Over the spring break, the UMB administration initiated a long-time pending project: The Muslim Student Association (MSA) Lounge. The project details and budget from the UMass System funds required for the establishment of the new center is currently being discussed behind closed doors by the UMB Administrative Commission of Diversity and Student Life.
”Muslims are as much a part of our university as the people of any faith and they are as welcome to live and culturally express their religion on campus as any other group,” said Ellen M. O’Connor, UMB Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, in a statement published on the university website over the winter break.
The possible realization of the MSA Lounge is announced to be mid-May, according to the project report. The lounge is to be located in the Campus Center building.
According to the diversity statistics report of 2009, UMB hosts 327 students (256 undergraduates, 71 graduates) who identify themselves as Muslim. Established in fall 2006, UMB Muslim Student Association is the main organization to represent the Muslim community on campus.
Besides celebrating Eids and organizing fast breaking dinners during Ramadan, MSA holds Jumma (Friday) prayers in the Wheatley Lounge at 1 pm, as well as provides space –a cubicle next to club’s office used occasionally for praying – for Muslims students to catch up with their daily prayers.
“We are a small community,” remarked Syed-Taha A. Jafri, the president of MSA at UMass Boston. “However,” Jafri continued, “we have a huge responsibility of representing more than 1 billion people in a country where there are lots of prejudices against them.” Further on, he expressed his excitement about the lounge: “This center will be a chance for UMB students to connect with Islam and learn it without prejudices. We are planning to organize many events.”
Lately, there have been several discussions over a similar type of Muslim building in the national level. Last August, the New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission cleared the way for the construction of Muslim Community Center on Park 51. The tower of as many as 15 stories will house a mosque, a 500-seat auditorium, and a pool. Its leaders say it will be modeled on the Y.M.C.A. and Jewish Community Center in Manhattan.
Inspiring its name from the city in Spain where Muslims, Christians and Jews co-existed in the middle Ages, the Cordoba Project is aiming to amplify a multi-faith approach by honoring “people of all faiths” and reserving them a space for worship, contemplation and meditation.
Given the fact that Manhattan already hosted several mosques, the establishment of the new Muslim Center was an opportunity to expand Muslim New Yorkers’ choices as well as a symbol of respectful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in our country.
Overall, the MSA Lounge offers a remarkable increase in the representation of Muslim students on our campus. In addition, it looks like the ongoing project will be an occasion for UMB students to raise their opinions on Islam.
The Mass Media will be your ultimate source of information for future updates of the project, as well as the platform for your thoughts concerning the topic.