The Muslim Student Association (MSA) started off the semester with their kickoff event on Tuesday, September 30, allowing students to connect through their faith and educational inspirations.

The meeting began with an Icebreaker question that allowed students to get to know each other better. Students went around the room to answer questions about themselves, their major, and a fun fact about themselves. 

The evening continued with Khadija Vasquez, the Halaqa Facilitator of the MSA, presenting on the importance of balancing faith and school.

Vasquez highlighted how crucial it is to study with purpose and a proper intention, or niyyah. She explained how, before beginning a certain task, the first thing to do should be setting an intentions. Avoiding distractions, especially the ones that negatively affect grades and faith, would be the next thing to do. 

When starting college, skipping classes can seem very easy, so staying on top of priorities is essential. For faith-based students, this can also be said about prayer. Praying in between classes can seem difficult. 

Stockton University provides a prayer space for students in the Meditation room, located in F-012, in the Multicultural and Interfaith Center. 

Vasquez then shared a video of Imam Omar Suleiman, where he speaks about the importance of seeking knowledge. In it, Suleiman shares a quote from Jami` at-Tirmidhi: “Whoever takes a path upon which to obtain knowledge, Allah [God] makes the path to Paradise easy for him” 2646.

The presentation ended as students shared their inspirations for pursuing education. One student stated, “While continuing my education, I set an intention that I was doing so in the name of God, and this has allowed me to push forward.” 

Vasquez plans on making vision boards for the first girls’ halaqa on Thursday, October 9 to remind students of their goals.

Najmah Laing, President of the Muslim Student Association and Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the Stockton Student Senate, stated that, “Our first MSA event of the semester was a powerful reminder of the strength in unity and the beauty of our shared faith. With such an inspiring start, I’m hopeful and excited for the upcoming events to deepen our connections, uplift our community, and continue building a space where every Muslim student feels seen, supported, and empowered.”

If students are interested in joining halaqas and learning more about the upcoming events that the Muslim Student Association has planned, they can join their GroupMe. 

“Allah will raise in rank those of you who have believed and those who were given knowledge, by degrees” Quran 58:11