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Assalam Alaikum, my name is Ali Nasrallah Kazim and I have just completed my first year as an Asia Pacific Studies student. Right now, I’m the ISoc social secretary, however, I would like to use the experiences I have gained from this role to be on the core committee and become the Head of Student of Affairs.-

My experience with ISoc has been a positive one. Before I was elected as the ISoc social secretary, I was always helping out with events wherever I could: be it helping out with preparation for the ISoc dinner, or managing the weekly ISoc football. Once I was elected as the socials brother, some of the things that I was responsible for were, holding and managing events such as “Wacky Wednesday” and the weekly football. In addition to my role, I was helping out with the multiple stalls that ISoc had held.-

To better understand this role, I have sought advice from the first Head of student affairs and have asked him the details of the role. I have also asked the current Head of Student Affairs about his experiences during his time on committee.-

In this role, some of the things I would be responsible for are: working with other societies, acting as the main point of contact with the LUU Politics and Engagement officer, LUU Faith Rep and the Muslim Chaplain. I intend to work with other societies and build relationships with them based on common grounds, but without compromising Islamic principles, and without working with organisations/people who are directly or indirectly promoting/normalising racism, Islamophobia or Apartheid. As Muslims, we are commonly subjected to racism and Islamophobia. To tackle this, I intend to keep in contact with the LUU and the Muslim Chaplain to ensure that Muslims have a safe environment on campus. Another thing I will try my best to ensure is to make it easier to identify Halal food options on campus, Insha’Allah.-

As this role requires a lot of political engagement, I believe I am suitable for this role because I have had experience in political engagement in the UK, be that through activism, working on an Islamophobia definition, helping to organise and steward protests and making sure that, during these engagements, I do not compromise my Islamic beliefs and principles, Insha’Allah.-

To conclude, my time on committee as well as my experiences in political engagement in the UK, will assist me to be a suitable candidate for the Head of Student Affairs role.-

JazakAllah Khair.

Assalamualaikum – I’m Imran, I’m just finishing my year in industry and will return in September for the 4th year of my Mechanical Engineering degree insha’Allah.

I am running for the head of student affairs. Why? Well, at the risk of sounding cringey, Leeds ISOC holds a special place in my heart – when I moved to Leeds (quite a few years ago now!) it served as a stable foundation in a new environment. It strengthened my faith and understanding of our religion, and allowed me to make lifelong friends whilst doing so! Attending and volunteering at events – the welcome dinners, charity dinners, talks, iftars, games nights, classes/circles – helped form a connection with other Muslims on campus and deepen my imaan. Only this year in its absence, whilst I was living in another city, did I really appreciate the impact it had on me. So I would like to contribute to the society that has helped me so much, and insha’Allah in doing so allow many others to experience the same.

You might think that head of student affairs is an odd role for an engineer – and I don’t blame you! But throughout my year in industry I have had to interact and work with a vast array of people from all different backgrounds, teaching me the nuances to communicating and listening to others. I’ve also had to learn how to go about planning projects and subsequently sticking to those plans, but perhaps more importantly how to get unstuck when the unexpected happens. I've still got a lot to learn though, and hope that this role will allow me to grow further and in new directions bi’ithnillah. But know that I will try my very best to carry out this role to highest standards possible, so that all Muslims on campus are able to feel heard, represented and most importantly comfortable.

JazakhAllah khair for reading my manifesto!