The University of Manitoba Muslim Students’ Association (UMMSA) was established in 1971 and is one of the largest clubs at the U of M, according to Adil Hayat, UMMSA external relations manager. The UMMSA mosque is located in E3-160 EITC and the association aims to promote Islamic values, represent Muslims on campus and address member needs through event programs and services.
UMMSA organizes and hosts many religious initiatives such as Friday congregation for students to perform their five daily prayers, Ramadan and 30 days of Iftar. According to Hayat, the association is the only Muslim students’ association in the country that provides Iftar for all 30 days. Hayat stated that it costs over $50,000 to provide free Iftar to all participants — the evening meal with which Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. “That expands over 9,000 people,” said Hayat.
UMMSA started a GoFundMe page at the end of January to be able to continue to support the Muslim community at the university — including serving 30 days of free Iftar. Over $2,500 has been raised of the $50,000 goal so far.
UMMSA also hosts events such as Islamic awareness week. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 10 for five days, it will focus on giving non-Muslims a chance to learn about Islam and Islamic traditions. Another event that UMMSA hosts for members is Halaqa — a discussion session that may be on any topic such as personal life, personal growth or academia, according to UMMSA facility manager Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque.
“UMMSA is working on not only academia or spirituality, but also leadership building or solving different kinds of issues, like mental health,” said Haque.
Financial support is also provided to students through the MSA hardship fund.
Study sessions are hosted by UMMSA, provided with snacks and quiet study rooms with tables and televisions.
UMMSA media manager Mahedi Hasan wants people to know that their amenities are not limited to Muslim students. All students and staff can participate in events.
“They can show up. They can grab snacks. We have a kitchen space where they can heat food, they can drink water,” said Hasan.
UMMSA’s biggest challenge is facility space. “This is a really big issue,” said Hayat.
The campus mosque has a maximum capacity of 250 people due to security concerns and fire hazards. Because of this, many students must wait a very long time to pray and some students may end up not getting the chance to pray, stated Hayat.
“There’s a cut off, because once we fill up, we cannot do anything. There is not even standing room, let alone a chance to sit down and listen to the sermon,” said Hayat.
“We’ve always looked at going to the MPR and doing a sermon there, but there is university red tape and university issues in that sense. We’ve talked to the university administration about that as well.”
“[The association] is family to me,” said Hasan. “A family that makes me secure, a family that makes me feel welcome, a family that gets me closer to my Lord, a family that is connected to my life and is getting a second nature to my life as well.”
