Category | Arts & Living

Henna fundraiser aims to unify and educate students

Published on November 3, 2009 by Heather Cook

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) hosted a henna fundraiser at the Student Center Rotunda Oct. 29. The event intended to raise money for the organization so that they can host more events throughout the coming semesters.

“The fundraiser is to raise awareness of what MSA’s purpose is and to recruit new members,” said Sadaf Ahmed, president of MSA. “KSU MSA strives to reach students in different ways so that the organization can cater to the needs of the student body as well as the public.”

The henna was designed by the association’s treasurer, Sana Khaja, who has designed a lot of henna in the past, including bridal henna. Pictures of designs were provided for students. Also, if students wanted to bring their own picture, Khaja would try to duplicate it. However, if students did not bring a picture and they did not find a provided picture they were satisfied with, they could simply tell the artist what they would like.

“MSA has done many fundraisers for many different causes,” said Ahmed. ”We have donated funds to organizations including Doctors without Borders and American Friends Service Committee. This particular fundraiser is not actually going towards a charity organization, but it is for the Muslim Students Association itself.”

The assocation offered many types of henna, with prices starting at $5. For henna on one side of the hand, the price was $5. For two sides of the hand, the price was $7. For henna on two hands, one side each, the price was also $7 and for henna on two sides of both hands, the price was $10.

“This [event] allows them [students] to gain a cultural experience while learning a little about Islam,” said Khaja.
The MSA, since the fall of 2008, has been dedicated to “spreading peace through knowledge,” as Ahmed phrased it.

“We believe as an organization that we can spread peace through knowledge of Islam by participating in community service, hosting general meetings with educational tactics of teaching about Islam and not preaching Islam and holding open forums for the public to ask Muslim MSA members of various subject matters,” Ahmed said. ”MSA has participated in community service activities such as HOSEA Feed the Hungry and interacting with children staying at the Center for Children and Young Adults.”

According to their description, MSA is “an active organization where students receive knowledge about Islam and can choose to practice it. Members use the cubicle for daily prayers or go to the masjid.”

The organization welcomes all Muslims and even those who do not practice the Islams and they also participate in activities that help high school students transition into college life, As a part of MSA, students have the opportunity to attend ICNA, an annual conference of the Islamic Circle of North America.

“I think it is a great organization to be a part of because it reaches out to the community while learning about Islam,” said Khaja.

“There are many, many misconceptions about Islam,” said Ahmed. “If more students were to join MSA, more students would be aware of the misconceptions that most people hold. Our ultimate mission is to spread peace through understanding and we can do that by having both Muslims and non-Muslims participate in the various community service events that MSA holds throughout the school year.”