MSA First Year Representative Elections
2025-2026
First Year Representative Candidate Profiles
Khadheeja Adam Malik
Salam! I’m Khadheeja, a Global Studies major on the pre-law track. If there’s one thing my life revolves around, it’s service and trying to be someone others can rely on. I helped found the Apex Mosque Youth Center, where I’ve spent the last four years planning events, running the café, and working on the marketing team. I’ve also worked with organizations like ICNA (as Marketing Manager), IAR (through a leadership internship), and Zakat Foundation (planning service events). This year marks my fifth year as a Sunday school teacher, which basically means I’m certified in patience and crisis-management :) I’m excited to bring my experience in event coordination, marketing, and leadership to the Freshman Rep position! I want to plan events where all freshmen feel like a team and can work together, while also starting initiatives that will grow into lasting UNC MSA traditions for years to come.
Abdulrahman Elkhouly
Salaam! My name is Abdulrahman and I would love to be your First-Year Rep for MSA this year! I believe I have the necessary experience and skills to effectively lead you and this MSA to a better future inshaAllah. During high school, I co-founded not one, but two MSAs, and I soon realized the profound impact that this organization can bring to Muslim and non-Muslim students alike. I am passionate about the MSAs mission; to unite the Muslims on our campus and provide a space for them to gather and learn, and to educate those who may not know about Islam. Beyond MSA, I also have experience leading youth groups and delivering Friday khutbahs at my local mosque in Charlotte, which made me very comfortable with public speaking. All of this experience - combined with my passion for this organization - allows me to be confident that I will be able to represent you well as First-Year Rep!
Beyza Guvenc
Salam! My name is Beyza and I'm running to be your new Sister's Freshman Representative! My background is Turkish but I'm from Cary, NC! I have MSA leadership experience from high school both as the president (yr. 12) and secretary (yr. 11), running a bi-weekly meeting, active HS MSA. I've planned fundraisers, hosted community events, and organized fun get-togethers for the Muslim students in my HS MSA (like iftars and picnics). As the Sister's Freshman Representative, I hope to be Allah's vessel to support, uplift, and unite the MSA freshman girls and foster spaces and activities where you have fun, grow closer to your deen, and develop yourself as a young Muslimah! Some ideas I have include Sister's Board Game + Halaqa Picnics on the Quad, a Sister's Fitness Group, and joint freshman events planned with the Brother's Representative that foster community while respecting gender boundaries. Vote for Beyza!
Mariam Manadath
Salaam I'm Mariam Manadath, a psychology major with a passion for concocting and consuming milk tea. I'm someone who loves trying new things, meeting new people. My one goal for this year is to challenge myself to grow whether it's spiritually, physically, or intellectually, so find me at the gym or studying one of my various languages. As I start this new chapter in college, I’m excited to explore what it means to be the most genuine version of myself while staying rooted in my faith and I hope to make many friends along the way! I’ve been actively involved in the Muslim community from a young age, including serving on the youth councils of both Apex Mosque and the Islamic Center of Morrisville. These experiences have shown me the value of strong, welcoming spaces where people feel like they belong. That’s exactly what I hope to help build for us as freshmen: a sense of community that feels like the best parts of home. I’m already loving the chance to connect with so many of you and share these memorable experiences of our first year at UNC. I believe this position would give me the ability to create experiences that will help us grow together through events, conversations, and faith-building activities.
Elliott Millen
Assalamu alaykum, my name is Elliott and I am a revert from Charlotte, NC, I'm excited to run for the Freshman Rep of MSA. I want to bring together Muslim freshmen so we can make the MSA truly feel like a second home. It is imperative we surround ourselves with fellow muslims to strengthen our bonds to also strengthen our iman, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends" (Tirmidhi 2378). I plan on building and strengthening our bonds by organizing weekly and bi-weekly events that promote physical and spiritual health.
Inaaya Siddiqui
Salaam everyone! My name is Inaaya and I am running to be your First-Year Rep for MSA! I believe I am the right fit because I value building communities and I love taking initiative. I have started a henna club here at UNC to build a community through art, and I want to bring that same initiative and energy here at UNC MSA! I have numerous levels of leadership experience, from being the co-president of UNICEF and National Beta Club at my high school to being a Sunday School teacher. Through UNICEF and Beta Club, I organized school-wide events such as the Culture Festival, which not only celebrated diversity but also raised funds for UNICEF. As a Sunday School teacher, I gained meaningful connections with the youth and worked to create a space for the students that was informative and welcoming. The most rewarding aspect of teaching is seeing the young Muslim generation in my community excited to learn more about their faith. Every week, I left the classroom with a sense of fulfillment and groundedness. Within MSA, I would love to host freshman social events that help first-years get to know one another and feel more comfortable within the community. These could include sister-focused activities like henna nights (I love doing henna and know others who would be excited to join), outings to Franklin Street restaurants such as Momo’s or Tea Hill, or fun crafts like tasbeeh making. I am also interested in implementing an MSA podcast that highlights Muslim students experiences at UNC! I want MSA to be the place where people feel at home. MSA serves as a constant reminder of our connection to Islam, especially in a college environment full of distractions. Growing up in a predominantly western culture, there were only a handful of Muslims in my hometown. However, during my years in high school, I was eager to bring together the small group of Muslims we had. Even though there were only seven of us, we organized a jummah prayer every Friday afternoon in an old classroom. That experience showed me just how important and meaningful it is to create a sense of community, as it allows us to grow together as an ummah. I want to ensure that first-years feel welcomed and supported here, whether that's through wanting someone to talk to about iman, or even needing a buddy to trek from North to South campus with, I hope to make everyone feel connected!
Ammar Sinada
Assalamu Alaikum, everyone. My name is Ammar Sinada, I'm from Sudan, and I'm honored to be running for the First Year Representative position. As a current freshman at UNC, I understand how important it is to feel welcomed and connected to a strong Muslim community. To me, the MSA so far has been a family for me to expand my faith and form strong friendships. If elected, I want to start initiatives that both bring us together socially and give us a chance to learn from one another. Being Sudanese, I feel incredibly connected to the struggles happening back home, and I'd like to use the position to raise awareness on important global issues such as the crisis in Sudan. I hope to host events like cultural nights, awareness campaigns, and peer support social events where freshmen can bond with other Muslims and grow in their Iman. I think combining fun with community service and useful information will strengthen our college experience for the better.
