of devotion to God.
"During the month, people are to pray extra and do an extra amount of
charity," said Mir.
Mir said that followers are expected to give up pleasures such as food and
drink as a token or symbol to God.
"If we can do this for God, we can do bigger things," he said.
"You are prepared to part with what you love."
While food and drink are restricted, it is also suggested that fighting and
bickering are also avoided. Mir said that these actions are incompatible with
fasting.
"You try to be a good overall human being," he said.
Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is celebrated for two days. It begins on
Wednesday evening and runs until Friday night, said Helene Sinnreich.
Read full story here.
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The Muslim Students Association National, headquartered near Washington
D.C., has been serving Muslim students on colleges and university campuses across the United States
and Canada since 1963. There are over 250 MSA chapters on university and college campuses throughout the
United States and Canada.
Sincerely,
Your MSA National Board of Directors:
Ex-officio: Mohamed Sheibani
President: Asma Mirza
Vice President of the USA: Hajar Abdul-Rahim
Vice President of Canada: Zeina Sleiman
Treasurer: Randa Kuziez
Your MSA National Zonal Representatives:
East Zone Canada Rep: Qudsiyya Zalgaonker
East Zone US Rep: Sumrah Haider
Central Zone US Rep: Nura Sediqe
West Zone Canada Rep:
West Zone US Rep: Zeeshan Qasim
Your MSA National Task Force Chairs:
Community Service: Sohaib Jamal Khan
COMPASS: Idris El-Bakri
Media and Communication: Zainab Khan
Information Technology: Meraj Ahmed
Programs: Chancey Gannett
Your MSA National Office Staff:
Asma Rehman
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Spotlight on MSA
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| MSA
National congratulates the MSA at Columnia University for the recognition and distinction that they received in the Columbia Spectato. This Ramadan, Columbia's MSA will be organizing daily taraweeh prayers and joined efforts with the campus Hillel to host an interfaith iftar. Keep up the great work! |
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