It’s been nearly 16 months since the war in Gaza began, but less Americans are paying attention than ever. Whether desensitized by constant coverage or believing the situation was resolved by the ceasefire deal struck in mid-January, eyes are turning elsewhere.
While Americans may be over it, displaced Palestinians are still suffering in the humanitarian crisis created by the war. Families struggle to rebuild their lives in the face of food, shelter, and medical aid shortages.
Here in Berkshire County, students from Williams College’s Muslim Student Union (MSU) and MCLA’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) are fighting to keep the situation in Palestine in people’s minds and conversations. Looking to better educate both the Williams and MCLA communities, the MSU and MSA joined forces to host the Muslim Community Gala on December 7.
The evening featured a conversation with guest speaker Dr. Hussein Rashid, the Assistant Dean for Religion and Public Life at Harvard Divinity School, moderated by Williams College economics major, Ali Noamany, ’26. The pair created a welcoming aura in Williams College’s Goodrich Hall for open discussion, allowing audience members to ask personal questions or share opinions on the matter.
The event was not only an educational opportunity for attendees to talk in-depth about the effects the war has on Palestinian citizens, but also a moment of unity for students and faculty to come together in a shared commitment to raising awareness.
In addition to the discussion, student artwork was auctioned off, with the funds benefitting the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). Attendees eagerly raised their hands in the bidding, surpassing the initial fundraising goal of $1,300 by more than $400.
With so many organizations collecting donations for Gaza, MSA and MSU chose PCRF very intentionally. An MSA member and graduating senior at MCLA told The Beacon: “I wish they knew the people that suffer the most are children, and sides or religious standing shouldn’t matter in supporting and defending innocent lives.”
The event finished with a peaceful prayer, and bountiful food for all who wanted it.
The gala filled Goodrich Hall with a range of emotion—awareness, grief, empathy, compassion—and reminded attendees that action, no matter how small, can make a difference. Whether through advocacy, fundraising or simply listening, every effort contributes to change.
An MSA member reflected after the event, “I feel like events like the gala do help foster understanding, they open up a conversation, maybe someone left enjoying it and told their families, maybe it demolished a certain stigma people had about Muslims. It also forces us out of our comfort zone and pushes us into conversations or topics we wouldn’t have explored before.”
In the days since the Muslim Community Gala, the situation in Gaza has developed further, with President Trump proposing a U.S take-over of the Gaza strip. His announcement is deeply unsettling to MSA and MSU members.
“Gaza is not for sale,” said another member of MCLA’s MSA. “It is a beautiful place with beautiful people that have been uprooted.”
The Trump administration’s actions and rhetoric in the days following the announcement on February 4 have only increased unease among members of the Muslim community on campus. This article originally contained the names of the individuals quoted, but The Beacon was later asked to redact their identities for safety concerns.
More than ever, Muslim students at MCLA, Williams, and around the country must rely on their campus communities for support as the situation, both at home and in Palestine, continues to develop.
“I feel that MCLA can better support Muslim students by just acknowledging us more,” said one MSA member. “Diversity is important, and I think Muslims should be spoken about more on campus, same with students of other religions, and not just on significant holidays.”
“I think the best way for non-Muslim students and faculty to be supportive of the MSA is to respectfully utilize the prayer space when it officially opens,” said another. “Also, Ramadan is coming up in just a few weeks, so be mindful of that and learn about what the holy month is and why it’s so important to us.”
As the MSA and MSU keep their eyes firmly on Gaza, members are left hoping that the dialogue and resolve shared at the Muslim Community Gala will keep the broader campus community attuned to the cause.
If you would like to help support the Palestine Children Relief Fund you can donate here.
