7 Things That Can Make or Break MSAs (Muslim Student Associations)

Community Support

Community support is integral to developing a vibrant Muslim community on campus. An MSA that is supported by the larger Muslim community in a given area can fundraise for better events, utilize space in masajid and other community spaces, and benefit from having a community that appreciates the hard work students do.

However, communities can also be toxic. In some cases, I’ve seen communities actively persuade young Muslims to avoid their MSA. In other cases, conflict within the community may find its way onto the university campus. This could produce a divided community and negatively affect students who may not be native to the broader Muslim community in that area. So, students must gauge how involved they become with their local communities.