FAQs
Q. Who are we?
A. We are the Muslim Students Association of Montclair State University, a Class II Organization of the SGA (Student Government Association) that strives to break stereotypes and clear up misconceptions through educational programming as well as getting information about Islam out to the campus community. Although the majority of its members are Muslim, membership is open and encouraged to all.
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Q. What do we do?
A. We strive to break stereotypes and clear up misconceptions by delivering the message of Islam - “Only one God worthy of worship.” We do this through educational programming as well as getting information about Islam out to the campus community.
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Q. What kind of programming does the Muslim Students Association do?
A. The Muslim Students Association dedicates itself to creating, hosting, and coordinating various types of events that are educational and social. Events in the past included the ever popular “Fast-A-Thon” in which the campus community is invited to partake in a day of fasting during the blessed month of Ramadan and then join us to a delicious break-fast banquet. MSA has also hosted the Islamic Awareness Week events that shed light on vital issues through events such as the “Poetry Night” and “Self-Image: Fitting in Today’s Society.”
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Q. How can I get involved?
A. There is so much you can do. In addition to attending the weekly general meetings, you can volunteer at various events. You can also help spread information about Islam and the Muslim Students Association at our weekly informative tables set up in the
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Q. Where does the word Islam originate?
A. Islam is an Arabic word which means “submission”, submission to the Creator of everything. If “Islam” was an English word, everyone who participated in the act of following Islam would be called an “Islamer”. Note the suffix “er”. In Arabic, if someone is performing an action, instead of a suffix of “er”, there is a prefix of “mu”. Hence, one who performs the act of following Islam in Arabic would be a “mu-Islam”, or “Muslim”.
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Q. Who are the Muslims?
A. One billion people from a vast range of races, nationalities and cultures across the globe - from the southern
community is in
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A. You can stop by the MSA office located in the Student Center Room 123 where you can talk with Muslims and also pick up free informative pamphlets. Every Wednesday at
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Q. What makes a person Muslim?
A. Being Muslim is VERY easy. Muslims are submitting to the will and commandments of Allah (swt) (”Allah” is Arabic for God) as stated in the Quran , which is the scripture sent to mankind though the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessing be upon him), and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. The main thing Muslims believe is that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Prophet Muhammad (pbbuh) is his last and final messenger.
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Commonly Used Islamic Phrases:
As-salaamu alaikum: “Peace be on you!”
Wa alaikum salaam: “And on you be peace!”
Bismillah: “In the name of Allah.”
Allahu Akbar: “Allah is the greatest.”
Al-Hamdulillah: “All praise is due to Allah.”
Subhannah Allah: “Glory to Allah” or “Allah is free from all imperfections.
Insha’Allah: “If it please Allah.” or “If Allah wills.”
Masha’Allah: “It is as Allah has pleased.”
Jazaakallahu khaiyr: “May Allah give you a goodly reward.”
Astaghfirullah: “I seek forgiveness from Allah.”
