MSA National News Releases
05/29/09 - Rock the Vote MSA Style!
***UPDATE: LAST CALL TO CAST A VOTE FOR THE 2009-2010 MSA NATIONAL ELECTIONS! Deadline: June 3, 2009 11 PM EST!***
MSA Chapters of the US and Canada Executive Committees
بسماللهالرحمنالرحيم
Assalaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
We pray that this finds you in the best of health and Iman, Insha 'Allah.
Jazaku'Allahu Khair again to all of those who submitted nominations for this years elections. The last and final round of the MSA National elections is here. It is your MSA's last chance to cast its vote and select the new board of MSA National 2009-2010, Insha'Allah so make your MSA's vote count!
THUS, AFFILIATED CHAPTERS HAVE UNTIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2009 11 PM EST TO VOTE FOR THEIR CANDIDATES OF CHOICE AND THEIR STATEMENT OF APPROVAL (RATIFICATION) FOR THE SINGLE CANDIDATE POSITIONS.
Though a number of nominations were submitted, some positions have only one eligible candidate. Therefore, in order for those candidates to assume their positions, approval MUST be granted by affiliated chapters; in other words your MSA must vote this candidate in. To review the nomination and voting requirements, please visit MSA National's website at http://www.msanational.org/news/76/71/Call-for-Nominations.
Chapters must submit their votes with the consent of their board members, from a valid university email account. If there are any questions about this, please ask before submitting your vote.
Please note that this is a two step voting process. Once the elections committee has received your school MSA's ballot, they're will be a verification process that each ballot will go through and only until it has been approved can it count towards the overall election process.
The positions and candidates up for voting/ratification are as follows:
President
- Danish Adil (University of Missouri)
- Suhail Dar (University of Pennsylvania)
Vice President USA
- Farha Tahir (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
- Tauqeer Zaidi (Harvard University)
Vice President Canada
- Asma Bala (University of Waterloo)
Treasurer
- Yasmin Hussein (Florida Internationl University)
East Zone Canada Representative
- Fayez Patel (University of Toronto)
West Zone Canada Representative
- Shahzad Mussadiq (University of Manitoba)
East Zone USA Representative
- Ubaid Bandukra (University of Maryland)
- Ilana Alazzeh (Smith College)
- Faseeha Altaf (University of Connecticut)
- Yusuf Abdul Qadir (Syracuse)
Central Zone USA Representative
- Iman Sediqe (University of Michigan-Ann Arbor)
West Zone USA Representative
- No Eligible Nominee who has accepted the nomination at this point in time
Below is some information on each candidate.
Nominee: Danish Adil - President
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Worked as laboratory assistant at the biotechnology company GBiosciences from May 2003 to Summer 2008 (excepting summer 2007).
- Worked in internship doing research in electron microscopy lab on UMSL campus during summer 2007.
- Member of University of Missouri - St. Louis physics club from September 2006 to May 2008.
- Volunteered with after school activities at elementary school in Urbana, IL in spring 2004.
- Serving as Treasurer for MSA National since June 2008.
- University of Missouri - St. Louis MSA secretary during fall semester 2006 and president during spring semester 2007 and ex-officio during the 2007-2008 school year.
- MSA National 2008 Central Zone Conference chair.
- Volunteer for the Zaytuna Institute fundraising dinner in St. Louis in October 2007 and for Minara program in Fall 2008.
- Host committee member and volunteer for Institute for Social Policy and Understanding fundraising dinner in St. Louis in May 2008.
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
By serving as President of MSA National, I hope to lead the organization in fulfilling the legacy of those who have served MSAs in the US and Canada in that past. I have a vision of an organization that provides relevant, timely, and valuable services to Muslim students throughout the US and Canada. In working towards this vision, I plan to revitalize the organization in those places where it needs reform all while respecting the work and seeking and heeding the advice and counsel of the scholars and alumni who have sacrificed so much in the past to bring the organization to where it is today. While serving on the Board of Directors of MSA National this past year, I have had a chance to get to know the organization and its members and I feel I have become very well suited to implement my love and passion for MSA work in leading the organization.
Nominee: Suhail Dar - President
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Muslim Students Association at the University of Pennsylvania - Involvement: Since September 2006 - Position: Islamic Education Committee Chair 2008
- MSA National East Zone Conference 2009- Philadelphia, PA: Conference Co-Chair and Finance Chair
- Psychology and Sleep Research 2006-2007
- Clinical Shadowing 2009
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
Very simply, Insha’Allah I hope to make MSA National more relevant to local chapters across the country. Here are the ways I would like to accomplish this objective as President (granted I will need the help of all Muslims across the country for this to be realized soon Insha’Allah):
- Reform Election Process
- Tangible benefit to affiliation and more encompassing voting process
- Improved Nomination process
- Improve current MSA National website
- UI change, forum addition, content management system (capability of multimedia addition to the site), local chapter directory, social networking utility
- Develop zonal websites similar to MSA West
- Help initiate City and State MSA Councils and provide space for them to be identified (i.e. Lone Star Council, MSA-CT Council, MSA West, etc.)
- Connecting Alumni across the country with young Muslims
- Networking and career building
- Connecting Presidents of MSAs across the country
- Sharing and discussing relevant issues facing Muslims today
- Develop leaders that will be able to leave college and have a significant impact on society while retaining their Muslim identity
College is where the development of the following occurs: a strong Muslim identity, a sense of initiative and leadership, and the implementation of these together to add positively to society as it recognizes Muslims are as interwoven in the social fabric as everyone else. Insha’Allah, MSA National should help facilitate this growth and I hope to add to what National has done in this regard.
Nominee: Farha Tahir – Vice President USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of History- Undergraduate Peer Advisor (August 2008- present)
- EDGE Project (Empowerment through Development and Gender Equality)- Co-Founder, Director of Innovation and Outreach (December 2007- present)
- Wisconsin Union Directorate Distinguished Lecture Series Committee- Associate Director (May 2008- present), Co-Chair of Nominations Subcommittee (January 2009-present)
- Lubar Institute for the Study of Abrahamic Religions (LISAR)- Undergraduate Fellow (September 2006- May 2007)
- Greater University Tutoring Service (GUTS)- Conversational English Tutor (June 2008-present)
- American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM)- Secretary of Summer Planning Committee (February- September 2006), Publicity Chair of Summer Planning Committee (September 2006- May 2008), Executive Administrator of Executive Board (November 2006- present)
- MSA National- Steering Committee Coordinator and Acting Program Chair of 2006 Central Zone Conference (January- March 2006), Member-at-Large of Programs Task Force (October 2006- August 2008), Acting Co-Chair of Programs Task Force (December 2007- May 2008), Programs Coordinator of COMPASS (August 2008- present)
- Orphan Sponsorship Dinner Planning Committee- (March 2008)
- Islamic Relief Orphan Sponsorship Drive- Wisconsin State Rep (Ramadan 2008)
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
MSA National is a profoundly powerful concept. It seeks to provide a platform for Muslim students to connect, interact, and share their passions, giving them a vehicle by which to create events, participate, and be agents of social change. I hope to provide MSA National with the organizational framework, strategic vision, and professionalism it needs for further expansion. I began the EDGE Project on the floor of a hotel room with two close friends; the organization quickly grew to a widely-acknowledged campus movement. The experience taught me the power behind effective management and utilizing one’s resources to the fullest. Similarly, my experience with ALIM has placed me in various levels of leadership, allowing me to experience firsthand the way in which individuals who feel ownership over something can shape the course of their communities.
My experiences have taught me to recognize management needs and areas for improvement. Similarly, extensive experience within MSA National has enabled me to distinguish the things the organization does well from those that require expansion. MSA National has made immense strides since its inception. My goal is to ensure it continues on that path by fostering an organizational culture where all Muslim students feel comfortable.
My goal is to create an organization in which all students feel a sense of ownership and one in which they want to participate. I hope to expand service delivery and give students the opportunity to come to the Executive Committee with recommendations for improvement, expanding opportunities for student involvement locally, regionally, and nationally.
Nominee: Tauqeer Zaidi – Vice President USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- American Society of Micro-Biologist, Member (2005-2009)
- Biology Club, Treasurer (2006-2007), Member (2005-2008)
- American Dental Student Association, Founder/President-Northeastern Chapter (2007-2008)
- Ustav- South Asian Student Association, Member (2005-2008)
- Spiritual Life Center at Northeastern University, Speaker and Event Coordinator
- MSA National’s East Zone Representative (2008-2009)
- East Zonal Committee - Public Relations Chair (2007-2008)
- East Zonal Committee - Outreach Coordinator (2006-2007)
- Boston Council Co-Chair (2007-2008)
- Islamic Society of Northeastern Vice President (2007-2008)
- MSA National East Zonal Conference Speakers and Moderators Chair (2007-2008)
Nominee: Asma Bala – Vice President CANADA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- VP Academic Affairs—Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals—January 2009--present
- Organizer—Liberal Party of Canada—October 2005—present
- Religious Studies Councilor—Graduate Student Association at the University of Waterloo—September 2008-present
- Conference Intern—Association of Muslim Social Scientists—March 2009---present
- Policy Director. University of Toronto at Scarborough Young Liberals. Toronto. August 2005 – May 2006.
- VP Academic Affairs—Council for the Advancement of Muslim Professionals—January 2009—present
- VP Canada Committee—MSA National—January 2009—present Event Organizer.
- Annual Appreciation Dinner for the Emergency Services.
- Muslim Organizations of Greater Toronto. Toronto. February 2007 – June 2007
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
Working indirectly in the capacity of VP Canada (with the help of the BOD and taskforces), I have recognized a number of challenges faced by a national organization. I hope to combine my past experiences both within and outside the academy to expand the growing mandate of the VP Canada’s position. This includes the changing demands of Muslims in the 21st Century, the dynamics of Muslim identity politics and intra-community debates and dialogue. With an understanding that there is room for growth in the position, especially within Canada, I plan to strategically incorporate more MSA’s from north of the American boarder to provide MSA national with a truly broad scope and reach of Muslims everywhere. I’m heavily involved with community initiatives that seek to promote engagement and dialogue with non-Muslim groups and within the capacity of the VP Canada, I hope to bring more such involvement to MSA National. In regards to the current mandate of the position, I hope to continue working with the great brothers and sisters who have made the operations possible. While I’m not completely versed on the internal structures housed within the organization, I hope to gain a broader understanding and draw out collaborative possibilities to further carry the portfolio of VP Canada to new heights for the betterment of National and the ummah at large.
Nominee: Yasmin Hussein – Treasurer
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Student Orientation Office at Florida Atlantic University, Orientation and Welcome Leader, January 2005 to January 2006
- FAU Student Alumni’s Office, Student Ambassador, January 2006 to September 2007.
- The Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, Volunteer, February 2007 to December 2007.
- Muslim Students Association National, Community Service Task Force Chair, November 2007-Present
- Project Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Volunteer, March 2006 to Present
- Islamic School of Broward County, Volunteer Islamic Studies and Arabic Instructor, August 2008 to Present
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
If elected treasurer, I would hope to help create unique and effective financial models in which MSA National can become a self-sustaining organization. As an executive member of a national organization, I view networking with the members of local MSA chapters extremely crucial to the growth and success of MSA National. Through my work as Community Service Task Force Chair, I have been blessed to witness firsthand the hard work of MSA members across North America who have dedicated to community service and advocacy. I pray that if elected Treasurer I am able to fulfill my duties and serve the MSA community to the best of my ability inshAllah.
Nominee: Fayez Patel – East Zone Representative CANADA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Western Epicurean and Culinary Club, VP Funds, 8 months
- National Life Saving Society, Lifeguard, 4 months
- King’s Social Justice, Activist, 3 years irregular
- Western Investment Club, Researcher, 3 years
- United Muslim Martial Arts, Instructor, 1 year
- New Muslims Outreach Committee, Brother, 2 years irregular
- Toronto/London Ontario Muslims, Events Listing Administrator, 3 years
- Western MSA, Social Commissioner, 1 year
- Reviving the Islamic Spirit Conference, Regional Coordinator, 2 years
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
The position of East Zone Representative Canada for MSA National would allow an official link to the MSAs of this region, which I am most familiar with. This official link would be a growth opportunity for inter-MSA dialogue and cooperation for various projects from local grassroots networks to regional and national unity with Muslims and others with shared common values. From skills workshops (ie. COMPASS) to academic and Islamic conferences (i.e. ISNA, RIS), from interscholastic tournaments (i.e. MIST) to spiritual tournaments (ie. Qiraatul Quran Competition) to athletic competitions (ie. Muslims Olympics , MSA Ski Trips), from awareness programs (i.e. Islamic Awareness Week, Ramadan Fasta- thon) to working with the needy (i.e. IRFAN, Orphan Sponsorship Program). To assist in sharing these common programs with every existing and upcoming MSA, to increase the unity and love for one another; above all to do good as a worship. At the same time, consulting with the various concerns for Muslims and advising the truth through media against any injustices. The weight of such tasks lies on our collective efforts and placed on those that have been assigned such roles. The role of East Zone Representative Canada is a promise owed to Allah for the welfare of the community of believers. Distancing from leadership and reluctance to such responsibility is my preference, yet the task when placed is necessary to be accepted. Then my duty is to be steadfast and tireless in bringing positive change through collaboration for long term sustainable growth. inshAllah.
Nominee: Shahzad Mussadiq – West Zone Representative CANADA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Amnesty International, General Volunteer, Fall 2008-Present
- FRC Film Studios, Director/Writer, Fall 2006-Spring 2008
- Unicef Canada, General Volunteer, March 2009-Present
- University of Manitoba Students Union, Election Volunteer, March 2009
- MAC Winnipeg, Youth Camp Media Coordinator/Fundraising Committee Member, Winter 2009- Present
- Islamic Social Services Association, Youth Camp Volunteer, Spring-Present
- MSA University of Manitoba, General Volunteer, Fall 2008-Present
- Manitoba Muslim Senior Association, General Volunteer, Winter 2008-Present
- Canadian Muslims for Palestine, General Volunteer/Speaker, Spring 2008-Present
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
Inshallah I plan to bring my enthusiasm, passion and unique skills in media, speaking, and personal relations to further enhance MSA National’s presence in the West Zone. I have been involved in the past year with MSA National as a member involved in planning and putting together the MSA National West Zone Conference last summer. I was heavily involved in creating the entertainment in the form of many video presentations, including comedic skits. I have also been involved in activities in my local community for most of my teenage years, thus I been able to successfully network with many of the hard working individuals in my region and abroad, giving me a valuable resource which can be utilized in future activities. I intend to bring a new and fresh approach to the West Zone, by getting the broader community involved. I plan on engaging all members of the community regardless of age, and my contacts with the MAC Winnipeg Youth Camp and the Manitoba Muslim Senior Association, will help to facilitate this goal. Additionally I have a large group of dedicated volunteers who will be a great asset. Finally I am a dedicated, individual who has experience in many areas of my local community. I intend to promote unity, cooperation and collaboration with all of these organizations, both locally and throughout the West Zone.
Nominee: Ubaid Bandukra – East Zone Representative USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Al Ameen/Al Azhar, Arabic Student, 6/2007-8/2007
- As Salik Institute, Arabic Student, 10/2007-12/2007
- University of Maryland MSA, Active member, IAW director, jummah coordinator and khateeb, 8/2006-Present
- MSA D.C. Council, Treasurer and Chair, 1/2008 – Present
- Battle of the MSAs, Regional Director, 3/2008-Present
- MSA National East Zone Committee, Public Relations, 6/2008 – Present
- MIST NY, Tournament Chair, 7/2008 – Present
- MSA National Continental Conference, Chair, 4/2009-Present
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
Legitimacy. It’s what ultimately determines the success of any organization. Let’s face the reality, MSA National doesn’t mean much to university MSAs. The purpose of MSA National is to bring Muslims together, and the issue I see is that people don’t see a need. We all face the same issues on campus, one of them being: apathy. We all face the fact that there are many Muslims on campus, but they aren’t willing to get involved with the MSA, to come to MSA meetings, etc. This is what MSA National is going through. Being involved with MSA National, I know theres a need for it, a national need for this organization, but somehow, that need is not being translated. Are we not serving the chapter organizations? What can we do for the chapters?
Being involved with MSA DC Council, I have some ideas about how we can better serve the MSAs, but I’m not going to pretend like I know exactly how. I’ve been on the East Zone Committee with Tauqeer, our East Zone representative, and it’s my intention to make that committee stronger inshallah, and to really figure out where best we can put our efforts in serving the chapter and regional MSAs.
I hope to help, whether as East Zone Representative, or not, to establish a COMPASS program, held in many different regions, to talk about issues that we all face in our MSAs: leadership, gender relations, succession planning, funding, etc. In the end, I believe it is MSA National’s duty through the Zonal committees to serve the chapter MSAs, and inshallah with a strong zonal committee we can see how best to fulfill this obligation.
Nominee: Ilana Alazzeh– East Zone Representative USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- SGA, Religious Liaison, 2 years: Interfaith teas, services, etc
- SGA of my house, 2011 Class Rep, 1 year: building House community
- MUN, participant, 1 year: meetings, conferences
- Debate, participant, I year: meetings, setting up dinners, rounds, judging
- Aliman (MSA), Smith 5 college Representative, 1.5 years: Iftars, screenings, outings, dinners, jummah, halaqas etc
- MYNA (Muslim Youth of North America), PR (EC) & (first) Regional Rep of DC/MD/VA area, about 1.5 year: so publicity, setting up, talking at; Leadership camps and conferences and events (now retired)
- MIST (Muslim Inter Scholastic Tournament) Boston, (First) Organizer (now) Co-Regional Director of MIST Boston, 2 years: hosts MIST Boston once every year at Harvard
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
InshAllah by being an East Zone Rep, I hope to bring a greater awareness, inclusiveness and better outreach to MSA National. Awareness brings strength to MSA National’s activities and projects. Inclusiveness is important to every MSA—whether National or not. MSA’s are there to cater to the Muslims and non-Muslim populations alike on their campus. They aren’t there to make people feel alienated by ostracizing them. Upholding an Islamic environment within an org on campus where people can feel home is important but at the same time it should be stressed that a true Islamic environment is an open one that makes the layman comfortable too. Apart of this same vain I hope to help the connections and networks between MSAs on the East Coast. This goes hand and hand with better PR, awareness and inclusiveness. The intention reaches out to non-Muslims as well; who are and want to help with MSAs. I hope to help make East Zone MSA more collaborative by making a more informal EZ list serve where MSAs can share events and ideas and actually utilize the facebook group as well—and creating a twitter account for MSA EZ would be great too! I also want to help launch an interfaith campaign/project.
I want to hear everyone’s comments and questions so MSAs from all over feel an actual ownership to MSA National. MSA National EZ should and can help facilitate a network of ideas and voices from all MSAs, affiliated and non- affiliated. InshAllah. Ameen.
Nominee: Faseeha Altaf– East Zone Representative USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Global Health, Education, and Economic Development, Chapter Founder and President (2008-Present): Global HEED is an organization that engages undergraduate and graduate students from to work with local organizations and communities in developing nations to address issues related to health, education and economic development. Global HEED serves to work with a local non-profit organization in Guatemala to initiate and to develop processes including but not limited to building a school, a healthcare clinic and micro-credit system.
- Honors Council Alternative Spring Break — Trip Participant (Spring 2008), Team Leader (Spring 2009), Trip Coordinator (Spring 2010): Traveled to rebuild the Gulf Coast region (Mississippi in 2008, Louisiana in 2009).
- Pre-Medical Society, Academic and Professional Preparation Chairperson (2007-2008): Sought out, organized, and coordinated activities for pre-medical students to enhance their undergraduate and graduate careers.
- Baystate Medical Center, Dept. of Pathology, Research Assistant (May 2008 – August 2008): Developed the tissue-microarray technique to study and to compare the expression of antibody markers in patients with breast carcinomas.
- Yale School of Medicine, Dept. of Neurobiology, Research Assistant (June 2006 – August 2008) Studied the effects of cell cycle regulation and migration on brain development.
- Muslim Coalition of Connecticut, Member (2006-Present)
- Muslim Students Association — Connecticut Council, UConn Representative (2007-2008) and Vice President (2008-Present)
- Muslim Students Association — East Zone Committee, Secretary (2008-2009)
- Muslim Student Association at the University of Connecticut, Vice President (2008-2009)
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
My name is Faseeha Altaf. I am currently completing my second year of undergraduate studies at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in Storrs, Connecticut. As a student in the university's Combined Program in Medicine, inshAllah I will enroll at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine following my undergraduate career. I am currently pursuing a double major in Physiology & Neurobiology and Spanish. As a Muslim born and raised in Connecticut to Pakistani parents, I have had the chance to expose myself to American and Pakistani cultural traditions as well as Islamic standards. I grew up in Connecticut, attending Sunday school weekly for as long as I can remember. Eventually, I graduated and ever since, have dedicated myself to be a volunteer Sunday School teacher. I have realized that one must put his/herself forward in his/her community to learn more about his/her own self. By growing up and networking within the Muslim community, I have felt comfortable to reach out to my peers and network in the non-Muslim society as well. Having confidence about who I am and what I stand for has enabled me to grow and to establish my dedication to not only my academic and professional careers, but more importantly to my family, religion, and values.
Before enrolling at UConn, I attended The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut, a four-year boarding/ day secondary school. As a student at Loomis, I connected with peers from around the world. With hopes to provide a cordial environment for Muslim students studying abroad from namely Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and with efforts to bridge the non-Muslim and the Muslim communities together, I established the Muslim Students Association in my junior year. Alhumdulillah, during my junior and senior years, the Muslim Students Association at Loomis held several events including visits to local mosques, socials to discuss the religion (introductory classes and concerns about associated stereotypes), a Fast-a-thon which garnered 219 student pledges from a 500-student community, and bi-weekly community Iftars during Ramadan.
Dedicated to not only promote awareness and bridge the gap between non-Muslim and Muslim students, but also to create an environment in which Muslim students can call their home on campus, I joined the already established Muslim Students Association upon my arrival at UConn. During my freshman year at UConn, I helped plan events and to serve as a marketing spokesperson, trying to bring not only numbers, but interest to the MSA and its events. As Vice President of the UConn MSA during the 2008-2009 school year, I organized outside catering for iftars, the organization’s first Fast-a-thon, and our MSA’s journey to the EZ Conference in Philadelphia! My involvement with MSA did not stop within my university. During the 2008-2009 academic year, I served as secretary of MSA-East Zone Committee. Insha’Allah, I will continue my role as Vice President of MSA-CT Council.
Insha’Allah, as EZ Representative (US), I hope to preserve the committee’s positive reputation. By promoting established MSA National programs and projects initiatives such as COMPASS, Fast-a-thon, Project Downtown, and the yearly East Zone Conference, I will dedicate myself to the success and growth of MSA East Zone. In order to implement and to promote such programs throughout the region, it is necessary to reach out and to garner support from the regional MSAs. Having attended ISNA in Columbus most recently, I can now say I have been an ISNA Annual Convention attendee for one decade now. I know the efforts of MYNA and MSA have greatly benefited me in the past and inshAllah they will in the future. I am excited about the prospects MSA National has for its growing numbers and look forward to getting involved with MSA at the regional and national levels.
Nominee: Yusuf Abdul Qadir– East Zone Representative USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Student African American Society: Graduate Liaison
- Student Association: Assemblyman and Presidential candidate University Senate: University Senator
- Onondaga County Young Democrats: Vice President of Outreach
- The Daily Orange: Diversity Task Force
- MSA of Syracuse: Treasurer, Vice President, Member President 2004 - Present
- The Islamic Society of Central New York: Boys Youth Coordinator 2006-2007
- The Islamic Society of Central New York: Voting member 2005- Present
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
MSA National has the potential to truly be an organization that ensures Muslim students on college campuses have all the services and amenities they deserve. Being from one of the pioneering Universities in the country (with respect to amenities afforded to Muslim students), I understand how much work many universities have to do to enjoy the very same amenities we do at Syracuse. Amenities such as halal food, daily ifthar during Ramadan, prayer rooms, wudu stations, Eid holidays, etc would make transition into colleges and universities easier.
But we need to go beyond this. I have seen at many East Zone conferences the concerns of fellow MSA’s. One concern is being able to engage our own membership with respect to the “competition” of other institutions within college/university life. I feel that it is our strong duty to provide alternative programming that can appropriately compete with other college groups while maintaining an Islamic identity. This isn’t to say that we should not engage with other groups, for engagement are incumbent and impingent us. There just needs to be a medium to which we can negotiate between the two.
Getting back to the point at hand, what I’d like to bring to the position of East Zone Representative of MSA National is accomplishing the aforementioned amenities for as many MSA’s in the East Zone as possible. Far from being an information sharing organization, I believe we can inspire MSA’s to engage with one another more actively and affectively. To do so, special attention should be given to further the development of regional chapters as well as creating newer ones in regions where there are none. This could also be done by doing programming in the East Zone, and would ensure each are connected.
Nominee: Iman Sediqe– Central Zone Representative USA
General and Islamic extracurricular activities participated in during college:
- Delta Epsilon Iota Honors Society, President ’08-’09, Vice President ’09-‘10
- Mortar Board Honors Society, Member ’09-‘10
- Black History Month Chairperson (through office of Multi Ethnic Student Affairs) Sept ’08- March ’09
- Washtenaw County Jail Dialogue facilitator January ’08- May ‘08
- Intergroup Relations (IGR) facilitator ’06-‘09
- MSA National Continental Conference Co-Chair 2008
- MSA Vice President External at Univ. of Michigan ’08-‘09
- Great Lakes Council (coalition of MSA’s in Michigan) President ’08-‘09
- MSA Education Co-Chair at Univ. of Michigan ’07-‘08
- MSA National Central Zone Conference Program Co-Chair ’06-‘07
What do you hope to bring to your position with MSA National?
The Central Zone is where the MSA was first established in 1963 and is the largest zone in MSA national, consisting of 19 states. CZ has a strong legacy and carries great promise for helping their MSA’s locally and being a strong example and catalyst for change for MSAers nationwide. I hope to reinvigorate the spirit of our zone and bring forth experience and a strong model to implement ideas and strategies that will help the CZ and MSAs progress.
I would like to strengthen the infrastructures for existing state councils. I will encourage further collaboration with MSA’s who have yet to network or work with MSA’s in their state or locality. With a strong coalition of MSA’s united in each state, I hope to build stronger ties amongst Muslim students in their local regions. With the support of state councils, other universities would have local support in maintaining or starting a new MSA chapter, as well as easy access to the necessary guides and resources for strengthening their MSA. I hope to facilitate easier communication from the local to the national level in serving local MSA’s needs and helping to resolve recurring difficulties. I would also like to strengthen the Central Zone Conference, focusing on planning from an early point in the year. With more time and a diverse group of individuals involved in the planning, we can bring a great resource to the central zone as well as provide the opportunity to connect MSA’ers across the region. I hope to create greater awareness of MSA national’s many resources, and connect local MSA’s to utilize them. MSA National has empowered and helped students who have engaged with them in a profound manner, and I seek to help connect more students with them and the larger Muslim student community.
If your MSA would like more information please email
Jazaku'Allah Khair.
Walaikumassalaam,
MSA National 2009 Elections Committee
Sr. Yusra Hussain, Chicago
Sr. Sumrah Haider, Alabama
