Assalamu Alaikum,
Dear Muslim students:
Welcome to MSA National's March edition of the E-letter! If you have an MSA success story or would like to share MSA news, we would love to hear from you. The deadline for submissions is the 15th of each month.
Please send all submissions to eletter@msanational.org.
We are also pleased to inform you that the E-letter is now accepting advertisements. To advertise in the E-letter, contact: advertise@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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| From the President's Desktop |
Asma Mirza
March 2008
Salams MSAers! I pray everyone had a great spring break and passed their midterms with flying colors.
As I write this Desktop, we are only a few days away from Zonal Conferences and the launch of several MSA initiatives. These conferences and initiatives are the culmination of months of hard work and anticipation by dozens of volunteers, speakers and participants. To me, there are few things more exciting than being surrounded by my fellow Muslims in an effort to learn, grow, and network. May Allah swt bless everyone involved in these efforts.
These zonal conferences will also mark a milestone in this MSA year - the launch of two innovative projects: the MSA National Get Out The Vote (GOTV) campaign and the IAW resource center.
In one of the tightest, highly publicized US Presidential elections of our time, it is critical that Muslim students get involved in the process not only to voice our opinions, but to show the growing power of the Muslim vote. Therefore MSA National is launching a National GOTV campaign that aims to educate and mobilize Muslim students in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections. To get involved or learn more, e-mail Sr. Asma Rehman patfchair@msanational.org
The second initiative is a new take and an old yet important project. As Muslim students, we are often the representation of Islam on campus. Therefore Islam Awareness Week / Month has become an annual MSA tradition. This semester, MSA National is proud to launch an IAW manual and online resource center to reinvigorate the project MSA National spread over a decade ago. IAW information will be available this April on the MSA National website.
While developing these MSA services, MSA National also represented Muslim students at dozens of events. Events included the Global Clinton Initiative, an International Courage Award ceremony hosted at the State Department, an interfaith rally to end the Iraq war and US sponsored torture, a national call to action to provide Dr. Sami Al-Arian with his human rights, responding to media inquiries about Harvard's women-only gym hours and inclusion in MSAs, as well as meetings with AMT, MYNA, ISNA and YM.
In addition to Zonal Conferences, the Zonal Reps are also preparing for "Succession Planning: Key Lessons for the MSA Worker" by Sr. Atifa this Wednesday, March 26th. To learn more, visit http://www.msanational.org/events
I hope to see you all at the MSA National Zonal Conferences! Wassalams!
Asma Mirza
President
MSA National
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| MSA National Launches MSA Link Magazine
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MSA National Zonal Conferences 2008-
Ties that Bind: Faith, Family, Community
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Join MSA National Zonal Conferences this year, Ties that Bind: Faith, Family, Community
Central Zone USA:
St. Louis, MO
March 28-30, 2008
East Zone USA:
Newark, NJ
April 4-6, 2008
East Zone Canada:
Toronto, ON
May 24-25, 2008
West Zone Canada:
Winnipeg, MB
May 30-31, 2008
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| Updates From Your Zonal Reps |
EAST ZONE USA
Asalaamu Alaikum!
Inshallah this reaches you all in the best of states! As you all know, the East Zone USA conference is going to be in New Jersey this year! Alhamdulillah the New Jersey team has been working extremely hard to confirm amazing speakers such as Sheikh Faraz Rabbani, Sheikh Yasir Qadhi, and many more! Registration is open so make sure you get around to registering so you don't miss out on this awesome experience! It will definitely be a great way to end the semester before finals start!
Inshallah I hope to see y'all at the EZ conference this year!!
Take care,
Wassalaam!
Sumrah Haider
East Zone USA Representative
ezrepusa@msanational.org
EAST ZONE CANADA
Assalamualaikum East Zone!
Insha'Allah, the East Zone Canada Conference, "Ties that bind, Faith, Family and Community", will be held on May 24th and 25th in Mississauga, Ontario.
The purpose of this conference is to address the collective needs of MSAs in the East Zone such as dealing with administration, event advertising, representation in the media, and inter-MSA event coordination, to name but a few. This conference will also provide an environment for inter-MSA networking, insha'Allah, so that we may learn from one another and move forward as a collective.
To that end, we are organizing a conference call on Sunday, March the 29th, at 9:00 pm. This is a request to all East Zone Canada MSAs to participate in the organization of the East Zone Canada Conference.
Date of Meeting: March 29th 2008
Time of Meeting: 9:00 pm
Please RSVP mirzakareem@gmail.com to receive the phone number to call in.
The purpose of the call is to:
-Become better acquainted with one another and during that process to speak about this conference.
-Understand what it means to individual MSAs.
-Learn what individual MSAs have to gain from it.
-Discover how your executive body can help.
-Answer any initial questions that you may have.
JazakumAllah khayran
Sincerely,
Qudsiyya Zalgaonker
East Zone Canada Representative
ezrepcan@msanational.org
WEST ZONE CANADA
Assalamu Alaikum, West Zone Stand Up!
West Zone Canada how y'all doing?
As always I pray that you all are in the best of best of health both physically and spiritually.
This monthly address will be short and to the point. West Zone Canada will have a Zonal Conference this year! Insha'Allah.
Where: Winnipeg MB, St. Paul's College (University of Manitoba)
When: May 30-31
All additional information pertaining to the conference will be available on this link in a few days Inshallah.
Be on the lookout for a Facebook page and blog that will be setup in the next week.
One last note, if you are an aspiring artist itching to showcase your talent email wzconference2008@gmail.com
Your brother in Islam,
Samir Hassan
West Zone Canada Representative
wzrepcan@msanational.org
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| MSA National Political Action Task Force Looking for GOTV Campaign Coalition Members
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Are you
interested in helping get out the Muslim vote for the 2008 US presidential
elections? Do you want to connect and
work with other like-minded and politically motivated students? Would you like
to network with key political leaders affecting policy and shaping this
country's future from within the Nation's Capital? Well then the MSA National GOTV Coalition is just the thing for you!
The Political
Action Task Force (PATF) of MSA National is looking for people to help promote
Muslim student participation in the political process- especially this year's
presidential elections- as part of our Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Campaign.
PATF is
organizing a coalition of representatives from each participating MSA in the
United States. As a coalition representative, you will have a leading role in
organizing GOTV events on a local level and will be MSA National's point of
contact for the rest of this year's election season. MSA National will be
working closely with each representative and providing training, an opportunity
to meet key political officials, and many other resources.
If you are
interested in applying for a representative position, or would like to nominate
someone from your MSA, please act quickly. The deadline for the first round of
application submissions is March 27th, 2008.
As a GOTV
Coalition member, you become part of a national effort to empower Muslim youth
by being active in the political process and making sure our voices are heard.
Apply today!
For a more
detailed description of the position, an application or questions, please
contact Political Action task Force Chair:
Asma Rehman patfchair@msanational.org
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| COMPASS Leads Continent-wide Conference Call for MSAs
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Join March's continent-wide Zonal Conference Call titled
"Succession Planning: Key Lessons for MSA Workers" with Sr. Atifa Chiragh. This amazing lecture is a
must-listen for all MSA members!
March 26th at 10pm EST
RSVP: E-mail msaconferencecall@msanational.org to get the call information!
For updates, please visit: http://www.msanational.org/events/conferencecalls/
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| COMPASS Request Forms Are Now Available
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 COMPASS is MSA National's state-of-the-art management training program.
Designed to address the growing demand for management training programs
from campus organizations, COMPASS strives to offer Muslim students the skills, tools, and resources they need to best serve their communities.
Request forms are now available online at www.msacompass.org.
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| SyncSpot: The Digital MSA Network
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MSA National has begun a new project to develop a powerful resource sharing network for Muslims across North America. MSA activists will soon be able to share their thoughts, resources, and experiences in a robust, flexible on-line network. Members can create communities to share ideas, files, and host podcasts for specific projects like Fast-a-Thon and Islamic Awareness Week. MSA Alumni can search for other members with similar skills in order to grow their personal and professional networks. And all members will be able to subscribe to the latest MSA National news and updates. Syncspot.net - coming soon!!
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| MSA National Elections Coming Soon
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As the academic year comes to an end, MSA National seeks your participation in the annual elections for Executive Committee positions. Please direct all questions to electchair@msanational.org
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| Urgent Call to Action: Dr. Sami Al-Arian's Health in Deteriorating Condition
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Former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian stopped taking food or water last week to protest a third attempt by prosecutors to compel his testimony. Dr. Al-Arian was transferred Tuesday morning, on the 9th day of his hunger strike, to a federal medical facility in Butner, North Carolina run by the Bureau of Prisons.
Since beginning his no water or food
hunger strike on March 3, Dr. Al-Arian has lost 23 pounds and grown weaker. He
has not yet been given an IV. A doctor who examined him on Monday said he is
suffering from starvation and dehydration.
Dr. Al-Arian was acquitted by a
jury of the major charges brought against him by the U.S.
Government. Despite reaching a plea agreement, the Government has refused
to release Dr. Al-Arian.
Given that Dr. Al-Arian has been on a hunger strike since March 3,
2008 we urgently ask all conscientious and justice-seeking individuals to call,
email or write officials to ask for an immediate end to Dr. Al-Arian's
suffering and to responsibly care for his deteriorating health.
Read full press release
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| MSA National Commends Harvard University
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MSA National welcomes the initiative by Harvard University to introduce women-only hours in one of the campus gyms. It is important that campuses around the nation continue to be a place where people from all backgrounds feel welcome. Designating six of 70 hours a week that the gym is open for women-only is a small but powerful act in support of inclusion. Asma Mirza, President of MSA National said, "I am glad that one of the leading educational institutions in the world is sending a strong signal in support of diversity and mutual respect." Mirza continued to say, "From my experience at Georgetown and now at the University of Maryland, diversity enriches our educational experience both in and outside of the classroom." Read full press release |
| MSA National Voices Concerns about Iraq, Torture, and Gaza to Congressional Offices |
On Friday, March 7, 2008 MSA National joined an interfaith coalition to meet with representatives from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's (D-CA) office, Senator Harry Reid's (D-NV) office and hundreds of rally participants to call for the end to the war in Iraq and stopping the United State's use of torture.
 Asma Mirza, President of MSA National, joined members of the Olive Branch Interfaith Peace group to participate in a day-long event calling for peace and an end to war. As the representative of the only major Muslim organization participating in the Congressional meetings, Mirza stated that the overwhelming majority of Muslim Students believe it is important to bring a quick resolution to the Iraq war and the war has hurt the U.S.'s image abroad. |
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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| Karamah Law and Leadership Program Summer 2008
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"KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights" is currently accepting applications for its 6th Annual Law and Leadership Summer Program (LLSP), which will take place from July 14, 2008 to August 1, 2008. The program is an intensive, three week full-time training program in Washington, DC. It requires that young women participants live, study, and work on projects together. We are looking for highly motivated and dedicated women who have a commitment to Muslim women's rights, and seek to advance them from within their religion and culture.
For more information or to receive an application, please call us at 202-234-7302 or email Karamah@karamah.org.
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| Apply now for the ISNA Summer 2008 Internship Program
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ISNA is now accepting applications at ISNA headquarters in Plainfield, IN. Deadline for applications is March 30, 2008.
- Get hands-on experience in Leadership Training, Youth Program Development, Convention & Conference Planning, Community Outreach, Interfaith Relations, Marketing and Publications, Communications, Fundraising & Endowment Building, and Membership and Affiliations Promotion
- Contribute your energy to the Muslim community
- Develop professional skills at one of the largest national Muslim non-profit organizations
- Grow spiritually in an Islamic environment
Please visit www.isna.net for application materials and more information.
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2008 Interfaith Worker Justice Summer Internships
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Undergraduate Students
IWJS is a 10-week internship for undergraduate students combining education, action & reflection sponsored by Interfaith Worker Justice. IWJS interns will join undergraduate students from across the nation in Chicago for a week of training and preparation for their field experience. For 8 1/2-weeks IWJS interns will work within religion and labor committees and workers' centers addressing the issues faced by low-wage workers. The internship concludes in Chicago with three days of debriefing and reflection. Interns will raise funds for their $3000 stipend and $1000 administration fee. While students are required to fundraise, Interfaith Worker Justice will provide fundraising resources for students and technical support. The internship runs from June 8th until August 15th.
For more information go to: www.iwj.org/outreach/students/iwj_summer.html.
If you have questions or would like to apply, please call Julia Leis at 773-728-8400 ext. 38 or send an email to jleis@iwj.org. Islamic Internship for Worker Justice
Graduate Students
IIWJ is a paid 10-week internship for graduate students combining education, action & reflection sponsored by Interfaith Worker Justice. IIWJ interns will join seminary and rabbinical students in Chicago for a week of training and preparation for their field experience. For 8 1/2-weeks Muslim graduate students will work within a labor union in a campaign involving low-wage workers. The internship concludes in Chicago with three days of debriefing and reflection. The internship runs from June 8th until August 15th.
For more information go to: www.iwj.org/outreach/students/sem_sum.html.
If you have questions and concerns call: The Rev. Jessica Vazquez
Torres at 773-728-8400 ext 21.
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Submit to Ascent Magazine
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The Ascent team is busy working on the
Spring 2008 issue and would like to take this opportunity to make a call for submissions.
The theme for the upcoming issue is: "Islamic Revivalism: Between the
Extremes?"
As always, we are accepting essays,
poetry, creative writing, photography, visual art, and fiction.
Many of you have been traveling
and have photographed the beautiful sights of your journeys. If you want
to see these photos in print, consider submitting them to Ascent. (When taking
any "submission photos," make sure to set your digital camera to the
highest quality/resolution setting.)
Submissions should be sent to: submissions@ascent-magazine.org.
Regarding submission guidelines, please
see http://www.hcs.harvard.edu/ascent/submit.pdf.
If there are any questions, please
contact us at info@ascent-magazine.org.
Previous issues can be viewed at www.ascent-magazine.org.
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Get Muslim Girl For Free For Your MSA
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Muslim Girl is now available to every MSA across the country free of charge as part of our effort to reach every young Muslim woman in North America. If your campus MSA is interested in receiving Muslim Girl on a regular basis, please get in touch with us as soon as possible to arrange delivery.
You can choose one of two ways to get Muslim Girl free of charge:
1) You receive a bulk shipment and distribute copies to your members from your office.
2) Send the magazine to your members. In this option, you provide us with the names and address database of your members and we mail each issue to them directly.
Get every MSA member a copy of Muslim Girl Magazine free of charge as soon as possible.
You can place your order by emailing akhan@muslimgirlmagazine.com or by calling us at 1-866-
888-1161.
http://www.muslimgirlworld.com
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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: Samir Hassan
West Zone US Rep: Zeeshan Qasim Your MSA National Task Force Chairs: Community Service: Yasmin Hussein
COMPASS: Idris El-Bakri Dawah/Interfaith: Nasreen Badat
Media and Communication: Zainab Khan Information Technology: Meraj Ahmed Political Action: Asma Rehman
Programs: Chancey Gannett
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Spotlight on MSA
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MSA National congratulates York University MSA for "Halal Hour" - a successful and entertaining evening bringing together Muslim Students from the Greater Toronto Area. Keep up the great work!
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