LSE ISoc Annual Dinner 2010 is here!
“BREAKING THE BARRIER”
With guest speaker SHAIKH HAITHAM AL-HADDAD, a BUZZING auction* and LUSCIOUS cuisine!
Date: Wednesday 10TH March 2010
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Venue: Khan’s Restaurant
13 – 15 Westbourne Grove, Bayswater, W2 4UA
(Nearest Tube Station: Bayswater)
Price:
£10 (Students), £13.50 (non-student)
PRAYING FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE RESTAURANT!
MEET IN THE PRAYER ROOMS AT 4PM!
Only a limited number of tickets remaining, so please buy your ticket A.S.A.P!
For more information, or if you like would like to buy a ticket, please contact:
Brs – Khalil: (mkin89@gmail.com) | Mohammed: (m.n.sarodia@lse.ac.uk)
Srs – Maira: (m.butt@lse.ac.uk) | Fahmida: (F.Khan6@lse.ac.uk)
* Auction proceeds will be donated to our main sponsor: Muslim Community Fund, a charitable foundation, organising the resources of our community to sustainably better the condition of our people, our families and our community, so that we can better serve and enrich our communities and world. For more information, please visit: http://www.mcfund.org.uk/
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In conjunction with a nationwide campus initiative organized by the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), LSESU Islamic Society hosted ‘Discover Islam Week 2010’ last week.
Events ranged from talks by influential Islamic speakers, such as Professor Timothy Winters, to an Islamic Calligraphy workshop. The society was proud of the scope of projects that they included, believing that they have achieved their aim of providing “an insight into Islam and what it has to offer”.
Among the most impressive events of the week was the ‘Can you last a Muslim fast?’ challenge that saw LSE Director Howard Davies, LSESU General Secretary Aled Dilwyn Fisher and a host of professors, attempt to fast for the day. – “Most participants, whilst understandably hungry, recognized the self-discipline and restraint one should have while fasting,” commented Talha Ghannam, President of the LSESU Islamic Society.
Other events, such as the guided tour of Regent’s Park Mosque on Wednesday, were similarly effective in offering LSE students an opportunity to connect with Islam on a practical level.
Given the perceived information gap between Muslims and non-Muslims, the Islamic Society were intent on bridging this divide and also occupied a stall on Houghton street throughout the week to offer a chance for questions to be answered. According to the society, the stall attracted a significant number of students who were able to engage with both Islamic Society members and the literature on offer, including translations of the Qur’an. The Muslim Inventions exhibitions held in the Quad Café also saw an influx of interested students who were able to develop their awareness of Islam.
While the events were attended mainly by Muslim students at the LSE, the society were pleased that some talks did draw a more diverse audience. “Our second event in the evening, Can Liberalism Tolerate Islam, saw 110 attend – 45 of whom were non-Muslims,” said Ghannam. Students attending the events have articulated their appreciation to the Islamic Society for hosting such engaging and well organized events.
“Islam society has definitely embraced all the best aspects of Islam,” stated Faisal Khan, a second year LSE student. However, some students have also commented that the week did not fully address issues of political Islam. As one third year student studying International Relations stated: “There is so much debate about Islamic issues. It is a pity that the society didn’t try to give us more of an insight into their side of the arguments.”
Beyond the student interest in the events, the Islamic Society were also approached by media outlets including GMTV and BBC about the content of the week. Ghannam concluded that: “The week went very well, thanks to the grace of God.” He further stressed that credit was due to the freshers who were responsible for organizing the entire event.
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]]>12 Jan 2010 in Features (theBeaveronline)
The alleged actions of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab have shocked and saddened us all. Terrorism can never be tolerated in Islam in any of the forms it takes and it is clear how we must unite to oppose it as fellow human beings.
The emergence of the fact that he was UCL Islamic Society president between 2006 and 2007 make this story particularly shocking, as my experience to date of Islamic societies across the UK has been only positive. As the current president of the LSESU Islamic Society, I struggle to understand how a person heading a society which so actively engages with students on campus can turn to such ways. What could cause such an impulse within in an individual? Is there any correlation between his presidency of the Islamic society and the actions that Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab took?
These questions are not only being discussed among students, but constitute the motivation behind an enquiry led by the government to learn of the path of radicalisation of Umar Farouk. Recently, in a statement released by the government, it seems clear that “he was radicalised outside the UK”. This view has been supported widely including by Malcolm Grant, president and provost of University College London as well as the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS).
As far as the Islamic society at LSE is concerned, it has a long history of engagement within the Students Union with a strong record of achievement including “Best Society Event of the Year” in 2006-07. Students of the Islamic Society have achieved recognition as well, with the prestigious “Honorary Student Award” granted to eight active members of the Islamic Society over the last 5 years, including one former Islamic Society President. This is not just exclusive to LSE as Islamic Societies across the country are often recognised for their good work in building good campus relations, charity and so on.
So what drives individuals like the accused down such a route? With a combination of several different factors, some of which may never be understood, there is no simple answer to this. Islam condemns terrorism unconditionally so it cannot be the religion which caused this. As someone who is actively involved in the Islamic Society at LSE and similar societies across the country, I can assert that it cannot have been his experiences at the UCL Islamic Society either.
However, as fellow citizens of Britain, we must recognise our own crucial role in fighting such terror. Too long have we seen violence from both sides, whether it is in the form of bombs dropped in Afghanistan and Iraq or the plane attacks of 9/11, and till this day it has taken us nowhere. Violence will only ever breed more violence, and this is why we must all unite together against it unconditionally. As Noam Chomsky said in a speech at Harvard University soon after Americas Invasion in Afghanistan in 2002, “You say I blame America and that is false. I blame you, and I blame me… who are allowing this to happen”.
We can no longer tolerate violence perpetrated in our name. Just as Muslims in this country have openly condemned the violence perpetrated in the name of their faith, so too must we all condemn the actions of war and violence perpetrated in the name of this country.
However, that cannot be the end. How many of among us have actively sought to learn about Islam, the religion which seems so topical these days? Should it not be our duty to learn about the religion and circumstances of the countries we fight against if we are ever to build a meaningful peace with them? Imagine if the $1 trillion spent so far in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq had gone to feed the estimated 5 million people of Afghanistan who are suffering from starvation. We would certainly have made more Afghan friends. The same applies to communities living as minorities.
Measures like the €700 fine in France to women wearing the burkha, a ban on minarets in Switzerland and the Islamophobic campaign led by the BNP, naturally breed a sense of victimisation amongst those targeted in Europe.
At LSE, we have constructed a strong front to tackle extremism on campus by passing a motion condemning Islamophobia in all its forms, in addition to the against anti-Semetism that was passed in the previous academic year. As a Union, we have demonstrated countless times that, despite any political or ideological differences we may have, we stand united against discrimination and work together to build good campus relations through things like RAG, the interfaith forum and weekly UGMs. Next term, the Islamic Society’s annual Discover Islam Week will be held to provide people with the opportunity to learn about Islam and the Muslims at LSE. Such interaction will strengthen understanding between us and quell any extremism in our communities.
When it comes to individuals like the accused Umar Farouk, there is little doubt that his radicalisation did not occur either in UCL or the Islamic Society because the unity in the student community is too strong for someone to lose hope in the world. Although it is legitimate to feel aggrieved at foreign policy decisions made by the US and UK, succumbing to terrorism can never be justified. For the many Muslim students who understand the truly humanitarian nature of Islamic values, this path is unthinkable and worthy of condemnation. Instead it is important to build relationships by learning of one another’s beliefs and being open to discussion and challenging of opinions. Only then would it be possible to work together through the lawful means to oppose these illegal wars perpetrated in our name and unite to bring back peace to the world.
]]>| Friday, 08 January 2010 |
| By Faisal Hanjra – President of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS)
The news that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was an Islamic Society President has shocked everybody – most of all, it has shocked Muslim students The news of Umar Farouk AbdulMutallab’s alleged failed bomb attempt has sent shockwaves on both sides of the Atlantic. Some, however, are more disconcerted by the fact he was a former Islamic Society President. Yet nobody is more shocked than Islamic Societies themselves, who not only consider such actions antithetical to the most basic principles of Islam, but who are once again under scrutiny for a crime they did not commit. There remain many unknowns surrounding AbdulMutallab’s road to radicalism; but it would be a mistake to begin vilifying campuses as ‘hotbeds of extremism’. For students high on purpose and eager for change, university Islamic Societies continue to be active, engaging and transformational bodies. For many Muslim students, interaction with their Islamic Society may be basic; people to offer prayers with, break their fast with, and perhaps learn a little more about their religion. For others, it can be a haven from the binge drinking culture that dominates student life. At these basic levels, Islamic Societies continue to be an essential aspect of student life for many Muslim students, fulfilling their spiritual and welfare needs. The legacy of diverse Islamic Societies continues to be etched on the lives of Muslim students who have passed through them, and on campuses that have felt their palpable impact. ‘Charity Week’ is a staple in every Islamic Society calendar, with students around the United Kingdom and Ireland coming together for a single week to raise money in aid of orphans. This year alone raised over £350,000, creating a total of over £1million raised in the last 4 years, a feat unmatched at the student level. ‘Discover Islam Weeks’ are also high on the agenda – funnily enough not attempts to force conversion on the mass student populace – rather meaningful steps taken by Islamic Societies to engage with their fellow students, increase understanding about Islam, and create multi-level dialogue on campus. More than ever today, Islamic Societies are engaging Muslim students with mainstream society; the participation of Muslim students in their Student Unions and diverse campaigns continues to grow, with many London Islamic Societies last year hosting ‘Green Weeks’ to highlight the importance of environmentalism in Islam. Muslim students, responding to the Qur’anic command to ‘stand out firmly for justice’ (4:135), can be seen in every level of campaigning, from (more recently) feminist and social issues, to human rights, international law, ethical investment and affordable education. Of course, like all student societies, not every Islamic Society is an institution of progression and flag-bearing contribution and we must acknowledge the few occurrences of insularity, or perceived difference. Though how can subjecting innocent young people, many of whom are still only in their teens, to intense scrutiny do anything but further the problems of marginalisation; what strategic or moral benefit can be had from demonising them? Yet there is something more to this “radical Muslim students” idea. There are some who wrongly, and spitefully, associate a more conservative-religious identity with extremism, thereby fusing a values-discourse with a national-security-discourse. One may find some practises on campuses contentious – for example where many Islamic Societies provide segregation between women and men in events, based upon their respected understanding of religious teachings. But to jump from this to “ideology” to “extremism” is ridiculous, and there is no evidence whatsoever that establishes this link. Indeed, the truth is the opposite – the same Muslims and those that provide their religious teachings on campuses are the most vehement opponents of terrorism, publicly stating that terrorism has no foundations in Islamic thought. Those that conflate two separate discourses do so irresponsibly, and should be condemned. As a community, Muslim students face a level of hostility from their peers and wider society that is beyond what any other student group face. There is rising evidence of Islamic Society membership lists and events being monitored, and in some cases, banned, contravening our hopes for universities to remain bastions of thought and free speech. The rise of the far-right in recent months, the BNP and the vile EDL in particular have made Muslim students fear for their safety; just a few weeks ago, Muslim students from London’s City University were the subject of a brutal Islamophobic attack, which was unfortunately ignored by much of the media. The ‘Islam on Campus’ report produced by the Centre for Social Cohesion last year has also been used to whip up hostility, mistrust and fear on campuses, alas the report was widely discredited by FOSIS, NUS, Universities UK and other organisations for its weak methodology and apparent wilful misrepresentation. So what then of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the former UCL Islamic Society President? Without a doubt, his Islamic Society association has shocked many to the core, and raised questions as to whether Universities are doing enough to tackle radicalism on campus. Yet we must refrain from castigating Islamic Societies; we do not yet know the facts about his road to radicalisation; and a full investigation into the nature and causes of his radicalisation is crucial. Those that promote the link between campus and extremism recklessly jump the gun on opinion, not fact. Quite simply, still, the fact remains that “there is no evidence of systematic radicalization in universities”, according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of University College London, speaks on this case with wisdom and clarity, about underpinning theory with evidence. Far from being ‘hotbeds of radicalisation’, universities must firmly defend their cultures of inclusivity, free speech, and trust. Violent terrorism is a global phenomenon which spares nobody; Muslim students are equally concerned about this scourge and will continue to play their part in speaking out against it. We, as FOSIS, continue to speak out clearly and boldly against terrorism – and our work locally and nationally, with the NUS and Government, does not shy away from addressing extremism. Yet the only effective response will be a unified one. Now more than ever we must stand united against destructive forces, be they violent radicals, or those who wish to demonise an entire community for the actions of a minority. Muslim students work tirelessly to make positive contributions to their campuses, often working against the odds. Calls to limit freedom of expression, restrict the work of Islamic Societies, and for Universities to increase surveillance on Muslim students will only sow the seeds of mistrust and resentment. Our journey continues. We, as FOSIS, are continually making efforts to promote good practice where we find it. We, all collectively, must encourage Islamic societies to remain engaged on campus, and students and universities need to maintain healthy and open dialogue and debate with each other. Trust must be rebuilt; and we must not fall into the trap of creating enemies where none existed. We must reject those who foolishly attack Muslim students with nothing but conjecture, threatening campus liberties, and endangering our safety on campus. Today, our stake in campus life must stand for all; for reinvigorating discussion, for activism and for our civic progression. |
As part of our end of term review, we would like you to fill out the Islamic Society Evaluation form (this shouldn’t take longer than 10 minutes). Your suggestions and feedback are both valuable to improve our activities and would be much appreciated.
Please fill in the form HERE
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for being a part of the Islamic Society; whether you’re on the DIW or annual dinner team, attended our events, weekly circles or the mentoring sessions we hope you benefited, inshaAllah.
If you have any further questions/feedback, please get in touch at su.soc.islamic@lse.ac.uk
Wasalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
LSE ISoc Committee
]]>We are offering you a chance to be a part of the “Ummah Team”, by far the coolest thing ever to hit the LSE. “How?!” you ask…
Well, through your very own PERSONALIZED LSE SU Islamic Society hoodie of course! None of this mass produced, impersonal, one size and colour fits all stuff you get in the SU Shop.
At the FRONT of the hoodie will be a specially embroidered LSE SU Islamic society logo.
At the BACK of the hoodie, where all the personalising will take place, you will have number (maximum it can be is two digits) in the middle and in the space above the number you w…ill have a name/nickname – maximum of seventeen characters. (Spacing counts as one character.)
1. Choose what design and colour you would like….
a) Design 1- Normal (Unisex) £17.10
b) Design 2- Zipped (Men) £18.75
c) Design 3- Zipped (Female) £18.75
2.Fill in the online order form HERE, adding “Ummah Team” number and nickname (see link below)
3.Please give payment for hoodie to… (asap, once term starts)
Brothers: Nabeel (n.moosa@lse.ac.uk)
Sisters: Tasnim (t.begum@lse.ac.uk) and Mubbien (m.s.hayat05@gmail.com)
Alumni/non-LSE can pay online. Please contact Mubbein.
The LSE SU Islamic Society Discover Islam Week 2010 is HERE! A range of events are lined up from talks with internationally renowned speakers to a mosque trip and the ‘Can You Last A Muslim Fast?’ Challenge!
Watch out for the DIW stall on Houghton Street, the posters, pens, t-shirts, and don’t forget to check out the Muslim inventions 1001 and Islamic calligraphy exhibition on display in the Quad all week.
Invite all your friends to the events – we look forward to seeing you! For more info on each of the events, please visit the Facebook group HERE.
i) MONDAY 8th February: Launch + Talk: Can Liberalism Tolerate Islam?
LAUNCH – Join us to begin the week with a mysterious launch dubbed ‘The Big Picture’
2pm – John Watkins Plaza (outside the Library)
Can Liberalism Tolerate Islam? – Renowned Islamic speaker, Abdul Hakim Murad, a professor at Cambridge University, shall speak about politics in Islam; a monotheistic religion not only based on Prophethood and Revelations, but also science and rationale.
We will take a deeper look at the theological roots of Islam and familiarize ourselves with the concept and relevance of Islam as a religion in the light of its fundamental basics like Tawheed (the Oneness of God), the 5 pillars of Islam and the Holy Qur’an.
6.30pm – New Theatre (East Building)
ii) Wednesday 10th February: Mosque Trip
School, community centre, library, debating chamber, sanctuary, place of prayer. The mosque has many roles in Islam that are central to the community it serves. Join us on a trip to Regents Park Mosque, London’s largest and most active mosque, for your own guided tour, giving you an insight into these community hubs.
Meet outside Clement House at 1.45pm.
To register your place, please sign up HERE. For further information, please feel free to contact m.n.sarodia@lse.ac.uk
iii) Thursday 11th February: Can You Last A Muslim Fast?
“Can You Last A Muslim Fast?” is a challenge directed at non-Muslims to experience fasting according to Islamic guidelines. We already have the likes of Howard Davies and Janet Hartley ready to participate and it should inshaAllah be a great learning curve and experience. The fast shall end at Sunset on Thursday followed by a free meal.
4.30pm – The Quad
To register your participation, please sign up HERE. For further information, please feel free to contact i.a.khan1@lse.ac.uk
iv) Friday 11th February: Talk: The Book That Changed The World
The Qur’an is studied and discussed today on a scale never before witnessed. But to what extent is the Qur’an truly understood in the west?
To end the week, Hamza Andreas Tzortzis, will explore some of the most pressing issues revolving around the Qur’an, its literary qualities and focus particularly on the social and economic impact of the Qur’an.
6pm – New Theatre (East Building)
v) ALL Week
MUSLIM INVENTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO CIVILISATION EXIBITION – Explore towns, hospitals, food, medicine and a whole host of other aspects of early Muslim life – on display the Quad. Not to be missed – Visit the Quad.
DISCOVER ISLAM WEEK STALL – Houghton Street is where it’s at – get your Discover Islam Week pens, cookies and coffee and while you’re at it, get your questions answered by our friendly stall men and women!
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Welcome to the LSE Students’ Union Islamic Society! (More commonly known as the ISoc)
The award winning LSESU Islamic Society is one of the most active and diverse societies. We offer a wide variety of services for Muslims and Non-Muslims; from talks, socials and sports, to interfaith and charity events, as well as mentoring and spiritual activities! An opportunity is provided to gain a greater knowledge and understanding on this much-discussed global faith.
A Voice – Working For You
ISoc also aims to be the voice for the Muslim community of LSE. We work closely with the Students Union and the School to ensure and that your needs are met – whether they be prayer facilities, Halal food or that your opinions are represented on the issues that matter to you.
We also strive to provide support to our members by facilitating a forum whereby we can all engage with the teachings of Islam.
We operate an open-door policy with our facilities and activities regardless of faith or non-faith. So what are you waiting for…? Come along – see what we are about for yourself!
]]>A warm welcome to our recently launched website for the year 2009/2010. We hope you will find this website useful, through regular updates on events and happenings in the ISoc. Feel free to contact us if you have any suggestions or queries.
Wasalaam,
LSE SU Islamic Society Commitee
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