President - Feb-March 2011

I begin in the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy. All praise be to God who alone is the Creator, Master and Sovereign of the universe.

Assalamualaykum and peace be with you all.

As I write this blog on this Sunday the 6th of March I look back at another wonderful week in FOSIS, but one which is a reflection of what we're all about, masha'Allah. On Friday I travelled to Dublin in Ireland to the Grand Dinner, which celebrates and reflects upon the work of the past year in FOSIS Ireland - sat together were Muslim students from different Islamic Societies, diverse from different backgrounds and even different ethnic origins, united through faith - but also an immense buzz centred around the theme "what you do today, matters tomorrow". Photos are up on facebook. So: this organisation is one that is based at the grassroots. On Thursday, the foundation stones were being laid for our work on governance - which seems to change the way we work as an organisation - and a group from the National Exec to drive this work was established. So: we're about making bold changes, not accepting the status quo. And on Wednesday, I was at Imperial College London with one of the most enlightening talks I have ever attended - John Adair, one of the world's leading authorities in leadership, introduced his recent book, 'The Leadership of Muhammad'. So, here: FOSIS is preparing and developing leadership for the future.

This week shows - we're an organisation that is based at the grassroots, one ready to make serious changes, and one that is here to prepare and cultivate leadership. Let us continue to sincerely remember that all this is for God, that we are thankful to God for all that He has blessed us with and continues to, but also sincerely trust in Allah to the extent that we realise that nothing is possible without Him. “O humanity, you are in need of God, but God is independent of all needs, worthy of all praise” – Qur’an, Surah Fatir 15:35.

I always fear for writing this blog that I may miss something out, that I may not give something its due importance! Perhaps the best reflection of FOSIS and what we've been up-to is to pay a visit to our website, or our facebook, or better still to attend one of our events. And we thank God for allowing us to do such work.

Since my last blog and my report to Council, alhamdulilah, here are some of the things I have been up-to, and some reflections thrown in:

-> Launching the FOSIS Governance project - though similar in name to what has been sought to be done in the past, it intends to be radically serious and comprehensive in its approach. This is all about FOSIS achieving its potential through governance - changing the way we work. NEC is at the heart of it but we're working closely with those expert in governance outside of FOSIS too. For all Team FOSISsers, ISocces, expect to see some big things coming your way because we need your help and your input to make FOSIS work.

-> In the last few weeks visiting University Islamic Societies at Nottingham, Warwick, Reading, Cambridge. I've just got back from Dublin too for the FOSIS Ireland Grand Dinner as I mentioned above. On the note of speakers tours, may Allah reward all those have been involved, from Hammad and Shaaista in FOSIS to the Regional Committees in ISocs. We're nearly at the 100 events mark for February and March - that is phenomenal masha'Allah, and I hope we realise it - FOSIS delivering speakers and events locally. And I have only heard encouraging words from our speakers, who have joined us from around the world, may God strengthen them.

.....http://bit.ly/hGVWu2 . Alhamdulilah. May Allah reward immensely all the efforts of all the helpers and ISocs that collected this amount - and feel how this will be helping orphans and needy children around the world insha'Allah. We've been doing some work internally too to look at how CW works for the organisation, with consultation taking place with reps - given the pace that it has grown with Islamic Societies around the UK and Ireland we need to ensure formally that we are embarking on this project with our partners as effectively and smoothly as we possibly can. For any more CW info contact Abdu, our Head of Campaigns head.campaigns@fosis.org.uk .

- I wrote about our campaign on Tuition fees in my report to Council - opposing higher fees and the introduction of market-rates of interest, the role we played and the difference. We have continued to comment on this, though despite the government noting that it will consult Muslim student groups on the issue and noting the issue in their own Equality Impact Assessment, the follow-up has been disappointingly lacking. We will look to pursue this. On a completely different note, we are evolving our approach in the campus extremism discourse - and looking to hold, with UCL Islamic Society, the first ever Conference on campus extremism, titled "Radical Thinking - Between extremes of freedom and security on campus". I have been involved in this together with our VPStudent Affairs and Head of Media, and UCL Islamic Society. The debate needs to move on to produce something more meaningful, and we must sit down with those credible in the discourse even if we disagree; the issue is too serious for us not to. The event is this Friday the 11th of March, please attend!

- Before I forget to mention, I've had continued purposeful dialogue with the National Union of Students, the MCB (where I sit on the Central Working Committee, and I have been involved in their Constitutional review), 1st Ethical up in Bolton, MADE. I've also been in touch with Sister Iman Sediqe, the President of MSA National - our sister body for the United States and Canada - and we're very excited to be doing some work together in the near future. We've also been in touch at the same time with Mohammad Adil, the President of FEMYSO, an umbrella body for Muslim youth and student organisations in Europe. Muslims are glocal citizens. (glocal - ref Dr.Hany Al Banna).

- On that note, Winter Council was an inspirational experience. The reminder by our Shaykh, Abdul Hakim Murad, is available to listen to and his reminder of gratefulness is remembered in the heart. The words of Dr.Hany al-Banna, one of our alumni, energises us today. With that in mind, get ready for FOSIS Annual Conference this June - and look to Salman's work for that. Also look to his project, Artistic Jihad - remember what I said about developing leadership? This is what we're doing in the arts.

- Farewells, and warm welcomes. Brother Tarek, our former London Chair, and Sister Nada, our former Head of Communications, had to resign in January and December respectively - may Allah reward you both for all your efforts. On board we have Brother Asif, from the LSE, and Sister Fathima, from DMU. By the time you read this it is very much old news! But a warm continued welcome and may God make your roles easy for you.

To end with, and how can I not mention something about the struggles sweeping the Muslim-majority countries in North Africa. No single quote or speech or email can truly sum-up what is taking place. First – I would like to share something profound that Imam Suhaib said – ‘while we celebrate the political death of an oppressor, let us reflect on the happiness when, insha’Allah, we enter Paradise and see our Prophet (peace be upon him). In order for that to happen, we must rise against what Shaykha Muslema al-Azhariya coined “the inner Mubarak!” Just as the Egyptians were empowered to initiate change in their country, we must seize the opportunity to change ourselves and rise up against the oppressive nature of our souls!’ Folks. We know, “Allah does not change a people until they change themselves”. Are we rising up against our own diseases within our hearts? Are we in love with this world and desiring it, or in love with the hereafter? Are we praying like we should pray with dedication and presence of mind, and are we rising for prayer in the night? This is a reminder for myself first and foremost.

Second – Professor Tariq Ramadan spoke the other evening at Manchester ISoc in a talk about our challenges from within – and profoundly reminded us of the true start of dynamism. “That if you are with Allah, then anything is possible”. Think about it. If you are with Allah, you are capable of more than you ever know. As Islamic workers wanting to change the world, that allows us to be truly visionary. We have some serious work to do sisters and brothers but let us prioritise the need to change and better ourselves; become closer to Him; this will get us through.

Let us ensure we are making prayers for all those facing injustice, especially those in Libya today.

Sobering note to end. And let us be sincere, and work hard. Join the Federation if you haven’t already, by your d’ua at least. Feel free to contact me directly on any thing above, appreciate any thoughts on our work, and forgive us for any shortcomings.

Best

Nabil

ps. I've also joined twitter, be it in a personal capacity, but if I'm on the road I'll be sharing what I'm up-to in FOSIS. Find me here http://twitter.com/nabilkahmed#