In the room, there were about fifty students, about half of them being freshman. The interest meeting began with a ice breaker. Everyone took turns stating what year they are in, their major and something interesting about themselves. This took about twenty minutes. The ice breaker was effective in introducing ourselves but I feel like they could have done a better job engaging everyone present with one another. As a prospective science major, I felt a bit relieved that some freshman also stated that they are a science major. Being a science major in a school where everyone talks about business is a unique experience.
In the meeting, it was revealed that the Muslim Student Association club is closely tied in with the Women In Islam club and the Muslim Business Association club. Women In Islam is a club that focuses on women and the rights/ role given to them in Islam. It is also a place to develop a sisterhood bond. Women In Islam often does co-ed events as well and is not always exclusively for girls. Muslim Business Association is a club that exclusively focuses on business and is a good club for people who are interested in business to join.
Muslim Student Association is a club whose primary goal is to provide a welcoming atmosphere for Muslims and non-Muslims alike in order to inform them about the religion of Islam. I appreciated this statement because as a Muslim it makes me happy that there is a MSA in college as well. I was actually the President of my high school’s MSA during my senior year. I also found out that Baruch has a designated prayer room for both girls and guys. The atmosphere emitted by the committee members was very welcoming and it was something I greatly appreciated.
After the meeting, everyone got to have food. The food was thai shrimp fried rice and I did not eat it as I had already gotten food earlier. Near the end of the meeting, the president of the Women In Islam club, informed us that there are available committee positions that are open to anyone regardless of their grade. She convinced me to fill out the application. I thought that this was a good approach as it got freshman to be more involved in a club. The best part of MSA is that it does not host meeting every week so it is possible to join several clubs.
MSA is hosting a Eid Party on September 19th and the best part of the party is that it is open to everyone regardless of whether or not they attend Baruch. I think that the Eid party will be a good way to actively engage prospective MSA members with one another. My friends and I are going to go to Eid event and we are planning on dressing up by wearing traditional clothing. Eid is an Islamic holiday and Eid-ul-Adha happened about twenty days ago. The event is good way to bring the Muslim and non-Muslim community together.
The picture is of Sadia and I. Sadia is the treasurer in MSA.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11G0MwvPmuLyotvEXyWzb9Hnvtr6PtMBTyIsOe2ybTKA/edit?usp=sharing