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