Tuesdays at 1 p.m., Room 112 in the Social Sciences Building becomes more than just a clasroom, it becomes a place where students have the opportunity to share the faith they have in common and gather in a unique way.
The Muslim Student Association was around for about seven years, but by the time the attacks of Sept, 11 occured it had already disbanded. Muslim students at the time were seeking someone to represent them.
“Three students from my class asked me if I could be their adviser for MSA,” Brent Isaacs, professor of humanities, said.
“They were trying to restart the club, since it wasn’t very active, it had fallen apart. They needed me to be that someone to be there to defend the group,” Isaacs said.
The club gives its members a place of sanctuary and fellowship.
“Cousins and friends introduced me to the club. I like it,” Mohammad Qureashi, biological chemistry major, and been a vice president of the MSA for two semesters, said.
“It’s something to do, hang out with friends and discuss moral aspects. I feel like I belong to something.”
Meetings are devoted to discussing the faith. Speakers come in to give a presentation or to talk about a certain topic that relates to the faith.
“I attended San Pedro High School and they didn’t have an MSA, there was not much of a Muslim community,” Hafsah Qidwai, nutrition major, said.
“Then at EC, I walked around and noticed there were Muslims. So during club rush, I looked for MSA, found them and joined.”
MSA has club activities like any other club, such as bake sales, car washes.
The money collected is donated to various organizations and mosques.
“I am not Muslim myself but I have enjoyed being the MSA adviser very much. The knowledge I’ve gained from the club has helped me when teaching the Qu’ran in my world literature class.” Isaacs said.
“Now I can teach it from an insiders point of view instead of an academic outsider point of view like it had been before.”
MSA’s biggest event is the Fast-A-Thon, which is on the last day of Islam’s fasting period, Ramadan. Students break the fast at sunset in the cafeteria.
“We break the fast and we have food, speakers, it’s a celebration and we invite others schools too, we have a lot of fun.” Quireashi said.
All students are welcome to join the club or attend a few meetings to learn about the faith, regardless of their religion.
“The students invite non-Muslims to the club meetings. We have speakers and we get a surprising number of new people.” Isaacs said.
Students in the MSA share more than similar ages and majors, they share faith and morals.
“It’s interesting to have a group of students that are so wholesome in a sense, by today’s standards,” Isaacs said.
“MSA has been a very unique, humbling experience. As long as the students want me, I’ll be there as their adviser.”
The MSA can even be a place to help you make friends.
“I would encourage anyone to join, don’t be shy. I came into a place where I didn’t know anyone and by joining this club I have met lots of new people.” Qidwai said.
