By: Rumaysa Drissi and Mariam Ahmed
As the fall semester kicks off, the 2026-2027 Muslim Student Association (MSA) board has been organizing events and prayers. Get to know the students who will be leading UMD’s MSA during this academic year.
President: Rayn Ali
“I want everyone to feel like the MSA is a home away from home, the way [it is for] me.”
Rayn Ali is a senior information science major who previously served on the MSA 2025-2026 board as vice president. Having moved from India in high school, he has always felt a strong connection to the Muslim community in the DMV. Ali found a home in MSA and understands the importance of Muslim students finding a space where they feel like they belong. He recalls a freshman approaching him and sharing that MSA ‘made Ramadan worth it’ for him — moments like these motivated Ali to continue to serve on the board of MSA.
One of Ali’s priorities for this year is building off of the good that was done through past boards and continuing to strengthen the community. Ali would like to see all Muslims experience brotherhood and sisterhood in the musallah (Muslim prayer space) everyday. For the MSA president, the mentorship program is the initiative he is most excited about. He hopes the program will be a great success and pave the way for future MSA members to continue to build off of.
Serving on the previous board alongside one of his closest friends, Zayd Mahfuz, the previous MSA 2025-2026 president, made his experience very special — their brotherhood and commitment made even the biggest goals feel achievable, he said. Ali is excited to continue to serve with the new leadership and new faces. “I was on board last year and I can give back to the community even better this year, insh’Allah,” Ali told Al-Hikmah.
In his free time, Ali enjoys playing soccer, video games, spending time with his family, and hanging out with friends whom he met through MSA. He also holds executive positions on the board of both ICNA Relief at UMD and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD).
Ali’s favorite surah is Surah al-Fatiha. He says it is important to understand al-Fatiha and its role in one’s life, as it is recited in all prayers.
Vice President: Yasmin Kotb
“I want the Muslim community to know that I genuinely care about creating a space where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and connected.”
Yasmin Kotb is a junior information science major. Kotb describes herself as someone who values her female friendships and wants to be a part of Muslim space where she can grow, make meaningful friendships, and contribute to something bigger than herself. She hopes to prioritize welcoming freshmen and helping them connect with the MSA. Kotb is most excited about expanding the sister’s circle and strengthening the sister’s community.
In her free time, she runs her own matcha pop-up called Btween Sips. She also enjoys making coffees, matchas, and visiting cafes with her friends.
An ayah Kotb holds close to her heart is, “That is the ˹way of Our˺ punishment ˹in this world˺. But the punishment of the Hereafter is certainly far worse, if only they knew” (Quran 68:33). Reflecting on this ayah reminds her about the temporary nature of the dunya (worldly life) and to be grateful to Allah SWT.
Musallah Affairs Officer: Farhan Ahmed
“I want to make sure that [everyone] feels welcome whether they know or don’t know anyone.”
Farhan Ahmed is a junior computer engineering major who has always held positions of leadership in his local community, Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) — where he led taraweeh prayer, a special nightly prayer performed by many Muslims during Ramadan. Ahmed was also previously involved in UMD’s Student Government Association (SGA).
Ahmed believes that Muslims on campus should be more politically involved. He wants to promote civic engagement within the Muslim community, whether it’s being involved in protests or attending UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) events.
In his free time Ahmed enjoys playing video games, going to the gym and playing pickleball.
An ayah close to Ahmed’s heart is, “We have made the Quran easy for remembrance, so is there anyone who will remember?” (Quran 54:32)
Vice President of Sister’s Affairs: Akunna Okonkwo
“[MSA] is an extension of who I am … All my friends from deen to social events have been tied to MSA, it’s really special to me.”
Akunna Okonkwo is a senior public health science major. Okonkwo is involved in other organizations on campus including Public Health Beyond Borders (PHBB), because of her interest in the intersection of public health and policy. She is also on the board of Future Leaders of Africa (FLOA), and she is a member of Black Pre-Law Association (BPLA), and she is a Resident Assistant (RA).
This semester, Okonkwo wants to focus on retaining more attendance throughout the semester, as well as incorporating Islamic reminders into community events and everyday life.
“Being a revert has pushed me to be very open-minded,” said Okonkwo. “Coming from a religious Christian background, I was very used to my own perspective, and ever since converting to Islam I have become very open to other people’s experiences and how life can be very hard for other people.”
Okonkwo’s favorite ayah is “Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” (Quran 13:28)
Treasurer: Ibraheem Esayed
“I’m a new face to the [UMD] community, so I hope I can make a good impression on everyone and give back to the best of my ability.”
Ibraheem Esayed is a junior finance and sociology major. Initially, Esayed was surprised to be nominated but was honored to accept the role and give back to his community, he said. He previously served as MSA president at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), where he and his board created the first prayer space on their campus. Outside of MSA, he holds executive positions in multiple clubs including Terps Against Hunger (TAH), SCALE, and Maryland Scholars Investments Fund.
Esayed encourages Muslim students to be a part of the mentorship program and attend more events.
“The Muslim community has given a lot to me throughout my whole life,” he said. That’s why I was so excited to get more involved with the MSA.”
Esayed’s favorite hadith is, “None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself.”
Public Relations: Matab Elbashir
“I just want the MSA to be a really inclusive and safe place for all types of people.”
Matab Elbashir is a junior public health science major who was inspired to run after seeing two of her friends, Yaara Aboelmagd and Masah Farh, who served as vice president of sister’s affairs and treasurer respectively in the 2025-2026 academy year, give back to the community. Similar to the MSA’s vice president Yasmin Kotb, Elbashir hopes to contribute to a space where sisters feel comfortable and have a place to turn to.
She enjoys visiting cafes and spending time with her friends in her free time. Elbashir also serves as a public relations officer on the board of Sudanese Student Association (SSO), Roots and Smiles, and Dexterity Dental Club.
She says it’s important to renew one’s intention before anything else, and she told Al-Hikmah she tries to center her life towards pleasing Allah SWT. Elbashir’s favorite ayah is “He found you lost and guided you.” (Quran 93:7) The ayah keeps her grounded, she says, and reminds her of the mercy and grace of Allah SWT.
Secretary: Bara Abed Rabbo
“Helping and giving back to what was given to me is something I really like to do … that was my main motivation for running for MSA.”
Bara Abed Rabbo is a junior bioengineering major. He was already involved with MSA as a volunteer before joining the board, helping out when he can, he says. On campus, he is also involved in the Arab American Association of Engineers and Architects (AAAEA) and the Egyptian Student Association (ESA).
The junior bioengineer hopes to promote a more accepting MSA environment where people are not judgmental in a way that pushes people out of the community. If he sees improvement in that area, he says, he would consider his year on board a success.
In his free time, Abed Rabbo enjoys spending time outdoors and cooking. He especially enjoys baking foods that involve doughs like mankeesh, pastas, pizzas, and breads. He also enjoys reading poetry like the work of Imam Al Shafi and Rumi.
One of Abed Rabbo’s favorite ayahs is “And no soul perceives what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul perceives in what land it will die. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Aware.” (Quran 31:34)
A message from the former MSA president
As the new MSA board starts out the academic year, 2025-2026 MSA president Zayd Mahfuz shared a message:
“To the 2026–2027 UMD MSA community and board,
“At a time when division can so easily seep into our everyday lives, it’s important that we build a culture of unity and support for one another. On a campus so large and diverse — a reflection of the world beyond campus — take advantage of the opportunity to build lifelong relationships and learn from one another.
“Our Muslim community continues to grow, and we can only create a welcoming space if each of us makes an effort to include and consider others, whether through a smile, a greeting, an invitation to lunch, the gym, or an event. Everyone is at a different place in their journey, and no one is expected to be perfect.
“Simply strive to represent the best of our faith through kindness and good character. Sometimes, the smallest actions can be the most powerful forms of da’wah.”
Image credits: Cover photos by Rumaysa Drissi and Tasnia Ashraf for Al-Hikmah. Collage created by Riona Sheikh.
CORRECTION: Bara Abed Rabbo’s last name is “Abed Rabbo.”
This story has been updated.
Al-Hikmah 
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