Top row (left to right): Mustafa Ahmed (Treasurer), Abdullah Ahmed (Event Coordinator), Omar Shaheen (Prayer Leader), Ahmad Milad Sargand (Vice President), Rabi Ebadi (Outreach Coordinator) Bottom row (left to right): Ayah Al-Masry (MIST Coordinator), Isra Yousif (Vice President), Retal Mohammad (Secretary), Dania El-Dirdiri (President), Ms. Ali (Club Sponsor)
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at Justice has about two hundred members and has been active for over thirty years. The members are unified by their faith, and they seek to foster community for Muslim students and to educate their fellow students about Islam and issues that concern Islamic culture.
Every year Justice hosts International Night, providing students the opportunity to celebrate their countries of origin through songs and dance, wearing traditional attire. Members of the MSA have ancestors in many countries including Egypt, Sudan, Chad, and Palestine. At the end of their performances, they held posters bringing awareness of the tragedies in the war-torn regions of Sudan and Palestine. This year, the MSA plans to have its own show at International Night. In addition to a dance, they intend to read a poem to shed light on the plight of those suffering in Gaza.
The MSA has spread awareness about Palestine by organizing a demonstration which was approved by Justice High School. They were joined by a few hundred students, both Muslim and non-Muslim. A video of the demonstration was posted on Instagram. Retal Mohammad, secretary of the club, described many of the responses as “hostile.” Despite this reaction from strangers, members of the MSA did not respond in kind. Club President Dania Eldirdiri says, “Instead of meeting hostility with hostility, we wanted to have a conversation. We took time to respond to comments with the message that Islam is a religion of peace.”
MSA seeks to bridge understanding across cultural divides by welcoming non-Muslim students to their events. Every Friday, the club hosts a prayer during the day called Jummah. Non-Muslim students who wish to learn more about other religions are invited to participate.
Suado Ali, faculty sponsor for the MSA, says, “I am so incredibly proud of all MSA leaders and members at Justice! As their sponsor, it has been a privilege to witness their growth, dedication, and leadership. They consistently go above and beyond, showing what true leadership looks like with their commitment to making a positive impact within our community. Their hard work, compassion, and determination inspire me daily.”
College & Career Specialist Deidra Anderson also commends the club by noting that “the members of MSA seek to understand others, while educating their peers. This approach fosters an inclusive school environment and that spreads within our local community as well. They can always be counted on to participate in school fund-raising events, and they lead student focus groups to ensure that all Justice HS students’ voices are heard and valued. MSA has assisted with creating a vibrant and welcoming school culture for all, and for that they deserve a Student Peace Award.”