The Muslim Student Association hopes to unite with other student organizations in hopes of raising money for those affected by the Haiti disaster.

“It happened so suddenly,” MSA member Dima Sbenaty, sophomore basic and applied sciences major said. “We knew had to do something.”

In attempts to get the word out and get more people involved, the MSA called upon the Jewish Student Association to help with the event. 

“I know it seems strange, but we usually try to plan things together,” said MSA President Mujtaba Alamir, senior basic and applied sciences major. “We’re trying to show that we have no issues towards each other and that it’s merely political.” 

The MSA also attempts to work closely with the local Nashville Mosque, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, MTSU’s Latin sorority, Lambda Theta Alpha and The Kurdish Student Association to properly promote their events and maximize awareness to raise the most money possible.

“This fundraiser is a group effort, not just an MSA effort,” Sbenaty said. “The other student organizations are just as involved in promoting the event and donating the food.”

The MSA members are very hopeful that even with the competing weather and the various events happening on the knoll that day, they will still reach their goal. 

“As of right now, this is a one-time thing,” said MSA treasurer Ana Shaikh, senior basic and applied sciences major. “If it succeeds we would love to get together with other student organizations and do it again.” 

MSA group predicts it will raise $500 -1000 for this effort. 

“Once it hit, we knew we had to do something,” Sbenaty said. “We really wanted to get involved, and, in order to make more money, we talked to other organizations.” 

All proceeds will be going to the Haiti Chapter of Red Cross and UNICEF, who work specifically to help children regain nutrition and obtain health care after the disaster.

Sbenaty said that Muslims are no stranger to charity. Of the five pillars of Islam, charity, or Zakat, is recognized almost daily. She said the saying “each wealthy person is responsible for a poor person,” is something that is carried with every Muslim. 

Besides this upcoming Haiti fundraiser, the MSA said they have done an annual fast-a-thon when they ask students during the holy month of Ramadan to give up food for one day. They do this to raise awareness about Islam and world hunger.