Muslim Students Association

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Weekly Meeting Wednesday 6pm in Bingham 108 [Topic: Senior Panel Discussion]

This weeks meeting will be a panel discussion led by MSA Seniors. They will help answer challenging questions you have and were afriad to ask and give advice on how to deal with college pressures. We will also have FREE ICE CREAM at the meeting!

2. 4th Annual Jewish Muslim Arts Fest is here!!! (Thursday, April 17th, 7:30pm)

The 4th Annual Muslim-Jewish Arts Festival will be a night full of art, friendship, and unity. Enjoy performances of spoken word, tabla, a capella, and more. View beautiful artwork made by students and community members. Refreshments will be served.

Parking is available on Stadium Dr. and in the Rams Head Parking Deck. The center is located at the corner of Stadium Drive and Ridge Road, at the Carolina Club.

This event was made possible by NC Hillel, UNC Muslim Student Association, Carolina Student Arts Forum, Late Night Carolina, the Gwen and Aziz Sancar Foundation, and the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies.

3. Triangle MSA Picnic this Sunday!

Sunday, April 20th at Lake Crabtree Park- Dogwood Shelter from 1:00-5:00pm
So it's that time of year again-- exams, papers, stress. Take a break and come meet fellow Muslims from around the area for a lovely picnic! UNC, Duke, and State are all teaming up to bring you a sunny day in the park with good food, sports, the lake, and much more! If you need a ride, please RSVP to Sr. Yasmeen Zamamiri at zamamiri@email.unc.edu by Saturday at 5:00 pm. Also, if anyone has a car and has space for other people, please email Sr. Yasmeen as well.

4. S4Si-MSA Event!

Come and join us for the first ever Students for Students International and Muslim Students Association cosponsored event, A Cross-Cultural Education Conversation: A View into the Lives of Muslim Women. This event will feature a panel of speakers sharing their views about the lives of Muslim women today, addressing questions such as

· "What are the roles and expectations women in Muslim society?"

· "How does education fit into the role of traditional Muslim women on an international level?"

· "How have opportunities for Muslim women in education shifted in the past 40-50 years?"

· "What is the role of religion in determining opportunities for Muslim students at UNC?"

· "Why has home schooling become increasingly popular within the Muslim community?"

Speakers will include Yasmin Saikia, a UNC history professor with a focus in Southeast Asia and Women's Studies, Emily Joy Rothchild, an S4Si member who recently traveled abroad to Tanzania, and two students from MSA. This event will take place at 8pm on Tuesday, April 15th in Murphy 116. Refreshments will be provided.
5. Give Blood with the MSA!

There will be a blood drive held on Tuesday, April 15th at the Teague Residence Hall Basement 3 pm to 7:30 pm and at the School of Medicine from 10 am to 2:30 am. If you would like to give blood tomorrow, go to https://www.givesblood.org/give/get_started.php?orgID=281&driveID=2760&r... to make an appointment.

6. ELECTIONS!!

We will hold elections for next year's MSA Officers at our last meeting on Wed April 23. Please view the attached list of MSA members who are eligible to run for office. If you would like your name taken off the list, please email Br. Kamran at tariq@email.unc.edu

You must have served on the MSA Shura for one year to be elected president.

7. "C'Mon, I was Just Joking!" Play on Tuesday

The actors from Interactive Theatre Carolina present - "C'Mon, I was Just Joking!"

At a halloween party, the attendees, who are all dressed in stereotypical attire, are all "just joking" about racial, religious, and gender stereotypes. The actors invite the audience to participate through a discussion following the performance. It promises to be a great event!

What: Interactive Theatre Carolina presents an interactive skit called "C'Mon, I was Just Joking!" At a Halloween party, the actors are all dressed in stereotypical outfits as they "just joke" about racial, ethnic, religious, gender, etc. discrimination and stereotype. The actors pull the audience into their performance with a discussion about the issues raised by the play.

When: April 15, 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Where: UNC Law School (Van-Wettach Hall), Room 5042

Sponsored by UNC Law SBA

8. REMINDER: Arabic Class on Thursdays

This is a reminder that the Arabic grammar class led by Suzanne Barakat is every Thursday from 4-5 pm in Room 201 in the Stone Center. Please come on time! Email Suzanne Barakat at sbarakat@email.unc.edu if you have any questions.

9. Masjid Volunteers Needed

The Raleigh masjid needs help with its inauguration ceremony Friday night probably from about 11:30 to midnight on April 18th. Interested volunteers should email omawan@email.unc.edu or fbrahman@gmail.com.

10. Mariam Clinic Free Community Health Fair

On *Saturday, April 19th 10am-3pm* Mariam Clinic is participating in a *Free Community Health Fair*. Vendors will be offering people in the community free testing for high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, cholesterol, mammograms, check out the web-site for more www.trainglehealthfair.com

We're recruiting volunteers who can share their enthusiasm and let the community know about Mariam Clinic. I know from experience, it's also a fun way to meet other volunteers and health care professionals who are active in the community. No medical experience necessary, you don't even have to be pre-med.

Just send me an email sarah.gach@gmail.com letting me know which time slots you are available for (1-hr increments , from 10 AM to 3 PM). We'll have at least two people manning the table at a time. Look forward to seeing you there!

11. Lecture on Indian Sufism Tomorrow

Tuesday April 15, 2008 at 5:30 pm Dr. Tanvir Anjum, visiting professor of
history from Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam University, "Locating Civil Society in
a Premodern Muslim Context: Chishti Sufism in the 13th and 14th Century
South Asia as a Case Study" in 4003 FedEx Global Education Center.
12. Collecting Money for Orphans in Syria

Sr. Suzanne Barakat will be collecting money at this week's MSA meeting on Wednesday for an orphanage in Syria. Please bring change and help make a difference in a child's life!

13. SWEAT Anti-Sweatshop Upcoming Events

WHAT: ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE Rally & March
NO to NAFTA, NO to Sweatshops! UNC SWEATFREE!
WHEN: Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 4:00pm
WHERE: Start in the UNC Pit (then march to the Law School for meeting)
RSVP on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=10501259089

UNC has invited Jorge Perez Lopez, a former U.S. government official who negotiated the labor "rights" in the North American Free Trade Agreement and other trade agreements and is the executive director of the "Fair" Labor Association (FLA). We are protesting his visit, as he is not qualified to advise Chancellor James Moeser's licensing labor code committee on human rights issues.
The FLA purports to be an "independent" monitor of working conditions in the apparel industry. But the organization is funded and controlled by the very corporations that have been repeatedly found to be sweatshop violators. www.flawatch.org
NAFTA has been a death sentence to local sovereignty, farmworker rights, human rights, environmental rights, indigenous struggles, and economic justice. NAFTA contributed to the deaths of so many immigrants crossing the border deserts, searching for basic dignity that they were denied by negotiators like Perez Lopez.
We need to hold our government accountable for destructive trade policies like NAFTA, and we need to hold our universities responsible for their continued reliance on sweatshop labor.

WHAT: Rally for Human Rights and Dignity
WHEN: Thursday, April 17, 2008, 12:00pm
WHERE: Outside South Building/Polk Place

SAW and the UNC Sweatfree Coalition have issued a deadline of April 16, 2008 for Chancellor Moeser and President Bowles to adopt the DSP for all 16 campuses in the UNC system. If the DSP is not adopted by the close of the business day on April 16, we will rally Thursday at noon outside South Building to show Chancellor Moeser that it is unacceptable to us that our universities continue to rely on the abuses of workers' human rights in order to make our Carolina education possible.

For more information, contact Sr. Salma Mirza at 716-432-1576/ salma.m.mirza@gmail.com or Sr. Dida El-Sourady at didae27@aol.com

14. Celebrate the Completion of the IAR Expansion Project with Sheikh Muhammad Jebril

On Friday April 18th, after Maghrib prayer (7:53 PM), we will celebrate the official opening of the completed expansion project.

World renowned Sheikh Muhammad Jebril will lead both Maghrib and Isha prayers and give us some words of advice after the Maghrib prayer. Imam Abdel Malik from Charlotte will also be with us and will give a speech about taking the masjid forward in serving the community.

We hope all of you, along with your family members and friends will come celebrate our milestone achievement. Refreshments will be served after the program.

If you need a ride to this event, please contact Br. John and johnml@email.unc.edu

15. Lost Soccer Ball at Relay for Life

Someone left a red soccer ball at the Relay for Life event two weeks ago. If it is yours, please contact Sr. Elvira at jelvira@email.unc.edu

16. Malcolm X talk uploaded on YouTube

The talk that Imam Khalid Griggs gave on Malcolm X back in February is now available to watch on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JLJgas3ftM

17. End of Year Smores Break

Tuesday, April 22nd at 9:00 pm in Teague Basketball Court
Enjoy a lovely night with fellow Muslims and get a delicious and halal snack right before cram time! Come out and socialize, share funny anecdotes, and make gooey halal S'mores!

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Weekly Meeting Wednesday 6pm in Bingham 108 [Topic: Honoring Eve: A Reflection on Life and Purpose]

InshAllah our next meeting will be this Wednesday at 6pm. In light of the tragic murder of Eve Carson, we want to take time and reflect on our lives and assess our spirituality. We will also have FREE PIZZA so come hungry!

2. 4th Annual Jewish Muslim Arts Fest is here!!!

Are you an artist? Want to express yourself? The 4th AnnualJewish-Muslim Arts Fest is looking for performances, poetry, spoken
word, and visual art incorporating the theme of "community." On April 17, 2008, North Carolina Hillel and the UNC Muslim Students Association invite students to express how "LIVING TOGETHER IS AN ART" between Jewish and Muslim communities. Please email artsfest2008@gmail.com if interested. The deadline for submissions is March 28, 2008. For visual art submissions, please send a picture of your artwork. Call backs for performances will be held the week of March 31.

3. MSA-AIO Sponsored Dialogue on Prophet Jesus

The Veritas Forum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seeks to explore the possibility of truth, beauty and goodness in every aspect of our academic and personal lives. The forum is an opportunity for the entire university community to explore and discuss life's hardest questions together. By asking the pressing questions on campus and answering them with respected university voices, we hope to engage the entire university in fruitful discussion.

InshAllah the MSA is cosponsoring an event along with many other campus organizations regarding Prophet Jesus and His relevance to modern life.

Schedule of events -

Title: What You Believe and Why: Islam and Christianity’s Beliefs of Jesus
When: Monday, March 24, 2008 @ 7pm
Where: Bingham Hall 103
Speaker: local Imam and Minister Chris Berg from Every Nation Campus Ministries

Title: Racism on Sunday Morning: The Church’s Error and Jesus’ Solution
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 @ 7pm
Where: Hanes Art Auditorium
Speaker: Ken Jones, Pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church in Compton, CA

Title: Burden of Proof: A discussion on Christianity, Science, and the New Atheism
When: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 @ 7:30pm
Where: Hamilton Hall 100
Speaker: Dr. Gregory Ganssle, lecturer in the philosophy department of Yale University

Title: Jesus and Politics: Why take God to the polls?
When: Thursday, March 27, 2008 @ 7pm
Where: Howell 207
Speaker: Dr. J.D. Greear, Pastor of Summit Church in Durham, NC

For more information, please go to the website at www.veritas.org/UNC and view the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=11710940770

4. Honor Eve Carson by contributing to the Patchwork Quilt

The UNC Student Government is creating a Patchwork Quilt in memory of our fallen Tar Heel, Eve Carson. We encourage students to visit the Pit on Tuesday between 10am to 12pm to write down memories, thoughts, and anecdotes on fabric and share a memory of Eve. They will provide patches, pens, and good company to share in the experience.
5. MSA Night is here!! Buy Tickets ASAP!!!

The annual MSA Night will be on Saturday, March 29th, 2008. We have a special guest, Baba Ali from Ummahfilms, coming to the event. We'll also have a video, skits, and a raffle in which we'll be giving away an iPod, a MSA t-shirt, and other State items. MSA Night will be in Stewart Theater, which is located in Talley Student Center. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for non-students. Come out and enjoy the show. This WILL be "the best msa night since '99!!!" Hosted by the man of controversy himself, Jihad Dorgham, and the guy who everyone thinks is funny but really ain't, Kareem 'Kimo' Ayad!! www.msanight.com. You can buy your tickets at the MSA meeting on Wednesday!

For directions to Talley Student Center go to http://www.ncsu.edu/student_center/driving_directions.html

6. Fasting on Thursdays (Free Food!!)

The Prophet (SAW) encourages Muslims to fast on Mondays and Thursdays throughout the week. In light of this, the MSA encourages Muslims to fast and will provide FREE FOOD to those who fast on Thursday, March 27th. If you are planning on fasting, please RSVP to Br. Kamran at tariq@email.unc.edu by Tuesday, March 25th.

7. Freshmen coming to UNC

If anyone knows of Muslim students who plan on coming to UNC next year, please forward their contact to Sr. Nawsheen at nakhan@email.unc.edu

8. Interested in going Paintballing?

We are planning our next MSA Social to be a group paintballing session on Saturday, April 4th. If you are interested, please RSVP with Sr. Yasmeen at zamamiri@email.unc.edu

NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1. Weekly Meeting Wednesday 6pm in Bingham 108 [Topic: Islam and Politics and Free Food!!]

This week's meeting will be on Islam and Politics. InshAllah we will have a guest speaker talk about the subject. We also plan to have free food so please try to attend!

2. 4th Annual Jewish Muslim Arts Fest is here!!!

Are you an artist? Want to express yourself? The 4th AnnualJewish-Muslim Arts Fest is looking for performances, poetry, spoken
word, and visual art incorporating the theme of "community." On April 17, 2008, North Carolina Hillel and the UNC Muslim Students Association invite students to express how "LIVING TOGETHER IS AN ART" between Jewish and Muslim communities. Please email artsfest2008@gmail.com if interested. The deadline for submissions is March 28, 2008. For visual art submissions, please send a picture of your artwork. Call backs for performances will be held the week of March 31.

3. Project Nur Leadership Conference (April 4-6)

Project Nur aims at intercultural and interfaith understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim students, in order to promote human and civil rights. Our first National Student Leadership Conference will be held from April 4th-6th in Washington, DC. This is a great opportunity to network with leaders and activists from across the country and discuss the topic of Muslim identity and current issues facing the Muslim world.
Project Nur will cover domestic airfare, lodging, and meals during your stay in the nation's capital. Please feel free to visit our website: www.projectnur.org for more information about the organization. The deadline to apply is February 29th.

4. Freshman Event Thursday March 6th: Potluck and Pictionary!!

MSA freshmen are invited to a potluck dinner on Thursday, March 6th 6:00pm at Parker residential hall. Dinner will be accompanied by the intense game of Pictionary. Please RSVP Nawsheen at nakhan@email.unc.edu if you are coming and also let her know what food you will be bringing. There will be prizes for individual or team with the best food!

5. MSA Night is here!! Buy Tickets ASAP!!!

The annual MSA Night will be on Saturday, March 29th, 2008. We have a special guest, Baba Ali from Ummahfilms, coming to the event. We'll also have a video, skits, and a raffle in which we'll be giving away an iPod, a MSA t-shirt, and other State items. MSA Night will be in Stewart Theater, which is located in Talley Student Center. Tickets are $7 for students and $10 for non-students. Come out and enjoy the show. This WILL be "the best msa night since '99!!!" Hosted by the man of controversy himself, Jihad Dorgham, and the guy who everyone thinks is funny but really ain't, Kareem 'Kimo' Ayad!! www.msanight.com

For directions to Talley Student Center go to http://www.ncsu.edu/student_center/driving_directions.html

6. Interested in Intelligent Design??

Do you believe in Intelligent Design or want to learn more about it? Come here Dr. Andy McIntosh, a British leading scientist, as he presents a case for Intelligent Design. Dr. McIntosh is immensely qualified to teach on ID and has debated the most well known evolutionary atheist of our time - Richard Dawkins.

The talk will be hosted by Cornerstone in Hamilton 100, this Thursday (6th) at 7:30pm. A question and answer time will follow.

7. T-shirts for Arabic's "Big Activitiy" now on sale!

T-Shirts are now on sale for the Arabic programs "Big Activity." The front Arabic calligraphy says "Shem Annaseem 2007". The back calligraphy says "Arabic on my mind and in my imagination" in three triangles outlined with the proverbs that Arabic students have learned over the years.Prices will be: $10.00 for short sleeves, $13.00 for long sleeves.

There are two color choices: Carolina Blue shirts with the design in White ink, and Black shirts with Carolina Blue ink.
If you are interested please contact Lamya Moosa at moosa@email.unc.edu before March 13th. In the email please include what color, size and contact information.