New Muslim Support Project

The Messenger of Allah, (peace be upon him) said:
"The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally." Related by Muslim

{slide=Are you part of an Islamic Society? (ISoc)?}
How can my ISoc support New Muslims?

In 2006 Fosis undertook a survey to ask veteran reverts about the type of support and guidance they found most useful throughout their early experience as New Muslims. The most frequently repeated response was:
"The support and guidance of a close Muslim friend"

With this in mind, The NMSP would like to encourage ISocs to take responsibility for supporting New Muslims on campus by providing them with a buddy or mentor who holds the necessary skills and knowledge to do so. To help your ISoc provide an effective mentoring scheme, the NMSP will provide you with the appropriate strategy, documentation and training.

Mentoring Scheme

Your ISoc should nominate a New Muslim Support Project Representative (NMSR) who will coordinate and manage any affairs to do with supporting and guiding new Muslims who may present themselves on campus.

The role of the NMSR:

1. To ensure that every New Muslim has a mentor assigned to them who is available to support and guide the New Muslim through their early development. (It is preferred that the NMSR is the mentor, although it is possible to nominate another member of your ISoc to act as a mentor provided they have met the conditions given in point
2. To read the relevant documentation on this site and if possible receive training via our training seminars, or from a previous NMR who has been on this training.
3. To ensure that your campus is new Muslim ready. (Click here to download relevant documents).
4. To disseminate knowledge and good practice throughout your ISoc (and possibly ISocs in your region) and to re-train a replacement NMSR to take over your position.
5. To immediately register every New Muslims that you are currently mentoring via this web site so that we can refer them to other local new Muslim projects, and contact them about upcoming events and monitor their needs and the level of support they are receiving.
6. To contact the NMSP team regarding any progress and success, concerns or queries that you might have regarding the project and its services.

Downloads

1. The following is essential advice and guidance that Your Isoc's New Muslim Support Project Representative (NMSR) must read, understand and implement. We would also encourage all Muslims to read the information below as this can also be applied outside the student context and in any given scenario.
2. Is your ISoc ready for a New Muslim? [click here]
3. Steps to follow when there is a New Muslim on campus [click here]
4. What makes and effective New Muslim Support representative/buddy? (coming soon)
5. A new Muslim program of study (coming soon)
6. The referral system (coming soon)
7. NMSP promotional material [click here]

Training opportunities for your ISoc

In conjunction with the Islamic Foundation, we are proud to offer your ISoc the opportunity to receive a training seminar or lecture about a range of topics regarding new Muslims.

To get more information please contact the NMS Project officer now on david@fosis.org.uk

NMSP Representative - Register Here

Click here to find out more about being a NMSP Representative

If you are interested in becoming a New Muslim Support Representative on behalf of your ISoc or ISocs in the region, then please register by sending an email to Br David on david@fosis.org.uk with details below:
- Your Name
- Age
- Date of birth
- University / Higher education institute of attendence
- Course of study
- Contact details (email address and/or phone number)
- Any other comments

Register a New Muslim Here

If you have recently come into contact with a new Muslim then please register their details here by sending an email to Br David on david@fosis.org.uk with the following details:
- Name of New Muslim
- Age
- Date of birth
- University / Higher education institute of attendence
- Course of study
- How long you/that person has been a Muslim for?
- Contact details (email address and/or phone number)

(Please ensure you have permission before registering any details)

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{slide=Are you a new Muslim?}
Essential Advice & Guidance for New Muslims

Click on the links to download the relevant material.
10 things you should do now
Studying Islam: Keys to success
A Reading list for New Muslims

Documents coming soon inshAllah

Training events and courses

Find New Muslim training events and courses at the following links:

- London central mosque - www.iccuk.org/activities/courses/ifsc.htm
- Islamic foundation - www.newmuslimsproject.net/NMPframeset.html
- SunniPath – www.sunnipath.com

Please let us know if you are aware of anymore organisations that can be added to this list.

NMSP Questionnaire

Want to be part of something UNIQUE?
We are continually in the process of developing our effectiveness and quality of support for New Muslims on campus. For this to happen we need the views and opinions of experienced reverts to Islam, who understand the difficulties faced by New Muslims in higher & further education. The New Muslim Support Project has compiled a questionnaire to ascertain these very issues. The information from this survey will provide us with the most accurate and up to date forms of support possible for Islamic Societies (ISocs) and new Muslims, based on the past experiences of others. How can you help?

If you are a current or ex-New Muslim student, please click here to download the questionnaire, fill it in and pass it back to david@fosis.org.uk

If you have New Muslims friends then please email them this link or pass them the questionnaire to fill and email it back to david@fosis.org.uk
Your cooperation is essential for this project to be a success and any feedback or further assistance will be of
great value to us.

Other New Muslim Projects

The following are the local New Muslim projects that we will be working alongside in order to provide support and guidance for ISocs and Reverts on campus.

1. Islamic Foundation [www.newmuslimsproject.net]

The Islamic foundation provides a well-established and successful New Muslim Project. We recommend that you register with them to receive a New Muslim pack, a regular newsletter advice & counselling, education and social program, Arabic courses for all levels and a National network of volunteer.

2. Leeds New Muslim Organisation [www.leedsnewmuslims.org.uk/new_muslims]

Check out the links page on this web site for many more New Muslim projects.

3. Nottinghamshire New Muslim project [www.nottsnewmuslims.com]

An excellent Guide for new Muslims can be downloaded from here

4. Sheffield New Muslim Project [www.nmponline.org.uk]

Sheffield have Set up a very popular Project with many new Muslims currently on their database. They have lots of useful resources including a rough guide to being a new Muslim in Sheffield.

5. New To Islam Glasgow [www.newtoislamglasgow.com]

An excellent project for any brothers and sisters new to Islam in Glasgow. This group offers some useful resources including a very practical prayer card that can be easily followed for those who have not yet committed the prayer to memory.

6. Coventry City Circle [www.coventrycitycircle.org/Home.htm]

Coventry City Circle is a non-profit association working in and around Coventry, whose aim is to establish an understanding amongst people from all faiths. They organise programmes, lectures, workshops and other activities. This project is run by two very experienced Muslims who have been working in the community, successfully for many years. They offer many useful courses for new Muslims

7. Manchester New Muslims [www.manchesternewmuslims.com]

Manchester new Muslims is a support group for those who have converted to or have an interest in Islam. They aim to provide help and support to anyone in Manchester (UK) and surrounding areas and offer Information and advice regarding Islam, weekly study groups, help with becoming a Muslim (Shahadah), performing the prayer, access to a small library free of charge and social events and activities.

8. New Muslim Network (Wales) [www.nmnwales.org.uk]

An excellent web site set up in order to provide a socialising platform for new Muslims and to enable them to gain a firm grounding in the fundamental beliefs and practices of Islam. They also provide, through this website, an internet resource of mosques, halal food shops, books stores and individuals in different towns/cities in Wales who would be willing to mentor new Muslims.

Please note: FOSIS is not responsible or to be held accountable for any of the material found within the websites.

Register here with the project

By registering your details with out project you will receive the following benefits:

- We will assign you to a mentor on campus (should you wish to do so) who can be available to offer personal support and guidance with any questions or issues that you may be facing.

- You will automatically become part of our “National Network of New Muslims” and with your permission we will be able to keep your details on a New Muslim database so that we can forward to you any useful information about up and coming events as well as put you in contact with other New Muslim on campuses across the UK and Ireland.

-We can personally introduce you to other Local New Muslim Projects so that you can take part in their social events, study circles and other events.

-You will be able to contact us directly should you have any problems or concerns that your mentor cannot help you with.

If you are a new Muslim on campus and you would like to register with our project then please send an email to Br David on david@fosis.org.uk with the details listed below:
- Your Name
- Age
- Date of birth
- University / Higher education institute of attendance
- Course of study
- How long have you been a Muslim?
- Contact number (optional)

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Articles

Coming soon inshAllah

Useful Links

Contact Us
If you have a query, worry or concern related to New Muslims contact the NMS Project officer directly on david@fosis.org.uk or contact the Islam Awareness Committee on IAC@fosis.org.uk