Muslim Students Association: Difference between revisions
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| ⚫ | The '''Muslim Students' Association''' ('''MSA''') is a group dedicated, by its own description, to [[Islam]]ic societies on [[college]] [[campus]]es in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]. The MSA advocates orthodox [[Islamic]] causes. MSA chapter's websites feature propoganda released by [[Osama bin Laden]], and the MSA publicly engages in recruiting campaigns for fighters for Chechen independence from Russia. MSA raised funds for the [[Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development]], a terrorist organization whose assets were seized by the [[U.S. Government]] in December 2001 because it was funneling money to Palestinian terrorist organizations.<ref name=NETWORK>[http://www.discoverthenetwork.com/groupProfile.asp?grpid=6175 Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada (MSA)] Discover the Networks</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The '''Muslim Students' Association''' ('''MSA''') is a group dedicated, by its own description, to [[Islam]]ic societies on [[college]] [[campus]]es in [[Canada]] and the [[United States]]. The MSA advocates orthodox [[Islamic]] causes. |
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On [[March 15]], 2003, during a rally in [[San Francisco]] |
On [[March 15]], 2003, during a rally in [[San Francisco]], MSA representatives passed out publications, banners, and placards with the word "Israel" with the "s" replaced by a [[swastika]]. Other placards likened a swastika to the [[Star of David]].<ref name=NETWORK/> |
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When invited, the MSA chose not to participate in or endorse the May 14, 2005 "Free Muslims March Against Terror |
When invited, the MSA chose not to participate in or endorse the May 14, 2005 "Free Muslims March Against Terror."<ref name=NETWORK/> |
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==Queensborough Community College-speech controversy== |
==Queensborough Community College-speech controversy== |
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The MSA raises funds for the [[homeless]] during [[Ramadan]]. It is the first national organization to have a convert to Islam who was born in the U.S. as its head. |
The MSA raises funds for the [[homeless]] during [[Ramadan]]. It is the first national organization to have a convert to Islam who was born in the U.S. as its head. |
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The MSA has always had close ties to the [[Muslim World League]] and [[Jamaat-e-Islami]]. Currently, it is considered to be independent of any foreign Islamic organizations, but is closely tied to the [[Islamic Society of North America]]. MSA is considered to be the precursor to ISNA, and many high-profile MSA members have gone on to hold important positions within ISNA. The [[Islamic Circle of North America]], [[Muslim Youth of North America]], [[North American Islamic Trust]], and other Muslim organizations in North America have their roots in the MSA. |
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The Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada is also known as MSA National. It is an umbrella organization for all of the chapters at various campuses across the continent and promote [[Sunni Islam]]. Local chapters are only loosely connected with the parent institution, and often take different names, such as "Islamic Students Association", or "Muslim Discussion Group". |
The Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada is also known as MSA National. It is an umbrella organization for all of the chapters at various campuses across the continent and promote [[Sunni Islam]]. Local chapters are only loosely connected with the parent institution, and often take different names, such as "Islamic Students Association", or "Muslim Discussion Group". |
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Revision as of 16:21, 3 October 2006
The Muslim Students' Association (MSA) is a group dedicated, by its own description, to Islamic societies on college campuses in Canada and the United States. The MSA advocates orthodox Islamic causes. MSA chapter's websites feature propoganda released by Osama bin Laden, and the MSA publicly engages in recruiting campaigns for fighters for Chechen independence from Russia. MSA raised funds for the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, a terrorist organization whose assets were seized by the U.S. Government in December 2001 because it was funneling money to Palestinian terrorist organizations.[1]
On March 15, 2003, during a rally in San Francisco, MSA representatives passed out publications, banners, and placards with the word "Israel" with the "s" replaced by a swastika. Other placards likened a swastika to the Star of David.[1]
When invited, the MSA chose not to participate in or endorse the May 14, 2005 "Free Muslims March Against Terror."[1]
Queensborough Community College-speech controversy
Aaron Klein, a journalist, attended a meeting sponsored by the MSA at Queensborough Community College in New York. Abu Yousuf and Muhammad Faheed, two American-based leaders of Al-Muhajiroun, a group with suspected ties to al Qaeda, gave speeches about Iraq. Yousuf claimed that the War in Iraq was a "Christian crusade to rid the world of Islam" and the United States will likely attack the other Arab countries. Yousuf also claimed that American soldiers "starve, rape and murder our brothers and sisters [in Iraq]." After criticizing American support for Saddam Hussein in the 1980s, he continued, "Because there is no way to justify this war, we must find a solution." He then introduced Faheed. Faheed claimed that there is a conspiracy against Islam by Christians and Jews, and that Muslims "must not recognize any government authority, or any authority at all besides Allah. We are not Americans! We are Muslims. [The U.S.] is going to deport and attack us! It is us versus them! Truth against falsehood! The colonizers and masters against the oppressed, and we will burn down the master's house! We reject the U.N., reject America, reject all law and order. Don't lobby Congress or protest because we don't recognize Congress! The only relationship you should have with America is to topple it!" Faheed said the war against Iraq would be "felt in America." He then expressed that "the so-called terrorists are the only people who truly fear Allah. Since everyone fears the worldly things that Allah controls, they therefore fear these Islamic organizations [which have been labeled terrorist organizations]. We must join with these organizations. They are the only worthy causes, and the mighty superpower only fears them."[2]
The MSA raises funds for the homeless during Ramadan. It is the first national organization to have a convert to Islam who was born in the U.S. as its head.
The MSA has always had close ties to the Muslim World League and Jamaat-e-Islami. Currently, it is considered to be independent of any foreign Islamic organizations, but is closely tied to the Islamic Society of North America. MSA is considered to be the precursor to ISNA, and many high-profile MSA members have gone on to hold important positions within ISNA. The Islamic Circle of North America, Muslim Youth of North America, North American Islamic Trust, and other Muslim organizations in North America have their roots in the MSA.
The Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada is also known as MSA National. It is an umbrella organization for all of the chapters at various campuses across the continent and promote Sunni Islam. Local chapters are only loosely connected with the parent institution, and often take different names, such as "Islamic Students Association", or "Muslim Discussion Group".
There is no fixed hierarchy between MSA National and local chapters; as such, the policies and views of the national organization are not necessarily shared by local chapters.
The United States and Canada is divided into five zones, three in the US and two in Canada. Each zone has a zonal representative, chosen by the members of the affiliated chapters within that zone. Chapters make up regional councils.
MSA National was formed in 1963 at the campus of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) by representatives from various campuses.
See also
References
- ^ a b c Muslim Students Association of the U.S. and Canada (MSA) Discover the Networks
- ^ Soda, pizza and the destruction of America WorldNetDaily