VP Islamic Societies- January & February 2010

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatuallahi Wabarakatuhu

First and foremost I start by praising Allah (SWT) and then sending peace and blessings upon His messenger Muhammad (SAW), the Companions and all the righteous believers until the Day of Judgement

The last couple of months have been hectic without doubt as it's been the season of IAW's/DIW's across the UK and Ireland, and Alhumdullilah Isoc's across the UK and Ireland have been working extremley hard, May Allah reward all our Br's and Sr's who run Isoc's day and night in calling people to Islam, with Jannah al Firdous, Aameen. Nonetheless there are those pathetic self professed think tank's, blog's etc, who consistently attempt to undermine amazing work of my Isoc's and generally those who work for the sake of Allah but yet it still hasn't dawned upon them that there efforts are in vain!

I returned from Dublin, Ireland last week where the amazing Ireland committtee had there IAW grand dinner. Myself, Faisal & Qasim attended and the main guest for the dinner was the President of Ireland Mary McAleese, the dinner was absolutely amazing the Foss Ireland committee as usual are an example in terms of professionalim and excellence. The following day the Ireland AGM took place and Sr Munirah stepped down as she had to go back to Malaysia the next day. For the last year Sr Munirah led the Ireland committee brilliantly and consistently words like amazing and brilliant have been used to describe the Ireland committee during her tenure as chair. May Allah reward Sr Munirah for all her efforts, Aameen. Br Umar  was democratically elected as chair of Ireland by the Isoc's in Ireland as was the rest of the committee and inshAllah they will build upon the great work of the pevious committee, inshAllah.

We've just recently had the Iscc meeting that took place in Markfield, Leicestershire, whereby all the regional chairs attended and we were able to go through various issues an concerns facing regions and Isoc's across the UK and Ireland. Over the last couple of months IERA have delivered amazing dawah seminars across UK and Ireland through the regional committees to Isoc's and over 360 Br's and Sr's have attended and learn't how to give dawah from knowledgeble daee's such as Abduraheem Green and Hamza Tzortis. Iscc also helped and supported the  brilliant campaigns committee with the Palestine week and conference that took place in early February, the conference by the grace of Allah was an amazing success and alhumdullilah and we continue to strugge and strive and raise awareness of the plight of our Br's and Sr's in Palestine and for the end of the Zionist occupation, Aameen.

There continues to be progress on major Iscc projects, Isoc 101 will be rolled out this weekend in the North region and finally in London. The hoodies project is ready to be delivered and the first batch to be produced very soon within a month inshAllah. The NSQC has already had it's regional finals take place in Midlands and Ireland, with North and Wales to follow. Myself and Zahid are overseeing the Al Mualim project, to train up trainer to mentor Isoc's over the entire academic year. We've also been busy advising Isoc's regarding prayer room issues and through the Services and Regional committees speaker tours have been taking place for Isoc's across the UK and Ireland as part of the IAW, DIW season.

Lastly but most importantly my regional committees continue to do amazing work, Scotland, Wales and North will be having Isoc awards and camps taking place, as we approach the final part of the academic year AGM's for all regions are being planned so Br's and Sr's do look to get involved with your regional committees and Fosis next year, do contact either myself or your regional chair. There is as usual genuine grass roots work taking place, on top of the consistent everyday comunication taking place with Isoc's on providing, advice, guidance and resources by regional committees. If anyone wishes to get involved with there Isoc, regional committee or be a part of Iscc, to help advise, guide and privide resources for Isoc's across UK and Ireland, then e-mail myself on vp.islamicsocieties@fosis.org.uk.

Iscc will continue to be the foundation and basis of which Fosis is built upon and will help to bring Muslim students closer to Allah (Swt), to ensure that we continue to strive and struggle for the sake of Allah and revive this beautiful deen and Ummah of our beloved Prophet (saw).

Finally a quick reminder to myself first and foremost about the status of the scholars that they occupy a noble status in Islam, and which is higher than the position of others in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

"Allâh will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge"

(Al Mujaadilh 58:11)

 

Islam calls us to seek knowledge. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) made seeking knowledge an obligation upon every Muslim, and he explained that the superiority of the one who has knowledge over the one who merely worships is like the superiority of the moon over every other heavenly body. He said that the scholars are the heirs of the Prophets and that the Prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams (i.e., money), rather their inheritance was knowledge, so whoever acquires it has gained a great share. And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said that seeking knowledge is a way to Paradise. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise easy for him." (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab al-‘Ilm, 10)

 

JazakAllah Khair

Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakathu

 

Rashid Ansari

Vice President Islamic Societies

VP Islamic Societies- December 2009

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatuallahi Wabarakatuhu

First and foremost I start by praising Allah (SWT) and then sending peace and blessings upon His messenger Muhammad (SAW), the Companions and all the righteous believers until the Day of Judgement

Since the attempted Christmas day alleged bomb plot news broke, we have seen the most disgusting Islamophobic attacks made by
the press, media, on line blogs, so called think tanks whether they be of a right wing neo conservative nature or the illiberal left on Islamic Societies. The claims at best are not even evidence based but simply the most unethical/shoddiest types of journalism one will come across today. Fosis as an organisation, with Media, Iscc and Sac led by Faisal have responded with an principled, evidence based approach. Br's and Sr's in Iscc have worked non stop to advise, guide and provide resources to Isoc's across the UK and Ireland to ensure the amazing work they do continues. Those who attempt to plot and plan against Islamic societies and attempt to undermine them need to realise that there efforts are in vain, as "Allah is the best of planners" (Surah Al Imran 3.54).

Over the last couple of months Isoc 101 has taken place, a new South Chair was co opted. There have been many projects which I've been involved with, one of which was Winter Conference which took place at Leeds Metropolitan University in December. Iscc has also been helping our services committees to organise speaker tours, also liasing with IERA to organise dawah seminars in the run up to IAW's for Isoc's and regional committees across the country.Iscc has also been involved and working with Islam channel to organise Ilm awards, which we will be attending next weekend, inshAllah. We've also been working with the MCB's youth committee on its Platform project which will be launched successfully very soon. On a more personal note it was great to see that FAC 2010 got the vote to be hosted in London, there are still a few more details to be worked out, but to have it in London will be amazing inshAllah.

In terms of Iscc projects the work is continuing, the National Student Qiraat Competition continues to progress at great speeds and Alhumdullilah looks great. Isoc 101 will be taking place in North and London very soon, so Isoc's do contact your regional chairs for further information.With regards to the hoodies project, the designs have been made and were in the final stages of getting them made. One of the most exciting projects to be delivered will be the Palestine week project to be launched in February both Iscc and Campaigns have been working on this, with campaigns committee leading on this, a huge amount of work has gone into it and inshAllah it'll be successful. InshaAllah this will help to make students understand the reality of the situation that is in Palestine.

Lastly but most importantly my regional committees continue to do amazing work, in Scotland, Ireland and Midlands great speaker tours have taken place, in North there was a amazing Cweek dinner took place as did our Winter conference, Wales also had a stunning Cweek and Isoc awards dinner take place, whereby not only did all the Isoc's attend but also the local community participated as well, in London a really brilliant dinner with Isoc Presidents was organised. There is as usual genuine grass roots work taking place, on top of the consistent everyday comunication taking place with Isoc's on providing, advice, guidance and resources by regional committees.

If anyone wishes to get involved with there Isoc, regional committee or be a part of Iscc, to help advise, guide and privide resources for Isoc's across UK and Ireland, then e-mail myself on vp.islamicsocieties@fosis.org.uk

Iscc will continue to be the foundation and basis of which Fosis is built upon and will help to bring Muslim students closer to Allah (Swt), to ensure that we continue to strive and struggle for the sake of Allah and revive this beautiful deen and Ummah of our beloved Prophet (saw).

Even though were coming towards the end of Muharram I'll leave you all with a hadith about the month of Muharram. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The best fasting after Ramadaan is the month of Allaah Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is prayer at night." Narrated by Muslim, 1163.

JazakAllah Khair
Walaikum Assalam

Rashid Ansari
Vice President for Islamic Societies

VP Islamic Societies- October 2009

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatuallahi Wabarakatuhu

First and foremost I start by praising Allah (SWT) and then sending peace and blessings upon His messenger Muhammad (SAW), the Companions and all the righteous believers until the Day of Judgement.

As I begin to write this blog Islamic societies up and down the country will recovering from the exertions and breathtaking events which they organised and took part for Charity week 2009. From comedy shows at Imperial to fire breathing at Leeds, no other university student societies do as much for charity as Islamic Societies do. Alhumdullilah all expectations are that InshAllah last years total will be beaten and orphans and needy children across the globe will benefit.

One of the most important projects that Fosis rolls out: Isoc 101, has just started to be delivered. Isoc 101 has been delivered in Scotland and Wales with Midlands, Ireland, North and London to follow. Isoc 101 is a host of seminars which are delivered by key, well trained and hugely experienced individuals with years of Islamic Society experience. The aim is to empower and raise the levels of professionalism of Islamic Societies across the UK and Ireland, Alhumdullilah its proving to be very successful so far, with turn outs far higher than last year. If any Islamic Society hasn't been informed of a seminar which will be taking place in their region than do contact either myself on vp.islamicsocieties@fosis.org.uk or you regional chair asap.

In terms of other Iscc projects and work taking place, regional chairs and committees are meeting with Islamic societies and rolling out speaker tours, seminars and planning events in each of their regions. As well as substantive work has been done on projects that we will be partnering or roling out next semester such as the national Quran competition and Palestine week 2010, one of those aims will be raise funds to help rebuild Gaza University. As far as partnering projects goes, Iscc has worked with Islam channel and other organisation to roll out Ilm awards, a national award to celebrate the academic achievements of Muslim students across the UK of all ages.

Iscc will continue to be the foundation and basis of which Fosis is built upon and will help to bring Muslim students closer to Allah (Swt), to ensure that we continue to strive and struggle for the sake of Allah and revive this beautiful deen and Ummah of our beloved Prophet (saw).

I'd just like to end with a reminder firstly for myself, as we all know this month is the month whereby Muslims across the globe will be travelling to perform Hajj and this is what the Quran says about the significance and importance of Hajj.

"And Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) to the House (Ka‘bah) is a duty that mankind owes to Allaah, those who can afford the expenses (for one's conveyance, provision and residence) ; and whoever disbelieves [i.e. denies Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah), then he is a disbeliever of Allaah], then Allaah stands not in need of any of the ‘Aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exists)" [Aal ‘Imraan 3:97]

JazakAllah Khair
Walaikum Assalam Warahmatullahi Wabarakathu

Rashid Ansari
Vice President for Islamic Societies

VP Islamic Societies- September 2009

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatuallahi Wabarakatuhu

First and foremost I start by praising Allah (SWT) and then sending peace and blessings upon His messenger Muhammad (SAW), the Companions and all the righteous believers until the Day of Judgement.
Eid Mubarak and may Allah accept all your Ibaadah and Dua's you made this Ramadan, Aameen.

The last month for me can be described with two words: Freshers Packs. Alhumdullilah we were able to get fresher packs out to all the Isoc's that had requested fresher packs and even though we increased our orders by a third this year we still ran out. As many of you Br's and Sr's have picked up your fresher packs from your universities freshers fayres and would have signed up to become a member of the Islamic society. What is key now is to getting involved with your Isoc, going to the prayer room on a regular basis, spending time with the Hd Br or Hd Sr, going regular events/courses, circles, socials organised by your Isoc and with Alhumdullilah charity week upon you, getting involved and having fun and meeting great Br's and Sr's during the course of charity week, for more on charity week contact your regional chairs.

Finally I spent the weekend in Ireland meeting the most sincere, humble, committed Br's and Sr's and without doubt the hospitality and professionalism of the Ireland committee remains legendary. I personally learn't a huge amount this weekend gone, as you don't need to have huge amount of resources or lots of Br's and Sr's to be succesful. If anyone wishes to get involved in Fosis, either specifically the regional committees or Iscc, and that has a passion to help to provide resources, advice and guidance to Muslim Students, Isoc's and most importantly work for the sake of Allah and Allah alone, than contact me on VP.Islamicsocieties@fosis.org.uk

Iscc will continue to be the foundation and basis of which Fosis is built upon and will help to bring Muslim students closer to Allah (Swt), to ensure that we continue to strive and struggle for the sake of Allah and revive this beautiful deen and Ummah of our beloved Prophet (saw).
I'd like to leave everyone with a hadith especially Br's and Sr's starting University:The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The likeness of a righteous companion and an evil companion is that of one who carries musk and one who works a bellows. With the one who carries musk, either he will give you some or you will buy from him or you will notice a pleasant fragrance from him. With the one who work a bellows, either he will burn your clothes or you will notice a foul odour from him."
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5534; Muslim, 2628, from Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari, (may Allah be pleased with him).

JazakAllah Khair

Walaikum Assalam

Rashid Ansari
Vice President for Islamic Societies