Summary

The Muslim Student Association of the United States and Canada (MSA) was founded in 1963, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by a group of students from eleven universities. Established by immigrant Muslim students, the MSA initially focused on unifying Muslim students under a pan-Islamic identity and reviving Islamic orthodoxy. In the initial two decades, the number of MSA chapters increased swiftly, and the organization’s diverse membership, professional needs, and the growing Muslim community in North America gave rise to various other affiliated organizations, such as the Islamic Society of North America. Over time and in some cases, membership in MSAs has lent itself to challenges and tensions around ethnic, racial, and gender lines, resulting in the formation of separate organizations by members seeking more specific representation. Many MSAs have adapted to include more diverse needs and perspectives, especially as its membership increasingly included American-born Muslims. Post-9/11, MSAs faced scrutiny and increased demands for representation, which led them to focus more on American identity and local activism, while still addressing basic needs of Muslim students on campus. In recent years, MSAs continued to adapt, incorporating social justice issues, mental health awareness, and professional interests into their programming. In the 2020s, there were more than six hundred MSAs across college campuses, and the organization remains a crucial platform for Muslim students, though its focus and activities vary widely depending on the campus context and the evolving needs of its members.