NUS Conference 2010 - Muslim students make their mark

Muslim students made their mark at NUS Annual Conference 2010.

Of note was the election of Usman Ali, a former president of Salford Islamic Society and former president of Salford Student Union, to the position of NUS Vice-President Higher Education, the first Muslim student to ever hold such a position.  This signifies a moment of sincere pride and exciting progression for Muslim student activism in Britain; and we wish Usman Ali every success in his new role.

The sustained participation of Muslim students in the NUS is further reflected in the successful election of Fatima Junaid, an executive member of University of Cambridge Student Union, who was elected to the NUS Block of Fifteen.

Policies proposed by FOSIS were passed at the Annual Conference.  In particular, national student policy was passed:

  • On student safety, with particular focus on Muslim students following recent attacks; the policy sets a national definition for Islamophobia, sets out training guidelines for Unions regarding Islamophobia, and further resolves to expand a campaign for staying safe on campus.
  • To affirm the NUS’ stance in support of academic freedom, standing by the essentiality of freedom of inquiry without demonising and stigmatising student communities; with a national campaign and publications to follow.


We also held a joint-fringe event with the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), led by the NUS, to discuss freedom of expression.  The potential of the debate in bringing together Muslim and Jewish students to mutually discuss issues of concern was only partly met due to the juvenile behaviour of the UJS; you can learn more about the event here.

We congratulate Aaron Porter, the newly elected President of the NUS, who takes his responsibility at a challenging time for students everywhere; but has demonstrated already his willingness to listen and learn about issues surrounding Muslim students.  At the same time we bid farewell to Wes Streeting, outgoing President of the NUS, with whom our fruitful working relationship comes to a close.  Not without controversy, his strong efforts in standing shoulder to shoulder with Muslim students from defence against misguided attacks to furthering welfare provision have made a memorable and palpable impact, and he has set a precedent for others to follow.  We bid farewell to Bellavia Ribierio, outgoing NUS Black Students Officer, who has been a passionate advocate of furthering Muslim student issues with real understanding through challenging times, and unwavering on issues of Islamophobia and racism.

At the NUS, Muslim students arrived from around Britain, active on their own campuses, diverse in their political attitudes.  The Federation of Student Islamic Societies, the lead body for Muslim students in the UK and Ireland, continues its work to empower and develop Muslim students towards a culture of civic and political participation.  Progression in representation and policy, with success where Muslim students are leading the way, demonstrates that we are heading in the right direction.  But we are far from where we need to be – and we call upon more Muslim students to get involved in their Student Unions and other student societies locally and for the rest of us to support Muslim students in maximising their undoubted potential.

Nabil Ahmed,
FOSIS Vice-President Student Affairs

© Federation of Student Islamic Societies 1963-2013