Islamophobia Awareness Week 2025 Installation
A History of Muslim Presence on Campus and the Muslim Student Association
This installation, created by the Office of Academic Excellence and Opportunity in partnership with the Muslim Student Association, highlights the long-standing presence of Muslim life at Tulane and their contributions to and experiences on campus. Through archival milestones, personal reflections, and student-led initiatives, we invite you to learn, reflect, and engage.
Historical Timeline
Muslim Presence at Tulane Through the Years
From Atal A. Sarradet, possibly the first Muslim student at Tulane in 1895 to today’s MSA initiatives, Tulane’s history includes Muslim scholars, organizers, and community members and each point on the below timeline includes the historical evidence to go with it.
Muslim History in Tulane and New Orleans
1895: Atal A. Sarradet, possibly the first Muslim student at Tulane.
1958: Hullabaloo Notice of the Arab Club Meeting
1964: Tulane Arab Club first appears in Jambalaya
1976: King Hussein of Jordan speaks in Dixon Hall, “Peace and the Arab Heritage”
2005: Islamic Circle of North America Relief Disaster Response Services founded after Hurricane Katrina
Muslim Student Organization History at Tulane
1991: Muslim Student Association first featured in the Office of Multicultural Affairs' Multicultural Resource Guide
2004: Muslim Student Association first featured in Jambalaya
2008: Muslim Student Association and Muslim Educational and Cultural Committee for Awareness host the first Islamic Awareness week
2020: Muslim Student Association Instagram founded
2024: First Islamophobia Awareness Week held in partnership with the Muslim Student Association
2025: Eid al-Fitr Celebration held at No. 2 Audubon Place
MSA Today
Today the Muslim Student Association is active across Tulane's campus, holding events, building community, and fostering awareness. The below information reflects their organization's functioning in October 2025, focusing on their leadership, regular events, and their Charity Week.
Muslim Student Association Executive Board 2025-2026
| 
| 
|
| Yumnah Siddiqui Neuroscience '26 President | Yaqoub Askar Neuroscience '26 Internal Vice President | Tooba Akram Psychology '26 External Vice President |
| 
| 
|
| Hadjer Messeded Neuroscience '28 Treasurer | Sameeha Hussain Sociology '28 Secretary | Aya Elmadah Neuroscience '28 Social Media Coordinator |
| 
| 
|
| Zafreen Ahmed Cell and Molecular Biology '27 Community Service Chair | Melike Zehra Varol International Development '29 Freshman Representative | Ramis Shabbeer Neuroscience '29 Freshman Representative |
Major Initiatives
MSA hosts many events and initiatives falling into four main categories:
An Annual Eid Celebration, Ramadan Iftars, Social Events and Partnerships. Photos from the events and iniatives can be seen below.
Charity Week 2025
Charity Week is a week-long initiative (October 20th–24th) dedicated to raising funds for orphans and families in need around the world.
We’re proud to partner with Islamic Relief, a global humanitarian organization founded in 1984 that focuses on providing sustainable support to vulnerable communities. This year’s efforts will aid those affected in Gaza, Sudan, and Bangladesh, with the goal of offering long-term relief across multiple regions rather than focusing on just one.
Throughout the week, we’ve hosted events such as henna tattoos, a bake sale, and calligraphy bookmarks, helping us raise $_____ while uniting our campus around charity and compassion.
We concluded our efforts with a Joint Market alongside local MSAs, a family friendly event with vendors, activities, and donation booths that brought the community together to support local charities.
Interviews with Muslim Tulanians
Below are the answers, both anonymous and not, to a series of questions asked of students currently engaged in the Muslim Student Association. Their answers have not been edited.
"I've had some ups and downs as a Muslim, but overall, my experience has been positive because of the amazing MSA community we all have at Tulane."
"Being a Muslim student at Tulane has been both meaningful and challenging. I’ve built a strong sense of community through the MSA, which has given me people to rely on and a space where I feel understood. At the same time, it’s clear that being Muslim here means having to speak up for certain needs, whether that’s prayer space, Ramadan accommodations, or just basic awareness. It’s taught me how to stand up for myself and represent my faith in a way that feels authentic."
"I really appreciate the close-knit Muslim community at Tulane. I am involved only because of MSA, since I am not from New Orleans. MSA allows me to continue to practice my religion without excluding the community aspect of it."
"Being a Muslim student at Tulane has been a really meaningful experience for me. Through the MSA, I’ve been able to connect with other Muslims and plan events that build a sense of community. My faith keeps me grounded and motivated, and it’s also been a way for me to share my values and perspective on campus."
"Speaking honestly, being Muslim at Tulane is not the easiest just like how any other minority would feel in a place where representation is low. However, the MSA has helped me find my community and allowed me to embrace my culture and religion."
"So far so good. A good place to pray (Friday prayers as well thanks to MSA), good community with people who can help each other find, say, halal food, and more to explore!"
"Our muslim community is welcoming to anyone who's interested in Islam and want to learn more about the faith."
"I want people to know that the Muslim community here is tight-knit, supportive, and proud of who we are. We balance our faith with everything that comes with being college students, and we try to make our presence something positive on campus. We’re here to build bridges, not walls."
"Most of us do not (and should not) judge others for their religious beliefs. We focus on our own religious journeys."
"I want people to know that our Muslim community is really welcoming and supportive. It’s more than just practicing faith; it’s about building friendships, sharing experiences, and having a group of people who look out for each other."
"We are extremely friendly, opening, and kind."
"Islam teaches us that even the smallest act of kindness can be an act of worship, and that caring for our neighbors is part of caring for God’s creation."
"They ARE ALWAYS HERE FOR YOU! It is a brotherhood/sisterhood with lots of supportive people in any situation possible."
"The CIL has provided immense support to the MSA and I feel acknowledged."
"I think Tulane is getting better at understanding what Muslim students need, but there’s still a long way to go. There’s genuine effort from some staff and departments, but overall awareness is still limited. A lot of what we have as Muslim students comes from us organizing and advocating for ourselves, not from institutional support. I appreciate the progress, but there’s room for more understanding and consistency."
"Tulane gives MSA a lot of opportunities to have on-campus activities and events that involve the Muslim community. But there are certain actions made by the university that show how profit is put first before students."
"Tulane has been pretty supportive of my Muslim experience. There are halal options on campus like the Halal Shack, and we also have a dedicated prayer room plus a masjid really close by, which makes it easier to practice my faith. On top of that, the MSA gives me a community to connect with other Muslims and feel at home."
"The CIL does an amazing job making muslim students feel comfy."
"I think the campus really does understand my Muslim experience; they have halal food places in campus and DO have request for halal food at the commons (with certain restrictions), excused absences for holidays, and really MSA as an example for a campus support system! MSA is there to essentially be your guide."
"Being more aware about the religion and our practices and offering counseling or solely listening to students and their needs."
"If you want to support Muslim students, start by being intentional about it. Learn what’s important to us, ask before assuming, and show up when it matters. Whether that’s attending an MSA event or just checking in during Ramadan, the effort goes a long way. Real support comes from consistency, not performative gestures."
"Please listen to our concerns, even if you think you are not “educated” enough or have don’t any direct effect on them. Everyone on campus deserves to feel heard and welcome, no matter what their beliefs."
"I’d say try to find other Muslim students who are committed to their faith and have similar goals. It’s really helpful to have people you can support, motivate, and share experiences with as you go through college together."
"Come to the M.S.A!"
"Be involved! Whether it’s praying in the prayer room together, raising money for someone in need, opening fasts together as a community, I think it is important for us to stay united and show up for each other."
"Really, they just need to be respectful of any dietary restrictions or any prayers that Muslim students might be doing. Again, in my opinion, all you really need to do is to be supportive of said students! Even a good friend can go a long way."
