Muslim Students Association
The Muslim Student Association of the University of California, Berkeley originated primarily to bring together Muslims of diverse backgrounds and cultures under one unified, organized, proactive community. The MSA at Berkeley stands upon the principles of inclusiveness, responsibility, and action. As an organization aimed primarily at the student body, we strive to remain inclusive of those who wish to understand, appreciate, and practice their Islam without compromising their morals and beliefs. The MSA also reaches out to those who are not Muslims, primarily to educate them about the misconceptions regarding Islam and the Islamic way of life, and to include anyone willing to stand up for truth, justice, and peace. Aside from fostering a social community for Muslims, the MSA encourages mental, physical, and spiritual development through an array of athletic programs, spiritual discussions, rallies, academic forums, and charity events. The ultimate goal of the MSA is to encourage both Muslims and non-Muslims to evolve intellectually, physically, and spiritually during their tenure at UC Berkeley and to become enlightened, responsible, and just individuals.
Activities on Campus:
• Muslims on campus at Berkeley promote religion through the Muslim Student association
• They have weekly religious discussions/halaqas to promote intellectual conversations on theology
• Students have weekly Friday prayers to build community relationships. Prayers are held in 237 Hearst Gym and begin
at 1:20 P.M. Prayer will also be held at Berkeley Masjid, which also starts at 1:20 P.M.
• Students fast together during Ramadan and break their fasts together by eating Iftaars together
• Students celebrate religious holidays such as Eid together by praying together and eating together
• Students appeal to non-muslims by tabling on campus to spread awareness and students clear up any misconceptions about Islam.
• Students go on retreats together to build the Muslim Umma (community) and strengthen themselves spiritually and to build the community
• Students attend lectures by Islamic scholars on campus to increase their knowledge about the religion
• They have weekly religious discussions/halaqas to promote intellectual conversations on theology
• Students have weekly Friday prayers to build community relationships. Prayers are held in 237 Hearst Gym and begin
at 1:20 P.M. Prayer will also be held at Berkeley Masjid, which also starts at 1:20 P.M.
• Students fast together during Ramadan and break their fasts together by eating Iftaars together
• Students celebrate religious holidays such as Eid together by praying together and eating together
• Students appeal to non-muslims by tabling on campus to spread awareness and students clear up any misconceptions about Islam.
• Students go on retreats together to build the Muslim Umma (community) and strengthen themselves spiritually and to build the community
• Students attend lectures by Islamic scholars on campus to increase their knowledge about the religion
Check out a fun video that a few of the Muslim students put together: