Bismillah Ir-Rahman Ir-Rahim
We begin in the Name of Allah The Beneficent, The Merciful
Who are we? ABSA is a prominent group of Muslims on campus whose purpose is to provide a formal voice for the followers of the Ahlul-Bayt (as) and to promote, educate, and support the teachings of the true Sunnah of the Holy Prophet and his (saw) Pure Progeny in a university setting. The ABSA’s mission clearl
y encourages cooperation with other clubs to build a healthy environment on campus; free from prejudice, racism and discrimination. The ABSA’s mission consists of the following:
-To educate the university community on Islamic values and culture through the teachings of the Thaqalayn (The Holy Qur’an and the Holy Household of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)).
-Provide students with religious, social and individual services to facilitate integration on campus.
-Build bridges to enhance dialogue and collaboration between faiths and denominations.
-Mediate relations between university students and their community through social representation and volunteer programs.
-Strive for Unity amongst Muslims and to also promote dialogue among other faiths through engaging in intra and interfaith dialogue in order to achieve peace, harmony, mutual respect, and greater understanding.
-Dispel any myths, misconceptions, stereotypes, and false propaganda against Islam and its teachings. ABSA strives to achieve these goals by holding educational events, social events, community services, bi-weekly sessions, and annual dinners. The answer is simple, to cater to the needs, represent the voice, and pursue the ideals of Shi’i students, an often under-represented and excluded minority within a minority. This organization is a part of a parent chapter entitled Thaqalayn Foundation which leads organizations across the continent in establishing such groups, especially those in which the same scenarios are witnessed. Taking the best case scenario, the MSAs on some campuses are unable to encompass us, perhaps not because they don’t want to, but because they cannot out of practical reasons. They are struggling to encompass the various Sunni trends. Hence first they want to get their house in order, then their neighborhood. In the cases of some campuses, we also have to contend with a worst case scenario, or more often, something in between. In these cases there is a lack of will and desire to include Shi’a students as a result of a lack of understanding and a lack of trust, and where they are not viewed as an equal and legitimate school of thought. In either scenario, there is a limit to the inclusion of Shi’i students either for practical or ideological reasons. Remember, unity does not require uniformity. How is the ABSA and MSA relationship on campus? ABSA has a policy to keep its hands extended to its Sunni brethren, to adopt and demonstrate a positive attitude, and to foster good relationships of mutual respect. Alhumdolillah, we have a healthy and positive relationship with our RU-MSA while at the same time maintaining frank communication on issues that concern our respective parties. We look forward to co-organizing, sponsoring, and promoting each other’s events in the future inshAllah. Our hope is to reach a mature level of trust and understanding where we are able to co-organize public educational events on topics that we hold in common (having both Sunni and Shi’a speakers present), and even engage in positive dialogue concerning issues that we differ on. It is needless to say that we stand by the MSA on any issue that concerns the Muslim populace -be it lobbying the administration for more halal food options on campus, prayer space, countering Islamophobia, etc. It is the need of the time that we stand united in the face of injustice and oppression today in order to benefit future generations to come. All of these activities are centered around one intention “Qurbatan illAllah – To gain nearness to Allah (swt).”
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah and be not divided among yourselves
(Qur’an 3:103)
If you have any further questions, feel free to email us directly at
[email protected]!
