Al Ihsaan Award 2014: Nominations now open!

The Al-Ihsaan Award is presented by the MSA to recognize work being done by Muslim youth. It aims to identify youth that inspire others to become active members of society while at the same time, promoting the idea of change. The award is judged on various levels, including spirituality, leadership, academics, humanitarian involvement as well as their inspiration to others. Nominees must be under 30 years and making a difference in their community or society at large. The name of the award "Al Ihsaan" - gives an indication of what the award aims to identify, acknowledge and encourage in Muslim youth - excellence andgoodness, as is emphasized in the Qur'an "Is the recompense of excellence (in obedience to God) other than excellence?" Surah Ar-Rahman, Verse 60, which is what we as Muslims should be cultivating in every aspect of our lives.

Below is the poster, and here is the link to submit nominations: http://goo.gl/oiwKuz - nominations are open until the 15th of August 2014, and the winner will be announced at MSA Union's Gala Dinner in September!

Last year's winner was Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh. Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh graduated in 2012 with an Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from UCT. In 2013, he will read for the Mphil in International Relations at the University of Oxford as a recipient of the First Rand Laurie Dipennaar Scholarship. He served as the president of the UCT Students’ Representative Council (SRC) in 2010 and received the Vice Chancellor’s Award for “outstanding contribution to the University”. He interned in the office of the late Congressman Donald M. Payne on the South Africa-Washington internship programme in 2011. In 2013, he was selected as one of the Mail and Guardian’s top 200 young South Africans. He is cofounder of Grow2Lead, a youth leadership training company established in 2008 which has rolled out programs to over 6000 young South Africans, released a hip-hop album in 2006 that was nominated for a KORA All-African music Award, and is a founding member of InkuluFreeHeid: a youth led social movement created to deepen South African democracy. Mashaa Allah!

 

 

STATEMENT: UNION OF MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS PRAYS FOR AND REMEMBERS OUR TWO BROTHERS

STATEMENT: UNION OF MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS PRAYS FOR AND REMEMBERS OUR TWO BROTHERS

The Union of Muslim Students' Association received some sad news earlier yesterday morning, and it is with great sadness that we write these words to all of you. On 27 July, the President of Rhodes MSA, Rizwan Bhayat, and the Treasurer of Rhodes MSA, Muhamad Amin Musa have passed away in a boating accident. Search and rescue teams recovered their bodies and they were buried shortly thereafter.

The MSA, nationally, would like to pass condolences and our Duas on to the family of Rizwan and Muhamad. May Allah grant both our colleagues Jannatul Firdaus and grant their families ease during this difficult time.

 May Allah fill our brothers' Qabrs with Noor and may He reward them for their contribution to the Ummah. We remember their contribution to society and pray that Allah is Pleased with them and their efforts.

Indeed, to Allah do we belong, and to Him do we return. Please remember our brothers in your prayers.

Issued by Union of Muslim Students’ Association

For more information, contact:

Yusuf Talia, President of Union of Muslim Students’ Associations, yusuf.talia@hotmail.com, 071 677 2391

Khadeeja Manjra, Vice President of Union of Muslim Students’ Associations, kmanjra@gmail.com, 071 351 2094 

MSA UNION STATEMENT ON THE 1433rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE of BADR

The Prophet S.A.W prayed: “O Allah! I invoke You for Your promise (of victory). O Allah! If You decide (that we be defeated), You will not be worshipped!”
 And His Lord answered:

 "…Indeed, I will reinforce you4 with a thousand from the angels, rank after rank.” Surah Anfal, Ayah 9

Today marks the one thousand four hundred and thirty third anniversary of the Battle of Badr. This battle fought on the 17th of Ramadhaan in the second year after the Hijrah to Medinah, being the first military engagement in the history of Islam, is a testament to the superiority of Truth over falsehood. The superiority of the Light of Islam over all other systems.

The Union of Muslim students association commemorates , in humble gratitude and in deepest admiration, the spirit and actions of bravery, selflessness ,great personal sacrifice displayed by the Holy Prophet S.A.W and his noble Companions on this day and indeed on many other such days.

This is a day of victory and is a source of great pride in our history as the Ummah of Muhammed S.A.W. It is a day in whose memory we should draw strength from despite the great challenges that surround us. It is a reminder that just as the help of Allah S.W.T descended on the Ummah in one of its most difficult moments, the help of Allah is always near for us and we should not despair no matter how insurmountable the obstacles that we face may seem.

We acknowledge with great pain the condition of the Ummah presently especially the latest acts of aggression against the people of Gaza but we commerate their faith and spirit of resistance as they demonstrate to the Ummah the meaning of the ayah:

"How many times has a small group overcome a large group by permission of Allah. And Allah is with those who are patient." Surah Al Baqarah, Ayah 249

We commemorate the martyrs: Harithah ibn Suraqa,Dhu'sh-shimilayn ibn 'Abd 'Amr ,Rafi' ibn al-Mu'alli ,Sa'd ibn Khaythama ,Safwan ibn Wahb ,Aqil ibn al-Bukayr ,Ubaydah ibn al-Harith ,Umayr ibn al-Humam ,Umayr ibn Abi Waqqas, Awf ibn al-Harith ,Mubash-shir ibn 'Abdu'l Mundhir ,Mu'awwidh ibn al-Harith , Mihja' ibn Salih and Yazid ibn al-Harith ibn Fushum Radiyallahu Anhum who made the ultimate sacrifice on this day in defence of Islam so that the Deen of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’alaah would reach us and the entire human family, Insha-Allah.

Indeed, we have no doubt as to the position that they enjoy as promised by their Lord:

 “Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord.” Surah Al Imran, Ayah 169

We pray that Muslims the world over will remember this day as a day
of great victory and bring forth their faith and trust in Allah just as the Sahabah did this day to work towards the higher goals of Islam for the benefit of humanity, Insha-Allah.

On behalf of a very grateful Ummah ,

The Muslim Students Association

Qiyaam for Gaza, 11 July 2014, at your Masjid!

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Two days ago, the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) has, once again, embarked on a campaign of brutalisation and murder of the innocent Palestinian population of Gaza under the banner of its “operation protective edge” In the past 48 hours the IDF has demolished numerous homes and city structures, murdered 76 Palestinians, including 7 children, with numbers increasing every minute and this operation has injured scores more. The pretext put forth by the IDF is to stem the acts of resistance in the form of rockets from the besieged coastal sliver. A similar pretext was used to launch Operation Cast Lead in which 1400 Palestinians were massacred. Yet the primary reason for these brutal acts of violence against innocent Palestinian civilians is solely due to the Israeli Apartheid regime which fails to acknowledge the true origins of the resistance, i.e. the occupation of ALL of Palestine. 

During this month of Ramadhaan, our brothers and sisters in Palestine are continuously and currently being brutally attacked and are being subjected to both human and physical losses. This may leave many people with a feeling of frustration and helplessness at what could be done to assist in any way possible.We are reminded of the wise words of our Nabi Muhammad (SAW): “Du‘a is a weapon of a Muslim, a Pillar of Deen and the light of the skies and earth.” [Narrated by Hakim from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah and Abu Ya’la from Sayyiduna ‘Ali al-Murtudah, Hadith 6163] and the Words of Allah (SWT) in the Holy Qur’aan: And your Lord says: Call upon Me, I will answer you." [Surah Mu’min, Verse 60]

We are, therefore, calling for

1)     The mobilisation of our communities to collectively supplicate and plead to Allah to ease the suffering of ours fellow Ummatis by embarking on a Qiyaam for Gaza (#QiyaamforGaza) this Friday, 11 July 2014, after Taraweeh Salaah, at which ever Masjid you are praying.

What is a qiyam? Qiyam is an extra prayer offered after ‘Esha Salaah at night. During the Salaah after Ruku of the last Raka'at ’, one is able to ask Allah to assist and liberate the people of Palestine. If prayed in congregation, everyone is able to share the same call, begging Allah to shower His Mercy and Aid upon the Palestinian people.

2)     To dedicate and recite a special Surah Yaseen before Maghrib Salaah at your organization/MSA Chapter’s Mass Iftaar with a mass Dua asking Allah to ease the plight of Palestinians and all those who are oppressed.

The Prophet S.A.W explained the nature of his Ummah by describing us as one body. Considering the sacredness and centrality of this month, we would like to push for a global Qiyaam for Gaza just as there was for Syria and Burma.

We trust that you will join hands with us in prayer as we pray to Allah to help ease the pain and suffering of our brothers and sisters. Join us in utilizing what Nabi (SAW) has said to be one of the most powerful weapons of a believer!

Twitter : @MSA_Union

Facebook: MSA Union

Email: info@msa.org.za

Hashtag: #QiyaamforGaza

Please approach your local masjid to have a Qiyaam & email us the confirmed venue (info@msa.org.za) so it can be advertised. Shukran.