As Ramadan approaches on Feb. 18, the Muslim Student Association serves as an important club to honor its Muslim students. Westchester Square Academy has formed this club and invites BRHS to its sessions on Wednesday for girls and Friday for boys, both at 2:35 p.m. in room 414.

Towsif Islam, a sophomore at WSA, is the president of the MSA club. “We’re excited to team up with Bronx River High School, Schuylerville Preparatory High School and Pelham Lab High School,” he said. “The Muslim Student Association at Westchester Square Academy aims to create a supportive environment for Muslim students while promoting understanding and awareness of Islamic culture and values within the larger school community.”

The club has multiple goals, including “fostering community, cultural awareness, celebration of Islamic events and most importantly, leadership development,” he said. “The MSA encourages students to take on leadership roles within the club, helping them develop skills that will be beneficial in their academic and personal lives.”

Many events are held to represent the club and those who participate. “One of our highlights is the Food Festival, where students and teachers showcase their cultural heritage by sharing delicious dishes from their backgrounds,” he said. “We also have a special Thobe Day, celebrating traditional Muslim attire worn by men.

The club also holds soccer tournaments that serve as a way to build teamwork and unity among the community.

Sami Chowdhury, a freshman at BRHS, joined the club two months ago. “I used to leave the school to go to the mosque to pray, but I found out that MSA was a thing, so I joined. Sometimes the leader gives lectures after prayer, and they always give us snacks,” he said. “Friday is a special day in our religion and we use it to do a unique prayer, the jummah [Friday] prayer. It’s exclusively on Fridays.”

The Friday prayer is mandatory for Muslim men, and optional for Muslim women. It symbolizes a day of assembly and togetherness for Muslims to gather, typically at a mosque. In the school community, the MSA club serves as the mosque that students can access.

Jarin Akhter, a junior at WSA, is a member of the MSA club and the Girls Halaqa [gathering for Islamic study] Club. She shares the key difference between the MSA club and the Girls Halaqa Club.

“It’s [the MSA club] a place to strengthen our iman [faith] and support one another as part of one ummah [the Muslim community], carrying our faith that inspires both ourselves and those around us,” Jarin said. “The Girls’ Halaqa Club, on the other hand, strives to create a safe environment for every young woman at Lehman High School who feels unheard or afraid to speak. It’s a space where struggles can be shared without judgment, and where we can learn more about Allah (SWT) [God] and strengthen our faith together,” she said.

“MSA and girls halaqa club is supported by the contributions of its members, proceeds from snack sales and donations we have received, Alhamdulillah [praise to God],” Jarin said.