Exeter wins most outstanding Islamic Student Society

The Federation of Student Islamic Societies UK – South Region (FOSIS) was established in 1963 and is an umbrella organisation aimed at supporting and representing Islamic societies at colleges and universities in the UK and Ireland. Exeter competed against 13 other university Islamic societies in the south of the UK to secure the title.

The FOSIS South Chair, Zia-ul Islam commented on Exeter’s Islamic Society success: “An outstanding Islamic Society lead by an excellent President and committee. It has been a record breaking year with numerous events that has put Exeter on the map.”

Mohamed Mohamed the president of the Exeter Islamic Society and a second year Sport and Health Science UG is proud of society’s achievements. He said:“Exeter’s Islamic Society not only made an impact on the Exeter students on campus, but also in the community. We’ve had a year full of outstanding events, including the Discover Islam Month, Poetry Nights, a charity week and international guest speakers talking about the Quran, love and marriage, women in Islam, and a special mosque tour for university staff and students. Through this programmes of events we aim to develop and enhance social understanding of Islam, thereby allowing the wider student body and local community to know who Muslim students are.”

He added: “Throughout the country, Islamic Societies have been receiving a lot of unfair pressure from the media and are labelled “breeding grounds for terror”, and now, we believe Exeter Islamic Society can be the leading example, and is really making the change. It’s a phenomenal achievement.”

The award has particular resonance for Mohamed who has a deep respect for FOSIS; its impressive history, calibre of leaders and influential figures who were once members of FOSIS. Mohamed initially impressed by the list of influential speakers including Malcolm X whom they hosted for a debate at the Oxford Union in 1964. The illustrious alumni which include Abdullah Gul (president of Turkey), Anwar Ibrahim (former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia) also illustrates the notable history and impact of the society.

The Students' Guild at the University of Exeter is extremely pleased that the Islamic Society won the award.  Jon Bagnall, VP Participation and Campuses said: “The Students’ Guild has consistently supported the fantastically driven Islamic Society committee throughout all of their events this year, including Discover Islam month, which proved to be a huge success in raising awareness. We were also thrilled to help in the FOSIS application and know how well deserved this accolade is."

University of Exeter, International Student Support Officer Sue O’Hara said of the award: ”We are incredibly proud of the work Mohamed and his team have done this year to raise awareness of the society throughout the year. It is great that he has been recognised nationally for those efforts.