Assalamu Alaikum,
Dear Muslim students:
Welcome to MSA National's November 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 |
From the President's Desktop
By Asma Mirza
November 2008
Salams MSAers! I pray everyone made it through midterms and voted!
First, I'd like to congratulate the three Muslim Students who were among the outstanding students named Rhodes Scholars, one of the highest academic honors in the US. Abdulrahman El-Sayed, Alia Whitney-Johnson, and Aisha Saad are great examples of active MSAers who excel academically. Congratulations on this honor!
Alhamdulilah its been a busy month. This month East Zone Canada held the second PATH Program by COMPASS. Nearly 50 students attended this day-long management training workshop. To learn more about this program, please contact your Zonal Rep!
With the US and Canadian elections, this month the first ever MSA National Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign went into action. The program was an astounding success. With over 20 MSAs in 13 states participating, MSAers helped bring out the Muslim vote in key states including Virginia and Ohio. The dedicated coalition members participated in monthly conference calls, voter registration drives, phone banking, and text message reminders.
Your Zonal Reps have also been working closely with MSA Councils to promote events aimed at bringing together MSAers. I personally had the pleasure of attending a DC Council event at George Washington University. The Islamic-style "Its Academic" program included 16 different MSAs in three rounds of questions. I enjoyed cheering on the MSAs in a packed room.
 Speaking of MSA events, this past Wednesday the "Key Lessons for MSA Workers" series held its October call on Financial Management in a Downturn Economy with Br. Monem Salam. The call discussed both investing from an Islamic Perspective as well as investing advice for students. In the current economic environment the call provided relevant and helpful advice. Check out the MSA website for information about the December call!
As we head into December, we are finalizing the Spring 2009 Zonal Conference sites as well as planning for the 46th Annual MSA National Continental Conference in Washington, DC.
I pray everyone enjoys Thanksgiving break and has success on their finals!
Wassalams!
Asma Mirza
President
MSA National |
Updates From Your Zonal Reps
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WEST ZONE USA
Salaams WestZone USA :)
I wanted to take this chance to check in with you all in the WestZone! Insh'Allah as the semester winds down, I wish you all well on your finals. I'm excited about the WestZone Conference which will be held in the Spring bi ithn illah. Now more than ever, your participation in the zonal committee is needed and encouraged! Spring will be an exciting time to organize Islam Awareness Week's and other successful programs. I am incredibly proud of the MSA's in our zone that held Fast-a-Thon's and Peace, Not Prejudice campaings on their campus this semester. Remember that COMPASS training programs are still available for those MSA's interested in the Spring insh'Allah. A special thanks goes out to MSA West as well as UCLA MSA for helping host the first PATH training on their campus this semester. If any of you have questions or concerns, please feel free to email me wzrepusa@msanational.org. All the best!!!
Yasmin Elhady
West Zone USA Rep
wzrepusa@msanational.org
East Zone USA
InshAllah I pray that this reaches you all in the best of states! The semester is almost coming to an end and finals are right around the corner, but don't worry we have some good news for you EZers. Insha'Allah in the next few weeks we will be announcing the location for the 2009 East Zone conference! Check the East Zone USA website for the announcement soon!
Don't forget, MSA National exists to assist and serve dedicated members like yourself to develop the potential within your community and to enhance communication between MSA National and your local MSA. Feel free to contact me or any of the other zonal reps, committee members or exective board members if you or your MSA need anything! We have been having our annual Scholar Calls as well so check out http://www.msanational.org/events/conferencecalls/ for our next call inshAllah! Also dont forget to utilize the East Zone webpage to help advertise about any events your MSA might be doing to get the word out!
Jazakum'Allahu Khayrn,
Tauqeer Zaidi
East Zone Representative - USA
MSA National
email: ezrepusa@msanational.org
website: ezusa.msanational.org
Central Zone USA
Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah!
Insha'Allah you are all doing well. This month has been an exciting one for the American community and the Muslim student community as well. With your help with the Get Out the Vote Efforts, we have had a record turnout of young voters across the nation. Speaking to students from all over the Central Zone, it was very exciting to see how engaged everyone was to promoting this right of young students. This is just one example of how critical the work of students are, and Muslim Students in particular.
With the financial crisis affecting young and old, we held our annual MSA Scholar Call this past month which I moderated. It was great to hear so many students concerned and active in learning how to effectively and Islamically manage their money.
Keep your eyes peeled, as we are close to selecting a site for the 2009 Central Zone Conference. If you have any questions or concerns, I would love for you to contact me.
Wa Alaikum as Salaam,
Nura Sediqe
Central Zone Rep
West Zone Canada
Br. Samir is currently at Hajj. We pray he has a safe trip and Allah swt accepts his Hajj! |
| Muslim Students Rock the Muslim Vote! |
 In the Summer and Fall of 2008, Muslim Students across the country worked to increase the Muslim vote. MSAs in 13 states participated in the first ever MSA National Get Out the Vote (GOTV) campaign. Sr. Asma Rehman, Chair of the Political Action Task Force (PATF) said, "MSA National worked to recruit, train and educate Muslim Students on how to get involved in the political process." MSAers participated in voter registration drives, phone banking and even texting Muslims to remind them to vote.  The campaign included MSAs in Michigan, Ohio and Virginia, key swing states for in the US Presidential Elections. To learn more, click here. To download an 8-minute podcast called "Voting and Civic Participation in Islam" produced by MSA National click here.
Congratulations to PATF and all the MSA National GOTV coalition members for doing an outstanding job! |
| MSA Wins 2008 Human Relations Award |
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The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Colorado State University (CSU) has been honored by the City of Fort Collins with the 2008 Human Relations Award. This astounding recognition is only awarded to those organizations who promote acceptance and respect for diversity.
MSA holds many events every year that attract college students, community members and individuals from other surrounding cities. Its annual "Islamic Cultural Night" attracts more than 500 individuals of diverse backgrounds
The passionate dedication to our religious identity has enabled CSU's MSA to educate and enlighten the Fort Collins community about our misunderstood religion and rich cultures. This passion in turn has given the non-Muslims in the local community the chance to understand, respect and embrace its fellow Muslim community members.
It is always an inspiration to see fellow MSA organizations around the nation striving to maintain and put into action the organization's overall mission and vision and even more inspiring when they succeed. |
| Three Muslim Students named Rhodes Scholars |
MSA National would like to congratulate three Muslim students on being named Rhodes Scholars, one of the highest academic honors in the US.
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| American Muslim Students Contributing to Their Community |
MSA National would like to recognize Taiyyaba Qureshi and Omar Kurdi for their part in being active members of both MSA and their respective communities. Sr. Taiyyaba Qureshi is a second-year law student at UNC-Chapel Hill who is active in her masjid and is always willing to represent Islam at schools and local churches. Br. Omar Kurdi is a History/International Relations major at University of California Irvine. Active in a variety of areas, he has worked as an intern for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, took part in a campaign for better wages and health benefits for university workers earning minimum wage, and organized several speaking events and protests. Read their stories here and here. |
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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| Jobs, Internships and Scholarships! |
Several organizations are offering jobs and internships to students. Please contact the following organizations directly for additional questions and application procedures:
Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program For College Students With Disabilities
The Emerging Leaders Summer Internship Program for College Students with Disabilities offers paid summer internships at many of America's leading corporations. These companies are members of the National Business & Disability Council and are proactive in recruiting qualified people with disabilities. To be considered for an internship, a student must be an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student with a disability, who has completed at least 60 credits, and is maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA.
More information can be found on the website http://www.emerging-leaders.com
Deadline: December 31, 2008.
"Make It Matter" Grants From Reader'S Digest Foundation
To identify people whose stories of giving back inspire others, the foundation will donate funds to a nonprofit organization associated with a particular story or cause. Anyone can submit a story about an effective or inspiring group, which will be published on the website; the nonprofits selected will receive funds up to $100,000.
For more information visit http://www.rd.com/make-your-mark-make-a-difference/make-it-matter/article54800.html
Deadline: January 1, 2009
Exploravision Awards
K-12 students select and research a current technology and explore what it could be like 20 years from now. Members of the four first-place teams will each receive $10,000 US Savings Bond and a trip to Washington, DC to be honored.
For more information visit http://exploravision.org/entry-process/?utm_source=epe&utm_medium=email&utm_term=how-to-enter-page&utm_content=first-drop&utm_ca
Deadline for submission: January 28, 2009
Plum Grants
Did you recently create a sustainable community action project, program or organization? Do you need $500 to further the growth and success of your program? If you answered, "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Plum Youth Grant. Plum grants are given out weekly.
For more information click here or visit http://www.dosomething.org/programs/plum-grant-guidelines
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and stay active for consideration for two months after submission
Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship
Administrated by ISNA
Twenty scholarships awarded annually based on merit, academic achievement, and financial need.
Still accepting applications for the 2008/2009 academic year!
Contact legacy@isna.net for more information and to apply.
ISNA Internship
Sponsored by Samina & Maqbool Ahmed
- Engage in hands-on experience and meaningful projects
- Gain a greater understanding of non-profit work in the U.S.
- Develop professional skills in a work setting with Islamic values
- Gain networking opportunities for future employment
- Contribute to the betterment of the American Muslim Community
More information and online applications available at
www.isna.net/internship
HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal ISNA Fellowship Program Equipping Muslim graduate students with experience and training to become effective leaders of American non-profits. Muslim Americans pursuing Master's degrees in philanthropic studies, non profit management or other related fields are invited to apply for the 2009-10 class of fellows. Internship, Scholarship and Stipend Included More information and online application available at www.isna.net/fellowship
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Want to work for Obama? |
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The Congressional Muslim Staffers Association (CMSA) is pleased to announce our call for resumes to be included in a CMSA Resume Book. It is an objective of the CMSA to increase diversity on Capitol Hill through the recruitment, retention and promotion of Muslims and people of color in staff positions throughout Congressional Offices and Committees.
The Congressional Muslim Staffers Association's role is limited to the distribution of submitted resumes through the CMSA Resume Book. There is no guarantee that all submitted resumes will be included in the CMSA Resume Book.
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Student Opportunities |
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2009 Humanity in Action
The HIA Fellowship brings together university students from the United States and Europe for a rigorous, interdisciplinary inquiry into human rights, diversity, and minority issues. Students participate in a five-week fellowship in one of six different countries: Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, or the United States. Upon completing the fellowship, Fellows join an active international network of young professionals and are eligible for internship opportunities at the United States Congress, European Parliament, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and other civic and political institutions.
HIA will select 56 matriculated sophomores, juniors, and seniors from American colleges and universities to participate.
Fellows are selected on the basis of demonstrated commitment to minority rights, evidence of leadership potential, and outstanding academic achievement. To ensure participation of all qualified students, HIA pays the full cost related to its educational programs. Interest students should visit the HIA website at humanityinaction.com
Islamic Information Center
The Islamic Information Center is a non-profit organization which seeks to work with elected officials on projects of mutual interest, improve the image of Islam in the media, and create interfaith networks to effect social change in our country. The IIC currently has openings for several jobs, for more information please visit this site.
Jobs Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi is the capital and second monst populous city in the UAE. It is famous for containing oasis cities and is currently the wealthiest of the seven emirates. Anyone interested in working in Abu Dhabi should visit this site.
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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 USA: Randa Kuziez
Treasurer: Danish Adil
Your MSA National Zonal Representatives: East Zone Canada Rep: Kareem Mirza
East Zone US Rep: Tauqeer Zaidi Central Zone US Rep: Nura Sediqe West Zone Canada Rep: Samir Hassan
West Zone US Rep: Yasmin Elhady
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: Atifa Chiragh
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Spotlight on MSA:
MSA National congratulates UNC MSA for organizing another Sportsfest. A portion of the proceeds raised will be donated to an organization that helps fund the education of underprivileged Muslim women in Zanzibar. May Allah (SWT) reward you for your work! |
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