Admitted/Prospective Students
President’s Message
Assalaamu Alaikum Newcomers,
On behalf of the Muslim
Student Association, we welcome you to the first of four grueling
years here at the University of Chicago. Wait. People must not have
told you how grueling it actually is, because you’re here, and if
you knew how hard it is, you wouldn’t be. So between the two of us
(and everyone else who reads this letter) we’ll just pretend it
isn’t tough or rough, and dare I say it, you might even have fun.
No, but in all seriousness,
I want to sincerely welcome you to what will InshaAllah be the
beginning of an amazing one-of-a-kind experience for all of you.
Each of you are going to walk away with something different from
these four years. Our job as an MSA is to be able to help you get
through these years as smoothly as possible. Whether it’s making the
transition of your first year easier, making it easy for you to
practice as freely as possible, providing a way for you to
facilitate change on campus, or just providing an amazing group of
people for you to get to know, we’re really willing to help.
The purpose of the MSA is
not for us (the board members), it’s for all of you who need it—the
general body. Always know that our intention is to help you, InshaAllah and that we’re here for you. The relationship that you
build with the MSA is going to be whatever you want it to be. For
me, personally, it has been an amazing experience these past two
years to have gotten to know the people that I have and it only
makes me more excited to see what this next year holds in store.
With that said, I’ll stop this
rambling and will end with what I started with (a slight alteration so
as not to seem too cliché):WELCOME
CLASS OF 2012 (AND TRANSFERS)!!
Your MSA President,
Fatima Fadlalla
MSA President 2006-2008
Orientation Week
We hope inshAllah that you will find it a place to grow intellectually and spiritually. Please browse the information on this page and on the MSA website to get acquainted.
Come take advantage of our week-long activities designed to provide you with the experienced advice and caring support you need as you take on your first unfamiliar week of the college experience. In addition we've created a short MSA Survival Guide containing information you may find helpful as a Muslim student at the University of Chicago.
This page will include a brief overview of our orientation activities. Stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions…
Q: So, I notice that we have to know how to swim as one of the graduation requirements but I don’t feel comfortable taking the swim test in O-week and the swimming classes are co co-ed. What do I do?
A: Basically, if you present a note from the Imam of your local Masjid stating that you cannot take swimming classes unless they are in accordance with the Islamic Shariah to the department, the requirement is waived completely. You don't have to take anything to "make up" for missing it; simply present the note during PE testing days.
Q: Where can I attend Jum’ah prayer?
A: There are a number of places where you can pray Jum’ah prayer, depending on how far you want to wander off campus. The closest is Bond Chapel, right on campus (located on the quads next to Cobb Hall), where the Khutba begins at 1pm. The other options are the 47th St. Masjid (on the corner of 47th and Woodlawn) in Hyde Park, 63rd St. Mosque, the Downtown Islamic Center, and other masajid on the north side.
Q: Since Iftars are provided by the MSA during Ramadan
and I will not be using any meal points during the entire month, can
I save my parents some money?
A: Yes you can. Just look out for a notice from the Housing office pre-Ramadan that says for you to drop by and fill out a form. You’ll receive a check shortly after Ramadan.
Q: Does the MSA have an office? And how can I use it?
A: The MSA office is located in the basement of the Reynold’s Club, room 016. It has two separate prayer spaces for men and women and is open all day. Also we have a library of Islamic books that may be borrowed on the honor code (meaning if you take a book sign it out and return it!). Additionally we have pamphlets and other such donated Islamic literature that is available to you as da’wah material.
The MSA office is your place as much as it is ours so please make an effort to keep it clean!
We also have a new prayer space on campus!!--located in the basement of Rockefeller Chapel (This is where you’ll be hearing the “Aims of Education” Address.) Go down the hall of the basement, and our room is the one with the shoe racks near its door.
Q: Where’s the Zabiha meat on campus?
A: You can purchase Al-Safa meat products at Bartmart, and at the Co-op market on 55th street. There has also recently opened an all-Zabiha all the time dining station in Hutchinson Commons called, Saffron. Bartlett Dining Commons also serves Zabiha food on Tuesday and Wednesday for Dinner at both the Asian and Pizza Stations. There is the kosher deli at Bartlett.
Muslim Roommate Housing Request
If
you're an entering freshman, or transfer student to the University
of Chicago and you would like us to find you a Muslim roommate,
please email
uofcmsa@gmail.com
and we’ll do our best to connect you.
Admitted Students’ Days
If you’re planning on attending the Admitted Student’s days; either April 10th and 11th or April 17th and 18th and would like to meet some of the Muslim Students on campus, email fatimaf@uchicago.edu.