With our vision for next year being an organization to make us stronger and better brothers/sisters and individuals of this society, our MSA is seeking qualified and dedicated individuals to be the leaders of our organization.

If you’d like to apply for a position or would like to nominate someone for a position then please complete a brief form outside of the MSA office.

The Executive positions available: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer

Committee Chair positions include: Education, Brothers Social Chairs, Sisters Social Chairs, Outreach, Community Service, Publicity, and Technology

Ad hoc committees include: Ramadan, Fast-A-Thon, and Coffeehouse

A complete description of each position can be found in the MSA constitution on Blackboard. Nomination forms for executive positions are due by April 15th at 5pm. Committee chair applications are due by April 22nd by 5pm. Elections for executive positions will be held on Friday, April 17th after jummah prayer.

I am more than happy to discuss any questions you may have for the elections process or the positions themselves. Please do not hesitate to contact me (AliA2@vcu.edu).

I look forward to seeing an application from you, inshAllah!

-Technology Chair/Elections Chair,

Alya A. Ali

Come de-stress with your sisters before exams!

Where: VCU Student Commons–Ballroom B

When:  Saturday, April 18th at 7pm

*Potluck

* Awesome Cultural Fashinshow ( we need YOU to show off your traditional outfits!)

*Superlatives ( more details later)

If you are interested in performing, brining food, or volunteering please contact Sisters Social Chairs at khalids@vcu.edu or nusratf@vcu.edu.

Dear Sisters,
As spring is almost here. so it’s time to have our annual Sisters Hiking Trip. Join your sisters to in an amazing trip to Shenandoah valley. As we will be hiking so put your hiking gear on! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Also do not forget to pack your lunch.
Cost of the Trip is free. however we do need drivers. so if you would like to volunteer to drive Please let me know ASAP. Date has been confirmed for March 21st.
Hope to see you all there. if you have any question please feel free to contact myself or sister Fauzia.

The Muslim Students’ Association warmly invites you to the highly anticipated, and thought provoking, Islamic Awareness Week! This entire week, from March 20th-27th, will be devoted to raising awareness and removing misconceptions surrounding the second largest religion in the world. Here is your chance to explore what Islam really stands for – through lectures, movies, talking openly to Muslim Students from all backgrounds, and through an interactive and fun Festival. The Festival will be on Monday March 23, 2009 to kick off Islam Awareness Week. Drop by between 10 am and 3 pm to refresh your knowledge on the five pillars of Islam; the basic foundations of the faith. Make sure you grab a question sheet, and fill it out to receive a prize after its completion! And of course Food and Drinks will be available, and remember that this event is open to all of the public!

Be sure to check out the pictures from last year’s success!

MSA National invites you to the EAST ZONE 2009 Zonal Conference as
the nation’s first capital–PHILADELPHIA, PA!
A Call to Change
Ambassadors in a New Era

Join hundreds of Muslim students for the
 annual MSA National East Zone USA Zonal Conference,
 hosted at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA from
Friday April 10- Sunday April 12th!

Get ready for…

A Spiritually Enriching & Deen Enhancing Program
Islamic Finance Workshops
Basketball Tournament
Halal Entertainment
And much more!!!

Speakers confirmed:

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Br. Nouman Ali Khan
Ustadh Taha Abdul-Basser
Dr. Altaf Hussain
Br. Hisham Mahmoud
Br. Khalid Latif
… & more to come!

To register, please visit: WWW.EZUSA.MSANATIONAL.ORG

Pre registration Conference only:    $30
Pre registration Hotel+Conference:  $95
Deadline: Sunday March 3rd 11:59pm EST

Regular Registration Conference only:      $40
Regular Registration Hotel+Conference:   $110
Deadline: Monday March 16th 11:59pm EST
-
YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT!
-
HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Questions? Contact us at EZUSAConf@msanational.org

In a year where “Change” dominated the news and politics, we realize
that change starts with ourselves.  What are the elements of personal
change?  As ambassadors of Islam on campus, at work, and in our
everyday life how can we change ourselves so we best represent Islam?
Join dynamic speakers other Muslims from around the East Zone in
exploring these topics and more at one of the largest student
conferences of the year!

Hurry and Register Today! Pre-Registration ends on March 3rd!!
To register visit http://ezusa.msanational.org/conference/

Today is the day of the protest for peace! JazakAllah for your willingness to sacrifice a day to promote an important unifying message of peace for the Palestinian/Israeli people and abroad.

There are some guidelines that we would prefer you would follow. Although we cannot restrict free speech we would love all who are participating to respect one another.
1.Please do not wear any inflammatory garments or otherwise offensive clothing. Unless sanctioned by your religious beliefs garments should be comfortable for everyone who is around you.
2.Please do not shout rhetoric that can be construed as offensive. As college students I have absolute faith that your possess a discriminating intellect that can delineate between appropriate and inappropriate.
3. No politics/ No religion. We are not trying to resolve the conflict but give light to the one idea that both sides can agree to, a sustainable peace throughout the region. Such specific conversations about the conflict will be reserved for latter and on your own time.
4. Just be respectful-There will be media outlets there and we want to broadcast the best images of peace and solidarity committed by students at VCU. Let’s not let that opportunity languish.

As a final note, this is an exciting time for the MSA, Hillel, and Concerned Students of VCU, as organizations that may not typically work together come together for the opportunity to preach an idea that all sides agree on PEACE!

Signs will be provided at the event along with face painting.

See you at 5pm!

Date:

As a result of the ongoing crisis in Palestine, we as students need to be the uniformed voice of reason to put in an end to conflicts in Palestine, Islamabad, Dar fur, and abroad. It begins by awareness and solidarity that by consenting in silence we give license for atrocities to occur around the world. Concerned students at VCU have organized a protest for peace to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and around the world.

	Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Time:	5:00pm – 9:00pm
Location:	VCU Commons Plaza

Date:

Come and participate in the first MSA event for the Spring semester!! Icebreaker is a great opportunity for new students interested in joining the MSA to get to know the organization and the other members.

You’ll get to meet the officers, get acquainted with what the MSA does, and you’ll have an opportunity to sign up to get involved in ongoing MSA projects and committees.

There will be FREE FOOD and games!!! The event will begin shortly after the Friday prayer. Prayer will be at 1:10PM and Icebreaker will start around 2:15 PM.

Also, be sure to join the VCU MSA facebook group, the e-mail listserv, and MSA on Blackboard for ongoing updates. To be added to the listserv or to the Blackboard group, send an email to alia2@vcu.edu.

	Friday, January 16, 2009
Time:	2:15pm – 3:30pm
Location:	GRC Common Room

Directions to GRC

- Exit the Student Commons from Main St. Exit
- Turn left (towards the Main St. Parking Deck)
- Continue walking past the parking deck
- Across from the Monroe Park you’ll see the GRC building on your right.

Upon arriving at GRC, inform the front desk that you are attending the MSA Icebreaker and they will allow you to enter the Common Room.

On behalf of the MSA board we wish everyone the best during finals! Be sure to get some rest, don’t forget to eat, and remember to make duaa for everyone. We all are striving to become better individuals by educating ourselves here at VCU. Allah loves those who strive to increase their knowledge.

A meaningful and short duaa to remember:

Rabi zidni ilman
Oh my Lord, increase me in knowledge.
20:114