MSA 2023

Muslim life at Carleton is vibrant and diverse, with students, faculty, and staff from across the United States and globe.

The Muslim Student Association (MSA), Muslim Chaplain, and the Office of the Chaplain offer a wide range of programs to support the needs of Muslim students and to create an inclusive space of community, religious learning, worship, spiritual nourishment, support, and celebration of students of all backgrounds, sects, experiences, interest, and engagement with Islam. Our offerings include:

Prayer and Community Spaces

  • Muslim Interest House (Page West): Muslim Interest House is a dedicated space for Muslim students, or anyone who would like to learn more about Islam and is committed to respecting the values of the house. It is a single-gender residence. The gender of the house is determined each year based on student applicants. The house also serves as a hub for the broader Carleton Muslim community, where students gather to cook together, break fast during Ramadan, share brunches, join in communal prayers, relax, host movie and game nights and halaqahs (learning circles).
  • Muslim Prayer Room: A musallah (prayer space) downstairs in the Chapel for prayer anytime in the day and evening. There are Qur’ans available in both Arabic and English for recitation, reading, and reflection. There are also cushions and a couch for rest and homework on those busy days between classes and in the evening. 
  • Wudu’ Station: Located next to the prayer room, there is a restroom with an area to more easily facilitate wudu’ (ablutions). 

Worship and Learning

  • Jummah Prayers: Weekly congregational prayer on Friday afternoons (times alternate according to seasonal prayer times)
  • Halaqahs & Religious Learning: Halaqahs are gatherings for religious and spiritual learning, nourishment, and growth, on the Qur’an (the sacred text of Islam), hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him), other spiritual texts and topics, Muslim identity and practice, and current events in the world. All are discussion based and open to everyone. Halaqahs take place on alternating Friday afternoons.
    • Women’s Halaqah: This is a welcoming space for women to cultivate community and engage in conversations and learning on Islamic spirituality, building a relationship with Allah, Divine Love and Mercy, walking through adversity, trusting in Allah, and more. No previous engagement with or knowledge of Islam required. All are welcome! Women’s halaqahs are on alternating Friday afternoons. 
    • Men’s Halaqah: This is a biweekly gathering space to build community and bridge faith to our daily lives through discussions and lectures based in Qur’an, ḥadīth, sīrah, and more. No previous engagement with or knowledge of Islam required. All are welcome!
    • Community Halaqah: This is a space for any gender, faith, or worldview to come together in curiosity, reflection, and community. No prior knowledge or background is needed. All are welcome as they are!
  • Ramadan & Eid al-Fitr:
    • During Ramadan, many students gather each night for Maghrib prayer and iftar (breaking fast) on campus together. Some nights students pray taraweeh(Ramadan night prayer) at a local mosque and other nights students pray taraweeh on campus. Some students also gather to recite Qur’an, eat suhoor (pre-dawn meal), and pray together on campus. 
    • During Ramadan, there are also various community catered iftars, a campus-wide iftar, and halaqahs for religious learning and spiritual growth. 
    • On Eid al-Fitr, students attend Eid prayer at a local mosque and then celebrate together off campus. Muslim students, faculty, and staff also celebrate Eid al-Fitr with the Carleton community at a campus wide Eid celebration.
  • Eid al-Adha: 
    • On Eid al-Adha, students attend prayers at a local mosque and then celebrate together off campus. Students, faculty, and staff also gather to celebrate Eid al-Adha with the Carleton community at a campus wide Eid celebration.

Social Gatherings & Resources

MSA provides many opportunities for social events, cultivating friendships, and community building throughout each term, including:

  • Movie nights and game nights at Muslim House
  • Nature excursions and walks in the arb
  • Trips into the Cities for zabiha halal meat and other necessities (and fun!)
  • Sisters Brunches
  • Brothers FIFA Nights
  • Dinners, hot chocolate nights, and other fun gatherings
  • Catered meals and cooking at Muslim House

Academic Opportunities

Carleton has a rich offering of courses, many of which relate to Islam, Muslim countries, and Muslim cultures, including: 

Pastoral Care and Counseling & Religious Knowledge

Our Muslim Chaplain, Fatima Basharat, is available for pastoral care and counseling, offering a space where students can bring their entire selves, including religion and/or culture, to talk through life’s challenges and joys, religious questions, spiritual seeking, crises of faith, academic pursuits, life goals, identity, hardship, self knowledge and growth, wellness, the world and current events and tragedies, and anything else on their mind. Fatima provides an open, non-judgmental space to support anything you are experiencing and welcomes all, Muslim or anyone else. 

Our Muslim chaplain is also available for religious and spiritual learning, both in group settings during halaqahs and individually.