MSA UIUC

The Muslim Students Association (MSA) is a registered student organization at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. It is a social group for the Muslim students on campus; consisting of people of different origins, nationalities, and culture; serving the needs of students by the virtues of brotherhood and sisterhood; a means by which Muslim students maintain and increase their faith in a college environment as well as an expression of their creativity and ideas; a tool by which non-Muslims on campus learn about Islam and its beauty; a voice for the Ummah on this campus and of all Muslims worldwide. Above all, MSA is the stepping stone by which students learn the techniques, develop the motivation, and acquire the passion to commit their lives for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.

What began as a small halaqa in the late 1950's is now known as the Muslim Students Association at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the oldest, largest and most active Muslim group on campus. The MSA holds a place in history among Muslims in America, for it was here that the first MSA chapter was founded.

In January 1963, Muslim students from across the country gathered in the Illini Union and founded MSA-National, and the rest is history. American Muslims that formally organized as the founding members of MSA moved on and started ISNA, the Islamic Society of North America, ICNA, and many other prestigious organizations.

Members of MSA-UIUC helped construct Central Illinois Mosque and Islamic Center (CIMIC), a beautiful and welcoming mosque on campus at 106 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana. It is the centerpiece of a vibrant local community and the hum of MSA-UIUC, a home away from home.

By far, the best thing MSA does is shrink the campus. Members of MSA enjoy brotherhood and sisterhood that holds them together through a variety of social events and reduces the intimidation of a 40,000 student body.

The cornerstone of the MSA is its three core areas: Knowledge, Unity, and Outreach. Members help educate the campus via a positive image of Islam through volunteering as well as engaging in dialogue with other diverse student organizations.