Summary of MSA
Events: 2004-2005
Membership
Monday-Friday,
September 13-17
MSA members began the semester enthusiastically,
recruiting freshmen students at the 2004 Fall Welcome Week. The MSA
table colorfully displayed upcoming events and pictures of members. The all-famous MSA
t-shirts were a huge hit; students lined up to get their free shirts, along
with delicious popsicles. More than 100
new MSA members signed up by the
end of Welcome Week.
Thursday,
January 13
MSA members began the semester enthusiastically,
recruiting students at the 2005 Winter Welcome Week. The MSA
table colorfully displayed upcoming events and pictures of members. The all-famous MSA
t-shirts were a huge hit; students lined up to get their free shirts. More than
50 new MSA members signed up by
the end of Welcome Week.
Campus Activism
Monday-Friday,
September 20-24
MSA teamed up with Student Government and other
university organizations to conduct the week-long UMD Campus Food Drive. Members volunteered their time at tables set
up at various locations, and urged students, faculty, and staff to give to the
needy of metro Detroit. The food drive was a huge success. More than $2000 was raised to feed the
hungry.
§
Global Fest
Tuesday,
November 16
MSA joined Student Government in a celebration
of cultures at the annual Global Fest. MSA members set up a beautiful display of
traditional Islamic furniture, pottery, and clothing. A small presentation about the veil was
given, and talented artists provided henna tattoos and calligraphy drawings to
students free of charge.
§
Ethnic Diversity Day
Tuesday,
March 22
MSA joined Student Government in a celebration
of cultures at the annual Ethnic Diversity Day.
MSA members set up a
beautiful display of traditional Islamic furniture, pottery, and clothing.
Talented artists provided henna tattoos and calligraphy drawings to students
free of charge.
§
Tsunami
Luncheon
Monday,
February 14 (MPR, 12-2 pm)
MSA, along with SUPJ and SG, sponsored a Tsunami
Luncheon event to benefit those affected by the recent disaster. More than $3000 was raised.
Education
9-11 Townhall Lecture Series
MSA, along with Student Government and Students
United for Peace and Justice, hosted a lectures series, entitled Hope Not Hate
to educate the campus community about living in a post 9-11 world.
- Lecture #1- They Love U.S., They Love U.S. Not: An Exploration of
U.S.World Relations
Thursday,
September 23 (MPR A/B, 11:30-1 pm)
The goal of this lecture was to
inform and educate the student body about the global perception of the United States. In a very open and academic environment, more
than 50 people heard the opinions and points of views of the following learned
scholars.
Guest Speakers:
Gillian Sorensen: senior advisor and national advocate at the United
Nations Foundation; former advisor to Boutrous Boutrous-Ghali and Kofi Annan;
graduate of Smith College, studied at the Sorbonne.
Dr. Ronald Stockton: professor of political science and former
interim-director of the center for Arab-American studies, University of
Michigan-Dearborn.
Dr. A. Trevor Thrall: assistant professor of political science, University of Michigan
–Dearborn;
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- Lecture #2-Civil Liberties in the US:
Life After 9/11
Thursday,
September 30 (1030 CASL, 1-2:30 pm)
This lecture was designed to inform
and educate the student body about the post 9-11 state of civil liberties in
the United States. The event was extremely well-received by the
students and faculty. The highlight of
the event was the presence of the distinguished speakers below:
Guest Speakers:
David E. Bonior: formerly a U.S. Congressman from the state of Michigan; currently a professor of labor studies at Wayne State
University.
Kary Moss, J.D.: executive director, ACLU Michigan; masters in
international studies, Columbia
University; J.D. CUNY law
school Queen’s College.
ALIM Lecture Series
MSA sponsored a free 8-week lecture series for UMD
students, covering a range of educational topics pertaining to Islam. The classes were held on the following dates:
Monday, January 24
Monday, January 31
Monday, February 7
Monday, February 14
Monday, February 21
Monday, March 7
Monday, March 14
Monday, March 21
MSA Fun
Saturday, June 12 (Hines Park,12-8
pm)
More than 150 members
gathered on a warm Saturday afternoon for a fun-filled day of BBQ, sports, and
socializing. Students from more than 10
universities were present.
Tuesday,
October 5 (UC Stage, 4-6 pm)
The
UC stage was the scene of a jeopardy game show with questions designed to be
fun and educational. Contestants were
provided with prizes, and snacks were available for all attendees.
- Social: Battle of the Hoods: Brotherhood vs.
Sisterhood
Tuesday,
March 22 (MPR B&C, 4-6 pm)
More
than 50 MSA members gathered to
eat and socialize, while trying their luck at various games, like an Xbox Halo
tournament, a jeopardy session, and a cupcake eating contest.
Interfaith
DATE?
Christian
and Muslim students coordinated a panel event and brought speakers from the two
faiths to discuss the status of Jesus in their respective religion. More than 50 people were in attendance.
- Unity in Diversity Dinner
Friday,
October 22 (Civic Center, 6-8 pm)
In
an extraordinary display of unity, more than 1000 people of diverse faiths and
nationalities came together for the annual Unity in Diversity Dinner held at
the Henry Ford Performing Arts Center.
Attendees were served delicious cuisine for free, watched speakers from
the three major faiths, and experienced scenes from the Children of Abraham
play.
- IVCF/MSA
Event on Suffering
Wednesday,
March 16 (MPR C, 1-3 pm)
Christian
and Muslim students coordinated a panel event and brought speakers from the two
faiths to discuss the concept of suffering in their respective religions. More than 50 people were in attendance. Imam Achmet Salie.
Community Service
Detroit Mission
Saturday,
September 25 (9 am-1 pm)
Twenty
MSA members volunteered their time
packaging food to be distributed to needy Detroit
residents.
Community Center of St. Aloysius Church
Saturday,
October 23 (9 am-11 am)
Sixteen
MSA members volunteered their time
packaging food to be distributed to needy Detroit
residents.
Habitat for Humanity
Saturday,
November 20 (8 am-4 pm)
Fifteen
MSA members volunteered their time
to fix the roof and siding of a house for a homeless family. Members also assisted with the cleaning.
MLK Day
Monday,
January 17
MSA members woke up early to volunteer at
Jumpstart, a child activity center. More
than fifteen members spent their day making colorful posters and cleaning
classrooms.
Community Center of St. Aloysius Church
Saturday,
March 19 (9 am-1 pm)
Sixteen
MSA members volunteered their time
packaging food to be distributed to needy Detroit
residents.
Student Services
MSA allowed Muslim students to fulfill their religious
requirement of attending Friday prayer, by hosting various speakers for the
Friday lecture series. Sermons were held
on the following dates:
September 10
September 17
September 24
October 1
October 8
October 15
October 22
October 29
November 5
November 12
November 19
December 3
December 10
December 17
January 14
January 21
January 28
February 4
February 11
February 18
February 25
March 11
March 18
March 25
April 1
April 8
April 15
April 22
April 29
- Ramadan Iftars (breaking of fast)
During
the holy month of Ramadan, Muslim students fast from sunrise to sunset to learn
patience and humility. MSA provided students with a small meal to break
their fast between classes. The menu
ranged from Chinese to Arabic to South Asian.
Ramadan iftars were held on the following dates:
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
November 1
November 2
November 3
November 4
November 8
November 9
November 10
November 11
- Muslim Accommodation Task Force (MATF)
MSA’s MATF worked with the Women’s Resource Center to conduct survey research of the
campus population, regarding the specific needs of Muslim students. By collaborating with the UMD administration
and Aramark, MSA assisted in
establishing a Reflection Room for Muslim students to use for prayer, and
introducing halal food at the University
Center food court.
Meeting Dates
Along with conference calls, MSA members held weekly meetings to plan and organize events for the semester. Meetings were held on the following dates:
September 9
September 16
September 23
September 30
October 7
October 14
October 21
October 28
November 4
November 11
November 18
December 2
December 9
December 16
December 23
January 9
January 13
January 27
February 3
February 10
February 17
March 1
March 10
Awards
MSA had the honor of winning the 2004 Outstanding Student Organization Award. The MSA
president, Ibrahim Kadiri, won the 2004
Distinguished Student Leader Award.
MSA members also won the following
certificates:
Farhan
Latif-Leadership Synergy Certificate
Amal
Beydoun-Emerging Leader Certificate
Amal
Killawi-Emerging Leader Certificate