Throughout the last week of September, you may have noticed big, decorated cardboard boxes in McIntosh, the pharmacy lounge, and Affinity. These boxes were decorated with positive quotes, pictures, and the words “MSA Donation,” and sat quietly as people filled them with new and gently used clothing.
ONU’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) was behind it all. In fact, their clothing drive for the homeless and less fortunate had turned out to be a big success.
Fahad Alharbi, MSA president and pharmacy student from Saudi Arabia, said that the initial motivation started at a personal level.
“One day I was thinking to buy a new jacket because of the cold weather, but before I did anything I asked myself, ‘Why do not I buy two of them—one for me and one for anyone who does not have?’ Therefore, this idea of collecting clothes came right to my head.”
Uhood Ashkan, also a pharmacy student from Saudi Arabia, and MSA vice president, said that this initiative aligns perfectly with what the goals of MSA are all about.
“The idea of the donation box came from the fact that we are an organization that is based on humanity. Our duty as human beings is to care about other people…to help them to the best of our ability—and that is what our religion obligates us to do,” she said.
In order to put their idea into action, several students volunteered to design the donation boxes and place them around campus. Emails were sent out to ONU students and faculty, and pictures were put up to spread awareness.
Fahad said that he was honestly surprised by the amount of donations made. Items included a range of adult clothing and coats.
They had initially planned to take a trip to Columbus and donate everything to a homeless shelter there. However, after seeing how great the donations were, and having several students and MSA members ask for the period to be extended to allow for further donations, they have had to make adjustments.
They are now thinking to have all donations cleaned before having some distributed within the Ada community, like to Ada’s Restore, and possibly to other surrounding communities as well.
Fahad stressed that the MSA is not only for Muslims or Muslim work. In fact, they promote it as an environment in which both Muslims and non-Muslims can come together to learn from and benefit one another. Common human love is not something native to only one group.
“I wanted to show the reality of Islam to those who have misconceptions…to [allow them to] see our humanity, love, etc. I wanted to tell everyone that we care about our community and its people, and I mean Ada in that. MSA and its members are a part of the Ada family, and we will help anyone if we have the ability,” Fahad said.
He asks that all ONU organizations start thinking of activities they can do to impact their societies, and that the MSA will be willing to help and supply volunteers.
Uhood adds that their focus is on creating a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood among their fellow people of humanity.
“I can’t stress enough our goals as a religious organization that we are about humanity, because that’s what unites us regardless of our color, ethnicity or religion. This is what Islam is actually about.”