A portal for Muslim youth who wish to share ideas, engage in vigorous debate and build unity amongst the Muslim population.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Open Letter to the Muslim Students Association
16 June 2013
Dear MSA leader,
Asalamu Alaikum
I write this open letter to
you, respected MSA chairperson and MSA committee member in South Africa. It's
befitting that I pen this on June 16. A significant day in our history as South
Africans - a day when the youth stood in the forefront, risking their lives for
the greater good. They fought bravely in the face of injustice…may their
sacrifices never be forgotten.
MSA Union is a national umbrella body representing 23 MSAs around South Africa. It’s been a long
road to get to this point. In late 2011 discussions began to revive the
National body that lay dormant for a number of years. We saw the need to work
together to achieve common objectives - to build unity by working together, by
removing the isolation that existed between campuses. The task was a momentous
one. But Alhamdulillah progress was made and now MSA Union is alive and well.
The challenge now is ensuring that we work together to keep MSA growing, to
continue doing what is right, to strengthen ourselves and become the standard
of excellence.
Allow me to share with you how I was introduced to the
MSA... many years ago, while I was still in high school, a friend of mine, Muhammed Patel suggested I attend a meeting of sorts at
Wits University hosted by the MSA. At that time, Union had a ‘high schools’
project. On the day we were introduced to the MSA representatives there...
Abdur Rahman Laily was involved- Muhammad Manjra, Bilal Randree, Muhammed Ziyaad
Hassen (Ned), Ayesha Jacub, Zakir Patel and many others. (We, as MSA, stand on the
shoulders of Giants whom I will always look up to). We interacted with them for an entire day and in all honesty I was
completely astounded by the work a group of young brothers and sisters were
putting in for Islamic work. This for me is the definition of a life changing
experience. Now if the MSA could do that for me, the question that arises is,
why can't we, collectively do that for every Muslim student out there. We, as
the Muslim youth at tertiary institutions can
make a difference...in fact, we must
make an impactful impression on our broader society.
Allow me to share my wish list for the MSA going
forward...
MSA will be an organisation that trains the youth on
how to continue to build our connection with Allah, develop leaders who have a
strong Islamic identity and who are completely competent and willing to serve
Islam.
MSA will be an organisation that sets the standards
for every other organisation to aspire to.
MSA will be an organisation that is fully sustainable
in every way...with the financial resources and reserves to fulfil its
objectives for projects that will please Allah.
MSA will be an organisation that every single Muslim
on campus will want to be a part of.
MSA will be an organisation that develops leaders of
society in every sphere and instils in them that doing Islamic work is a duty.
MSA will be an organisation that has individuals
willing to continue MSA work irrespective of title and position.
MSA will be an organisation that is completely
representative of Muslim youth in South Africa.
MSA will be an organisation that develops individuals
that continue to be active in Islamic work well after their time on campus has
passed.
MSA will be an organisation that creates space for
individuals to continue to work with us even after they have graduated.
MSA will be an organisation that has an active high
schools feeder system so when first years arrive at campus they have the skills
needed to be active on campus and beyond.
MSA will be an organisation that creates the spaces
for students to be creative, innovative, ground breaking, and bring their
talents to the fore.
MSA will be an organisation that is completely
accessible, accountable, transparent, sustainable, having a staff compliment,
and having active chapters.
MSA will be an organisation that is more concerned
with serving project Islam than itself.
MSA will be an organisation that is made up entirely
of hardworking, dedicated, committed, Allah conscious members.
Yes...it’s a long wish list...but completely
doable...So, how do we build the organisation, the one we know MSA Can be? We
start today. MSA belongs to every single one of you. It is now our responsibility
to take the organisation forward and advance Project Islam. It is our collective responsibility to make the MSA the organisation we
want it to be. It will take perseverance, commitment and dedication to do this.
Our duty is to make the best effort, to strive for excellence in all that we
do… And then Make Dua that Allah grants us success. Ameen.
“Success through Excellence”
Yusuf Talia
President
Union of Muslim Students’ Association (MSA Union of
South Africa)
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