Educating students about Islam is just one goal of the Muslim Student Association, said MSA President Sebghat Noori. He said the club is open to Muslim and non-Muslim students alike.

“Our purpose is to raise awareness of Islam and to learn more about each other,” he said.“We promise that all students will feel welcome and love being a part of our club.”

Club member Jessica Macias said those in the group make connections with students from many different background and cultures.

“MSA brings people from various countries together to combine as one, like a big family,” Macias said.

“I like the fact that I get to be around people from different cultures and learn more about cultural differences.”

Noori said members of MSA are representatives of OCCC and the surrounding community.

“This is a community club,” he said. “We are building a community. We are the voice of this campus.”

Club member Amina Elvaz said she feels the club will be beneficial to OCCC.

“The club will help get rid of those stereotypes people have gained from the media.”

Elvaz said being a member of the MSA club gives her something to look forward during the week and offers a retreat from class and homework.

“MSA is just a group for the Muslims and all nonMuslims to get together and learn about religion,” she said.

“This club is made to show other people what Islam is about.”

Elvaz said the club is looking forward to incorporating fun events such as movie nights and game nights, and volunteer opportunities.

Elvas said she considers the friendly group of students in the club as a big family.

“I think you gain amazing experience from our meetings.”

Meetings are from noon to 1 p.m. every other Thursday in the library.

“Everybody and anybody is welcome to come,” Elvas said.

Salous said the University of Oklahoma and University of Central Oklahoma both have active MSA clubs.

“We are thinking about collaborating with the MSA at OU for an upcoming event,” he said.

For more information about joining this or any other OCCC club or organization, visit www.occc.edu/studentlife/clubs or call 405-682-7821.