The Board

MSA Board - Deen Team 2009

Wednesday, 14 October 2009 00:46

	Zohaib Mohammad President Hometown: Islamabad, Pakistan Major: Chemical Engineering, Economics Salaam. They told me that coming to the US would be a life changing experience. But that's as much as they can tell you because how that plays out is different for everyone. It is the MSA for me that has defined my Penn experience. If you ask me why I got involved, I'll give you the same answer as everybody else would give you: the people!. The MSA is my family away from home. I encourage you to explore this family as there is room for plenty more.
	Aminah Ali Vice-President Hometown: Staten Island, NY Major: Finance and Operations and Information Management Salaams. I was born and raised in NYC, but my parents are from Trinidad and I love going back to visit. The one thing I love most about there is the understanding and respect among religions there. Having been involved in MSA in high school, I knew that the MSA was something that I wanted to be a part of, but never expected it to be what it is now. MSA @ Penn is like my family away from home. From social to spiritual, I believe that there is something for everyone in this organization. The people in the MSA are what make it amazing and that’s why I enjoy being part of the MSA.
	Salmon Kadivar Fundraising Chair Hometown: Kansas Major: Math Salam my people. I ws born in Iran and lived there for a bit. I've also grown up in Illinois and Kansas... yeah... Kansas with a hick accent added on. I have four sisters. I am a math major who is pre-med. For fun I like to play sports and just chill or do anytihing that makes me laugh. I'm the social chair and I like to have fun so if you have any ideas hit me up. The MSA is fun and a great place to meet new people so don't be shy. So keep it real and come out. Peace.. The one and only ;)
	Dara Elass Social Development Chair Hometown: Too complicated Major: Systems Science Engineering Asalamu Alaikum, My name is Dara, and I'm a sophomore in Systems Engineering, minoring in Math and Modern Middle East Studies. I'm originally from Syria but grew up in Saudi (Aramco), Virginia (Vienna and Brambleton) and Bahrain (Bahrain's too small, I shouldn't name a city/town). When I'm not too worried about passing my classes, I like to play tennis, read, and hang out with my amazing friends. My three favorite things (not related to Islam) in the world are camels, sand and mint chocolate (or anything minty for that matter). OK, so you can tell that I'm an Arab. The thing I like most about the MSA is that it gives me so many opportunities to learn about Islam on my own, as opposed to always hearing about it from my parents like when I was younger, and to challenge my faith constantly. When you're surrounded by Muslim brothers and sisters who really become like brothers and sisters, you always have discussions about topics you sometimes never thought about, or topics you used to think could only be thought of in one way. I guess what I'm saying is that, like we are meant to do in Islam, the MSA has made me ask questions and strengthen my faith. Without it, I don't know where I would be. I would probably be the most depressed person ever. Well, not really, but I definitely wouldn't be as amazingly happy as I am now, alhamdulilah.
	Roxana Moussavian Communications Chair Hometown: Palo Alto, California Major: Math Salaam! My name is Roxana and I am a Sophomore from Northern California. My parents are originally from Iran, making me a first generation American- watz up. In the three months that I have been at Penn, the MSA has truly been my home-away-from-home. The community of friends that I have made through the Ramadan Iftaars, Islamic Awareness Week, and the other awesome events that our MSA is responsible for, has been a vital part of my Penn experience. If you do one thing while at Penn, make one decision, it should be to give the MSA a chance. InshAllah you will love the people as much as we all do. What do I like to do for fun? Laugh.
	Sami Ahmed Islamic Education Chair Hometown: Macon, Georgia Major: Finance My name is Sami Ahmed. I hail from a rural Southern village called Macon located in the blessed state of Georgia (believe it or not, there are actually more Muslims than leprechauns in the deep South). Islam is the basis for a lot of my guiding principles and has tempered my cosmological view of the world further in light of my education here at PENN—the two have gone hand in hand. And, despite as clichéd it sounds, the one characteristic that really differentiates the MSA from any other organization is that the people here are amazing—the brotherhood and sisterhood is electrifying. And the MSA is one group on campus that covers it all: innovative and impactful community service projects, bouncing social events, and deen-intensifying halaqas. Whatever you need, we got it (insha'Allah).
	Sarah Ijaz Penn Muslims for Change (PMC) Chair Hometown: Abu Dhabi, UAE Major: SAS-y Salaam everyone! I'm originally from Lahore, Pakistan but born and brought up in Abu Dhabi. Diversity was a key factor for me coming here to Penn since I've grown up in an extremely multicultural environment. Coming from halfway around the world, anything similar to the atmosphere I had been raised in was exactly what I needed and I certainly found it in the MSA here. After interacting with just a few board members during orientation, I decided that this was an organization I would definitely want to become and inshAllah remain a part of (and for someone who, by nature, is highly indecisive… enough said). Apart from all that, I love spending time with friends, shopping and of course European soccer- GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED! :)
	Marwa Ibrahim Secretary Hometown: Cairo, Egypt Major: International Relations Minor: Creative Writing Salam Alaikom! I'm a freshman in the College and this is my first time in the US. It is a struggle being miles and miles away from home, but the MSA has never failed to warm my heart with its hospitable and outreaching members. Since the start of the year, it's been a delight attending the MSA's events, which offer us all Muslims a great opportunity to build close friendships, work on our spirituality, increase our knowledge about Islam, and have fun! You might find us holding a (halal) party on a random night just for the sake of enjoyment :) I am very passionate about the MSA, not simply because I'm, alhamdoulilAh, Muslim, but also because it is a successful organization that has brought me together with people that I admire, respect, and love. Salam :)
	Paymon Sanati Treasurer Hometown: Orem, UT Major: Biology Salaam everyone! I was originally born in Louisiana, but I currently live in Orem, Utah. I am currently a freshmen Pre-Med student majoring in Biology. My parents are originally from Iran, and I really enjoy celebrating Persian culture. Coming from a very small group of Muslims in Utah, I really looked forward to interacting with the large Penn and Philadelphia Muslim communities. I like to play sports and hang out with friends. The MSA here at Penn is filled with lots of cool and diverse people and offers a great way to get to know lots of people on campus. Come try us out at one of our great annual activities!
	Haadi Kaakur Social Development Chair Hometown: Upstate NY Major: Biochemistry Assalamu'Alaikum Everybody!! Hailing from Upstate NY, the MSA here at Penn has helped me transform Philly to be a kind of second home. The community here is amazing and if you come to even one event you will find yourself meeting people from just about every corner of the globe! That's how diverse the MSA is! Personally, I'm quite the technology nerd, and think computer stores are some of the coolest places ever! And to complement my nerdy side, I like to hang out with friends introduce humour into almost every appropriate situation I can!