Muslim Students Association (MSA) is a club that started last year, but has already made its mark on Lambert. MSA is a club focused on fundraisers and creating a comfortable environment for Lambert students who practice Islam or hail from Muslim-majority countries.

Co-Presidents Mariya Syeda and Imaan Lasker are freshmen at Lambert High School and are the leaders of MSA, a club intended to foster community and opportunity.

Many clubs share the goal of MSA and aim to provide a space for people to feel seen in regards to their culture. These types of clubs are instrumental in making students feel like there are people who share their concerns, customs and culture. It can even make a difference in whether someone enjoys or hates school. 

However, until this year, there was no club for students who practice Islam, which makes the club essential for Muslim students to be heard.

“I feel like a lot of people come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I feel so much better now since there’s a club for Muslims too because there’s a club for Christian people, right?’” Syeda said. “They just feel more comfortable being at school.”

MSA is not just for students who practice Islam, however, as many who don’t practice Islam still enjoy being in the club.

When the first semester came to an end, MSA had raised over $1,500 for various causes such as funding for Pakistan flood relief and the construction of wells in the Middle East. In conjunction with multiple MSA across the county, they also organized a bonding picnic to promote community. 

As well as fundraising and get-togethers, they also organized a prayer room open to students within the school. 

“[The prayer room] is up in the media center by the Lunch and Learn area,” Lasker said. “It’s just a room back there in the media center. There are prayer passes so kids can miss a little bit of class.”

Lambert’s MSA also has competitions and opportunities for students to have the spotlight. 

For example, this semester there is a tournament called MIST Atlanta, short for Muslim Interscholastic Tournament, which is an annual contest featuring competitions related to the Qur’an, fine arts, academics, Esports and group projects.

In these competitions, you can submit a short story, create a film, organize a fundraising campaign, create on-the-spot speeches and more. 

As the end of this semester comes closer, MSA looks forward to more fundraisers and taking club members to MIST Atlanta! 

If you would like to follow Lambert MSA on their journey, click here.