Among the many goals the Muslim Students Association (MSA) has, one stands above the rest: interfaith dialogue.

Though the upcoming anniversary of 9/11 has brought “Islamophobia” to the national forefront, the MSA’s commitment to dialogue is as strong as ever.

“There’s been progress. It’s gotten better since then,” said Adil Haider, senior in LAS and president of MSA. “There’s a distance between the community you live in and what the media portrays. Everyone thinks of us as Americans.”

The organization, the first Muslim student group of its kind, was established in 1963, and consists of about 70 active members. They have made a commitment to opening lines of communication between Americans of all faiths, and dispelling stereotypes about Muslims.

“As an organization, we try to clear up misconceptions about Islam and Muslims in general and try to build an inviting and open atmosphere in which people will be comfortable enough to have an open dialogue,” said Nighath Hussain, senior in Business and treasurer of MSA in an e-mail.

The MSA does this by holding many different events, highlighted by Islam Awareness Week at the end of October. The week includes many different activities on the Quad, speakers from around the country and Q&A sessions with Muslim students, all in an effort to “dispel stereotypes out there, (to put) interfaith in action,” Haider said.

Over the past few years, the MSA has coordinated various events with other religious and cultural groups on campus, including the Illini Secular Student Alliance, or ISSA.

“I really like the direction we’re going,” said Mariam Kudaimi, senior in LAS. She explained that the MSA has had some meaningful conversation and dialogue in working with students from other faith-based organizations.

Ahmad El Khatib, junior in Engineering and secretary of MSA explained the group’s campus outreach efforts simply.

“One of the main goals of the MSA is to foster a Muslim presence on campus so more students can say ‘I know a Muslim,’ or ‘I know a bunch of Muslims, and they’re cool people,’” Khatib said.

Though the organization’s membership is almost exclusively Muslim students, Khatib emphasized, “All of our events are open to non-Muslims.”

Many of the MSA’s events have a local, philanthropic purpose.
They’ve worked with Habitat for Humanity, traveled to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and hope to make a work trip to Joplin, Mo., this year.

While the MSA focuses on making their presence in the community known, they also strive to create their own community from within. And for Muslim students new to campus, the MSA is a valuable resource.

“When you first join, you’re bombarded with people who have things in common with you,” Khatib said. “It’s a convenient and easy way to meet people.”

“Honestly, they’re my home away from home,” Hussain said. “And as corny or cliché as that sounds, it’s true. I can count on any one of these people for a ride to pick up a gallon of milk from Walmart at 3 o’clock in the morning.”