Post by rayan on Apr 12, 2006 23:10:55 GMT
Muslim students leave their mark on NUS
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FOSIS at NUS Conference 2006-making our mark!
One hundred and twenty Muslim delegates attended this year’s NUS Annual Conference 2006, Alhumdulillah. This was the largest ever delegation of Muslim students to NUS, and meant that Muslim students were for the first time, the largest organised group of students at the conference. This is representative of the rising trend of Muslim student participation in student politics. Only four years ago, the number of delegates was below 20 showing just how far Muslim students have progressed in such a short amount of time.
This year proved to be a great landmark for Muslim students across the country, showing marked improvements in both our unity and the eagerness with which we participate in the democratic process. For the first time, Muslim students were at the forefront of important political debates, contributing to a plethora of issues such as education funding, the no-platform policy and the NUS Xtra card, aswell as playing a pivotal role in key elections.
Pioneering Year for Muslim Involvement
Muslim students played an active role this year, acting as a vibrant and dynamic force. For the first time, there was a dawah stall at Conference, which Alhamdulillah attracted prominent attention. Manned by delegates themselves, we took a real initiative to really help dispel the rampant myths about Muslim students that for so long permeated the NUS. Nowhere was this initiative so visible, however, then when debating actual policy. This year, we initiated and contributed to many different debates such as fighting top-up fees and protecting civil liberties that do not relate specifically to Muslims, but have major implications for the wider student body.
Wakkas Khan, FOSIS President, commented, “It is truly heartening to witness how far FOSIS has progressed over the last few years. When I think back to only a few years ago, when Muslims were under-represented in NUS and our needs were neglected, I am humbled by what I have seen this year. To be driving the NUS forward as a whole, playing a vital role in issues that currently affect the student movement such as mean testing and being integral to executive elections, as well as ensuring that the needs of muslim students are adequately addressed, is an incredible leap forward.”
Achievements From This Year’s Campaign
Alhumdulillah, this conference we managed to pass motions in favour of the niqab, in favour of alcohol-free zones in our unions, in favour of defending our civil liberties in this country, and in favour of widening participation to sport for all students. Furthermore, we managed to get Br Nabil Ahmed elected onto the NUS Steering Committee (with over 100 votes Mash'Allah), and Br Jamal managed to come TOP in the block of 12 elections, showing that we were in attendance in greater numbers than any other group! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala bless both brothers and make them successful in serving this ummah and the wider student population. For the first time ever, we also had a Discover Islam Exhibition which was warmly received by delegates. One of the biggest achievements was the manner in which Muslim students took part in a wide array of debates, and showed themselves to be genuinely interested These kind of achievements, even this time last year, would have been unimaginable. All praise be to Allah for all this.
The successful election of the brothers vindicates the decisions taken personally by over 100 Isocs from across the country to select them as the candidates FOSIS should support. These political decisions and others, made in complete shura with Isocs and FOSIS delegates to the NUS Conference, are an expression of the will of Muslim students across the country. This process included the National Council which happened in December to which all isocs were invited, and was further strengthened by voting on key issues by delegates. It is through this process and robust system, that the Isocs and delegates decided how the entire delegation would vote, as one united Jamaah. FOSIS, acting with the precious Amanah given to us by Isocs, conducted itself with the mandate of Muslim students, acting as the national representative voice.
Full-Time Elections
Muslim students were further a key component in the outcome of the National Executive Committee elections this year. The number of Muslim delegates present, working together in a co-ordinated fashion, as a jamaah, meant that the elections were an ideal opportunity to try and shape the NUS leadership into a more effective force for both Muslim and non-Muslim students alike. The new NEC Leadership promises to be one that is far more independent than it traditionally has been in the past, and FOSIS congratulates the new Executive on taking office.
Faisal Hanjra, Head of Student Affairs, said, “I am confident that the great strides that have been achieved recently in terms of a more open and diverse NUS will continue to be honoured. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the current NUS President, Kat Fletcher, for all her efforts in endeavouring to bring about a more effective and representative national union, and I wish her all the best for the future. We already have a strong working relationship with many of the newly elected members, indeed three out of the six elected full-time positions attended FOSIS Annual Conference last year. I now look forward to working with the new members of the NEC to help strengthen the integral role Muslim students are playing within NUS.”
The Future
With the successful elections for the Block of 12 and Steering Committee we have established ourselves on the political landscape, and the future looks promising Insh’Allah. However, we still need to continue to develop our strategy for next year in order to ensure optimum benefits for the 90,000 Muslim students that we represent are achieved Insh’Allah. The Conference reaffirmed the importance of our sustained involvement in student politics, and whilst advances have been made in actual participation, there is still a substantial amount of work that needs to be undertaken within Isocs themselves. We must develop Isoc understanding of their own Unions and NUS, on a dawah level to the non-Muslim delegates at NUS conference, and on a political level to enhance our policy on many important issues that affect both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
If you were a delegate or just an interested individual who has any feedback, suggestions, comments or even criticisms, then please do not hesitate to contact the Head of the Student Affairs Committee, Br Faisal Hanjra (faisal@fosis.org.uk). Alternatively, any questions and queries can be raised either via your regional councils (see fosis.org.uk/regions/index.htm for more details) or at our AGM in June.
We ask Allah to bless our work and to reward the effort of all delegates to NUS Conference, and we pray that we have furthered the cause of the Muslim Ummah and that we may continue to achieve success by the mercy of Allah.
FOSIS Student Affairs Committee
...........................................................................................................................................................
FOSIS at NUS Conference 2006-making our mark!
One hundred and twenty Muslim delegates attended this year’s NUS Annual Conference 2006, Alhumdulillah. This was the largest ever delegation of Muslim students to NUS, and meant that Muslim students were for the first time, the largest organised group of students at the conference. This is representative of the rising trend of Muslim student participation in student politics. Only four years ago, the number of delegates was below 20 showing just how far Muslim students have progressed in such a short amount of time.
This year proved to be a great landmark for Muslim students across the country, showing marked improvements in both our unity and the eagerness with which we participate in the democratic process. For the first time, Muslim students were at the forefront of important political debates, contributing to a plethora of issues such as education funding, the no-platform policy and the NUS Xtra card, aswell as playing a pivotal role in key elections.
Pioneering Year for Muslim Involvement
Muslim students played an active role this year, acting as a vibrant and dynamic force. For the first time, there was a dawah stall at Conference, which Alhamdulillah attracted prominent attention. Manned by delegates themselves, we took a real initiative to really help dispel the rampant myths about Muslim students that for so long permeated the NUS. Nowhere was this initiative so visible, however, then when debating actual policy. This year, we initiated and contributed to many different debates such as fighting top-up fees and protecting civil liberties that do not relate specifically to Muslims, but have major implications for the wider student body.
Wakkas Khan, FOSIS President, commented, “It is truly heartening to witness how far FOSIS has progressed over the last few years. When I think back to only a few years ago, when Muslims were under-represented in NUS and our needs were neglected, I am humbled by what I have seen this year. To be driving the NUS forward as a whole, playing a vital role in issues that currently affect the student movement such as mean testing and being integral to executive elections, as well as ensuring that the needs of muslim students are adequately addressed, is an incredible leap forward.”
Achievements From This Year’s Campaign
Alhumdulillah, this conference we managed to pass motions in favour of the niqab, in favour of alcohol-free zones in our unions, in favour of defending our civil liberties in this country, and in favour of widening participation to sport for all students. Furthermore, we managed to get Br Nabil Ahmed elected onto the NUS Steering Committee (with over 100 votes Mash'Allah), and Br Jamal managed to come TOP in the block of 12 elections, showing that we were in attendance in greater numbers than any other group! May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala bless both brothers and make them successful in serving this ummah and the wider student population. For the first time ever, we also had a Discover Islam Exhibition which was warmly received by delegates. One of the biggest achievements was the manner in which Muslim students took part in a wide array of debates, and showed themselves to be genuinely interested These kind of achievements, even this time last year, would have been unimaginable. All praise be to Allah for all this.
The successful election of the brothers vindicates the decisions taken personally by over 100 Isocs from across the country to select them as the candidates FOSIS should support. These political decisions and others, made in complete shura with Isocs and FOSIS delegates to the NUS Conference, are an expression of the will of Muslim students across the country. This process included the National Council which happened in December to which all isocs were invited, and was further strengthened by voting on key issues by delegates. It is through this process and robust system, that the Isocs and delegates decided how the entire delegation would vote, as one united Jamaah. FOSIS, acting with the precious Amanah given to us by Isocs, conducted itself with the mandate of Muslim students, acting as the national representative voice.
Full-Time Elections
Muslim students were further a key component in the outcome of the National Executive Committee elections this year. The number of Muslim delegates present, working together in a co-ordinated fashion, as a jamaah, meant that the elections were an ideal opportunity to try and shape the NUS leadership into a more effective force for both Muslim and non-Muslim students alike. The new NEC Leadership promises to be one that is far more independent than it traditionally has been in the past, and FOSIS congratulates the new Executive on taking office.
Faisal Hanjra, Head of Student Affairs, said, “I am confident that the great strides that have been achieved recently in terms of a more open and diverse NUS will continue to be honoured. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the current NUS President, Kat Fletcher, for all her efforts in endeavouring to bring about a more effective and representative national union, and I wish her all the best for the future. We already have a strong working relationship with many of the newly elected members, indeed three out of the six elected full-time positions attended FOSIS Annual Conference last year. I now look forward to working with the new members of the NEC to help strengthen the integral role Muslim students are playing within NUS.”
The Future
With the successful elections for the Block of 12 and Steering Committee we have established ourselves on the political landscape, and the future looks promising Insh’Allah. However, we still need to continue to develop our strategy for next year in order to ensure optimum benefits for the 90,000 Muslim students that we represent are achieved Insh’Allah. The Conference reaffirmed the importance of our sustained involvement in student politics, and whilst advances have been made in actual participation, there is still a substantial amount of work that needs to be undertaken within Isocs themselves. We must develop Isoc understanding of their own Unions and NUS, on a dawah level to the non-Muslim delegates at NUS conference, and on a political level to enhance our policy on many important issues that affect both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
If you were a delegate or just an interested individual who has any feedback, suggestions, comments or even criticisms, then please do not hesitate to contact the Head of the Student Affairs Committee, Br Faisal Hanjra (faisal@fosis.org.uk). Alternatively, any questions and queries can be raised either via your regional councils (see fosis.org.uk/regions/index.htm for more details) or at our AGM in June.
We ask Allah to bless our work and to reward the effort of all delegates to NUS Conference, and we pray that we have furthered the cause of the Muslim Ummah and that we may continue to achieve success by the mercy of Allah.
FOSIS Student Affairs Committee
