Joint Student Muslim Association restarts

After a short-lived installment during the 2018-2019 school year, the Joint Muslim Student Association is making its way back to campus. The need for reestablishment became unignorable as Muslim students observed Ramadan this past month, which involves a daily fast from dawn until sunset.

Many Muslim students, especially those without access to a kitchen, lacked a reliable source of food to break and start their fast due to limited hours of operation at campus dining services.

Within a week of the decision to re-establish the association, it was up and running.

During the past few weeks, the JMSA has provided a space for students to share iftar and Suhur meals, eaten to break and begin their fast. Nutritious, adequate meals are especially important as students tackle the last weeks of school.

Students have been gathering in Girgen Lounge for these meals, which have more broadly been a time to foster community.

Ugbad Abdi, treasurer of the association, said how JMSA has helped with struggles she has faced on campus.

“Going to a Catholic school where you’re constantly around the religion and there are plenty of spaces for Catholic students to practice their religion, it can be easy to stray away from mine,” Abdi said.

Already, these meal gatherings have been successful in bringing the CSB community together beyond religious or other identities.

“Both Muslim and non-Muslim students are sitting together… There are laughs and stories shared, but most importantly there is community,” said Aisha Sadik, president of the JMSA.

The long term goal of the JMSA is to bring more awareness to and education about the underrepresented Muslim communities on campus.

“We want to integrate the idea of other religions [and] cultures, among other identities to be celebrated and acknowledged at our predominantly white, Catholic, cisgender institutions,” said Sadik.

Collaboration and inclusivity across different campus clubs and organizations are also crucial goals for JMSA. Sadik and Abdi noted the importance of all CSB/SJU members becoming aware of and involved with the organization.

While the JMSA is still in its early days, the group’s members are excited and proud about what has been accomplished so far.

“I can already see how much this has left a great impact… There is a community that all can be a part of without feeling like they don’t belong, and I think that is something that makes me realize that none of this would be possible without the creation and re-establishment of the Joint Student Muslim Association,” Sadik said.

Abdi echoed the relief and belonging that JMSA has granted her.

“[It] makes me feel a little bit included in the CSB/SJU community because there are times where it can feel isolating being one of the very few Muslim students on campus,” Abdi said.