Muslim Student Organization

COLUMBIA, Missouri (August 26, 2010) –  In light of the of recent controversies over the proposed mosque in New York City, several inquiries have been made about the prayer spaces available for students at the University of Missouri. In recent years, Muslim Students’ Organization (MSO) leadership has worked with other student groups and MU administrators to identify spaces or multipurpose rooms where Muslim students may spend a few minutes to pray.

“In fulfilling the requirements of one of pillars of the Islamic faith, Muslims pray five times a day during specified times, and often do so in between classes, work, and other daily activities. On the University of Missouri-Columbia campus, there are multiple open spaces for students and employees to use as prayer spaces, including open study or meeting rooms in Ellis Library, the Black Culture Center,  Student Residence Halls, the Center for Student Involvement, as well as in the A.P. Green Chapel.” Mizzou - Muslim Students’ Organization president Arwa Mohammad said.

The administration has been understanding to their concerns, and has worked to find a workable solution in the best interest of all students and employees.  Current executive board members of MSO are not asking the University of Missouri administration to set aside any location for the exclusive use of Muslim students for prayer.  The aforementioned spaces have been sufficient for their use in performing their prayers.

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Contact: Mahir Khan

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Assalamu-alaikum,

We hope everyone’s summer has been going well and that you’re ready for the upcoming semester. We have many plans for MSO this year and in order to keep everyone informed we’ll send out announcements each week, insha’Allah. The announcements will include information about MSO events, Islamic Center of Columbia, Missouri (ICCM) events, as well as events going on around campus that MSO members should try to take part in. Please take the time to add the MSO address to your safe sender list to make sure you are aware of everything MSO is doing.

If you have any questions regarding MSO or other Islamic activities in Columbia please feel free to send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Also don’t forget to become a fan of our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2209886057&ref=ts and you can even follow us on our Twitter account at https://twitter.com/MizzouMSO.

MSO Welcome Dinner/Breaking of the Fast

The first MSO event of the semester is the Welcome Dinner/Iftar. This is a chance for everyone in MSO to get together and kick the year off with some goof food and friends Ramadan-style. It is scheduled for Wednesday, September 1 at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in Stotler Lounge which is located on the first floor of Memorial Union North (here is a map http://map.missouri.edu/memorial-union-north.htm). Last year close to 70 people showed up so we hope to exceed that this year insha’Allah.

Separate from the Welcome Dinner is our annual Fast-a-thon. For those who don’t know, the Fast-a-thon is a day when non-Muslims are encouraged to fast with Muslims so they can get the experience. Because Ramadan falls so early in semester, we plan to hold it after the month Ramadan. It is tentatively scheduled for mid- to late-September.

MSO Qiyam Night at the ICCM

MSO is also sponsoring a Qiyam night for brothers and sisters in which they can stay at the Islamic Center overnight and pray and participate in activities. A short talk is scheduled to begin around midnight and everyone is encouraged to stay to begin the fast and for Fajr prayer the following morning. More information regarding this event will be sent out soon.

Another event we are planning is the Eid Celebration. Details for this event will be also be sent out at a later time.

Sisters’ pre-Eid Activity

The first sisters’ activity will be making Eid goody-bags September 6. The time and place for this event will be announced soon insha’Allah. If you have any questions you can reach the Sisters’ Social Chair Hafsa Lodhi at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . There will also be a sign up sheet at the MSO Welcome Dinner scheduled for September 1 so try your best to make it.

Ramadan Activities at the Islamic Center of Columbia Missouri (ICCM)

Isha prayer at the masjid is at 9:30 p.m. and Taraweeh prayers begin promptly afterwards. There is a short talk (less than 10 minutes) before Isha every day so make an effort to come early for this.

Also, there is Iftar at the masjid every evening for singles and the weekends are open to the entire community. Every Saturday and Sunday a different group of Muslims in the community sponsors Iftar. The schedule is:

Sat. 8/21—Pakistani night

Sun. 8/22—Bangladeshi night

Sat. 8/28—ISCM (Islamic School of Columbia Missouri) Fundraising night

Sun. 8/29—Somalian night

Information regarding the ICCM can be found at their website http://theiccm.org/. We’ll keep you posted on other ICCM events that MSO members should get involved with.

MU Accommodations for Muslims during Ramadan

For those you on a meal plan, Ramadan just got a little easier courtesy of Campus Dining Services. This Ramadan they are implementing a “take-away meal” program at Eva J’s, Mark Twain Market, and Pavilion at Dobbs so you can get food during dinner time and eat it at your own convenience later. You can just ask the cashier for take-away box and fill it up with specific item form the menu, but ask the cashier exactly what to do first. This take-away thing works the same way as a regular meal so it’ll only count as one on your weekly tally. Also, Emporium at Plaza 900 is offering takeout breakfast options based on the points system (one meal is equal to 10 points) so you can take advantage of that to stock up on items for Sohoor.

Islam Awareness Week is approaching fast! The facebook event can be found here, and the program is as follows:

Friday (3/19):
- Movie Screening of "Prince Among Slaves," Ellis Auditorium at 6pm

Monday (3/22):
- History in Islam presentation by Dr. Baum, 1pm-2pm at Reynolds Journalism Institute, 100 A
THERE WILL BE FREE FOOD!

Tuesday (3/23):
- Women in Islam and Scarves for Solidarity, 7pm at 133 Mumford.
- Scarves for Solidarity, 7pm at Mumford 133

Wednesday (3/24):
- Rami Nashashibi from Inner-City Muslim Action Network - "The Islamic Perspective on Social Justice," 7:00 pm at EBW Auditorium

Thursday: (3/25):
- Taste of Islam, 12pm-2pm at Lowry Mall (Rain Location: Stotler Lounge 3-5)

Relay for Life THIS Saturday!
It's Relay For Life time again! If you want to particiapte, sign up here. The event itself will take place March 20th from 6pm to and run all night until 6am.

Relay For Life is an event to benefit the American Cancer Society. Different organizations at MU (and around the nation) form teams, raise money, and participate in walking in a relay. Funds will be used for research, programs for prevention and early detection, and programs to improve the lives of families and patients facing cancer.

We need all the help we can to organize these events, so we've attached signup sheets for 1) Taste Of Islam , 2) Relay for Life, and 3) Tabling Scarves for Solidarity.

Assalamu Alaikum,

Hope everyone's semester is going well! Inshallah we will be having a General Body Meeting this Thursday (3/11) at 7pm in Memorial Union S304. We'll be discussing plans for Islam Awareness Week (IAW) and much more!

11 Days Until Relay for Life!
It's Relay For Life time again! If you want to particiapte, sign up here. The event itself will take place March 20th from 6pm to and run all night until 6am.

Relay For Life is an event to benefit the American Cancer Society. Different organizations at MU (and around the nation) form teams, raise money, and participate in walking in a relay. Funds will be used for research, programs for prevention and early detection, and programs to improve the lives of families and patients facing cancer.

Islam Awareness Week!
Spread the word! IAW 2010 will run from Friday March 19 to Thursday March 25, and will include events such as the History of Islam, Women in Islam, and Taste of Islam! If you want to help coordinate these events, respond to this email or visit us during the General Body Meeting, we could use all the help!

Sunday Morning Fajr Program
This Sunday, we'll be having our weekly Sunday Fajr program at the Masjid. Be sure to come, and bring a friend along! Please contact us if you need a ride. Fajr prayer is at 5:45am at the ICCM (201 South Fifth St.).  A breakfast and halaqa will follow the salah.