The Board

MSA Board - Deen Team 2010

Wednesday, 14 October 2009 00:46

	Dara Elass President Class of 2011 Hometown: Too Complicated Major: Systems Science Engineering Asalamu Alaikum, My name is Dara, and I'm majoring in Systems Engineering, and minoring in Math and Music. I'm originally from Syria but grew up in Saudi, Virginia and Bahrain. When I'm not too worried about passing my classes, I like to play tennis, read, and hang out with my friends. My three favorite things (not related to Islam) in the world are camels, sand and mint. The thing I like most about the MSA is that it gives me so many opportunities to learn about Islam on my own 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.
	Paymon Sanati Vice President Class of 2012 Hometown: Orem, UT Major: Biology Salaam everyone! I hail from the great state of Utah, but I was actually born in Louisiana. I am currently a sophomore here at Penn as a Pre-Med student majoring in Biology. I am originally of Persian descent and my parents are from Iran, and EVERYONE will attest that I love being Persian! Coming from a very small group of Muslims in Utah, being involved in sucha large and influential Muslim community here has been an awesome experience! I really like to just hang out with people and have a good time. 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 check out the MSA!
	Haadi Kaakur Advertising & Marketing Chair Class of 2012 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 and introduce humour into almost every appropriate situation I can!
	Roxana Moussavian Communications Chair Class of 2011 Hometown: Palo Alto, California Major: Modern Middle East Studies Salaam! My name is Roxana and I am a Junior 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.
	Sarah Ijaz Social Development Co-Chair Class of 2012 Hometown: Abu Dhabi, UAE Major: Economics Salaam everyone! I'm originally from Lahore, Pakistan but was 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 of the organization's members during orientation, I decided that this was an organization I would definitely want to become and inshAllah remain a part of. Apart from the MSA, I love spending time with friends, shopping and of course European soccer- GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED! :)
	Faizan Khan Social Development Co-Chair Class of 2012 Hometown: Ronkonkoma, NY / Nowshera, Pakistan Major: Wharton Salaam! I've had a taste of three worlds in my life so far---Pakistan where I was born, Long Island (NY) where I spent the majority of my life growing up, and now Penn where I've had some of the most life-changing experiences. One of the major reasons for that has been the MSA. Having only recently started to get involved in the organization, I've been welcomed to a wonderful group of people who have helped define a part of who I am. Negotiating your own life in college can be challenging, but it's the people around you who help make it fun and exciting! Outside of MSA, I enjoy giving campus tours and creating change through student government. I'm also a TV and movie addict, and I root for the #1 sports team in the nation---the Yankees!
	Sami Ahmed Islamic Education Co-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).
	Mohamed Shahin Islamic Education Co-Chair Class of 2011 Hometown: Brooklyn, NY Major: Cognitive Neuroscience, Philosophy Salaam, my name is Mohamed Shahin and I am incredibly excited to serve on the MSA board for the 2010 year! My family is originally from Egypt, but I've spent most of my life in Brooklyn, NY. I've thoroughly enjoyed meeting as many MSA members as possible throughout my college career and will work as hard as I can to have the MSA put on as many educational events as I possibly can! I believe that our organization has a very diverse and unique set of members and that each person contributes immensely in their own way. In addition to all of the great people and the amazing events, I think the MSA is a wonderful way to learn about ourselves and provides an environment conducive to our transition to adulthood. If we don't already know each other, feel free to stop me around campus and say hi! I'd love the opportunity to get to know even more members of Penn's Muslim community.
	Quratul-Ann Malik Treasurer & Fundraising Chair Class of 2013 Hometown: Montgomery Village, MD Major: Political Science Salaam everyone! My name is Quratul-Ann Malik, but I go by "Q." I was born and raised in the suburbs of DC, but my family is originally from Pakistan. Currently, I'm loving life in the city of Philadelphia as a student in the College. Newly elected to the board, I'm excited to have the opportunity to help make the MSA even better than it has been in previous years, InshAllah. With the help of a great Muslim community here at Penn, I look forward to what this year will bring.
	Muhammad Hussein Penn Muslims for Change (PMC) Chair Class of 2013 Hometown: Sudbury, MA Major: Biochemistry and International Relations (???) Salaam everyone. My name is Mohammed Hussain, aka Mak to some, take your pick. I'm from the mean streets of suburban MA. I'm excited to work on board this year and work with all of you to help make the MSA as good as it can be at positively impact you, myself, and our community. As for personal stuff, I've done martial arts for the vast majority of myself and I play the saxophone as well. Recently I've been getting into poetry, but still working on that haha. The MSA has been a great resource for me to meet cool new people here at Penn, and so I encourage everyone out there to give it a shot.
	Arwa El-Sayed Secretary Class of 2013 Hometown: Upper Darby, PA Major: Undecided Asalamu Alaikum, my name is Arwa and I am a freshman at the College. I am originally from Egypt but was born in Saudi Arabia. I like to read, hang out with friends, and of course, relax. I am excited to be a part of the MSA board this year because I love how diverse the group is. I enjoy how we all have different experiences and how people bring different ideas and thoughts to one organization. What is amazing is that despite our different backgrounds we are all united and linked by our faith. Insha'Allah this year, I hope to see more people join the MSA and play a more active role in the organization. I am excited to meet more of the general body and build long lasting relationships.