President
Maryam AhmedJunior, Pre-med + BusinessSalaam everyone! My name is Maryam and I’m a junior on the pre-med track and I’m running for President. I've been an active member the last 3 years and this year I had the opportunity to serve as Public Relations director and it proved to be an invaluable experience. Working as PR director alongside the amazing board & chairs, I learned a lot not just about running an organization, but also what our MSA stands for. I was in charge of all social media accounts and made the flyers, stories, etc (check out the fire insta feed for our Muslims of KU spotlights) while also leading a PR Committee. For next year, my main goal is to work as a team player to fill the void this virtual year created/ bring back the OG MSA vibes and help foster the positive, inclusive environment we all join MSA to be a part of ~ a fun group of muslim pals who are here not just to boost their Imaan but also create friendships with people that as most of us know, last for life.
-Panini auntie (iykyk) |
Hammad Hussein
Junior, Major: Healthcare Information Management Minor: LeadershipSalams Y’all, My name is Hammad and I am running for the KU MSA President. As your President, I would like to hire the first Muslim Chaplin for the KU community. My past experience with KU MSA include that I have been the Treasurer and Big & Little Coordinator. I also just completed a 2-year term as the MSA National Student Director, a position that represents over 600 MSAs on the national level. During my time at KU MSA, I more than doubled the operating budget of the organization, helped set up the website, improved the organizations constitution by making eligibility to run for office and voting more accessible to students by lowering attendance requirements and making more positions within the organization so more students can get involved and call KU MSA their own.
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Vice President
Inaya Khan
Freshman, Undeclared (applying to the School of Business next fall)Assalamualaikum, my name is Inaya Khan, and I’m currently a freshman hoping to apply to the School of Business next fall.
I believe I am a good fit for Vice President because I have prioritized KU MSA this year. I have attended all meetings and events, have enjoyed participating in new MSA initiatives like Password, and have explored the Lawrence Muslim community through volunteering and attending Jummah. I am organized, use open and honest communication, and value teamwork, all of which are crucial to being on the MSA board. I hope to help create a space of inclusivity in KU MSA so that all future members can feel as welcome and passionate about the community as I have. In terms of leadership experiences, I served as the president of the Interfaith, Diversity, and Debate clubs at my high school. I also served two years as secretary for the MYNA chapter in KC and an appointed Ansar for various Muslim youth camps. Some plans I have for the next year are to organize an MSA alumni panel, expand our discussion topics, collaborate with KU multicultural and religious organizations, and partner with local and national MSAs. In all the wishes I have set out for the next year, it all serves to expand an already strong community, stay true to our deen, and have a good time. |
Syeda MahnoorSophomore, PsychologyMy name is Syeda Mahnoor I am currently a Sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-med track. As the current secretary of KU MSA, I got the opportunity to learn many new things that can benefit the incoming committee and club as a whole. As a board member I want Ku muslim student association to be a fun place for all students.
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Raiyan Haq4th year, Business AnalyticsSalam! I'm Raiyan Haq, a 4th year Business Analytics student, and I'm running for MSA Vice President. I have previously served on the Engineering Student Council as a freshman council member and as community service chair. I enjoyed my time serving as a team member in those roles and know what it's like to work together as a unit. I haven't missed an MSA meeting since 2019 I think, so you know I rock with the MSA. I would love to keep the trajectory of the MSA and continue to build upon what the current board has done.
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Sameer AhmadSophomore, Biology Major and Psychology MinorAssalamualaykum, my name is Sameer Ahmad and I am a second year student studying biology and minoring in psychology. I believe I will be a good fit for this position is because a VP needs to be comfortable in all situations, adapt to various circumstances, and help any board member with their respective role. I believe my experiences as Jummah Coordinator and PR Director for Pakistan Student Association makes me the most qualified for this position. A VP needs to be organized and needs to give timely responses to the people who contact them. They need to be dedicated and put in the effort, and they should be knowledgeable of all positions. I feel I have all of these skills and have acquired these skills through my leadership experiences.
As Jummah coordinator, I organized all student-led Jummahs, communicated with all khateebs ahead of time (I respond extremely quickly to messages and emails, which most of the members of MSA can attest to), and kept track of all the documents provided to me by the khateebs. With these sorts of organizational and secretarial skills, I believe I can implement these same skills as the VP of MSA. I have attended all of the meetings this year for MSA, and this shows how dedicated I am in making sure I give my time and effort in making this organization go. I have experience as a PR for PSA, where I make the flyers and oversee all social media action including Instagram, Groupme, and working through Canva. So, I believe if there are opportunities to engage with people using social media, I will be able to make flyers and add some inspiration, if needed, to make our flyers outstanding, like they always have been. As PR director for PSA, I organized a bunch of events, including our Mafia In-Person Event and some other zoom events. I know who to contact to make sure our rooms are reserved for those events, and I also know the right people to contact within the organization and outside of it, in-case there are certain situations that may be unique to both that board member and myself. I hope that by reading this you see that I am the best candidate for this position and decide to vote for me. Jazak Allah Khairan |
Hassaan TariqSophomore, Major: EECS Minor: BusinessHey, my name is Hassaan Tariq and I’m running for Vice President. I have been a member of the MSA here at KU ever since I was a freshman. The times I spent at meetings once a week were always well spent; getting to see friends and other people from the community was always an occasion to look forward to. I wish to use my experience from various leadership roles in my past, from other organizations and positions, to help continue and ensure MSA achieves its goals at KU while also adapting to a post-COVID environment.
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Secretary
Zaeem SiddiquiSophomore, Major- Aerospace Engineering, Minor- BusinessMy name is Zaeem Siddiqui and I’m from Atlanta, GA. The Muslim community I am a part of there has really shaped who I am today. I’ve spent majority of my middle school and high school years volunteering countless hours with my local masjid through social events, fundraisers, Gala’s, interfaith events, etc. I’ve also spent a good part of my high school years as a member of UpLift Muslim Youth Group. As a member I participated in numerous events such as halaqas, game nights, religious workshops, and food drives such as “Pancakes for the Homeless”. I was also fortunate enough to be a Kids4Peace ambassador where I participated in interfaith events and activities that strived towards creating peace between kids from all three abrahamic faiths. Alhumdulillah I have been very blessed to be provided with countless opportunities and experiences that have allowed me to see the positive impact that social events can have on a community and I really hope to be able to share them with the Muslim Student Association at KU.
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Murtaza ShoaibFreshman, MCD Biology (major), Psychology (minor)My name is Murtaza Shoaib. I’m a first year student from Overland Park and I’m pre-med majoring in biology. I have a great deal of experience planning and putting on events. I was a founding member of the Palestinian American Medical Association Youth branch, with whom I worked for three years. Our efforts were aimed at local youth, and through our events, we raised money for war affected children in Gaza. I was involved with the ICJC Youth Committee, and planned guest speaker events with the Kansas City Scholar Series. I also founded and led the MSA at my high school for three years.. Being a part of the MSA this year has been a very valuable experience. I’m grateful for having had this community during a school year like this one, and I think I have the skills to serve the organization.
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Treasurer
Sanah ShabbirSophomore,Applied Behavioral Science w/ community health development concentration (major), Global International Studies (minor)Salaam everyone, my name is Sanah Shabbir and I’m a sophomore majoring in Applied Behavioral Science with a concentration in community health development and a Global International Studies minor. This year, I had the opportunity to serve as the Sister Social Chair and plan ladies-only events throughout the year, but to also work on the PR Committee for Islamic Awareness Week. Working on the PR Committee gave me the opportunity to understand the tasks of the PR position (making flyers, student spotlights, IAW, and Ramadan posts) and the various aspects of MSA’s social media engagement. I feel I am best fit for the position because I am creative, hardworking, a great multi-tasker, and I love to collaborate with others on projects/tasks. I hope to continue the great work that was done this year and grow our social platform even more next year!
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Hassaan TariqSophomore, Major: EECS Minor: BusinessHey, my name is Hassaan Tariq and I’m running for Public Relations Director. I have been a member of the MSA here at KU ever since I was a freshman. The times I spent at meetings once a week were always well spent; getting to see friends and other people from the community was always an occasion to look forward to. I wish to use my experience from various leadership roles in my past, from other organizations and positions, to help continue and ensure MSA achieves its goals at KU while also adapting to a post-COVID environment.
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Public Relations Director
Maryum MalikSophomore, MathematicsAssalamu Alaikum! My name is Maryum Malik and I am in my sophomore year at KU studying Mathematics and am on a pre-optometry track. I have recently became involved with MSA and love to contribute to the meetings. I believe I would be an excellent candidate for this position because I am good at numbers and keeping track of money. I was a girl scout since Kindergarten and it helped gain valuable experience. As a girl scout I have learned to manage money through cookie sales. I have participated in many fundraisers and helped organize them. In girl scouts I have also had to collaborate with the community to get events and projects going. This experience would come in handy when I would have to talk to others about budget and gathering funds. I see MSA becoming a place where we can enlighten the non-Muslim community about Islam and bring awareness to the beauties of our religion. I believe it is important that others know who Muslims are and what we stand for.
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Murtaza ShoaibFreshman, MCD Biology (major), Psychology (minor)My name is Murtaza Shoaib. I’m a first year student from Overland Park and I’m pre-med majoring in biology. I’d make a great treasurer for the MSA. I have past experience with a nonprofit, the Palestinian American Medical Association Youth branch. We raised funds for war affected children in Gaza. I think I can translate my experience there well into the needs of the MSA. Further, I’m organized, good with communication, and a team player, and I think I have a lot to offer the organization.
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Hassaan TariqSophomore, Major: EECS Minor: BusinessHey, my name is Hassaan Tariq and I’m running for Treasurer. I have been a member of the MSA here at KU ever since I was a freshman. The times I spent at meetings once a week were always well spent; getting to see friends and other people from the community was always an occasion to look forward to. I wish to use my experience from various leadership roles in my past, from other organizations and positions, to help continue and ensure MSA achieves its goals at KU while also adapting to a post-COVID environment.
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Events Coordinator
Arsalan ZafarFreshman, BiologyAsalam A Lakum. My name is Arsalan Zafar. I am running for secretary because I am confident in my ability to succeed in this position. I have experiences with volunteering at my local masjids where I was responsible for maintaining attendance, running zoom meetings, and making activities for students. I'm also a sales associate, which has taught me many things about people, expectations, and responsibility. I will be able to apply these aspects for the secretary position. As far as my previous experience with the MSA, I showed up to almost every single meeting this year, given a halaqa, and regularly give Jumu'ah khutbahs. This year, we had to take a different approach on the MSA because of the current situations, but I see a very bright vision for the future of the MSA. I see more people coming to our events since next year may be in person regardless of who gets the positions. But for me, It would be an honor to serve this position. Jazakallah.
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Hassaan TariqSophomore, Major: EECS Minor: BusinessHey, my name is Hassaan Tariq and I’m running for Secretary. I have been a member of the MSA here at KU ever since I was a freshman. The times I spent at meetings once a week were always well spent; getting to see friends and other people from the community was always an occasion to look forward to. I wish to use my experience from various leadership roles in my past, from other organizations and positions, to help continue and ensure MSA achieves its goals at KU while also adapting to a post-COVID environment.
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Sameer AhmadSophomore, Biology Major and Psychology MinorAssalamualaykum, my name is Sameer Ahmad and I am a 2nd year student studying Biology and minoring in Psychology. As Jummah Coordinator and PR of Pakistan Student Association, I feel I have the skills and methods in being the Secretary for MSA. As a Secretary one must be organized, efficient in their work, and dedicated towards the organization they want to be a part of. As Jummah Coordinator I organized all student-led Jummahs and created an efficient record-keeping system for the list of Khateebs, their speeches, and when they will be speaking. I will easily be able to apply these skills towards the secretarial position. During my time as PR for PSA I established connections with people around KU who helped our organization. I believe that I will be able to use those same connections to the organization's advantage, whether it is to reserve general assembly spaces or event spaces or even if there are questions regarding Student Senate and DEI. Something else that makes me stand out is my dedication to MSA. I attended every single general assembly meeting and many board members and other members of MSA can attest to the fact that I was very heavily involved with this organization. I spent a lot of time making sure that I was doing my complete obligation as Jummah Coordinator, and that my duties (which can be seen in the constitution) were complete throughout this past year. I also responded to messages and emails sent to me very quickly, so that person can make the best decision possible with as much time as they need. If there were any problems I quickly addressed them so there were no issues moving forward. I hope that with my skills and dedication to MSA you will see that I am the best choice for the Secretary position and decide to vote for me. Jazak Allah Khairan for your time.
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Inaya KhanFreshman, Freshman, Undeclared (applying to the School of Business next fall) Assalamualaikum, my name is Inaya Khan, and I’m currently a freshman hoping to apply to the School of Business next fall. I believe I am a good fit for Secretary because I have prioritized KU MSA this year. I have attended all meetings and events, have enjoyed participating in new MSA initiatives like Password, and have explored the Lawrence Muslim community through volunteering and attending Jummah. I am organized, use open and honest communication, and value teamwork, all of which are crucial to being on the MSA board. I hope to help create a space of inclusivity in KU MSA so that all future members can feel as welcome and passionate about the community as I have. In terms of leadership experiences, I served as the president of the Interfaith, Diversity, and Debate clubs at my high school. I also served two years as secretary for the MYNA chapter in KC and an appointed Ansar for various Muslim youth camps. Some plans I have for the next year are to organize an MSA alumni panel, expand our discussion topics, collaborate with KU multicultural and religious organizations, and partner with local and national MSAs. In all the wishes I have set out for the next year, it all serves to expand an already strong community, stay true to our deen, and have a good time.
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Syeda MahnoorSophomore, PsychologyMy name is Syeda Mahnoor I am currently a Sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-med track. As the current secretary of KU MSA, I got the opportunity to learn many new things that can benefit the incoming committee and club as a whole. I am best suited for the role again because I promise I am a very organized and punctual person. As a board member I want all the students apart of the muslim student association to feel included and have fun at meetings. I also really like sushi!
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