VP Student Affairs- December 2009

Assalamualaykum warahmatullah

Alhamdulilah, we've been busy. A need to speak the truth, to rise to the responsibility of our special role, to ensure the phenomenal work of Islamic Societies and Muslim students continues to strengthen and not to hinder, to protect the welfare of all Muslim students. FOSIS continues to champion these. It's time like these you learn to love the work, to work for His Almighty sake.

University Islamic Societies continue to be active, engaging and transformational bodies. From a basic place to come together with other Muslim students and pray and fast with, to charitable work, Islam awareness, diverse campaigns and engaging Muslim students with the mainstream. The legacy of diverse Islamic Societies continues to be etched on the lives of Muslim students who have passed through them. No doubt that Islamic Societies and Muslim students were shocked and horrified more than anyone at the alleged acts in the Detroit-bomb-plot and the suspect's Islamic Society connection. There remains no evidence in this case or otherwise to suggest that Universities are hotbeds of radicalisation; some discussion has looked upon the suspect's time on campus where there were no signs of extremism, whilst the serious discussion surrounding the suspect has focused on his post-University period. Conclusions can only be drawn once the full facts of the investigation of the nature and causes of radicalisation come to light - irresponsible conjecture and speculation must be avoided.

Muslim students returning to University should be able to do so without fear and suspicion, or intimidation - with campuses as safe spaces. Castigating Islamic Societies and Muslim students is wrong - and deeply unhelpful - suspicion and fear must be avoided. Indeed, knee-jerk campus responses must be avoided; including for freedom of expression - a principle that must stand firm on University campuses.

Our work as FOSIS has been unified and energetic over the past few weeks. Our liaison with key stakeholders in the University sector has been pragmatic. Our voice in the Media has been prominent. We have worked closely with Islamic Societies for support and advice, and FOSIS has produced two toolkits for Islamic Societies to help empower them and share best practise. SAC put together "Bismillah, time to act" - a strategy and resource pack to immediately get Islamic Societies and Muslim students informed, protected, engaging and on the front foot all at the grassroots. We have liaised with the wider University sector positively. We have worked closely with the NUS, whose support and role with Unions has been greatly beneficial.

The rest of our work has not only continued since my last blog, but re-energised especially these past few weeks. Grassroots work continues, as does the Muslim student survey, preparation ahead of next semester on key projects including freedom of expression and HE accessibility has taken place, we continue to address prayer room concerns, and so on.

We published our Freedom of Expression stance here, and our briefing for Muslim Student Safety.

Think that'll do for now. If you need support, if you want to get involved on your campus or in SAC nationally, if you have any questions - vp.studentaffairs@fosis.org.uk is how to contact us.

For all, our collective responsibility for campus is as great as ever - for reinvigorating discussion, for championing activism, for civic progression. Times like these, for Islamic Societies and Muslim students, should energise us to be the best - I urge you all to get participating as you return in your campus, whether your Islamic Society, Student Union, or otherwise. We're here to help if you need.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) said, "Truly amazing is the believer's affair. Everything transpiring in his life is good for him. This is something that only occurs for the believer. If a blessing is his lot, he gives thanks for it, and this is good for him. And if he is afflicted with hardship, he patiently endures it, and this is good for him."

Best

Nabil