السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته 

AsSalaamu alaykum, MSA Family! Welcome to the FINAL edition of our newsletter for the ‘23-‘24 season! 

This year has been nothing short of a blessing, alhamdulillah. Through its tests and challenges, our MSA family has stood strong. At the start of this year, we chose two guiding themes—Taqwa and Tawakkul. A constant reminder to remain conscious of Allah and to place our complete trust in Him.

Throughout the tests of this year, I found myself leaning on these reminders. One lesson I learned, and one I wish to share with you all, is how incredibly important it is to say alhamdulillah in all circumstances. In every hardship, there are countless blessings. If we become so focused on the negatives, we risk losing sight of the positives and, ultimately, losing sight of Allah. 

As we reflect on this year, let’s focus on setting our intentions, doing our best, and then trusting in Allah and His timing. Remember to be patient and humble, appreciating every blessing and embodying a mindset of ‘alhamdulillah’. Understand that Allah's plan may be different from our own, and have faith that what is meant for us will come when it is best for us. With this trust and reliance on Allah, we are guaranteed success in this life and the Hereafter.

Thank you, to each and every one of you, for the memories we've shared and the valuable lessons you've taught me. I pray that Allah continues to shower our MSA family with His blessings and surrounds us with those who remind us of Him. 

I am so excited for what the coming year has in store, inshaAllah. You are in good hands, MSA. I pray that Allah blesses the incoming board with His strength, wisdom, and guidance and grants them success in all their endeavors.

Fi Amanillah <3 

 – Iman Hassan, President 2023-24 

Without further ado, I introduce to you the MSA leadership for the 2024-25 academic year 🥳🎊🎉

Introducing your new President Nedall Suleiman!

Assalamu Alaikum! My name is Nedall Suleiman, a 21-year-old from Palestine. I'm entering my fourth academic year, majoring in Computer Science while also tackling pre-med requirements. Alongside my studies, I enjoy playing soccer. I'm thrilled to serve as the president for the 2024-2025 academic year! I eagerly anticipate meeting new people and having an excellent year, inshallah!

Introducing your new Vice President Amel Kredan!

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu!!

It's me, Amel Kredan, your beloved community service chair! I’ve had the honor of being on the board for the past year and I loved it ever so very much, so I decided to run again. Alhamdulilah, I’ve been elected to serve as the 2024-2025 MSA Vice President, so allow me to introduce myself for those who don’t know me. My name is Amel Kredan and I’m an incoming senior, majoring in human nutrition with a minor in biology.  I am incredibly blessed to be able to continue serving the UKY muslim community for another year. Iman and Elaf did an outstanding job leading this year, so Nedall and I have some pretty big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that the incoming board will do fantastic. I genuinely could not have asked for a better team, Alhamdulillah. Thank you all for trusting me with this amanah, and see you all in the fall:)

Assalamu alaikum!!

Hey guys, me again!

As the year has finally come to an end, I want to express my gratitude for being given the privilege of serving as the 23-24 MSA Community Service Chair. I want to take a moment to reflect and extend my appreciation to all of you.

In the fall we had Charity Week, a week dedicated to fundraising for orphans and those in need worldwide. Alhamdulilah we raised over $2,000 dollars, and I'm truly thankful to everyone who contributed, volunteered, and helped spread the word.

In late October, we held a fundraiser in collaboration with Islamic Relief for the floods that affected eastern Libya. Alhamdulillah, we raised over $15,000, a testament to the compassion and unity within our community. As a Libyan, this cause resonated deeply with me, and I'm sincerely grateful to each and every person who participated, donated, and made duaa.

Throughout the year, we had SHARE lunch on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. Over the course of the year we were able to pass out over 600 lunches. I want to thank all those who volunteered and give a special shout-out to Arsh Ansari, Muhammad Khudadad, Zaid Afzal, Rohma Akhtar, Abrar Rahman, and Ahmed Khan, for being constant volunteers. Thank you for your dedication. I couldn't have done it without you. 

We also had a volunteer-led tutoring program throughout the year at the local Islamic school, Lexington Universal Academy, where middle school and elementary students were tutored in various subjects. Thank you to all the tutors, and a mega huge shoutout to Arsh Ansari. If I could give you a trophy for the Tutor of the Year award, I would.

To the MSA Body, you are the heart of our organization. Your involvement and enthusiasm drive our success, and I'm grateful for each one of you.

To the MSA Board, I am beyond grateful to have worked alongside you all this past year. Each and every one of you have done an amazing job, and I want to thank you all for the support this year. I genuinely believe that I could dedicate an entire page to each of you, expressing my gratitude for you, both within and outside of MSA-related activities, but I refuse to get that sappy. ANWAYSSSSSSSS…

Finally, I want to thank Allah (swt) because none of this would have been possible without Him. May He bless each and every one of you, and grant you all success in this life, and the next.

Now, who will be replacing me as the 24-25 community service chair?? 

None other than THE Arsh Ansari, who I have no doubt will excel in his role, the CSC position is in good hands:).  

To our graduates, congratulations! And to our members who will be returning next Fall, enjoy your summer, and see you soon Insha’Allah!

• Amel Kredan

Introducing your new Community Service Chair Arsh Ansari!

Salam! My name is Arsh Ansari, I’m 20 years old majoring in biology, neuroscience, psychology, and chemistry and I am from Pakistan 🇵🇰. I am going into my 4th year of college. Inshallah, I am excited to fill in the big shoes that the previous board has left behind. May Allah SWT bless them and aid them all in wherever life takes them next. It is an honor to have the privilege in continuing the legacy that they left behind. Hoping for a good year and I am super excited to get to meet everyone in the fall!

Assalamu alaykum,

I want to take a minute to talk about one of my favorite events of the year. On April 5th, we had the privilege of hosting an Iftar on campus in collaboration with SAB. This event was also a fast-a-thon—where the entire campus community was invited to fast alongside us and learn about Ramadan. We enjoyed food from Sahara, Oasis, New Peking Bistro, Hyderabad House, and Taste of India. Alhamdulillah for such a great event and a big thank you to all the volunteers who helped make it possible!

It has been a great honor and privilege to be this year’s Campus Outreach Chair. I am grateful to Allah for granting me this position and to the body for making this year special. It has been a truly rewarding and humbling experience helping organize events such as the Perfect North trip, Islamic Awareness Week, and the SAB Iftar. I am so, so appreciative of the volunteers who offered their time and energy to make these events possible (special shout-out to Karim—I asked him for help so many times and I’ve always been met with enthusiasm and willingness to help✊). Thank you all for making this a year I’ll never forget. I like to think of our MSA as a garden, flourishing with flowers of unity, camaraderie, diversity, and faith hehehehe. Remember to not take a second of it for granted because nothing is promised in this dunya and you don’t get these days back.

I’m excited to welcome the next Campus Outreach Chair, Zaina Durani!! She is super hard working and passionate and I have no doubt in my mind that she will do great iA.

Junaid Ahmed

Introducing your new Campus Outreach Chair Zaina Durani!

Salam! My name is  Zaina Durrani and I’m 20 years old originally from Pakistan. This will be my 3rd year at UK majoring in human health sciences on the pre-dental track. I’m so excited to be your campus outreach chair and I can’t wait to plan some amazing events iA!!

As-Salaam-Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu!❗️

I CAN’T BELIEVE this is our last newsletter! Alhamdulillah for another wonderful year! We ended off the halaqa events with our final FAJR and Folgers of this year🥹. We had such a wonderful turnout and we cooked breakfast in the office together while playing games🥳. We also had our last Hadith class of the year and we are all so grateful to Dr. Palmer for giving his time to educate us more about the teachings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. We have received such positive feedback with these classes Alhamdulillah! May الله reward him for all his efforts Ameen! 🤲🏼

We ended the jummahs for the year with Mahmoud Shalash giving the beautiful khutbah. I would like to especially say JazakAllah Khair to all the khatibs that gave the jummah khutbahs this year! May Allah give you all the reward for all the knowledge you all spread! Ameen! 

I am so grateful for the opportunity of being able to serve as the halaqa chair this year. JazakAllah Khair to everyone who showed up and participated in the halaqa events. My goal in my chair was to give back what MSA has done for me which was to give the body resources they can use to come closer to their deep. I know our roles are in good hands and I have full faith in the next year’s boards. Congratulations to Amr Kutkut for being elected as the next Halaqa Chair 🥳 May الله make this position beneficial for him and the body Ameen! If I or this board has done anything to upset anyone, please forgive us! We truly tried our best to serve the body for the sake of الله SWT! 

Although it is bittersweet to leave, I know that there are great things in store for MSA In sha’Allah! 

As-Salaam-Alaikum 

Halaqa 🪑 2023-2024 

Areeda Aftab 

Introducing your new Halaqah Chair Amr Kutkut!

Assalamu Alaikum Wa RahmatuAllahi Wa Barakatuhu. My name is Amr Kutkut. Inshallah, I am going to be serving as the halaqa chair for the 24/25 school year. I will be a junior (3rd year) in electrical engineering. I am a Palestinian American. I look forward to this upcoming school year and the opportunities it holds for myself and the rest of the MSA.

AsSalaamu Alaykum everyone!

Alhamdulilah we closed out this school year with our annual End of Year Banquet. We reflected on the countless memories made this year through photos, videos, and some wonderful PowerPoint made by a few of our body members. We also got a chance to distribute paper plate awards, which are incredibly unserious for the most part. However, these awards give us a chance to acknowledge a few body members who have gone above and beyond for the MSA. We also introduced our MSA SCRAPBOOK! We wanted to create a lasting time capsule for the MSA, and what better way than to capture these memories with a Polaroid camera and hold onto them forever? All in all, the banquet was a super fun and very bittersweet event, Alhamdulilah. 

TIME TO START CRYING IN WILLY T!!

As we close out this year, I also want to be incredibly sappy and express my gratitude towards the MSA. Being your social chair this year has been a rollercoaster of emotions for me. My favorite part of MSA was always the social events because it’s where I got to build relationships and meet some of the most important people in my life. Putting together these events so that others can share the same experience is a privilege that I do not take for granted. As a revert to Islam, I never had a Muslim community before I came to UK. I also never really understood the importance of being part of a community in general. The MSA has taught me that surrounding yourself with the people you most admire is the best way to become the person you want to be. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, I love this organization and am thankful to Allah SWT for guiding me to it when I needed it the most. I hope that for many years to come it serves a similar purpose for all Muslim students (and non-Muslim students) on UK’s campus and in Lexington. Unfortunately for you guys, I am staying right here in Lexington and will be showing up every once in a while at events, sorry!! But, for now, goodbye MSA *ELAF PUT A HEART EMOJI HERE* ❤️

• Jenna Gorman

Introducing your new Social Chair Sara Abdellatif!

Assalam Alaikum<3 My name is Sarah Abdellatif, I am an incoming junior majoring in kinesiology exercise science on the Pre-med track! I am beyond excited to be your next social chair of MSA inshallah. I have lots of exciting events in store and I’m looking forward to working with our board to make them happen with the help of Allah (SWT)! I cannot wait to see everyone there and grow into a stronger community inshallah!<3

اَلسَلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُ اَللهِ وَبَرَكاتُهُ‎

WEEEEE MADE IT! ALHAMDULILLAH! All praise is due to Allah SWT forever and always.

Let’s walk down memory lane for a second, shall we? I first stepped into the role of PR my first semester of Junior year (Fall ‘22). I remember (shocker, ik) how much I enjoyed it, but as I was going through some spiritual life changes, I decided to step down for the following spring semester. After much needed time for reflection, I decided to run again for the position during my final year of college. I missed it too much: being behind the scenes of an organization that’s brought me some of my best memories and closest friends, alhamdulillah. 

My college experience wouldn’t have been enjoyable without this MSA. Each and every person that’s come to any one of our events has played a significant role in my overall happiness and I say that wholeheartedly. It’s inevitable we face challenges as an MSA or within any MSA, but even those challenges are meant for us to face. We plan, Allah plans, and He is the Best of planners. I’ve had the time of my life being PR chair and I’ve truly learned so much about working with others, being a part of a team, and even about myself as a person. I appreciate every ounce of goodness and respect you all have treated me with. From small compliments (which always mean the world to me), to words of encouragement, to constructive criticism, I sincerely thank you for playing a part in making me a better person. Wow, this sounds like a goodbye forever letter. However! I look forward to seeing what the new board has in store for everyone :)

Lara, may Allah swt make the responsibilities of this position easy on you. You are the perfect person to continue this position and I know you will surpass my hopes for it next year. 

Below is a look back on the wonderful year we’ve shared together, Alhamdulillah. 

With love,

Najma Amarkhail, ‘23-24 Public Relations Chair

This years galleries:

• EOY Slideshow

• EOY video

• https://www.najmaamarphotos.com/-mentalhealthdiscussionwithhoda/gallery

• https://www.najmaamarphotos.com/-april/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-annualmsaiftar24/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-msamarchnewsletter/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-ukhostszionist/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-mentalhealthdiscussionwithhoda/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-libyafundraiserdinner/gallery

• https://najmaamarphotography.pic-time.com/-eiffelhalaldinnerparty/gallery

Introducing your new Public Relations Chair Lara Hasouneh!

Assalamu alaykum:) My name is Lara Hasouneh and I’m an incoming Junior studying Kinesiology on a Pre- Dental tract (applying this cycle actually!). I am very grateful and excited to be this year’s public relations chair inshallah! I love reading along with doing any kind of physical activities and sports in my free time. I can’t wait for the memories we will all make together inshallah and look forward to capturing them!

ASALAAM ALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHE WABARAKARUTUHU MSA FAMILY!!!

Let us say Alhamdulilah that Allah SWT has made it possible for us to live another year and experience doing the things that He loves. 

With your help, the MSA was able to raise $1,000 in the month of Ramadan, and throughout the year, you all helped to give to the causes of the people who are in need around the world. Whether it was the injustice and brutality happening in Palestine, the floods and earthquakes of Libya and Morocco respectively, or the civil crisis happening in Sudan, you stepped up to the plate and gave not only your wealth, but your prayers, time, and body for these causes. And for that, I ask Allah SWT to bless each and every one of you with the blessings you want and need in this life and the hereafter. 

There are still so many other atrocities happening in the world, so make sure to stay aware and to always help out in whatever way you can, whether it be through money, your hands, or your voice. 

As for me, I will be leaving the board and Sudeys will be assuming the treasurer position. I want to thank you all for a wonderful year, without the body, who made every event and minute spent in the MSA, for me at least, amazing. Allah bless you ALL and I ask Allah that I see you all in a better place. Ameen

• Ahmed Khan

Introducing your new Treasurer Sudeys Saman!

Assalamu Alaikum! My name is Sudeys Saman, I’m an incoming junior in Mechanical Engineering from Louisville, Kentucky and I will be serving as the new MSA treasurer! I have some wild ambitions and goals I need to accomplish, if I’m to achieve the amazing feats of the board before me! For the sake of none but Allah, I look forward to serving our brothers and sisters in the MSA and the entire Lexington community. I just know we’re going to do spectacularly this year!!

Assalamu Alaikum everyone!!!!

I just want to thank Allah SWT for making this year so special and blessing me with the ability to serve on the board this last year. It has truly been a life changing experience and I’m so happy I was able to have a hand in organizing events and fostering a community that is not only so special to me, but the other Muslims here on campus. This organization truly changed my life and made me feel not only like I belong here at UK, but helped me form connections with some of the most important people in my life. I would like to give a huge huge thank you to the board of 2023-2024 as they are some of the most hard working and just amazing people I will ever work with and just ever meet. It was a blessing to be able to work alongside you guys and I hope you all can forgive me for any shortcomings I may have had this year, but I truly learned so much from you all. I will miss being able to give the members the same joy and comradery that I experienced as a board member, but I know iA in the years to come that the MSA is in very very good hands. Seeing as I will be a senior next year iA woah thats cray, I am so excited to see next year's board do the amazing things I know they are capable of. As for the members that are graduating this semester, I know you all will do amazing things iA no matter where your professional or personal lives take you. 

If you have filled out the google form and still have not gotten a gradation chord please reach out to me or any of the other members in the board. Graduations will be the first weekend of May and I would love to see the body coming out to support our members that are graduating this year to wish them well on their journey ahead!

Introducing your new Secretary Adam Agoub!

Assalamu Alaikum! My name is Adam Agoub and I am incoming Junior studying Marketing and Medical Health Administration. By the blessing of Allah (SWT), I’ll be taking up the role of Secretary this incoming school year. The blueprints left behind by previous boards will insha’Allah allow me to help create an environment for a community to learn and grow. I ask for all of you to make du’aa for me and my fellow board members, as we plan to make this year the greatest year this MSA has ever seen! May Allah SWT bless you, and bless the year to come :)

Assalamu Alaikum Wa RahmatuAllahi Wa Barakatuhu,

As we began our year with the MSA, we were so excited for what it would hold. Our main focus of course was to center Allah SWT in everything we do, and to build a family that brings us closer to Him.

Reflecting on our good times—from the Back-to-School picnic that sparked the beginning of friendships to Friendsgiving, Multicultural nights and Perfect North where those friendships blossomed. From our early mornings in Fajr & Folgers to evenings in hadith classes with Dr. Palmer. From carrying on the initiatives of halal food and expansion of Jummah spaces from years before to accomplishing them. The incredible Palestine dinner that brought out people from every corner of Lexington to celebrate the resiliency of the Palestinian people. Islamic Awareness Week and Ramadan, where we were successful in not only reaching out to the campus community but also in expanding our MSA community. 

Alhamdulillah. 

On campus, we've tirelessly fought for our sense of belonging. Through continuous meetings with the administration, we've strived to gain genuine support for our community amidst these challenges. Although this year has served a great test, with our foundation, we were able to persevere as a family. Together, we embodied unity–the true meaning of an Ummah. 

All year long, the board has been trying to come up with ways to memorialize our experiences together in the MSA, creating a keepsake for everyone to appreciate as the years go by. We made a scrapbook filled with pictures and memories of the events we’ve had this year, hoping it will serve as a special reminder of the bonds we've formed and the moments we've shared together with our MSA family. (p.s. The scrapbook is one of my favorite results of this year you should definitely flip through it and add your own memories!!)

When I started in my role last year I had no idea where it would lead me, only that I wanted to help build something at UK where all felt welcome and Muslims especially felt like they truly belonged. A campus where they could go into dining halls and find halal options, pray safely and in jama’a, and feel seen and supported in times of hardship. Alhamdulillah, I'm incredibly grateful to say that we've made great strides in all of those areas and more. The friendships we've made and the good deeds we've accomplished together will, insha'Allah, endure in this life and the Hereafter :)

As I bring my rambling to a close I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the Most High first and foremost for this opportunity to be in service of my community, as well as, to the amazing board, whose dedication and teamwork made all our endeavors possible. May Allah reward you all with the highest rank in Jannah and bless you with happiness and success in this life Ameen!

I would also like to thank the body and our community for being unapologetically themselves and the reason we do what we do. It has truly been an honor serving as your vice president 🫡

At the start of every board meeting, we make it a point to begin with Surah Al-Fatiha. It's a simple practice, but it serves as a powerful reminder of Allah (SWT) and keeps us grounded, reminding us that our work is ultimately for His sake. And as we wrap up each session, we turn to Surah Al-Asr, following a tradition passed down from the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). 

It was narrated that Abu Madeenah al-Darimi said: When two men among the companions of Prophet (SWS) met, they did not part until one of them recited to the other [Surah Al- Asr], then one would say salam to the other. Narrated by Abu Dawood

So, as we close this year and our term on the board, I leave you with Surah Al-Asr. May its verses serve as a reminder of Allah (SWT) and a guide for the actions most pleasing to Him.

On behalf of the board, I would like to take a moment to humbly ask for your forgiveness for any mistakes made this past year. We recognize that each misstep was due to our own shortcomings and that every achievement was granted by the will of Allah (SWT).  We thank Allah for any successes or accomplishments, as it is through His grace alone that we were empowered to achieve anything at all.

Jazakallahu khayran for your continuous support throughout the year, we truly could not have asked for a better community!

• Elaf Ghoneim, Vice President 2023-24
  

That wraps up the May newsletter. As always, follow our Instagram (@UKYMSA) and join our GroupMe for more updates and announcements. Be sure to reach out to us if you need anything, and if there is anything you would like to see from the MSA, don’t hesitate to let us know! 

We’ll see you in the Fall, insha’Allah! 👋

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته