The Creighton Muslim Student Association is hosting a Middle Eastern Food Fundraiser on the Creighton Mall Tuesday.
The Muslim Student Association (MSA) is a minority group at Creighton University. Money raised from the food fundraiser will go towards a music event the MSA is hosting in May.
Jamal Jamil, a Creighton Arts & Sciences senior and former president of the MSA, said that the goal of MSA is to act as a resource for the Creighton Community as well as the greater Omaha community on the topic of Islam and help build bridges and break the stereotypes.
The MSA webpage states that “Through meetings, constructive dialogues, and open discussions, we hope to build a better understanding among the Creighton community of the Islamic faith and teachings.”
The MSA hosts several events to celebrate the Islamic faith and share it with the Creighton community. Naser Alsharif, the MSA moderator, explained that MSA has brought in speakers, comedians and hosted spotlight events to share with the Creighton community.
This year’s event – called Layaali – is a Tarab, which Jamil said translates to night of music. It is in May and will feature classical and contemporary Arabic music. Groups such as CSU and campus ministries are helping to fund the event, but the remaining cost must be covered by the MSA. The profits of the food fundraiser will go towards making the night of Arabic music possible.
The food fundraiser is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the mall Tuesday. It will include a variety of ethnic foods such as grape leaves, samosa, hummus, tabouleh salad, safeeha and mediterranean rice. For dessert, baklava or hareesa can be purchased.
“The event is a way to bring in the culture of the Muslim world in terms of food,” Alsharif said.
The cost for students is $6 for the meal and $1.50 for dessert. If it happens to rain, the event will be relocated to the Mutual of Omaha Student Lounge in the Hixson-Lied building.
“Stop by, try different food,” Jamil said. “I think it is good to get together and have a basic understanding of each other, don’t be feared to ask questions.”
The MSA will be handing out flyers with facts about Islam on them. The MSA thinks that the fundraiser is a great opportunity for students to enjoy delicious Middle Eastern food while learning a little bit about Islam. They invite students and faculty to stop by the fundraiser Tuesday.