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Is MacMSA part of Welcome Week?

Yes! Not only will we have various activities beginning September 4th, but we will begin offering iftars starting August 23rd (tentative), and taraweeh prayers will begin from start of Ramadan inshaAllah. We have partnered up with First Year Experience Office to ensure that you will not even feel like being away from home!

Will the MSA have anything going on during Frosh Week?

YES! The MSA has several BIG events going on during Frosh Week!

How do I become an official member of the MSA?

Sign up with your name and student number and pay the $10 membership fee.

How do I pay my $10 membership fee?

The BEST way is at Clubsfest but if you miss that chance you can also pay at the General Assembly Meeting, or by contacting any of the executive members. All that is needed is your full name and student number in addition to the $10 fee.

Who is on the MSA executive and who are the directors?

Click on the Executive and/or Directors link of the far left to find out the names and contact info for all of the MSA execs and directors. Feel free to email any of the execs or directors any time if you have questions, comments or concerns about the MSA. You'll see many of them at Clubsfest and in the MSA Office on a regular basis. Make sure you introduce yourself to every new person you meet!

When are MSA general meetings?

Meeting times and locations will always be posted the MSA Calendar. MMNs will also be sent out as a remind the first few times but check the calendar regularly to stay up to date.

Where is the MSA Office/Prayer Space located? What are the prayer times there?

The MSA Office/Prayer Space is located in Wentworth House (the small building in front of MDCL). The front entrance to Wentworth is located on Sterling Street, right in front of the toll booth. Once you enter, go up the stairs, make a left and the MSA office is right down the hall. The brothers' entrance is directly in front of you and the sisters' entrance is to the left of it. Washrooms are conveniently located down the hall from the MSA Office or if those are busy you can always go down to the basement and use the facilities there. There is no official set prayer time for the MSA Office but if you walk in at any given prayer time you will usually find at least one other person there that you can pray in jammah with.

Can I pray anywhere else on campus other than the MSA Office?

Of course! The grass is always a great place to pray, as are empty classrooms, stairwells or anywhere you find space. However, if you're looking for a carpeted place you have some nice options in addition to the MSA Office.

1) Thode library basement back corner

2) Health Science Centre (HSC) chapel 2^nd floor, near the elevators

Where and when are jummahs (Friday prayers) on campus? Is there a map with directions anywhere?

There are two jummah congregations every Friday. One is always at 1:30 pm, usually in the Smith Gym in the Ivor Wynne Centre (IWC). Check the MSA Calendar weekly for changes and updates. The alternative jummah is held either at 12:30 pm or 2:30 depending on Daylight Savings Time. It is always held in the MSA Office in Wentworth House.

For more detailed info about jummahs including location changes, please sign up for our mailing list as well as follow us on twitter (links are above).

Does the MSA have daily iftars?

Yes it does! Alhamdulillah, thanks to the generosity of the community, MacMSA is able to host FREE iftars on a daily basis on campus. Check the MSA Calendar for iftar locations. This year we will be starting from Welcome Week when you move in.

I'm really going to miss attending Taraweeh prayers at the mosque. What alternatives do I have on campus?

This is your lucky day! There are daily taraweeh prayers held right in the MSA office located on the 2^nd floor of Wentworth House. Click on the link for the Calendar on the MSA website to find out Taraweeh times each day. Alhamdulillah at McMaster we are fortunate enough to have many talented hufadh who lead Taraweeh daily.

HELP! I have a test/exam on the day of Eid! What should I do?

Email our Internal Public Relations officer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and they will explain the process of getting an Eid exam deferral letter from the MSA. Keep in mind that you will still have to go through the process with your respective faculty.

What are some zabiha halal places to eat on- and off-campus?

Basilique – pizza, shawarma, chicken wings, and much more!

Map

Cedar's – Mediterranean cuisine (shawarma, donair, salads, rice and more)

Gino's Pizza – pizza of course! ask for halal

Map

CreationX – subs (halal options available)

Located inside La Piazza in MUSC

Willy's Hotdog - halal hotdogs

Located outside Titles/Student Centre as well as between Life Sciences Building and Divinity College.

What services does MacMSA provide?

MacMSA has 12 directorships (areas) that you can get involved in. Check out the descriptions for each directorship below and then contact the director(s) for whatever areas you want to get involved in!

What are General Assembly Meetings (GAMs)?

MacMSA has two GAMs every year, one in the first term and one in the second term. These meetings are held early in the term and are a way for general members to find out what the MSA has planned for the rest of the term and how to get involved. Dates, times and locations for GAMs will always be advertised on the forums, mailing list (MMNs) and posted on the MSA Calendar.

I need academic advice. Who can I talk to?

Contact the Director of Academic Education. They have a list of upper year MSA members who have volunteered to be mentors. You can ask the mentors any questions you have about your program and university in general. If your question is complicated or the situation is one that a mentor might not be able to help you out with, it's a good idea to talk to the professional academic advisors in your faculty. They're there to make sure you get the most out of your university experience. However if you need to talk to someone who's been through the program and has first hand experience, the mentors have a lot of valuable advice to share.

I'm having trouble signing up/logging on to the MSA forums; who do I contact?

The Director of Technology Services! MacMSA wouldn't have such a cool website or forums that were regularly managed if it wasn't for the hard work of this director and their team. Remember to be kind and courteous to the tech team. They have volunteered their time to make sure the MSA has the best tech services of any MSA.

WOW MacMSA seems like a great club to join! How do I get involved?

First, sign up on the mailing list. Second, join the forums. Third, check the calendar for upcoming meetings and events. Fourth, email the directors for the specific area you want to get involved in and they can tell you exactly what you can do to get started.

Directorships and Committees:

Prayer Services

Facilitate the organization of Jummah prayers, Taraweeh prayers and maintenance of the MSA Office

Ramadan and Iftaar Services

Ensure that iftaar is served on campus during the month of Ramadan and encouraging optional fasting throughout the year

Islamic Education

Providing resources and forums which allow Muslims to study, learn and understand Islam

Da'wah & Outreach

Increase awareness and understanding of Islam to the McMaster community.

Fundraising

Raise funds for the MSA to carry out its activities

Sisters' Social

To provide social events for sisters in order to foster sisterhood and try to make the MSA inclusive to every Muslim on campus

Brothers' Social

To provide social events for brothers in order to foster brotherhood and try to make the MSA inclusive to every Muslim on campus

Social Services

The Director of Social Services has the primary responsibility of bringing awareness of social issues to the Muslim students at McMaster and providing them with the opportunity to get involved within the community

Publications

To manage all publications or newsletters to foster creativity within the MSA as well as providing an outlet for literary expression

Academic Education

Encourage academic excellence through various programs and initiatives

QQC - Qiratul Qura'n Competition

MacMSA exclusive event bringing together the community and many universities within the GTA for friendly competition, but most importantly to glorify the Quran

Technological Services