Over the years, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) club has committed itself to being a community for Muslim students to pray, learn about Islam. This year, however, MSA is hoping to extend their outreach to both Muslim and non-Muslim students alike.
Members of MSA have stated that they have found a sense of connection in each other, not only through academics, but also through their shared experiences and cultures. Many agree that the social events MSA has held outside of school have also had a positive influence on creating bonds between members by providing opportunities to get to know one another in a less formal setting.
“They have a lot in common with each other, and they’re truly not shy of being a Muslim and not shy of who they actually are,” MSA President Anas Irfan said. “We have community-building together to improve the brotherhood [for] all the Muslims and the people who are interested in the religion.”
MSA also aims to collaborate with clubs across the district that focus on other religions and nationalities. Club Sponsor and Algebra 2 teacher Ahmad Abdel-Aziz talks about previously working with other clubs at Morton Ranch high school, and the beneficial experience that it had brought to MSA.
“[Morton Ranch’s Multicultural Club] reached out to me asking us to participate in their multicultural night where a bunch of clubs from different schools around the district kind of meet up to just share their own culture, their own religion, [and] their own experiences with each other,” Abdel-Aziz said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do that again this year if it happens.”
Although most students in MSA have shared religious beliefs, there are many opportunities to learn more about different cultures as there are members of various backgrounds. Club Member Humna Saeed describes her experience with learning about this variance by interacting with other MSA members.
“MSA has such a wide variety of different people and there’s so many different cultures and groups,” Saeed said. “I’ve learned about Pakististanis, Indians, Arabs—so many different groups just by being in that club.”
Although most club activities revolve around the Muslim faith, MSA has opened up many opportunities for cultural and religious interconnectivity, as there is no barrier as to who can attend their meetings. Those without much exposure to different religions can be free to ask questions and learn more for themselves in a place that is friendly and judgement-free.
“We hope to remove any stereotypes and really show what true Islam is, and we welcome all of you,” Irfan said. “[It] doesn’t matter what your religion is [or] what your background is—we will invite you to come to our meetings and look for yourself.”
