Muslim Student Association (MSA) Activities: Building Community, Fostering Understanding, and Impacting Culture

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) plays a vital role in creating a welcoming space for Muslim students on college and high school campuses. Through religious, academic, informational, and cultural activities, the MSA fosters a strong sense of community and promotes understanding among people of all faiths. This article explores the diverse activities MSAs undertake, provides guidance on starting and managing an MSA, and offers tips for making a positive impact on campus culture.

The MSA's Mission and Goals

The MSA's main goal is to create a space for Muslims on campus through the interaction of the students/alumni, faculty, staff, and the community by organizing religious, academic, informational, and cultural activities. MSAs aim to achieve the following:

Creating a Supportive Community: Providing a platform for Muslim students to connect with one another, share experiences, and build lasting relationships. The community is big because of how welcoming, inclusive, and supportive they are.
Promoting Understanding of Islam: Educating people of all faiths about Islam and clearing up stereotypical misconceptions. The MSA is open to anyone, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Atheist, etc, who is interested in learning about Islam.
Facilitating Personal Growth: Encouraging students to develop their leadership skills, contribute to their communities, and strengthen their commitment to their faith.
Bridging Cultures: Connecting the campus community with the diverse Muslim student body and fostering intercultural dialogue.

Diverse Activities of MSAs

MSAs host multiple events throughout the year. They had over 100 events this academic year alone. These activities can be broadly categorized as follows:

Religious Education and Spiritual Growth

Recurring Series on Engaging Subjects: While many MSAs lean towards one-time seminars or halaqat, I highly suggest a recurring series on an engaging subject happening weekly or biweekly. Topics can include:
- Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him
- Women around the Prophet SAW
- Answering common questions about Islam
- Learning from prophetic traditions
Community Iftars: Every weekend during the month of Ramadan, the MSA hosts community Iftar (dinners at sunset when fasting muslims break their fast) for free. These iftars are often open to community members, extending the MSA's reach beyond the student body. They cater food for over 140 people each iftar, sometimes they make the food themselves from scratch!

Academic and Intellectual Pursuits

Discussions on Relevant Topics: Hosting discussions around topics that we find interesting in Islam.
Guest Speakers: Inviting scholars, activists, and community leaders to share their knowledge and insights. One of the biggest events they had this year was the Fastathon, where they provided dinner and invited special guest speakers all the way from Syracuse to speak about their learning center for immigrants.
Educational Workshops: Conducting workshops on topics such as Islamic finance, calligraphy, or interfaith dialogue.

Social and Cultural Events

Ice Cream Socials and Board Game Nights: Hosting ice cream socials and board game nights for students to destress during exam times and get together and have some fun and snacks.
Movie Nights: Organizing movie nights with snacks and discussions. This is not an isolated experience. or DisneyPlus account and microwave popcorn and drinks. the movie appropriate.
Cultural Celebrations: Celebrating Islamic holidays and cultural events with food, music, and performances.

Community Service and Outreach

Volunteering for Islamic Events: Taking advantage of opportunities to provide volunteers for local Islamic events. For example, are any organizations hosting a dinner and need ushers? Is the mosque hosting a back-to-school drive?
Charity Drives: Collecting donations for local charities or international relief efforts.
Service Projects: Partnering with local organizations to address community needs, such as volunteering at a homeless shelter and ask how you could be of service. or collecting feminine hygiene products. young children of women. furniture or to entertain the young kids while their mothers are busy. Sometimes these services are neglected to our Muslim private schools.

Sister and Brother Groups

Yaqeen Brothers and Firdaws Circles: MSAs often have subgroups for brothers and sisters to host enriching events that cater to their interests, ranging from sportsy events to henna nights and a lot more.

Starting an MSA: A Step-by-Step Guide

Before you start forming your MSA, you must first be firm in your decision to start one. An MSA is a very useful club to have at your high school and can benefit people of all faiths. You must also be willing to complete the task once it’s started. Here are the general steps for establishing an MSA at your school:

Step 1: Survey for Interested Members

After you’ve made your decision to start an MSA, you should survey people in your high school to see if they are interested. Don’t worry if you only have one or two interested people. It’s completely okay to start an MSA with a small number. Once you get started and are successful, more people will join. Make sure you emphasize that your MSA is an academic group and not a religious one. You are not trying to convert people to Islam; you are trying to educate people and correct stereotypes. Try to reach every single person interested in learning about Islam at your school. Keep in mind that an MSA is as much for Muslims as it is to educate people of other faiths about Islam.

Read also: Community and Education

Step 2: Form a Core Group

Make a list of every person who is interested in an MSA. The core group is a team of individuals (from 2 to 7 members) who are dedicated to making an MSA work. It’s difficult for one person to manage all the things necessary to achieve a successful MSA. Choose a core group of diverse people to help you organize and market your MSA. When choosing these people, think of the following:

Persistence: You may experience some reluctance from the faculty and the administration when starting your MSA. That’s why your core group should be persistent. They shouldn’t quit after the first bump in the road. If you come up against any reluctance, emphasize that your MSA is for anyone interested in learning and clearing up misconceptions about Islam. This may facilitate school approval.
Organization and Balance: One of the most important things your core group should have is organization. Balance is also very important. Your core group should be able to balance MSA with other activities that they are involved with.

Step 3: Create a Plan

Once you’ve decided on your core group and before you can look for a teacher sponsor, you must have a set plan for the year. Your plan must include the following list:

Purpose of your group. Examples can be:
- A place where students can freely talk about their religion and discuss common problems
- Clear up stereotypical misconceptions about Islam in your high school
- Carry out social and cultural activities.
- Provide an educational outlook on Islam and clear stereotypical misconceptions. We recommend that whatever your other goals, this particular purpose/goal should be listed in your plan and constitution. This is the most important goal for an MSA: to educate all people regardless of their beliefs, race, gender, etc. about Islam.
Timetable: Your plan should include a timetable. The timetable should have a list of actions and an estimated time of completion. Examples of tasks to be accomplished in your timetable are:
- Creating an Executive Board that includes at least a President, Secretary and Treasurer. This can happen before the group has started or you can hold elections once you have formed your group. If you choose to hold elections, you should have a temporary President who will be the main contact until a new President has been elected.
- Finding a sponsor
- Time of first meeting
- Finalization of Constitution
- First event planned. Your group’s first event can be a MIST meeting. This can be a reason why your participants will want to meet weekly.
- End of year elections
Audience of your Group: Although it is one of the most important parts of your group plan, most people forget to identify their audience. This section should state who can be members of the MSA. It is important that everyone involved in your group, especially if your MSA is formed in a public school, understands that MSA is open to anyone, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Atheist, etc, who is interested in learning about Islam. This is a great way to attract sponsors and students alike. When writing your plan, make sure to put the previous statement under the heading of “Types of Members.”

Step 4: Create a Constitution

Get together with your core group and finalize a constitution. If you’re the only Muslim, that’s ok. The key aspect of this constitution is the purpose we stated, which was to provide an educational outlook on Islam and clear stereotypical misconceptions. Remember that this club is open to everyone, and that it should not be exclusive to a certain group of Muslims. Your constitution should have a set plan for the year so all future leaders will always know what to do, even if you’re not there to advise them.

Step 5: Talk to your Principal/Vice Principal

To ensure that you are following protocol, set up a meeting with your school's Principal or Vice Principal. Typically, the Vice Principal is the individual to approach in order to form a club of this nature. Clubs in some of the larger high schools are handled by the activities director who is sometimes part of the sports department. If you’re unsure who to go to, ask the school secretary.

Once you’ve made an appointment with the school official, make sure you are professional during the meeting. Wear professional clothes and bring your Plan and Constitution with you. Also, bring a signed list of students who want to join your group. Ask the principal if there are any specific guidelines that you have to follow in order to form a club in your school. Make sure you communicate to your principal that the purpose of your group is educational and not religious. Your purpose is to provide an educational outlook on Islam and clear stereotypical misconceptions. You may also explain that you are trying to provide a place for students to express their culture to others who share the same background or to those who are interested in learning about different cultures.

Read also: Financial Aid for Muslim Students

Some school officials might be reluctant to allow the formation of your MSA. Make sure to be persistent. Follow up with your school officials to inquire on the status of your paperwork and formation. Make sure your entire core group is keeping up with the inquiries.

Step 6: Find a Sponsor

Finding a sponsor might come after you’ve spoken to your administrator or before it. It all depends on what your school requires before you present your idea to your school official. Some schools require that you find a sponsor first, others require that you get permission to start an organization and then go on to find a sponsor. Whatever may be the case at your school, finding a sponsor is a big step and requires a lot of persistence because most faculty do not want to dedicate their free time to meetings.

Make sure your core group asks every teacher they can to sponsor them. It is better to have a willing sponsor than a reluctant one, so do not hound a potential sponsor if another teacher can be found who is happy to fill the position. The following techniques should help you find a sponsor for your MSA:

Remind the sponsor that teachers are, above all, educators who believe in the institution of education. In this post 9/11 climate, intolerance and aggression are bred from ignorance. As an educator, it is important to sustain a welcoming environment to promote education, prevent intolerance, clear stereotypes, and lessen aggression due to misunderstanding. Tell your sponsor that these same goals are what your MSA is dedicated to working towards.
Your MSA’s purpose is to provide leadership and education to both its members and the community. Tell your teacher that by sponsoring the MSA, he/she is creating an environment for Muslims to learn about their religion and for people of other faiths to become educated about Islam. Stress the point that education on Islam is needed by both Muslims and non-Muslims to help ease intolerance and unite people.
Show the sponsor how professional you are and how much work you’ve already put into starting this group. Show her/him your constitution and your plan of action. Show her/him the list of students interested and remind her/him that although she/he must be present during a meeting, you are not expecting them to do any work other than simply advise you when you really need it. Show them that you are responsible and that you have a group of responsible students who will be sharing the work. It might convince the sponsor when she/he sees that you have taken care of most of the work

Some sponsors might use some common excuses not to sponsor your MSA. The following pointers will help you convince your potential sponsor:

Religion in public school: Some faculty members are concerned because they are afraid of having religion in public schools. If your sponsor mentions this point to you, remind them that allowing an MSA is not an incorporation of religion in public schools, but rather, it is a facilitation of an educational extracurricular club, established for the purpose of promoting the understanding of Islam. Because of that purpose, MSA is an academic club because it promotes the education of others. Also, if you use MIST as your main activity, your purpose for forming an MSA is to join an interscholastic tournament.
Not enough time: This is the biggest reason most teachers are reluctant to sponsor an MSA. Most high schools require the sponsor be present at all meetings, and teachers are reluctant to give their free time to a club. There are a few techniques to help:
- Foot-in-the-door: Get them to commit to one meeting a week, which is perfectly reasonable. As you expand your activities, request more of their time, or ask for more meeting time without her or his presence. In this situation, it might be beneficial to seek out two sponsors: a primary sponsor whose name will be appended to the paperwork, and a secondary sponsor, who will assume responsibility when the first is unable to. Forging an agreement of this kind between two teachers helps both feel relieved of the time commitment to the club. However, it is better organizationally to have one sponsor if you can find one. So endeavor to find one who is willing to take the full sponsorship.
I’m not Muslim: Often times, teachers may be uncomfortable with assisting a group that practices another religion than his or her own. They may feel unable to provide the MSA with guidance. Regardless of whether or not this is true, they can provide the type of guidance necessary to run an organized club, and that is all you’ll need to start an MSA. Remind them they are only needed as a facilitator, not as a spiritual advisor, especially since the MSA is an academic organization. Also remind them that the main objective of the MSA is to be educational and since they are educators, they are more than qualified to sponsor the MSA.

As you look for a sponsor, the most important thing you need to ensure is that the teacher you ask understands the purpose of the group you are forming. Just keep in mind that the club is one in which ANYONE can come and learn about Islam. It is NOT exclusive.

Read also: Performing Muslim Prayer

Step 7: Form the MSA

Now that you have your school’s approval, all the paperwork is in order, and you have a sponsor, you will now start forming your MSA:

Who will be the leader?

As with anything else, you need to decide who will lead your MSA. One of the most popular ways is to hold elections where people get nominated, they speak about what they are going to do for the MSA, and then the members vote. Another way is for the core group to elect someone to lead the MSA.

Depending on the size of your school and your MSA, you might need more than just an MSA President. Here is a list of possible officials for your MSA. These positions are electable:

* **President:** The president is responsible for overseeing everything that goes on within the organization. He/she should delegate responsibilities and check on the progress of activities. He/she should act as the public face of the organization (with the help of any public relations representatives).* **Vice President:** The vice president assists the president to oversee operations. The vice presidency will be granted to the individual who receives the second-largest amount of votes in the election. When the president can’t attend a meeting or is unavailable, the Vice President takes over.* **Treasurer:** The treasurer is responsible for creating a budget for all anticipated projects and should coordinate all fundraising activities and record-keeping procedures. The treasurer is responsible for allocating funds and handling all financial transactions.* **Secretary:** The secretary keeps minutes, makes note of ideas, policy changes, and action items, and sees to the archiving of that information, or dissemination of that information accordingly. The Secretary is one of the most important positions in an MSA.* **Activities Coordinator:** The activities coordinator comes up with various activities within the MSA. He/she plans with the help of others and coordinates the day to day affairs of activities. For larger MSAs, you might want to split this position into two, one for sisters and one for brothers. Most high school MSAs, however, will have one person running all the activities.* **Public Relations Director:** The public relations director will take care of advertising MSA activities in the community and in the school. He/she will be responsible for creating flyers and getting them approved by your high school for posting.

Step 8: Plan the First Meeting

Time to plan the first meeting! MAKE SURE your meeting date and time is on the school’s daily bulletin. Make sure it is announced in the morning announcements at LEAST a week prior to the meeting, the day before the meeting, and the morning of the meeting. In the announcement, be sure to mention the purpose of the club. Put up posters around the school to advertise as well, tying the purpose into them, as with everything else. During the first meeting, emphasize the goals for the club, have everyone introduce themselves and say what they hope to attain from the club, give out the tentative agenda, and delegate! =) Announce the date/time of the next meeting/activity at the end.

When you have your first meeting, it’s best to have a few ice breakers to allow people to get comfortable. Ice breakers also allow members to meet one another. You should also have some refreshments such as pizza and drinks. Make sure you get other people from your core group to help out with refreshments.

Tips to Impact the Culture of Your MSA

These ideas can be modified to fit your specific MSAs resources and context. But, while ideas are important, what truly matters is what those you serve walk away with: a good experience, a stronger sense of brotherhood and sisterhood, and a renewed commitment to Allah (swt).

Empowering Members Through Leadership Opportunities

Encourage Participation: Actively solicit input and feedback from members on event planning, programming, and decision-making.
Delegate Responsibilities: Distribute tasks and projects among members to foster ownership and develop their skills.
Provide Mentorship: Pair experienced members with newer ones to guide them and offer support.

Fostering a Welcoming and Inclusive Environment

Promote Diversity: Celebrate the diversity of cultures and perspectives within the Muslim community.
Create Safe Spaces: Establish designated spaces for brothers and sisters to connect and discuss issues relevant to their experiences.
Address Concerns: Provide a platform for members to voice their concerns and work together to find solutions.

Building Bridges with the Wider Community

Collaborate with Other Organizations: Partner with other student groups and community organizations to host joint events and initiatives.
Engage in Interfaith Dialogue: Organize interfaith events to promote understanding and respect among different faith communities.
Participate in Community Service: Volunteer for local causes and contribute to the betterment of society.
Welcome Non-Muslims: Emphasize that the MSA is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds who are interested in learning about Islam and Muslim culture.

Overcoming Challenges

“I think the biggest obstacle we face at the MSA is communicating with our members effectively, given that we are a big group. We have multiple forms of communication and lots of updates on a weekly basis, and so as a result a lot of it can get lost in the multitude of updates, so people aren’t aware of the things that we’re doing. This is most prominent when we are trying to collect numbers in order to cater to our students at events. "

MSAs may encounter challenges such as:

Communication Barriers: Implement effective communication strategies to keep members informed about events and activities.
Resource Constraints: Seek funding opportunities and partnerships to support MSA initiatives.
Misconceptions about Islam: Proactively address misconceptions about Islam through educational programs and outreach efforts.
Balancing Religious and Academic Life: Encourage members to prioritize their studies while actively participating in MSA activities.

tags: #muslim #students #association #activities