News Brief

August 13
August 23
August 24
August 31 - September 4
September 9
September 13
September 16
September 19
October 2
October 6
October 7
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 26 - 28
October 30
November 3
November 4
November 5
November 9
November 13
November 14
December 1
December 2
December 4
December 5
December 6
December 9

December 9 (Saturday) - Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God) today, in the Knoxville News Sentinel, a wonderful article appeared about Ramadan and the fast breaking dinner.  This is one of the best articles the Knoxville News Sentinel has done on Islam.

Pictures
Front page Knoxville News Sentinel article	The article continues on page 3

December 6 (Wednesday) - MSA brothers and sisters joined the United Campus Workers in a march to end forced overtime for campus workers.  A large crowd marched from the Law building to Presidential Court where a variety of speeches where made.  The final and best speech was of Dr. White's for, "mine eyes have seen the glory."  After the march many non-Muslims accompanied the Muslims to the fast breaking dinner at the campus mosque. The Knoxville News Sentinel also attended the fast breaking dinner.

Pictures
The march started from the Law building and continued to Presidential Court.	The marchers make their way up to Presidential.	The numbers don't cease to grow.	The line of marchers can be seen in the distance.
Even community uncles come to the event.	The rich (an act) who appose the marchers throw change in front of the marchers.	Many MSA members showed up for this event even while fasting.	MSA sisters and brothers all came out to show their support.
Dr. White's gives a magnificent speech.	The fast breaking dinner at the mosque.	Many of the marchers, MSA-members and non-members came to the dinner.	Everyone enjoys the food.

December 5 (Tuesday) - The MSA is mentioned in the Daily Beacon for its participation in the human rights fair and the creek clean-up.

Pictures
Front page article	continuation
Same day front page article	continuation

 December 4 (Monday) - It's the end of the semester, in fact the last week of classes, and we're still active.  The MSA has not been dormant this semester.  Amnesty International organized the Crest Room to be a learning place for human rights.  Many organizations joined in such as the Students for a Free Tibet, the Tennessee Anti-Sweatshop Coalition, Students Promoting Environment Awareness in Knoxville, the African Student Association Habitat for Humanity, the Lambda Student Union, the Women's Coordinating Council, and the East Tennessee Coalition to Abolish State Killing.  The MSA set-up a booth on information about the atrocities occurring in Palestine.  To advertise Keith transformed himself in to a human sign and walked all over the University Center telling people, "Claim your rights at the UC-Crest Room." 

December 2 (Saturday) - Eleven MSA members made up a team of about thirty involved in cleaning a local creek.  Coincidently the creek was located close to the campus mosque.  Bags upon bags of trash were collected.  Odd as it may seem, cleaning the creek was an adventure.

December 1 (Friday) - The Daily Beacon staff writer Jayme Tims writes an informative article on Ramadan.

November 14 (Tuesday) - Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God), a very well written response to the professor who claimed that the MSA displayed bias towards Jews during the vigil.  What makes this letter to the editor so authoritative is that it comes from a non-MSA and prior non-Amnesty member.

November 13 (Monday) - A front page article in the Daily Beacon reflects on last weeks Sidi Hatem lecture.

 November 9 (Thursday) - The MSA was the highlight of two occurrences in the Daily Beacon today.  One a letter to the editor from a Religious Studies teacher claiming that we are sending mixed views on our stance with the Palestine-Israel conflict.  The other article talked about tonight's Sidi Hatem lecture.  Tonight Sidi Hatem's powerful speech made no room for misunderstandings.  Delineating the facts he taught the audience the real story behind Palestine and 'Isreal.'  Though a tornado watch was issued and torrential rains pursued, the auditorium was never the less packed.  With more than 350 in the audience, this is the second largest lecture the MSA has had.

November 5 (Sunday) - Today was the Sisters' Down Under party.  The sisters enjoyed the luxury of having the entire Down Under facility to themselves.  It was four hours of fun-filled activity including billiards, table tennis, and bowling.  While eating the pizza, the sisters watched the Growing Pains' movie. 

November 4 (Saturday) - The Knoxville Police Department held the Unity Fair at the Worlds Fair park.  Though the MSA was given a good timing to speak due to the rain many left home early.  We learned how intense is the ignorance people have of Islam.  One man asked Maha if she has ever been back to 'Islam.'  When it was time for the MSA to address the audiance one sole non-Muslim remained. 

November 3 (Friday) - The MSA study circle was led by Obaid Rahman as he expounded on the basics of Islamic beliefs and why it is a great subjet to study.  Tarek led the group in a traditional Islamic chant (dhikr).  After the study circle we had some Indian Cuisine.  Later that night brother Alfred accepted Islam in Obaid Rahman's car with Shadab Sidiqqi.  We should all have intention to congratulate him.  Verily Allah guides who He wills.  Also on this day many sisters attended Al and Tipper Gore's visit to Cherokee Airport.  Here they handed out fliers on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

October 30 (Monday) - Farah Hussain's response to the Daily Beacon's article on the Candle Light Vigil gets printed.

October 26 - 28 (Weekend) - During this weekend two uncanny MSA activities took place.  Shaykh Husain Satar came and taught for the Hanafi Fiqh Intensive.  For pictures and more on what happened click here.  Also, many from Knoxville traveled to Washington D.C. for a rally to inform the public and US government on the atrocities being committed in Palestine.  For pictures and more on what happened click here.  Furthermore, on October 26th in the Beacon, last weeks vigil dawned the cover page an was also mentioned on the opinion page.  Funny how our picture took the lime light on the front page article while we were not even mentioned in the text of the article.  Again on the 27th the vigil was mentioned in the Beacons opinion page.

Pictures
Click for more on the Hanafi Fiqh Intensive		Click for more on the D.C. Rally
The Candle Light Vigil gets the lime light	The vigil is mentioned in the opinion section of the Daily Beacon		The vigil is continuously mentioned in the Beacon.

October 21 (Saturday) - Early in the day Sidi Hakim gave a class in Holistic Medicine at sister Yasmin's house.  Many attended, Muslim and Non-Muslim alike, to reap from the endless knowledge Sidi Hakim has.  After the class we sang nasheeds (songs) using various types of drums and an 'Ud.  From there we spent the rest of the day in the Smokey Mountains admiring the beauty of nature.

October 20 (Friday) - Today two great events took place:  the MSA study circle, and the candle light vigil.  The MSA study circle was lead by Sidi Hakim Archuletta who as usual captivated the audience on his talk about Islamic Spirituality and it's place in our lives.  He further explained the purpose of dhikr in one's life.  Tarek led the group in a traditional dhikr.  Afterwards we ate scrumptious food and headed out for the vigil.  A large mass of about 200 people (the Beacon article is wrong) met at the International House.  There various news crews came to interview Zack and Raihan.  We marched from the International House to the Torchbearer.  Here, Zack and Raihan both gave powerful speeches.  Zach quoted from both the Quran and Torah (again the Beacon article is wrong).  During the moment of silence the Muslims read the opening chapter of the Quran to themselves and made supplication for the innocent Palestinian children being massacred overseas.  To view video properly first right click and download to hard drive then play from hard drive.

Pictures
The Vigil makes it in the Knoxville News Sentinel.	The top of the Daily Beacon Article	The picture with the Daily Beacon Article
A sign taped anonymously to a pillar of the library seen along the march's path.	VIDEO Interview with Raihan and Zach	VIDEO Introduction to Candle Light Vigil
VIDEO Raihan Farooq's Speech at the Torch Bearer	VIDEO Sidi Hakim at MSA Study Circle [1/2] (coming soon)	VIDEO Sidi Hakim at MSA Study Circle [2/2] (coming soon)

October 19 (Thursday) - Again, Sidi Hakim Archuletta eloquently captured the attention of many who attended tonight's, "The Art of Being Happy...Without Prozac."  This lecture was expounding on yesterdays lecture adding the Islamic perspective.  The audience was so enthused by his speech that when he commented on the regiment-like rows we sit in someone got up from his seat and sat on the floor.  Even after the lecture the audience could not stop from asking questions.  The talk started at 7:00 and lasted till 8:00 but we left the University Center at 11:00.

October 18 (Wednesday) - Tonight, Sidi Hakim Archuletta gave an insightful talk on technology and its affect on us as human beings. In him, you could see the spirit of a true 1960's Berkeley activist and his talk captivated his audience of about 70-80 people. People were on the edge of their seat, actually wanting to hear him speak more and more. When he asked when he should stop talking, someone shouted "GO ON AS LONG AS YOU WANT!". Many of the environmentalists and activists that were there gave him a standing ovation when he completed his talk. Overall, many people benefited from what he had to say, whether they were Muslim or non-Muslim, and many people learned that you don't always have to talk about Islam if you're a Muslim speaker. Islam is a dynamic religion that is not only beliefs and rituals but a religion that seeks to help us recognize our humanity, and this is what Sidi Hakim reflected tonight. (Tarek)

October 17 (Tuesday) - Day two; today, because of this week's hectic schedule, we had our Brainstorming Committee meeting instead of on Wednesday.  We discussed and strategied for the upcoming lectures.  Also today the article did not continue but on the front page we had a picture from the Information Booth.

October 16 (Monday) - Day one of our intensely busy week we start off with  an Information booth on the UC-Plaza.  It was officially our biggest ever.  We sold falafel, played Islamic music, and had a Henna artist on hand (Iffat and Shafia Moinuddin).  Much of our Information booth was dedicated to the atrocities occurring in Palestine.  The MSA would like to commend Maha on another successful Information booth.  To add to the success of today MSA had a feature article in the Daily Beacon.  It's such a large article that it will continue into tomorrow's paper.  Pictures of the Information booth are to come.

October 7 (Saturday) - Our MSA Picnic was a blast.  Albeit, it was chilly we still had a great time.  The highlight of the picnic was the food that the uncles and aunties brang, from tender lamb to kabobs.  In another trademark MSA blunder we forgot to bring a spatula or any utensil for cooking.  We ended up using twigs and sticks to prepare the food.

October 6 (Friday) - Our first Islam Study Circle was held today and by the Mercy of Allah (God) it was a success.  Obaid Rahman moderated the study circle and gave an inspirational talk distinguishing Orthodox Islam from many misconceptions.  Then we had an intense group chant for spiritual nourishment.  Tarek El-Messidi lead the chant as well as gave the ending talk.  After the study circle the attendees had some great physical nourishment as well.

October 2 (Monday) - All praise is due to Allah (God), we had our largest MSA information booth ever.  Taking up one whole side of the UC Plaza we shook the foundations of the university with Yusuf Islam music from when he was known as Cat Steven.  We sold falafels, had tons of literature, and the VH-1 Yusuf Islam: Behind the Music playing.  Again the 'Discover Islam' posters worked wonders in informing people as they walked by.  By far the greatest show of team effort in today's information booth.  We also made good friends with the Breast Cancer, and bake sale booth along side us.  May Allah (God) reward all for their efforts.

September 19 (Tuesday) - Two great events took place today.  Our first Intramural Soccer match was held today at 5pm.  It seemed they forgot to put our team, the 'baraka boys', on the roster so we sat disappointed.  By some miracle 'Team 1' (creative name huh?) did not have enough players so we are now on their team.  Guess who the opposing team was...the MSA.  It was the group of people who took our position when we forfeited the first game (they had to keep the same name).  We swept the floor with them in an outstanding 10 to 4 victory.  Adding to the excitement we also had our first General Body Meeting.  We discussed our plans for the semester and had four six foot Subway Party Subs afterwards.  The highlight of the whole event was the entertainment activity -- the egg toss.  Everyone paired up and took an egg.  The winner was the team who could be the farthest apart and the egg not break.  The winner took home a goodie bag filled with Power Puff Girls items.   

September 16 (Saturday) - The sisters congregated for a Avon Party at Donna Karne's apartment.

Picture

The sisters group up for a picture at the Avon Party

September 13 (Wednesday) - Our first Information Booth was held today in the scorching heat.  It was so hot the labels on our boxes melted onto the table.  Though we were located far from the bulk of the Student Activities Fair, we had over thirty visitors to the booth.

Pictures
Iffat, Reem, and Sadaf Sh. staff the Information Booth	The MSA free literature dwindles to almost nothing	MSA members diligently at work	People actually come to the booth!

September 9 (Saturday) - Today Larah Upchurch and Fawaz got married.  The prayers of all the community and MSA are with them.  May they have a happy and prosperous marriage.

Pictures
Alhamdulillah (All praise is due to God) two weddings in two months.	The brothers have a hard time getting Fawaz up	Once up Fawad rejoices.	The beautiful couple Fawaz and Lara

August 31 - September 4 (Labor Day Weekend) - About three weeks before our proposed trip to the 37th annual Islamic Society of North America convention in Chicago, I heard (from an unmentioned source) that we might have to cancel the 47-passenger bus the MSA had chartered due to the low response. My shock at hearing that was nothing compared to my shock just a couple of weeks later when I learned that the bus was quickly running out of available spaces. Alhamdulillah, all of a sudden, it seemed like everyone wanted to come. . . <continue story & pictures>

August 24 (Thursday) - Due to technical difficulties the scheduled release of the MSA website was not met.  Today marks the debut of the new MSA website.  It has been revamped to accommodate the growing interest of the students on campus.  All of us at MSA hope you have a great semester.

August 23 (Wednesday) - Today students return to the university for yet another semester of grueling work.  There  laments are muffled by the mad frenzy of students trying to drop/add classes.

August 13 (Sunday) - Today two MSA members, Hani Ayesh and Amira Shourbaji, celebrate their wedding.  A joyous day for everyone in the community.  The community and MSA pray that their life be filled with much blessings and it ultimately brings them closer to Allah (God).  The wedding had it's share of good food and dancing.  Check out the pictures below.