The University of Mississippi community is home to a multitude of organizations for students interested in enriching their spiritual lives, including Jewish, Christian and Muslim organizations.
Community is a core element for the Muslim Student Association, which is a home for UM students that practice the Islamic faith. MSA is a space for Muslims on campus to come together and share their beliefs. It gives students a chance to find community with other Muslims and give voice to their faith publicly.
“The core beliefs that guide the MSA are the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet
Muhammad ﷺ,” MSA President Khalil Abualya said of the beliefs and values the association holds. “With these guidelines we conduct ourselves in accordance to Islamic law and principles. Some of these principles include donating charity to the less fortunate, making group prayer for those affected by calamities and raising awareness of current events happening.”
MSA sponsors activities and events throughout the semester, but they are currently directing their focus toward the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Throughout the semester, the Muslim organization has been holding fundraising events for the Palestinian American Medical Association, educational movie nights and solidarity stands.
“My faith has strengthened since joining MSA,” Nuna Maryam, a sophomore biological science and Spanish major, said. “In the South, it’s really hard to find people like me, but after joining MSA, I became closer with a lot of the Muslims around campus. I believe that being surrounded by faithful people has encouraged me to be a better Muslim, and I’m so grateful to be a part of an organization that promotes joy and growth within the Oxford community.”
MSA aims to obtain a designated room on campus in which Muslim students can pray, break their fasts or study in an accessible environment in addition to growing their presence across the student body.
“Another long-term goal of ours is to increase our involvement on campus so more people know about our group. If people have questions we can answer them, bridging the gap between Muslims and non-Muslims here on campus,” Abualya said.
Hillel International is a Jewish student organization on campus connected to a larger counterpart, the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. Hillels connect students within the Jewish faith across the world.
Isabella Gadberry, a senior allied health studies major, is president of the UM Hillel.
“We just want to get all the Jewish people on campus involved with everything,” Gadberry said. “We are trying to enjoy college life and have the aspects of being Jewish, too.”
Hillel hosts events once or twice a month, including general body meetings, dinners and events with speakers. Gatherings featuring speakers intend to highlight important topics, such as antisemitism in contemporary society.
Gadberry explained how the long-term goals of the club include making students feel embraced by the Jewish community.
“We’re just trying to get more and more Jewish people involved and know that they always have a place with us and that we are excited and welcoming to anyone that comes,” Gadberry said.
In early October, UM Hillel held a candlelight vigil for those killed in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Campus Outreach stands as one of over 30 Christian student organizations at the university connecting students of faith on campus.
In partnership with Grace Bible Church in Oxford, Campus Outreach is a non-denominational Christian ministry that aims to help students establish their relationship with Jesus Christ while in a college setting and to empower Christian leaders.
Campus Outreach staff member Gray Jenkins, an Oxford native and graduate of UM, explained the importance of the organization’s presence on campus.
“(We are) following the example of Christ in discipleship on the campus in hopes to reach the nations,” Jenkins said.
Campus Outreach holds an array of events such as monthly evangelist meetings at fraternity and sorority houses, along with discipleship studies, small group Bible studies and community groups monthly. The Christian community invites pastors from across the state to travel to Oxford and speak to students about different passages and themes in the Bible.
Campus Outreach also offers ambassador training in preparation for student leadership and sponsors mission trips during spring break and summer vacation.
The training has created leaders such as senior integrated marketing communications major Liza Jackson, who says that she is thankful for how Campus Outreach has blossomed her faith.
“Campus outreach has challenged me in my faith so much,” Jackson said. “From one-on-one discipleship to group Bible studies, I am constantly learning more and more about God daily and how to grow towards holiness. Church on Sundays is something I look forward to, and reading my Bible brings me so much joy. I owe my entire faith journey to Campus Outreach.”
Jackson continued, emphasizing the communal element of the ministry.
“My favorite part about Campus Outreach is the community that it has given me. I am constantly surrounded by people who are pushing me to be the best version of myself and who are pushing me closer to God. I would not be who I am today without the lifelong friendships I have made within Campus Outreach,” Jackson said. “If I ever need anything, I have a community of 30+ people I can call.”
There are numerous ways to get involved in these organizations. Learn more about Hillel on its website or on the ForUM. To learn more about the Muslim Student Association, reach out to Khalil Abualya via email at kmabulay@go.olemiss.edu to be added to the GroupMe. To connect with Campus Outreach, find the group on Instagram.
