I know that MSA National has been getting criticized by some recently and I thought that it might be of benefit to highlight one of the programs that they do in the DC Meropolitan Area (as well as other areas around the US) that truly has brought a lot of benefit. The program that I am speaking of is Project Downtown, an effort aimed at reducing poverty and spreading Islam through our ACTIONS and words.
Recently, MSA’s around the Northern Virginia area teamed up with MAS Youth Give (MYG) to distribute food to the homeless around Washington DC. Though I havent been able to attend (hey, I teach on the weekends and they always schedule it on Saturdays!), the brothers that I know personally that went said that it was a very rewarding experience. In fact, the 11th and 12th grade weekend Islamic Studies class from my masjid went their on a field trip and they said that they had a really fun time.
Anyways, I have pasted an article below about Project Downtown. If you would like to find out more about Project Downtown and how you can get involved, go to http://projectdowntown.org
| Project Downtown collaborates with MYDC to end homelessness |  |
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MYDC and Project Downtown Reach Out to the Homeless
As part of its’ monthly community service projects, MAS Youth Give (MYG) partnered with Project Downtown to distribute food to the homeless at two parks in downtown Washington DC. This event, aimed at encouraging Muslim youth to give to those less fortunate and instill in them a sense of responsibility for their community, was also an opportunity for them to be thankful to Allah for all that He has blessed them with.
Volunteers met at Franklin Park in Washington DC on the morning of July 14, 2007 to help in the effort. At the start of the event, MYG Project Coordinator, Dua’a Elbarasse, and Project Downtown representative, Ramy Zamzam, reminded volunteers of the purpose of the event: not only to feed the homeless, but to show we care, engage them in conversation and listen to their thoughts. With their arms filled with bananas, oranges, and water, MYG volunteers renewed their intentions and began making connections.
About fifty volunteers split into smaller groups of three or four and set on their way to bring a smile to those in need. Within an hour, all the homeless were approached by the volunteers with warm greetings and nutritious snacks. The volunteers then moved on to another park a block away with the intention of reaching out to as many people as possible. The event concluded with a reflection from Abdel-Rahman Hamed, MYDC Director, on how the events of the day were a hands-on example of the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
MAS Youth of DC carries out various projects and activities that aim to give youth an opportunity to show their appreciation and dedication to their faith through comprehensive approaches by developing their spirituality, understanding, and overall character to become a beacon of light in our American society. (Source: MAS Youth)
The original article can be viewed at:
Ohhhhhhh….Mashallah! Different articles I see…
Well…I think this was a decent event, inshallah. However, I still believe that MSA National is no longer relevant as a national organization. I believe that now … and I believed the same — years ago when I was in the MSA myself.
jazak Allah khayr for the response akhi.
i think the issue of relevancy is a relative topic. For example, ISNA is irrelevant to me because i rarely attend. But to 30,000+ annual attendees, ISNA is not only relevant, but often times serves as a course of guidance and direction in their own lives.
I personally hadn’t participated in a single MSA National event, nor did i know anyone that was involved with MSA National for my first two years of college. In my junior year a close friend of mine became the MSA DC Council chairman and another friend of mine became the MSA East zone rep. After seeing the amount of time and effort they put into organizing and assisting different MSAs around the US, it opened my eyes to the commitment and dedication that they have to put in to working as a part of MSA National.
I think the better question is that of effectiveness and if they are effecting as many MSAs as they can. Personally, I believe that there is much more that they could be doing to impact MSAs around the US, but in all honesty they only have 12 positions on their board that receive little help and hold busy schedules themselves.
At the end of the day, MSA National is only as relevant or effective as you want it to be- if you are on the board of a college MSA, try to get involved and talk to your local MSA National representative (that is, if you want) and talk about the goals that you have for your MSA and how they can assist you in achieving those goals.
And Allaah knows best.