The MSA on Campus

Our Campus Events

The MSA has a multitude of events that occur throughout the year. Some of these are religious, while others are social. The combination of both has led to the familiarity and familial conduct within the Muslim community.

“The Muslims are brothers to each other, therefore make peace between your two brothers and fear Allah, so that you may gain mercy.” – Quran (49:10)

The MSA Eid Dinner is held every year by the UMass MSA as a form of celebration for one of the largest holidays in Islam: Eid al-Adha. This event invites Muslims within the MSA, the community, families of the MSA members, and non-Muslim friends to join in the annual celebration. The atmosphere is filled with amazing speakers, great food, and spectacular company as the MSA conducts the event successfully throughout the night.

Islam Awareness Month is a series of events held throughout the month of April whose aim is to spread knowledge of and about Islam throughout campus as well as eliminate ignorance about the religion. The MSA conducts these events and works with speakers and members of the community to cover topics that will enlighten both Muslims and non-Muslims.

MSA Senior Weekend is a 3-day long event conducted every spring semester. The three days split into an MSA barbecue, a Six Flags trip, and an MSA Senior Night. The MSA barbecue takes advantage of the pleasant springtime weather and allows the Muslim students to spend the day having fun at a nearby park. The Six-Flags trip takes the MSA to spend the day at a Six-Flags. The large group that embarks on this trip creates a lively and fun-filled atmosphere even if roller-coasters are not your cup of tea. The MSA has visited the Six-Flags in Massachusetts and New Jersey throughout the years. Finally, the MSA Senior Night is a night in which the MSA hosts a get-together in order to celebrate their graduating seniors and give them a night to remember before they leave campus for the summer.

Halal Meal Options

Halal Food On Campus

Worcester Dining Commons Oak Room in Northeast Residential Area
- Hours (Monday-Friday):
  - Lunch: 12:00-2:00
  - Dinner: 5:30-8:00 from
- You can find the halal food placed either in the Oak Room (international food section) or the gluten-free section in the main dining area.
Harvest Market in Campus Center
- Hours during the academic year:
  - Monday-Thursday, 8 AM – 11 PM
  - Friday-Sunday, 8 AM – 9 PM
- They only accept YCMP, Dining Dollars and cash/credit.
Tavola in Blue Wall (Campus Center)
- Halal Mediterranean cuisine.
- Hours during the academic year:
  - M-Th, 10:30 AM – 7 PM
  - Friday, 10:30 AM to 3 PM

YCMP Meal Plan Exemptions

The MSA can aid in making college life compatible with spiritual life. For example, UMass Amherst does not allow freshmen and sophomores (1st and 2nd years) to purchase the YCMP meal plan. This meal plan option allows students access to the dining commons (same as the value or unlimited meal plan options) AS WELL AS other eateries on campus (such as the Bluewall or the Harvest). If you wish to attain a meal plan exemption in order to be able to purchase YCMP meal plan swipes as a freshman or sophomore, please contact the MSA. We can help you in attaining YCMP meal swipes so that you can enjoy the Halal food in the Harvest (see below). If you need to change your meal plan, please contact us within the first two weeks of the semester to avoid Dining Common deadlines.

Halal restaurants in Amherst/Northampton

The Halal Cart (New York style street food)
Top Kebab (Iranian)
Pita Pocket (Syrian)
Malik shawarma (Lebanese)
Bombay Royale (Indian)
Amanouz Café (Moroccan)

Islam Awareness Month

Islam Awareness Month is a series of events held throughout the month of April whose aim is to spread knowledge of and about Islam throughout campus as well as eliminate ignorance about the religion. The MSA conducts these events and works with a variety of speakers and members of the community to cover topics that will enlighten both Muslims and non-Muslims.