Ireland Chair- March & April

 

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Beneficent.

All praises solely belong to Allah SWT, The Master, The Lord, The Creator & The Sustainer of the Universe and what it contains. And May His peace and blessings be upon, Muhammad ibn Abdullah, his family, his companions, and those who follow the guidance until the day of judgement.

Subhana'Allah its been a roller coster ride in the past few months, IAW 2010 was a massive hit mash'Allah with ISOC all over Ireland organising events during the period of mid-late February. ISOCs including UCC, NUIG, UCD, TCD, DCU, ISSNI, RCSI etc. Dawa'ah stalls, lectures, forums, movie previews, food festival, nasheed performances, Islamic exhibitions all sum up a colorful and wonderful IAW mansh'Allah. The iERA dawa'ah course was a super duper hit mash'Allah with Br Hamza Andreas Tzortzis delivering a very powerful and thought provoking course using the GO-RAP approach. The IAW finished with the Grand Dinner 2010 with the guests of honor being the President of FOSIS UK & Ireland Dr. Faisal Hanjra, the President of Ireland Mary McAleese & her husband Dr. Martin McAleese. Plenty of notes and has been written on this including an article in the Irish times: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0227/1224265276990.html

 

The FOSIS Ireland AGM 2010 took place on the 27th February 2010 with the election of the 2010/2011 committee subhn'Allah. A lot of the majlis have come from a variety of universities and the committee itself being diverse too mash'Allah. May Allah SWT guide us all to the straight path and bless us with sincerity. May Allah bless and reward the previous Jama'ah and Sr Munirah for all their efforts and actions. Subhna'Allah they have left behind a legacy that is unmatched.

The month of March saw FOSIS Ireland communicating with various Islamic societies and finding the challenges that exist within each campus, a lot of Islamic societies are facing numerous challenges including participation from the members and enthusiasm. A major obstacle that needed to be tackled was the vision, mission & strategic plan for the year, Alhamdulliah by the Blessing of Allah Jallah Wa'ala the majlis came up with a 3 year cycle vision which hopefully will be implemented from this year and carried on by subsequent committees.

We intended to start the FOSIS Community Project in the middle of April but subhna'allah the Gardai vetting form is currently pending and we are awaiting the decision. Our fabulous campaign officers Sr Shahirah & Br Ferdous are on it i'A

 

Alhamdulliah the FOSIS: ISOC Getaway 2010 was amazing mash'Allah, ISOC reps from UCD, TCD, RCSI, DIT, DCU, IT Tallaght & IT Blanchardstown were present during the event. Other Muslim student organisations that were present included IMAM, PPIMI, MSM & ISMA who all shared their respective vision and mission statement. The day started with an ice-breaker, "FOSIS & ISOC for dummies" session, ISOCs presentations, Other student body ppts, respective FOSIS Ireland sector presentation. The event also included a workshop with a very special guest Br Muhammad Ali (The CEO of Islam Channel) who delivered a thought provoking lecture on vision and strategic planning and a discussion on his latest interview on HARDtalk. The BBQ was mouth watering, the desert was scrumptious and the quiz was hilarious.

There is a challenging mountain climb that awaits in the upcoming year, But Allah SWT says in the Qur'an:

Allah Azzawajal says: "Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong, Such are they who are successful." [Al-Imran 03: 104]

Shakh-ul-Islam Ibn Taimiyyah once said "You should know that one of the great principles of this religion is bringing of Muslim hearts together and unifying their call".

May Allah SWT guide us all to the straight path, bless our work and actions.

Make du'aa for all the isocs, FOSIS Ireland (majlis, activities & future) & our exams insh'Allah.

Jazakallahaire

Omar
Responsible for Ireland Chair
FOSIS Ireland 10/11
Students today, Leaders Tomorrow

E:ireland.chair@fosis.org.uk
W:http://ireland.fosis.org.uk/

 

 

Ireland Chair- October 2009

Assalamualaikum wbt.

October has been a busy, busy month for FOSIS Ireland- we're literally drained! (for good reasons, alhamdulillah!:) )

After the Regional Council Meeting and Training on the first week, we were busy trying to get every opportunity we can to pop our faces in fresher's events and activities. Together with many other societies who share the same concerns, we advocated the cult of 'getting involved.'- hopefully we've made slick enough impressions to get as many brothers and sisters on board our isoc sphere. So we thank PPIMI, PMCSA and all our ISOCs for inviting us into their fresher's events and societies day.

I remembered when I was a fresher, doing medicine made me feel like I have to put all my time into studying. Thankfully, after a while the idea sank in- I cannot be like that or else I'll go insane. And I have so many inspiring seniors, FOSISers, ISOCers etc to thank to for making me realize all these. Point being, if you wanna give your society a good kickstart, make fresher's week massive! Verily, freshers need to be 'nagged' all these lest they will end up finishing off their uni days with just a scroll in hand- which is totally unjust for us to let happen.

Moving on, the very next week myself, Fathima and Hozaifa managed to get ourselves to Galway to join in their super satisfying Eid party and then a meeting between the old committee and some potential individuals for the ISOCs. Among higlighted issues that I would like to highlight from this is the fact that in many than not, ISOC still has got HUGE, HUGE room of improvements in terms of making themselves 'THAT' common ground for all brothers and sisters to get together into, regardless of our culture, nationality and background. What is usually happening now is, if one group of people lead, it would then be hard to get a different group to join in the bandwagon and chip in some efforts, etc. I say that we should, under all circumstances make it a priority to cater for EVERYONE through our ISOC. If this balance is not met, it will be hard for us to maximize our potential. 'Alakullihal, Galway ISOC has consequently done their membership drive and is now a mix of fresh faces of a commiittee on campus! Kudos! We look forward to seeing MYS bloom. :)

The very next day, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month by Irish Cancer society and in conjunction with Islamic Cultural Centre Ireland ICCI's Health Awareness Month, the sisters organized a fundraiser tea party where everyone GLOWED in pink. :) Alhamdulillah, besides fundraising for ICS, we raised awareness about Breast Cancer screening and prevention amongst the Muslim community.



That done, the next weekend, the legendary Charity Week begins on the 26th in Ireland. Being the coordinator for last year, I was really amazed by the depth of improvements and involvements this year, masyaAllah. ISOCs are really taking the opportunity and potential of it all! From Cake Sales to Hair Shaving, I was very proud of Ireland's 'heroes' this year! They made me count sweets, listen to Adam Deen, let people draw henna on my hands, eat as many ferrerro roche in a minute (this was hard!!) and play tennis in Wii! Whilst last year, the struggle in advocating the alien idea in Ireland was personally very tough for me and lat year's committee, this time around the job gets much, much easier. And subhanallah, I can't wait to know how much we have raised! Lesson learnt? We often despair over the fact that we don't see immediate results of our eforrt. But astagfirullah, success and results are only in His hands, and He knows best how much success is a balanced and adequate one for us and we are only judged by our intention and sincerity.

And....guess what? BANG ON!Right at the moment, just as everyone rise above the water to gasp for air from Charity Week, we are today, officially starting our Speaker's Tour 2009! We are going to have our speaker, Sheikh Yusha Evans to come to town today at 9a.m. As I have mentioned in my last post, we have very high hopes that this tour would be one that could insyaAllah reawaken the many of us upon realizing the Omar Al Khattab, Salahudin Al Ayoubi, and Muhammad Al Fateh in us- all of whom were youth when they mark success in our glorious history of civilization and to make us realize that there is such a task as restoring peace on the face of this earth and there are no better people who should work on that but the youth. And as Muslims, we should realize that this is the core responsibility we are meant to fulfill as khalifah.

This tour are not like many others we have had before, the theme: The Sleeping Giant is one that all of us in ISOCs in Ireland feel are the issue at the bottom of the iceberg for so many presenting symptoms of ignorance and oblivion amongst many of us. I seek for your well wishes and du'a that these 11 days goes very smooth and is blessed by Allah the success in propagating the message of coming back to Allah in many of us in Ireland- a 'simple' yet most crucial element in curing all illness of the world today. And I ask the organizing team to realize this for themselves first before anybody else-Get the most out of what you propagate.

For that, I have, in between my studying (and facebooking, and checking out the fridge every 30 minutes or so..) been able to make a video as a trailer for this tour. Although qadarallah, my PC froze as I was in the middle of it before I managed to save it and never unfreeze until the next morning (la khawlawala quwata illa billah...) so I had to do it all over again to mend my devastation..:P

The intro bit, I took from a very famous independent video which made a phenomena in may schools and colleges in Malaysia a few years back. (when the youtube cult just started) I hope you take home the message from it insyaAllah - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THkNQVtZ2zw

Enjoy the video! and be up for our speaker's tour recordings in case you miss coming to any of them! ;-)
Here's the link to FOSIS Ireland Youtube Channel- http://www.youtube.com/user/FosisIreland

Jazakum Allahu Khayran Kathira

Wasalamu'alaykum warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Munirah Hishamshah
3rd Nov 2009- 15 Dhulkaedah 1430H

Ireland Chair- September 2009

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Assalamualaykum wbt.

Alhamdulillah, we're over September. A month full of feeling-in-denial...: P in denial over the end of Ramadan, end of summer holiday, start of class and.........works. FOSIS Ireland committee Alhamdulillah slowly but happily welcomed ourselves to the work and amanah.
Upon reminder from the president-FaisaHanjra on weaning ourselves off our FOSIS and email addiction and concentrate on savoring the last bits of Ramadan especially the last 10 days, we limited ourselves upon concentrating on planning and tarbiyah during the 1st two weeks.

As Eid came and everyone opens up their houses for friends to visit and eat good food, killing off their soberness upon missing eid with family back at home...a lot of time was used to make up with friends and family- not to forget utilizing the endless eid parties to network and socialize. I don't know about the rest of the world precisely, but I know that Malaysians take Eid Fitr quite seriously- as in, every weekend, there would be open houses and parties with family, foods and friends until literally the end of Syawal. A bit unmoderate on the surface, but being one, I realized that for many of us isn't really about celebrating-the-success-of-going-through-a-month-of-tarbiyah anymore (this is honestly only felt at the 1st day) it's really about taking the spirit of the occasion to bring people together, harness the silaturrahim (brotherhood/ sisterhood bond) amongst us. And since we don't have families here, we do it amongst friends. While the trend was only followed by Malaysians, I am seeing people-the local and international students alike warming up to the idea-which is very sweet. For one, I learned that the best-liked food a Malaysian can cook for the rest of the world is Satay (a special BBQ on a stick), Nasi Impit (cube rice) andKuah Kacang (peanut sauce).

As Fresher's Fayre continue, the ISCC team tried to keep on top of everything with a lot of reminders and guides to ISocs regarding the importance of kick-starting well for the term by making the best out of Fresher's Week and the delivery of Fresher's packs. Overall, it was a huge plus for all the ISoc Stalls who had them Alhamdulillah. I have not yet been able to see pictures or reports from all ISocs on their stalls but have managed to go and visit one in RCSI. Subhanallah, talk about being opportunistic! Their stall won the best stall on the day! InsyaAllah we will have reports about it in due time.

As various societies and individuals take the hype of the week to relay it to the freshers of how they could and should do well and get the most out of their Uni life by offering advices, helping them out with accommodation, settling down (including showing how to use the water heater and radiators!), showing them around, sharing study tips, and convincing them to keep themselves sane the healthiest way- i.e. by getting involved...I thank the PPIMI, PMCSA and SU for allowing me various chances in their fresher's programme to offer my help to the freshers in all of the above-both on a personal and organizational level. I hope the freshers don't get bored of me talking bout being ‘ummatan wasatan' (nation of just and balance- Al Baqarah 143) again and again! LOL.

Last but not least, after a lot of chasing around for deadlines of budgets, proposals and action plans, Alhamdulillah we have managed to put into calendar everything we wanted to do this year, all stemming from and seeking to cater for the ‘bottom-of-the-ice-berg' underlying reasons why the Muslim students present with everything they present now that could-do-with-some-improvements. No more events for the sake of events and projects for the sake of projects insyaAllah.

With that, we welcomed the start of a new term with a Regional Council Meeting and Training in Dublin. Detailed report about the meeting may follow suit in the news section, but all I wanted to highlight from this is my gratefulness upon the passion for excellence that is beginning to show in many of the brothers and sisters in the ISoc sphere in Ireland. During the meeting and training we also had very god discussions which resolved into very positive outcomes, not forgetting a boost in our Iman and unity. Alhamdulillah.

A lot will be coming up, in the month of October, as a part of our FOSIS Community Project (FCP) Ireland, we'll next weekend be pinked with the Irish Cancer Society by hosting a social evening for the sisters- raising fund and awareness regarding Breast Cancer amongst the community. Sisters from various ISOCs will insyaAllah get together and while helping out with the evening present their cooking and baking skills! Next is of course, Charity Week which will be from 26th October to 1st November. Hopefully all will go well, please do take part and check out our website for more info. (although, on the sidenote, the website has just been newly upgraded, so it needs a huge makeover! Hopefully that will get sorted soon! J).

Not to forget, as Allah opened the hearts of more and more brothers and sisters into realizing the importance of ajamaah on campus a lot of ISocs are beginning to bud in various universities and institutes and as we should, we would insyaAllah be very keen on helping them with setting up their society. Hopefully, this becomes one of the best investment we make in FOSIS.

Munirah Hishamshah

 

Ireland Blog- February 2009

 Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh…

In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful.

I start by asking Allah to send peace and blessing to our beloved prophet, Muhammad S.A.W with the wish that his mawlid yesterday have again refreshed our conscience upon the beautiful sunnahs he has left for us to follow, through the mercy of Allah and of our sometimes-abandoned love for him.

Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.(33:21)

February was a very action-packed month for FOSIS Ireland. Following our ‘For Gaza’ drive launching in January, ISOCs and muslim students organizations across the country have been continuing effort to raise fund and awareness for Gaza. The amount collected for Islamic Relief Gaza Fund thus far is no less than 12 000euros. The following Islam Awareness Week (IAW) in Dublin were also maximally utilised for this purpose with the launching of ‘Direct Debit Scheme for Gaza’ initiated by Malaysian Student Association Galway.

In Dublin this year, we have managed to gather 5 ISOCs i.e. from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin College University and Dublin Institute of Technology in one IAW and it was held from the 6th until 13th February 2009. The theme chosen- 'We Belong Together' reflects the vision of the organizers to be able to be the forefront force for a unified society particularly in Ireland so that we may all live in peace and harmony in spite of our religion, ethnicities and morale. Indeed, Alhamdulillah, it has been successful and unique in its own practical way.

Among highlights of the week were the Halal Food Festival in UCD, Football Competition in DCU, Charity Bazaar and Jumble Sale in RCSI, Very interesting talks in DIT, movie nights in TCD, and many more. At the very same week, Muslim Cultural Society Cork held Islamic Cultural Exhibition (ICE).
For the very first time, this year, the IAW officially closed with a Grand Dinner. The theme for this year's Grand Dinner is 'Humanity and Peace', which embodies a powerful message in conveying an understanding of a common ground between Muslims and non-Muslims in our society. The dinner was done a week after the actual IAW- on the 27th of February hosted by the RCSI ISoc.

Having put special effort to invite representatives from as many organizations from multiple areas of the society like the muslim embassies, muslim organizations, USI, faith based groups, community groups and, charity organizations that we have been and hope to be networking and  affiliating with, it is hoped that the Grand Dinner had been able to mark the grand finale of the IAW, as well as instilled awareness and to give understanding among members of the society about Islam generally and about muslim students society throughout Ireland specifically.

The Grand dinner saw students from across the country coming together to rejoice in the success of the IAW 2009. We were also very fortunate to have received representation from Malaysian, Iranian, Nigerian and Morrocon embassy, the major local organisations that has been supporting us- Islamic Foundation Ireland, Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, Muslim Association of Ireland, Blackpitts Mosque, New Community Project (NCP), and Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC). Several Students Union officers and Chaplaincies from organizing ISocs were also present.”

We also took that as an opportunity to rejoice in the last day of yet another term for the 48th FOSIS Ireland Committee given that the following day was the AGM for the 08/09 term. We have managed to make a presentation on what have been done throughout the year and special awards were given to our major contributors and individuals, ISocs and etc.

The AGM followed suit nicely the next morning in DIT. Indeed, it has been a major turning point for FOSIS Ireland. Writing now, as the newly-elected-and-still-stunned Chair, I am very much humbled by the overwhelming expectations we have generally been ‘imposed’ by thus far :P. However, I am happy to share that this year, 70% of our core committee is a fresh new face, insyaAllah ever-enthusthiastic to give their all for this federation. On that note, I hope everyone would kindly remember us in your prayers, and further support us by offering us your highly sought-after advices, comments and critiques. May all’s well ends well insyaAllah.
The past 10 days had been quite occupying for the new FOSIS Ireland committee as everyone transit to their new position-including me. Alhamdulillah, the previous committee have been very helpful in easing the transition of their successors. I personally have received a very strong and kind guidance, support and motivation from my predecessor, brother Jawad Vaid- may Allah reward him who is now busy preparing for his final medical examination. Ameen.

Having been pretty much ‘stuck up’ with the idea of ‘Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus’ and such, I was very much sceptical myself of the idea of a sister being a chair. Even though the book does not really talk about leadership nor it is not an alien phenomena in real life, nor is it something uncommon in Islam, with all due respect to everyone’s opinion, it was just natural (fitrah) for me to feel that there are certain quality within men that would make them more able of holding such forefront post.

However, inspired by the following verse and hadith, I submit to Allah’s plan for FOSIS Ireland. May the istikharahs done by those involved prove to be blessed His guidance and blessings for FOSIS Ireland this term.

"The believers, men and women are helpers/supporters of one another, they order good and forbid evil and offer their prayers perfectly and pay zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. They are the ones Allah will have mercy on. Indeed, Allah is Most Powerful, Most Wise. Allah has promised the believers - men and women - gardens underneath which rivers flow, where they will dwell forever -and beautiful mansions in Gardens of Paradise. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success." (9:71-72)

Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "Everyone of you is a guardian (leader) and is responsible for his charges. The ruler who has authority over people, is a guardian and is responsible for them, a man is a guardian of his family and is responsible for them; a woman is a guardian of her husband's house and children and is responsible for them; a slave ('Abu) is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it; so all of you are guardians and are responsible for your charges."

I would like to congratulate and bid ahlan washalan to all my new FOSIS Ireland family for stepping up, making a hijrah, shifting from possibly our comfort zone and for choosing FOSIS Ireland as one way for you to take on the responsibility of being what defines a muslim-rahmatan lil alameen (mercy upon mankind). I thank Allah for joining us all together in the sincere hope that FOSIS Ireland could be the mean for you to reach our ultimate goal- Allah’s pleasure in the world and in the hereafter

For me, each and every one of Muslim soul has a position in this ummah as revivors. And, naturally, only when enough of us are in our rightful position, taking heed at their best capability, will we be able to become the asbab or means of success for our ad deen- its syariah and its ummah. Whilst success has been promised for our ad deen (and that is syariatullah), There is still a need for sunnatullah which is our own effort. And until the day of success come, I am sure none of us would want to miss out being one of those who actually contributes to that success,

InsyaAllah, if our intention is pure, if we’re willing to renew and perfect and purify them as we go, and if we are seeing Allah’s pleasure as our ultimate goal, Allah will ease and open for us the doors to success in this world and the next.

In the light of the whole committee now being occupied with their action plans, strategizing for the term, I would like to end this entry with another verse which has it’s own unique history in tafsirs regarding jihad (to strive) and its value.

Verily, God loves [only] those who fight in His cause in [solid] ranks, as though they were a building firm and compact (61:4)

Brothers and sisters, to want to strive for His Deen is a requirement, but to attain His divine love and mercy for that in this world and the next, is a journey that needs the Muslim to strive in a unified strategy, not just a mere cakewalk or cinch.

As we make our way there, let us strengthen our most important commodity i.e. iman so that each and every one of our hearts and soul can remain together in His cause insyaAllah.

Munirah Hishamshah
13 Rabi Al-Awwal 1430H