MSA Constitution
In the Name of ALLAH, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Article I: Name
The name of the Association shall be: MUSLIM STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION (MSA)
Article II: Mission
The Muslim Students’ Association of the University of Manitoba (UM) is the only constituted organization on campus that serves the cause of Islam. It is to promote the unity among Muslim students with varied backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities in the UM so as to enable the practice of Islam as a complete way of life. MSA-UM is run based upon the principles of Islam as embodied in Al-Qura’n and Sunnah (the sayings and conducts of Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him).
It is this ideology that unites us in one umbrella and motivates us to work willingly for the cause of Islam.
Article III: Aims and objectives
• Disseminate Islamic knowledge among Muslims for the purpose of strengthening their commitment to Islam as a complete code of conduct.
• Present Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims and promote friendly relations and understanding between them.
• Develop greater understanding and unity among the various language and cultural groups.
• Conduct social, cultural, religious, charitable, and educational activities on campus in the best tradition of Islam.
• Cultivate brotherly and sisterly relations and foster unity among Muslims at UM, neighboring MSAs, and finally North America.
On a larger scale, MSA-UM is affiliated with the MSA National, which is the uniting and coordinating body of all local MSAs in North America. We work together with other MSA chapters in other Universities with a common goal and purpose serving the best interests of Islam and Muslims in USA and Canada.
To achieve these goals, MSA-UM shall take active roles both within the Muslim students’ community and also the UM campus at large. To make ourselves visible on campus, regular participation in various student-related activities and events (e.g., participation on Multicultural week) shall be observed. Furthermore, MSA-UM shall occasionally:
i. Organize some Islamic teaching sessions for Muslims and/or non-Muslims,
ii. Establish an open house in the month of September to introduce MSA to the student bodies on campus,
iii. Coordinate Islamic cultural activities,
iv. Arrange and hold congregational daily and weekly prayers and Islamic festivals,
v. Organize Arabic language classes for Muslims and non-Muslims,
vi. Publish on a bi-monthly basis, a Newsletter and other pamphlets to spread out knowledge about Islam and Muslims’ news.
The two major events that MSA-UM organizes every year are the Islam Awareness Week (IAW) in November and the MSA Conference during the reading break (February).
Article IV: Membership
i. Membership shall be open to all the Muslim students willing to promote and subscribe to the aims and objectives of the Association and to abide by this constitution.
ii. Muslims who are not registered in any of the faculties of the University of Manitoba and who are interested in the activities of the Association and willing to abide by this constitution may be affiliated with the Association as “Associate Members”.
iii. Non-Muslims who are affiliated with the University of Manitoba and who are interested in the activities of the Association and willing to abide by this constitution may also join the Association as “Associate Members”.
Associate members may have all the privileges of membership except for voting rights.
Members shall pay a mandatory annual fee of one Dollar ($1.00).
Article V: The Executive committee
The executive committee shall be elected annually from amongst the members of the Association on the third or fourth Friday of March. The elections shall be announced one week prior. The elected executives will take up their positions by the start of the academic year in September while the old executives continue their duties until the end of August.
The executive committee shall comprise the following:
(a) The President: Shall officiate in the name of the Association, be its official spokesperson, take the chair in the meetings, be signing official, and liaison officer with the community of Winnipeg.
(b) The Vice-President: Shall help the President with regard to all presidential duties, be the chief editor of the newsletter, supervise matters concerning Public Relations and Education-related issues, and shall act on the President’s behalf in the case of the President’s absence.
(c) The Secretary: Shall be responsible for all external affairs concerning MSA, record the minutes at the meetings, be responsible for rooms booking, the general care of the Association’s correspondence and filing system.
(d) The Treasurer: Shall keep a record of the finances of the Association, be a signing official in conjunction with the President, raise funds, and handle financial transactions.
(e) The Office Manager: Shall be responsible for organizing and managing the MSA office, Prayer rooms, libraries, and prayer services.
(f) The Media Commissioner: Shall be responsible for the MSA homepage, mailing list, and advertising for different events and functions.
(g) The Public Relation (Da’wah) Commissioner: Shall be responsible for organizing sports, pot-luck dinners, social events, and cultural functions, promotes an awareness of Islam among non-Muslims, ensures the involvement of Muslim students in MSA activities, and selects a representative for MSA on Bannatyne Campus.
(h) The Education (Tarbiyah) Commissioner: Shall be responsible for all educational programs organized by MSA for Muslims and/or non-Muslims (e.g., Halaqas (Islamic educational circles), Arabic Classes, Qura’n classes).
Sisters (Muslim female students) should be represented in the executive committee by a number of executives that is not less than two and does not exceed four members.
The role of the executive committee shall be the policy making body of MSA. The basic function of the executive committee shall be to help and advise the President to formulate the best possible policies and working procedures to achieve the aims and objectives of the MSA.
Article VI: Meetings
Executive Meetings:
The President shall call for an executive meeting:
(a) As and when the interest of the Association demands it.
(b) When approached by at least half of the executive members.
(c) At least once a month.
Any ex-president of MSA can be invited by the President to any executive meetings as needed and approved by the executive committee. The ex-president shall have NO voting right in the executive meetings.
If an executive member does not attend three consecutive meetings without an excuse that is accepted by the President, he/she shall be relieved of the duties of that position. A substitute will be sought by elections.
Decisions in any executive meeting are made based on the principles of Islamic Shurah (Voting of majority).
General Body Meetings:
The President shall call for a general body meeting:
(a) As and when the interest of the Association demands it.
(b) When approached by at least half of the members of the Association.
(c) At least once a year.
Half of the members shall constitute the quorum for a general body meeting.
Article VII: Constitution Amendment
This constitution can be amended only by an affirmative vote of half of the members of the Association.
A proposed amendment must be brought to the attention of all members of the Association at least seven days before the date of voting on the amendment.
University of Manitoba Muslim Students Association | Copyright 2008