Muslim Students Association

IAW will be the week of February 6-10, Monday through Friday, InshaAllah. Here is a breakdown of some of the events we'll be having this year:

1. Feb 7th (Tuesday): World Hijab Day
   
• This will be the third year that we host the nationally-scaled event here on our own campus, and we are looking forward to an enriching day full of reflection and discussion on what it really means for Muslim women to wear a hijab (headscarf). During World Hijab Day, women of all faiths are challenged to wear a hijab for a full day to experience first-hand what Muslim women go through on a daily basis, and at the end of the day, everyone is invited to dinner to reflect on and discuss their experience from the day.
• Hijab Wrapping Stations: Commons Fireside Lounge, Rand Hall 306 | 7:30 – 10 AM
• Dinner and Reflection: Kissam C216 | 6:30 PM
• GME: Diversity and Inclusion
  

1. Feb 8th (Wednesday): Islam 101
• In collaboration with the Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, we will host guest speaker and president of the Islamic Center of Nashville, Rashed Fakhruddin! For this event, Mr. Fakhruddin will give a presentation about the general beliefs and practices in Islam and help address some common misunderstandings about the religion
• Commons MPR 237 | 6:30 PM
• MVE: Cultural Awareness
• GME: Diversity and Inclusion
  

1. Feb 9th (Thursday): The Fight for Freedom: Combatting Islamophobia and Organizing for Social Justice
   
• The Muslim Students Association and the Black Cultural Center will be hosting guest speaker Zulfat Suara, who is one of the most outspoken Muslim activists in TN and advocate for organizing against all social injustices. Ms. Suara will be talking about taking an active stance against Islamophobia and other injustices while collaborating with other groups in order to fight for our collective rights.
• BCC Auditorium 118 | 6:30 PM
• MVE: Cultural Awareness
• GME: Diversity and Inclusion
  

1. Feb 6-10th (Monday through Friday): Meet a Muslim
• Throughout the week, we will have a table in the Sarratt Promenade for "Meet a Muslim". Our table will feature fun trivia games about Islam, free snacks, as well as a great opportunity to meet your Muslim classmates!
• Sarratt Promenade | 11 AM – 1 PM

Please make sure to bring your friends to each event, share this information with your classmates, and see the flyer attached below for more details.

Are you concerned about access to Muslim prayer spaces on campus? Do you have thoughts regarding university support of Muslim student life and traditions? If so, the OUCRL would appreciate your input as we strive to best serve your needs. The focus group will be on Tuesday,February 14th at 12:30 PM in the OUCRL Conference Room!

Please RSVP on AnchorLink: https://anchorlink.vanderbilt.edu/organization/religiouslife/calendar/details/1217416

Inshaallah on Friday, February 17th, the MSA will go ice skating at the Centennial Sportsplex. Please make sure to invite your friends for an enjoyable evening on the ice! More details about timing will be sent out soon.

We are fortunate to have renowned scholar Nouman Ali Khan visiting on Tuesday, February 28th to give a lecture as a part of the Chaplain's Speaker Series. His talk, titled "Reviving Your Heart: Putting Student Life in Perspective," will be at 7PM with a public reception at 8PM. Please look out for more information!

Hometown: Originally born overseas in Kurdistan, Iraq, but my family moved to the United States in 1996. I've lived in Nashville for most of my life.

Program: 1st year student at the Law School

Activities: Middle Eastern Law Student Association; MSA; Law Futbol Club

Fun Fact: I love to run. Last year I ran the Rock 'n' Roll half-marathon in Nashville. I'm planning to run a full marathon soon.

I've had a great time during my first year at the law school and at Vanderbilt generally. It’s a really great community and I’m grateful for the opportunity to attend school here.

We will be receiving the shirts this week, InshaAllah. If you are interested in purchasing an MSA shirt this semester ($10), please make sure to pay in cash to Saif Hamdan, Hamza Patel, or Bushra Rahman and let them know what size you prefer as soon as possible. Shirts will be maroon with white lettering, long sleeved, and feature a front pocket. The sizes available are S-XXL.

Please be sure to spend some quality time with your Big/Little and accumulate points as you make your way through the semester!

Swimming hours will take place at the Rec on Sundays from 5-7 PM on the following dates:

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26

March 19, 26

April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Please be sure to invite any girls you know!

Don't forget to like our Facebook Page and join our organization on AnchorLink if you haven't already!

Also, if you or anyone you know has experienced any type of harassment or discrimination on campus, please be sure to file an incident report with the VUPD (for emergencies contact 911 or (615) 421-1911 and for non-emergencies contact (615) 322-2745), or reach out to one of the board members. If you prefer to share incidents directly to the MSA, email vandymsa@gmail.com. All reports will remain confidential. We want to remind you that all discriminatory acts are unacceptable and intolerable at Vanderbilt University.

Abu Burda reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

يَسِّرَا وَلَا تُعَسِّرَا وَبَشِّرَا وَلَا تُنَفِّرَا وَتَطَاوَعَا وَلَا تَخْتَلِفَا

"Make things easy and do not make things difficult. Give glad tidings and do not repel people. Cooperate with each other and do not become divided."

Source: Sahih Bukhari