If you were at Club Rush this semester chances were you saw one of the new clubs on campus, the Muslim Student Association (MSA).
When she first came to Delta, MSA president Habiba Afridi was looking for a similar club but there wasn’t one.
“When I just joined Delta, I was searching for an MSA or a club that’s familiar to me, of my people or any people of faith, and there was nothing like that, so I decided to start it myself,” said Afridi.
Afridi rushed to register the club in order to be official before this semester’s Club Rush. In three days she was able to fill out all of the necessary forms, write a club constitution in 19 hours and find people committed to filling the roles of vice president, secretary and advisor. It was stressful work that resulted in her and other students on campus having greater access to community and representation.
“I believe that it is important to have a Muslim Student Association (MSA) club for students at Delta College because we have a decent Muslim population at Delta that needs a place of belonging and social support. We need a club that unites us together and allows students with similar beliefs to connect together. It also increases our representation on campus and may aid in serving as a voice for Muslim students,” said MSA Vice President Aamna Khan via email.
“I wanted to join because of the sense of community, a form of correct representation and the brotherhood, the sisterhood and as previously stated, the ability to share the religion and teach or inform others,” said brothers’ director Waleed Abdullah.
The club is open to all students who wish to join, regardless of whether they are or are not Muslim.
“Something important that I have in the constitution is there will never be any discrimination, whether you’re gender, race or religion, any person is welcome to join, whether if you want to become a Muslim or join in, you’re allowed to experience the Islamic culture on campus,” said Afridi.
The club is currently planning their first event for the end of this month.
“So right now we are working on the Ramadan event. It’s our holy sacred month for all Muslims. It’s such an important month and a holiday,” said Afridi.
The event will be held on Feb. 26 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in Upper Danner Hall. The event is open to everyone and will have guest speaker Sheikh Yousef Skafi, as well games, food, a raffle and a hijab try-on booth.
To join the MSA, students can go to @msa.sjdc on Instagram. In the account’s bio there is a link to a form for new members, which will both show the club that you are interested in joining and add you to an email list that will let you know about upcoming meetings.