Foodbank with MSA | Photos by Robillard | The Wright State Guardian
The Muslim Student Association has been tabling in the Union Market over the past few weeks with barrels, intending to fill them up with food donations for the Dayton Foodbank.
Barrels around campus
Laila Batman, the Outreach Chair for MSA, explained that the barrels around the Student Union were all put there by the MSA. She and several other members of the MSA executive board were tabling to collect food to donate.
“We’re gathering canned donations,” Batman explained. “From the Muslim Student Association.”
Batman explained that as Outreach Chair, she works to help people know when events are going on. She shared that she joined MSA because she found a community that she enjoyed, but also thought that she could help improve.
Makhamat Shakhbandarov, Community Service Chair for MSA, organized a lot of the events to get these donations.
“I organized with the Dayton Foodbank [to] bring us barrels,” Shakhbandarov said. “They’re going to collect them in a week. So we [have] a little bit more time.”
Some of the barrels have made it to around halfway full, but some are still left mostly empty, meaning that there is still plenty of room for more donations. Shakhbandarov is hopeful they will see these barrels fill up more before they are taken back to the Foodbank.
“I think it’s important to also donate to the Dayton Foodbank because we should be helping the people out there that need it more than us,” Shakhbandarov explained.
The barrels will be on campus until Wednesday, Oct. 9, so make sure to stop by and drop off canned food! They can be found outside the library, SIL office or in the Union Market area.
MSA
Asmaa Al Doughem, the Sisterhood Chair for Islamic Activities, shared her feelings about MSA and what it has provided for her.
“It brings together the Muslims and then the non-Muslims, like it also tells them about Islam and makes them know about Islam, and then know what Islam is,” Al Doughem stated. “[So they] know the reality, outside media and all of that.”
For her, Batman, Shakhbandarov and many others, MSA is a rich community full of love and understanding. They are able to practice their religion with those who share it, and even learn more about different aspects of their own community from the lectures they hold.
Al Doughem went on to share about MSA’s upcoming events, including the events they will be holding during Mental Health Week, and an upcoming volleyball tournament.
There are lots of upcoming opportunities to get involved in the MSA’s community. Those interested can also check out their Engage page.
