Fifteen21 issue 21

Issue 21

Oct 2014

Fragments Exhibition Beat Bullying The Pre-Raphaelites and the Orient Applying to University

Avicenna Domestic Violence My City - Luton Millennium Development Goals

Fifteen21 inspires young Muslims to be proud of their British Muslim identity.

The name Fifteen21 is derived from both the 15th century of the Islamic Hijri year and the 21st century of the Common era.

Fifteen21 aims to reconcile both Muslim and British identity.

ISSUE 8

Editor Fozia Parveen Designed by Hafizur Rahman Contact Fifteen21 fozia@fifteen21.com www.fifteen21.com facebook.com/fifteen21magazine All views are of the authors alone and not necessarily of those held by Fifteen21

Painting by artish Huda

Awad

www.hudaawad.com

Editorial Fozia Parveen Dear Readers Asalamu Alaykum!

Firstly an apology for a much delayed issue. We are cranking up our efforts over the festive period to make up for lost time. Insha’Allah.

and homelessness. The most touching pieces were from young people themselves.

Yusuf Jimmy Nguyen invites all of our readers to the FOSIS Winter Conference at Keele University this month, with special guest Malaak Shabbaz, daughter of the late Malcolm X, masha’Allah. An event not to be missed!

Heather Hudson from Inspiring Futures gives valuable information on tackling UCAS forms, the personal statement, In this much anticipated issue we discuss bully, Abu Jahl. Khurram Azad explores student finance and careers advice for bullying and peer pressure, not just peer pressure in ‘Your Life, Your those of you thinking about university. at school or college but at home too.

Decisions’ and making the right choices This is one of the sad challenges many for you.

In ‘The Pre-Raphaelites and the Orient’, young people face, and in this issue the first of a three-part feature article, of Fifteen21, we have teamed up In October the youth homelessness I examine how the Pre-Raphaelite with Childline, The National Children’s charity Streethands celebrated their Brotherhood were influenced by the Bureau and CyberMentors to offer 2nd year anniversary with an art East, particularly Islam in their art and advice on support available, and and photography exhibition. Soleha poetry. helpful tips on reducing the impact Khawar, founder of Streethands and likelihood of bullying. The Prophet discusses her many inspirations behind Please keep us and those who are Muhammed (pbuh) had more than the highly successful Fragments suffering around the world in your his fair share of dealing with bullies exhibition which also provided a duas. during his lifetime, and in this issue Niaz platform for the public to contribute Hannan shares the story of one such their perceptions of domestic violence With Peace

Contents 6-7 8 9 10-11 12 13 14-17 18-19 20-21 22-23 24-25 26-27 28 29 30-31 32-33 34

Prophets of Islam: Prophet Jacob (AS) One Hundred Less One Al-Quddus Muslim Youth Helpline Muslim Heritage: Ibn Sina (Avicenna) Help! I’m a Teenager! Your Life, Your Decisions ChildLine The Pre-Raphaelites and the Orient Beat Bullying When Does it Become Bullying?

Cyber Mentors Deed of the Month: Say “Salam!”

Fragments Exhibition Dua: Taking Refuge Fifteen21 FOSIS Winter Conference 2014 A Day in the Life of… Prophet Muhammed (saw) Being Bullied

35 36 37 38-39 40-41 42-43 44-45 46 47 48-49 50-53 54 55 56-57 58-59 60 61

Muslim Youth Helpline Nominate a Role Model In the Next Issue Millennium Development Goals Muslim Role-Models: Osman Khan Muslim Role-Models: Reharna Khan My City: Luton Domestic Abuse, Controlling Partners Targeted The Hideout Applying to University Tips from the Experts University Focus: University Islamic Societies Food for the Soul: The Little Girl FOSIS Winter Conference 2014 Poetry: Bullying Recipes: Nachos and Salsa National Events ChildLine

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40

Being Bullied

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In the last part, we looked at how Jacob (AS) was favoured by his mother (Rebekah) slightly more than his brother Esau - as Jacob was the younger sibling.

Esau had threatened to kill Jacob (AS) as he had presented food to their father Isaac (AS) and thus received the father’s blessings. On the permission of Isaac (AS), Rebekah sent Jacob to her brother Laban in Haran (modern-day Turkey) and urged her son to marry one of his daughters.

as Rachel. As morning came, Jacob (AS) saw that it was Leah that he had ended up marrying and not Rachel. Jacob (AS) felt deceived and questioned Laban. His uncle replied: ‘It is not our custom to give the younger daughter in marriage before the elder daughter. If you love Rachel, then work for another seven years, and I will give her to you in marriage.”

So Jacob (AS) worked for another seven years and married Rachel. Marrying two Jacob (AS) arrived in Haran to his uncle’s daughters was allowed in their religion at house who had two daughters. The elder the time. Jacob (AS) had three sons with one was called Leah, and the younger one Leah but Rachel was not bearing Jacob was named Rachel. Rachel was beautiful (AS) any children so Rachel prayed to and lovely in form, so Jacob (AS) fell Allah (SWT) for a son and He answered in love with her, and asked his uncle for her prayer. Rachel gave birth to a her hand in marriage. His uncle, Laban, handsome son called Joseph (Yusuf AS). agreed to it with a condition that Jacob After staying with his uncle for twenty (AS) would work for him for seven years. years, Jacob (AS) asked his uncle for When the time had passed, Jacob (AS) permission to go back to his homeland. His asked his uncle for his wife. So his uncle uncle felt that his nephew had bought him gathered the people and gave a huge good fortune, and so asked Jacob (AS) feast. Then as the evening fell, he took his if he would like anything from him. Jacob daughter Leah and gave her to him. She (AS) asked for various sheep, lambs, goats had weak eyes and was not as beautiful and cattle from his uncle Laban. The flocks

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Prophets

of Islam

Prophet Jacob (AS) AS - alayhi salaam Upon him/her be peace SWT - subhanahu wa taala Glorious is He and He is Exalted SAW - sallallahu alayhi wa salaam - May God’s blessings and peace be with him BIN - in Arabic ‘son of’

mated, multiplying the number of goats and cattle for Jacob (AS). His uncle Laban and his sons then became jealous of Jacob (AS).

So Allah (SWT) then revealed to Jacob (AS) to go back to the lands of his fathers and promised to be with him. Jacob (AS) spoke about this to his wives and they agreed to go on the journey home with him to the Promised Land. Laban was upset that Jacob (AS) had ‘run off secretly’ but made Jacob (AS) promise that he would not ill-treat his daughters and that he would not take any other wives besides them. Jacob (AS) then offered a sacrifice and invited his relatives to the meal to keep the peace. They then saw each other off and returned to their homes.

In the next part we will learn about Jacob’s (AS) confrontation with his brother Esau (Insha Allah).

The Sanctuary of Abraham (AS) in Hebron, Palestine, where Jacob (AS) is buried Ehsan Khan

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One Hundred Less One Al-Quddus, The Holy, the Absolutely Pure.

The Guardian of Faith, The Preserver of Safety, The Exalted in Might, The Irresistible, the Supreme, Glory to Allah!

(High is He), Above all partners, They attribute to Him. (Qur’an 59:23).

Although humankind cannot conceive Allah’s (swt) attributes with its limited capacity, we do share in the attributes Allah (swt) is Al-Quddus, The Holy, The of purity and holiness. We do this Absolutely Pure; the One who is free by striving to be free from all false from imperfections and deficiencies. attachments and by surrendering all The attribute Al-Quddus denotes a kind our false conceptions. of purity that is not conceivable for humankind. That is to say it is not within It is easy for us to fall into the trap of our capacity to know how Holy and the dunya and start to despair when Absolutely Pure Allah (swt) is. things go wrong as we let life throw us off track. Submitting to the Holy, the Allah says in the Holy Qur’an; Absolutely Pure causes us to return to Allah is He, than whom, There is no our origin by reaffirming our purpose other god, The sovereign, the Holy One, and goal in life which is to please Allah The source of Peace (and Perfection), (swt), because no one is worthy of

praise and worship except Allah (swt).

One of the many benefits of studying the ninety-nine names of Allah (swt) is coming to the realisation that Allah (swt) is not in need of us praising Him, rather we need Him. Every one of Allah’s (swt) attributes is a means for us to know Allah (swt) more personally and Insha’Allah a means for us to also devote to Him completely.

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an; He is Allah, the Creator, The Evolver, The Bestower of Forms (or Colours), To Him Belong, The Most Beautiful Names.

Whatever is in the heavens and on Earth, Doth declare, His Praises and Glory; And He is the Exalted, In Might, the Wise.

(Qur’an 59:24) Shanaz Ali

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Muslim Heritage

Ibn Sina (Avicenna)

Walking through the city of Hamadan, in Iran, you reach the centre, and come to a standstill to stare at a vast mausoleum. It’s a great conical tower with twelve supporting columns and you assume it is dedicated to a warrior or king but your assumption is wrong, for it is dedicated to a man who was both a philosopher and a physician. His name was Ali Al Husayn Ibn Sina, but he is also known by his Latin name Avicenna and he is arguably the most important philosopher in the history of Islam.

The mausoleum was built in 1952; 915 years after the death of Avicenna who in a colourful career proved the existence of God, amalgamated all known medical knowledge into one book and

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established a mind-body dualism 600 years before René Descartes.

Avicenna’s father was a scholar and the governor of a village and so his home was a meeting place for men of learning in the area. He educated Avicenna, who was a remarkable child, with a memory and an ability to learn which amazed the scholars who met in his father’s home. By the age of ten he had memorised the Qur’an and most of the Arabic poetry which he had read. Avicenna studied medicine from the age of thirteen and by sixteen was treating patients. He also studied logic and metaphysics, receiving instruction from some of the best teachers of his day.

It was his skill in medicine that was

evening gathering students around him for philosophical and scientific discussions as well as continuing to produce scholarly writings.

Avicenna travelled onto Hamadan in west-central Iran and here he settled for a while becoming court physician.

While in Hamadan he started writing two of his most important works, The Book of Healing and The Canon of Medicine. The first is a scientific encyclopaedia covering logic, natural sciences, psychology, geometry, astronomy, arithmetic and music. The second is the most famous single book in the history of medicine.

to prove of great value to him for it was his reputation in medicine that the Samanid ruler Nuh ibn Mansur (Persian Empire) came to hear of him. The ruler summoned Avicenna to cure him of an illness, and as a reward, Avicenna was allowed to use the Royal Library of the Samanids which proved important for his development in all his areas of Politics was not easy at that time and interests.

Avicenna was forced into hiding and even spent some time as a political The eventual defeat of the Samanids prisoner. He decided to leave and the traumatic death of his father, Hamadan in 1022 on the death of the changed Avicenna’s life completely.

Buyid prince who he was serving, and Without the support of a patron or he travelled to Isfahan. Living at the his father, he began travelling from court of a local prince he completed town to town, working as a physician the major works he had begun in and administrator by day while every Hamadan and also wrote many other

works on philosophy, medicine and the Arabic language.

Many of his works were written during military campaigns with his patron and it was on one such military campaign that he became ill and, despite attempting to apply his medical skills to himself, he died.

Avicenna’s lasting legacy is that almost a thousand years after his death he still continues to touch the lives of almost every person who has lived since he started treating patients at the age of sixteen.

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Ibn Sina’s tomb in Iran Shabina Bi-Baroo

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Help! I’m a Teenager!

Your Life, Your Decisions

Often young people will experience lots of peer pressure. Now in life obviously peer pressure can never be banished from human nature therefore the real question is how do we overcome it? Well in everybody’s mind, whether you’re Muslim, Atheist, young or old, everybody in this world needs that simple sense of belonging to something. However sometimes people will do extreme things that they are against in order to ‘belong’ somewhere.

This should not be happening. Some youngsters start smoking, drinking, taking drugs and being anti-social just to be a part of something.

What some teenagers fail to realise is that to be ‘cool’ or ‘popular’ by 12

doing things that are just wrong or inappropriate simply isn’t worth it. You never know what may arise in life and you don’t ever want to regret what you’ve done and feel foolish just for the sake of a few people who may only be using you. In the end you only have yourself and your own life to reflect on and that shouldn’t be influenced by negativity. You deserve the best in life and nobody has the right to change that. So, what to do when the situation of peer pressure comes along? Say no?

It’s not difficult; people say ‘no’ over a million times a day, all over the world for things they don’t want to do, why can’t you? Don’t ever feel like you’re not the one who’s in control because you are. Your life, your decisions.

Despite the name, peer pressure doesn’t only come from one’s ‘friends’; it can come from family too.

Occasionally in families youngsters who are ‘different’ can be sometimes pressured into doing things they may not want to, and support for those sorts of problems are all around you starting with your school.

To end, people jump in and out of your life, here today gone tomorrow but you will always stay and the decisions you make will always be yours so make sure you make the right ones.

Khurram Azad

The Pre-Raphaelites and the

Orient The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, formed in 1848, sought to defy the modern aesthetic and to return to classical ideals. Somewhat naïve, but armed with an agenda, they became experts at studying things differently from art to literature to religion and society. The Victorian era in England was a period of great change in terms of social reform, scientific and industrial advancement, women’s rights and Empire. England’s contact with the East was changing, and the Crimean War only bound Great Britain closer to the Ottoman territories. In their

idiosyncrasy the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood controversially challenged the existing order.

Here I aim to ‘rediscover’ the influence of the Orient on their work and worldview through their enthusiastic engagement with the ‘foreign’, in particular Islam.

The influence of eastern art on the Pre-Raphaelites revealed itself most notably in the Aesthetic Movement, promoting non-narrative art, without political or social agenda, comparable to the nonnarrative nature of traditional Islamic art, which I will return William Holman Hunt self-portrait

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to. The colourful French poet, Theophile Gautier first created the notion of ‘L’Art pour L’Art’ or ‘art for art’s sake’. He refuted, “Nothing is beautiful unless it is useless; everything useful is ugly”.

Algernon Swinburne, an English novelist in a work dedicated to William Rossetti further espoused, “Art can never be the handmaiden of religion, exponent of duty, servant of fact, pioneer of morality’. It was a movement deeply concerned with the visual arts; ‘art for art’s sake’ sowed the seeds for works of great beauty, grace and sentiment.

Indeed the eclectic international style was one of the great qualities of aesthetic thought.

Seyyed Nasr in his fascinating work Islamic Art and Spirituality makes the case for the correlation between the metaphysical and cosmological doctrines involved in the art of Islam from the cursive naksh calligraphy to the delicate miniature, rock crystal ewer, gem encrusted pilgrim’s flask, to poetry, music and even architecture.

For the Muslim craftsmen, their work is inspired by Divine revelation. Seyyed

maintains that the act of making art in Islam nourishes the soul’s quest for the Divine through the internal nexus of art and God; Al-Khaliq, Al-Musawwir, Al-Bari, the Creator, the Designer, the Maker respectively. For what appears a puritan faith from the deserts of Arabia, the iconic Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, the Umayyad palaces of Syria and the Cordoba Mosque of Andalusia were all constructed in the earliest years of Islam; captivating, spiritual, figural. For the Pre-Raphaelites industrialisation had destroyed artistic integrity. The Orientalist belief in the unchanged East, unspoilt and heavenly, allowed for this reconciliation of the aesthetic and metaphysic.

One of the three founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, William Holman Hunt continued painting in the Pre-Raphaelite style free from ‘corruption, pride and disease’ until 1910. They had discussed the deterioration of Western art and agreed that it began with Raphael’s Transfiguration, and thus the name Pre-Raphaelites was penned, and

a ‘Brotherhood’ proposed by Dante Rossetti whose love of the medieval required a ‘Brotherhood’.

Hunt was a devout Christian. His first religious work ‘The Light of the World’ was exhibited at The Royal Academy in 1854. This symbolic painting depicts Christ allegorically knocking at the door of the human heart. Unlike many other artists of the Victorian period who turned to the Renaissance or the Middle Ages for inspiration, Hunt instead looked to the East. He made one of many trips to the Holy Land in 1854, travelling through Egypt and Syria before reaching Jerusalem, his final destination. The public’s mixed response to his religious works persuaded Hunt to visit the Middle East in seeking ‘truth to nature’.

He was to make four visits to the Holy Land in his quest for pure but radical artistic expression. These trips were full of promise and very spiritual for Hunt but also very arduous and traumatic; he lost his first wife Fanny to fever as she accompanied him on his second trip

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in 1866. Hunt relished in his eventful journeys, bringing back ideas and sketches for several works, taking his son Cyril and second wife Edith, Fanny’s sister on his fourth and final trip in 1875.

Many works were either painted in the Middle East or inspired by it. In many paintings for example The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple, Hunt only used Semitic people, a definition which included all Arab peoples by geography rather than faith. On his penultimate trip to Jerusalem, Hunt had exhausted his efforts in learning Arabic, finding it too difficult to succeed linguistically in this Semitic language and communicate with the locals in their poetic dialect.

He had taken out a lease for three years, choosing the Muslim quarter over the Christian quarter to reside, and would have experienced first-hand the different smells, colours, sounds and textures of the East.

One of my favourite paintings of Hunt is a self-portrait in eastern dress from 1875. The vibrant emerald-green, delicate gold-work, sapphire-blue and red-plum coupled with Hunts twinkling 16

crystal-blue eyes is striking. It is a wonderful painting of Hunt, finally at peace, immersing himself into a time gone by; these garments seem to signify his own spiritual pilgrimage.

disorder. What is even more notable is that the keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre have been held by the same Muslim family since the seventhcentury. This was orchestrated by the second caliph of Islam, Umar al-Khattab to avoid clashes amongst opposing Christian groups. Hunt was disillusioned by this distortion of what he believed as true Christianity, ever more hurtful due to its proximity to the Holy Family. Hunt stands out, amongst the many artists who visited the Orient for his symbiosis of realism with religious imagery, consequently invoking a magical world inspired by the East and close to his heart, the City of God.

Looking closer at Hunt’s faith and the Holy Land, his experiences had been cleansing with respect to his own religious convictions. He had been critical of the Anglican leadership in Jerusalem, in particular, Bishop Gobat had attracted a great deal of outrage

by Hunt on his first visit; Hunt believed the bishop and Christian missionaries to be corrupt. In protest, years later, Hunt returned in 1892, and worked on The Miracle of the Sacred Fire satirizing the annual event in which the patriarch of In the next issue we examine the Islamic the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem influences over the work of the polymath enters the shrine of the Holy Sepulchre William Morris. with an unlit lamp and emerges with it lit. Bursting with symbolism, vibrant hues and movement, Hunt depicts the various competing religious groups protesting Fozia Parveen against the over-zealous and grotesque.

Interestingly the Islamic ruler of the city, Bim Pasha represents order amid

The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple 1854-60

The Miracle of the Sacred Fire 1892-99 support us by joining our page on www.facebook.com/fifteen21magazine

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Beat

Bullying

Be

Sadly, one of the challenges many young to assert themselves have grown in the people may face at school is bullying. digital age. They’re no longer restricted to hurling an insult or two out from For counsellors at ChildLine, a confidential behind the bike shed. However, the basic counselling service for young people, definition remains and it’s generally it’s one of the most common subjects considered to be a one sided and that young people talk about. And the unwanted exchange of verbal or physical statistics say it all; during the 12 months abuse, usually, but not always, over a up to April 2012, there were 31,599 sustained period of time. counselling sessions provided to children who were worried about bullying. That’s So why do children bully? The reasons for 10% of all the calls and online messages a bully to pick on someone appear to be to ChildLine last year. And bullying endless; from wearing glasses or clothes appears to be affecting children more at that are seen as unfashionable, making a younger age than previously; it’s now comments about a physical or mental cited as the main cause for concern for disability, racially motivated bullying, or children aged between 7 and 11. a young person’s sexual orientation.

While the impact of bullying remains the same, the opportunities for bullies

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• Bullies may use it as a form of social bonding, by picking out a weaker or different child to reinforce the bonds between them and their peer group.

• They could bully in order to pass on harm or suffering being done to them, perhaps at home.

• They might do it because it gets them the attention and approval of other young people.

Bully

Clearly it’s a complex issue but there seem to be three key reasons;

There’s a lot that you can do to reduce the likelihood or the impact of bullying.

We’ve pulled together a few top tips that might help;

1. Large groups make a poor target for bullies. Try to keep good company and stick with your friends where possible.

And if you’re worried about bullying

eat ying

on the journey to and from school, think with the head. And do say if you want to about your route and who you can travel come to the meeting. with to stay safe.

4. If you’re suffering from some form 2. If you suspect something is of cyber bullying avoid responding to happening to a friend encourage them to abusive emails, texts, online messages speak out – bullying will flourish when it or phone calls and always tell an adult. can happen in secret and nothing can be You can contact your mobile or internet done unless teachers and parents know it service provider for advice on how to is happening. block calls and messages if necessary. If the bullying is on a social networking site 3. Teachers and schools are clearly there should be ways to block and report hugely important when it comes to anyone who is using these services to preventing bullying, and government bully and harass – especially as doing so guidelines mean they have to take steps is likely to be breaking the site’s terms of to prevent bullying. Don’t be afraid to service. speak with your school if you think a problem is getting out of hand. If you The most important thing is to tell don’t think they’re taking it seriously someone about bullying and remember enough, ask your parent or carer to meet it’s never your fault. Talk about how you

feel. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a teacher or parent you may prefer to speak with ChildLine. Young people up to the age of 18 can contact ChildLine on 0800 1111 or online through the website, where more information about bullying can also be found; http://www.childline.org.uk/Explore/ Bullying/Pages/Bullyinginfo.aspx

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Adrian Brown

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When Does it Become Bullying ?

Most of us have argued and fallen out with friends from time to time, experienced occasional banter that wasn’t actually that funny, or received a message that has upset us. But when does it become bullying? The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) says it’s bullying when someone deliberately says or does something to hurt you, because they have some kind of power over you. It usually happens more than once, but a one off act like posting a nasty comment online can also escalate into bullying. Bullying can be physical, it can be emotional and more than ever it happens online.

We’re better without bullying Bullying can lead to young people dropping out of school and college, and not taking up activities they enjoy. Everybody should be able to develop their interests and talents without fear of bullying.

ABA wants all adults and young people to challenge bullying whenever and wherever it takes place, so we can all fulfil our dreams free from fear. There are lots of ways to get involved – why don’t you order a copy of the ABA Anti-Bullying week campaign pack and hold your own event!

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Speak up!

Lauren Seager-Smith is National Coordinator of ABA, which is hosted by the charity, the National Children’s Bureau. She says the most important thing to do if you’re being bullied is to talk to someone, “Help is out there. If you’re being bullied, or see someone else being bullied – say something.

You can speak out, you will be heard, and you will be taken seriously.”

Top tips from ABA • Stop and think – words can hurt.

Be respectful – think about the impact of what you say and what you send.

• Remember.

Bullying is not your fault. It is always wrong and you do not have to put up with it.

• See it, get help, stop it.

Don’t be part of bullying – if you see it, get help and then stop it.

• Tell someone.

The best way to stop bullying is to talk to someone you trust - a friend, parent, teacher, or relative.

• Don’t respond.

If you are bullied, stay calm and remove yourself from the situation as soon as you can. If the bullying is online or by phone do not reply – block the other person.

• Keep evidence.

If you are being cyberbullied, save the message or print the screen and contact the service provider to remove abusive content. You can also report online abuse to CEOP and to the police.

Want more help or info?

Sometimes it helps to talk to someone outside the situation.

You can call Childline for free. Childline is private, so you can talk openly without being shy or embarrassed. The Childline phone number is 0800 1111, or you can talk to someone online at www.childline.org.uk. If you are over 18 you can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, or talk to someone online at www.samaritans.org If you’d prefer to talk to a young person, check out Cybermentors at www.cybermentors.org.uk. They train people between 11 and 25 to help and support young people who are being bullied.

To find out more about Anti-Bullying Week and to order your campaign pack, visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk.

You can also like ABA on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ antibullyingalliance or follow them on Twitter @abaonline Jess Champion

National Children’s Bureau

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BeatBullying is training hundreds of CyberMentors across the UK, and young people from all over the country are getting help from our website.

Farzanah Farzanah loved to play games online with her friends. She started playing with people she didn’t know, and a user began sending her abusive messages. They were making threats Here are a few examples. to her and telling her they were going to hurt her. This happened each time she went online Chris and played, and she soon began to dread Chris was getting hate texts on a weekly basis playing the games and got very frightened. from anonymous numbers. He found out that someone from his school had taken a photo Farzanah didn’t feel like she could talk to of him on his mobile and posted it online, anyone she knew about what was going where people had left horrible comments on, so she came to CyberMentors. A mentor and laughed at him. He got in touch with reassured Farzanah, saying that if she told a CyberMentor, but didn’t want it to be her best friend, she would understand and reported at school, thinking it wasn’t worth help her. As soon as Farzanah spoke to her the hassle. The CyberMentor reassured him friend about what was happening, she felt that he didn’t have to do anything today, and better. The two of them made notes of the that there were lots of things he could do to messages and reported the bullying together; get help when he was ready. Chris continues Farzanah no longer felt isolated. She grew to access CyberMentors to chat to mentors more and more confident, knowing that her for tips and advice on how to deal with the friend was with her through everything. situation.

Carina McKeown CyberMentors

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hello and that was what he heard his elders say to each other all the time. I shook my head and explained that these words mean so much more than just an empty, “Hello.”

DEC

Deed of the

Month

Say “Salam!”

Michelle Blum

On one occasion, whilst I was teaching a lesson in class, a Muslim boy entered into the classroom and said, with a forced deep voice, “As-salamu alaykum” and another boy responded with, “Wa alaykum salam,” also with a deep voice, and they immediately giggled at themselves.

I looked at them both and said, “MashaAllah.

That was beautiful to see, but what’s with the giggles?”

They didn’t respond, but as the class progressed, the boy continued to say, “As-salāmu alaykum,” as though it was a joke. Obviously, he was completely oblivious to the seriousness of his behaviour towards such meaningful words.

After the lesson, I asked him, “Do you know what these words mean?” He told me that it means

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This greeting is so important; it is a part of our daily prayers. “As-salāmu alaykum wa rahmatu l-lāhi wa barakātuh” (May peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you). We, as Muslims, are required to say it to all of our fellow Muslims to the left and right of us, at the end of each of our prayers. It is a beautiful and meaningful dua to say for each other.

How many of us offer the simple greeting of, “Salam,” time try saying, “As-salāmu alaykum wa rahmatu l-lāhi to a fellow Muslim who is unfamiliar to us? How many wa barakātuh,” and see if you, and they, take it more of us respond back? According to Hadeeth (the saying seriously. and actions of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh)), “The one who is riding should greet the one who is walking, and the one who is walking should greet the one who is sitting, and the smaller group should greet the larger group,” (Saheeh - Al-Bukhaari, 6234; Muslim, 2160). In addition to this, the Qur’an tells us, “When a (courteous) greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things,” (Qur’an 4:86). Clearly, saying, “Salam,” is an essential aspect of a well mannered Muslim.

Most Muslims say, “Salam,” to each other, but say it as though they are saying, “Hello.” Unfortunately, then the word no longer is a dua, but a simple utterance of meaningless sound. So, if the word, “Salam,” has, essentially, turned into, “Hello,” in your mind, then next

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“Art should disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed” and with this in mind I set about putting ‘Fragments’ together. The ‘Fragments’ exhibition was an art and photography exhibition held earlier this October which marked the 2nd year anniversary of Streethands; an organisation that works to prevent child homelessness resulting from domestic violence.

The word ‘fragments’ itself means to ‘break away into small pieces’ and when something breaks into ‘fragments’ you cannot always fix it back the same way and some of the pieces can get lost along the way. Our memories become fragmented in a similar manner when recalling trauma and the exhibition was designed to evoke a sense of that.

I have always believed that creativity is a force for social change because not only is it through creativity that we can expose people to issues that they don’t want to see but creativity can also act as a solace and give a voice to someone’s pain because darkness 26

Fragments

is merely the absence of light, and I believe that in the context of domestic violence it is the absence of our voices that enables it to thrive and when voices are raised, the louder voices viciously chastise and then abandon the victims on the fringes of society.

But we stay silent.

I believe that every problem has a solution, we just need to change the way we look at things. Domestic violence and subsequent child homelessness can be tackled but the first step is acknowledgment and then it’s working together to tackle the stigma by using open dialogue and innovation.

Cornwell, illustrator Sonia Yekkini and photography from Pakistan

by Pharan Tanweer in addition to photography from Afghanistan and our selfie campaign.

The most heart-breaking entries were from children. The most heartbreaking poetry and art was from the victims themselves. It’s humbling that they stepped forward. Thank you.

The Fragments exhibition provided a platform for the public to contribute their perceptions of domestic violence and homelessness.

Submissions included drawings from school children, paintings contributed by Egyptian Artist ‘MoStar Art’, sculpturer Nick support us by joining our page on www.facebook.com/fifteen21magazine

Soleha Khawar

27

Dua.

Rumaysa Malik

Taking Refuge Oppression comes in many forms, and doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is hurting you physically. Oppression is defined in Islam as anything that deliberately causes another person or even animal any kind of harm, suffering or difficulty.

Allahumma inni ‘a’udhubika minal hammi walhuzni, Wal’ajzi walkasali, walbukhli waljubni, Wa dal’id-daiyni wa ghalabatir-rajal O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being overpowered by men.

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FOSIS Winter Conference 2014 Keele University | 19th-21st December 2014 It’s back - the largest annual winter gathering for Muslim students! Get your hands on an early bird ticket now, for a limited time only...

The FOSIS Winter Conference is the largest winter gathering of Muslim students in the UK- it’s the place where the next generation of Muslim leaders come together under one roof for three days to discuss the future of the federation, of Islamic societies and of our community. Malcolm X spoke at the FOSIS Winter Conference in 1964 at the University of Manchester and nearly 50 years on we are continuing that legacy by inviting his daughter, Malaak Shabbaz, who will be enlightening us on his great legacy!

For those who’ve attended previous conferences, the highlight is always the uplifting sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. But if that’s not enough, here’s a taster of what you can expect at this

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year’s conference in’sha’Allah: * Keynote Lectures from World-Renowned Speakers * Interactive Workshops to Develop You as Muslim Student Leaders * Entertainment: Team building and interactive sessions * Social and Sports Sessions * Council Session For tickets and more information visit www.fosisconference.com! Don’t miss out!

Yusuf Jimmy Nguyen Head of Members Relations FOSIS

‫ﷺ‬

A Day in the Life of… Prophet Muhammed (saw) - Abu Jahl the Bully

The Prophet (PBUH) had more than his fair share of dealing with bullies during the lifetime of his mission. Many of his followers were tortured, forced to leave their homes, and some were even killed for accepting Islam. Even though there were many who were causing all of these problems for the new Muslim community, one name stands above all of them, Abu Jahl.

Abu Jahl’s actual name was ‘Amr ibn Hishām but he was commonly known as Abul Ḥakam (“Father of Wisdom”) among the Quraish as he was considered by them to be a wise man. His relentless hostility and violence towards Islam earned him the name Abu Jahl (Father of Ignorance) among the Muslims.

Abu Jahl was the cousin of the Prophet (PBUH)’s father. He was a staunch polytheist and greatly disliked the Prophet (PBUH), and took any

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opportunity to publicly humiliate him.

He was one of the greatest persecutors of the Muslims. When a Muslim convert was discovered among the leaders of a tribe, Abu Jahl would scold the convert and then mock him in front of his fellow tribesmen so he would lose their respect. When he discovered a trader had converted to Islam, he gave orders that no one should engage in business with him. As a result, the convert trader was unable to sell his merchandise and became poor.

wounds upon her by stabbing her with a spear and tearing her body into two. This blessed woman was the first to sacrifice her life for Islam.

Another incident was when Abu Jahl attacked and abused the Prophet (PBUH) himself. The Prophet (PBUH) was sitting on one of the hills of Ṣafā when Abu Jahl approached him and started shouting and using bad language towards him.

The Prophet (PBUH) remained quiet and did not retaliate. Abu Jahl then took a rock and started attacking The Prophet Convert slaves belonging to the (PBUH), causing him to bleed. The polytheist Quraish received the harshest Prophet (PBUH) again did not retaliate punishment. Abu Jahl beat Ḥārithah bint and Abu Jahl proceeded to the Ka‘bah al-Mu’ammil (RA), one such slave, for her to his friends who were waiting for him conversion to such an extent that she lost there. Little did they know, the whole her eyesight. He attacked Sumayyah bint incident was witnessed by a girl who was Khayyāṭ (RA), the mother of ‘Ammār (RA) the servant of a man named Abdullah and inflicted mortal ibn Jad‘ān.

As it so happened, Ḥamzah (RA), the Prophet (PBUH)’s uncle, was returning from a hunting trip, and it was his habit that when coming home, he would first go straight to the Ka‘bah and offer prayers.

He was walking towards the Ka‘bah, with his bow still hanging on his shoulder, when the slave girl came up to him and told him what she had just seen. She told him how Abu Jahl had abused his nephew with foul language and attacked him with a rock.

Hamzah (RA) had grown up near the Prophet (PBUH). He was furious that someone should attack him in such an unjust and vicious manner. He marched straight over to the Ka‘bah where Abu Jahl was sitting with his friends. He went up to him and swung his bow across Abu Jahl’s head.

The people around him were taken aback.

Hamzah (RA) defending his nephew and smacking the biggest bully of Makkah in front of EVERYONE? Hamzah (RA) then said, “You have been abusing Muhammad (PBUH); listen up very carefully: I too follow his religion and believe in what he preaches.”

Abu Jahl’s companions were ready to

come to his rescue and fight with Hamzah (RA) but Abu Jahl stopped them. He said, “I indeed did speak shamelessly to Muhammad (PBUH).” Even Abu Jahl understood that he had been unjust towards the Prophet (PBUH) and that this type of behaviour towards a fellow human being was unacceptable. However, up until now, no one had ever had the guts to stand up to him and face him. He knew he was in the wrong and that Hamzah (RA) was justified in defending the Prophet (PBUH).

When Umar (RA) embraced Islam, he was determined to announce his new faith to the Prophet (PBUH)’s enemies. The first place he went to was the house of Abu Jahl. When Umar (RA) knocked on his door, Abu Jahl came out and greeted him, “Welcome! What brings you here?”

“I have come to tell you that I have embraced the religion of Allah and His Messenger, Muḥammad (PBUH),” Umar calmly stated. Abu Jahl heard this and responded in disgust, “May God ruin you and what you have brought!” and slammed the door shut. Some people never learn.

SWT subhanahu wa taala Glorious is He and He is exalted SAW sallallahu alayhi wa salaam May God’s blessings and peace be with him

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AS alayhi salaam Upon him/her be peace RA radi Allahu ‘anha May God be pleased with him/her

Mufti Niaz Hannan

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Being Bullied

being bullied. My father walked in to my classroom and demanded that action be taken and as he pointed out the bully lots of other kids in the class including boys said they had been bullied by her too. I don’t remember how it was dealt with but I will never forget how safe and protected I felt at that moment.

As a child in primary and secondary school I was bullied, because I was different. I have an eye condition which means I was fortunate, being bullied made me my right eye moves, rapidly. It’s what is stronger, made me my own person. I otherwise known as being cock-eyed! stopped caring about others opinions of who I was. I dress how I want, I have my I remember in year 1, I was being bullied own opinions and I’m certainly not shy by a girl in my class and I wasn’t alone, about sharing them. At the same time my she just didn’t like anyone. So one day I experiences mean that I value the rights came home with bruises on my legs and I enjoy, and if it comes to it, I do what is when my parents asked, I said I had fall- necessary for others to enjoy the same en over, which for me was normal as I’ve rights. always been clumsy. My parents believed me but my older brother wouldn’t let it However, not everyone who is bullied is go, he kept asking me where I fell, how as fortunate as me. Bullying can cause I fell, what I was doing when I fell, and depression, lead to self harm and worst who was with me. Eventually I started to of all suicide. Now, with so much technolget my story muddled up. My brother ogy a victim of bullying has nowhere to kept pushing until I finally admitted I was hide. Technology makes it so much easier

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Shabina Bi-Baroo

for bullies to commit their cowardly acts without even coming face to face with their victims.

There is hope. There are charities and organisations such as Childline and the Muslim Youth Helpline who help victims of bullying.

Shabina Bi-Baroo

Nominate a Role Model!

Over the past 21 issues Fifteen21 has showcased many inspirational role-models from the Muslim community in the UK. From youth activists like Neelam Rose, to Humza Yousaf, a trail-blazing young politician in Glasgow to Aisha Yasmin, a young aspiring designer from Birmingham hoping to make it big in the Big Apple!

If you would like to nominate an inspiring role-model to be featured in a future issue of Fifteen21 please email us at letters@fifteen21.com with the following details;

me a il N a l l m u E F ls r/ e e d b o m le -M h o ne Nu

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ins t a ds) r h o W w 50 • 1 x a (m

We look forward to receiving your nominations!

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Out on Monday 29th December 2014!

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT

GOALS

There are eight goals which have been set internationally in aim to make the world equitable. The Millennium Declaration was signed in the year 2000, by 189 countries. The 8 goals are to be achieved by 2015. The ultimate goal is to make improvements to people’s lives and increase their quality of life, through targeting poverty, hunger, illiteracy, disease, discrimination against women and environmental degradation.

The World Health Organisation is also involved in aim to achieve these goals.

First Goal: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger Malnutrition is a very common issue in developing countries. This target helps to overcome this problem, however it isn’t

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very likely that they would be able to end world hunger by the end 2015. Their aim is to halve the number from 1990.

Living on under $1.25 a day, classes you as living in poverty. 1.2 billion people out of the 7 billion of us earn less than $1.25 a day. As well as hunger, the United Nations are also hoping to cut this number in half.

Although gender equality in primary education has been achieved, women are still being discriminated against in relation to all levels of education, work and the freedom to make choices for themselves. It is harder for a woman to have a secure job in all developing regions, than it is for a man.

Fourth Goal: Reduce Child Mortality

Second Goal: Achieve Universal Primary Education

The number of children under the age of 5, dying all across the world was 12.7 Their goal is to ensure that children million in 1990, but that figure dropped everywhere in the world, both boys to 6.3 million in 2013. This basically and girls, complete a full course of means that 17,000 less children are primary education. Enrollment in primary dying per day. Most child deaths occur in education in the developing areas has sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, increased to 90% in 2010, compared where 4 out of 5 child deaths occur in to it being at 82% in 1999. Although these regions. Children of mothers with this is a good figure, there are still 58 even basic education are more likely million children who are out of school. The to live over the age of 5, compared to gender gaps in youth literacy rates have mothers with no education at all. narrowed compared to previous years.

Fifth Goal: Improve Maternal Health Third Goal: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women In 1990, the maternal death rate was

380 deaths per 100,000 live births. In 2013, this figure has dropped to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births. All regions have progressed, however it is not guaranteed that the target will be met. The target is to reduce the maternal mortality ratio to three quarters between 1990 and 2015. Another target is to achieve universal access to reproductive health.

Sixth Goal: Combat HIV/AIDS and other diseases

The first target is to halt HIV/AIDS and to reverse its spread by 2015. The second target is to achieve universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it by 2010. The last target is to have halted and started to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases by 2015. Between 2000 and 2012, there was a 42% decrease in malaria mortality rates globally, due to the expansion of malaria interventions.

Seventh Goal: Ensure Environmental Sustainability Their target is to integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies to reverse the loss of environmental resources. Another target is to reduce the loss of biodiversity by 2010.

To also halve the number of people who live without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. This has already been achieved 5 years ahead of the date this was supposed to be achieved by. They also aim to improve the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers by 2020.

Eighth Goal: Global Partnership Development The aim is to develop a non-discriminatory trading and financial system, as well as addressing the special needs of least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing states. Another aim is to provide affordable medication which is essential in developing countries, as well as making available benefits of new technologies, giving priority to information and communications.

These are the eight Millennium Development Goals, which all have targets within themselves. They are difficult to meet, however that doesn’t mean to say that some won’t be achieved and there are a few which have already been achieved. 2015 is not far ahead and we’ll have to wait and see what the UN come up with next, in their efforts to develop the world. More information can be found at www.un.org/millenniumgoals.

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Farhana Khatun

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Muslim Role-Models Osman Khan Pilot

How are you?

I’m good, thanks! But stuck on the ground, as the weather is unsuitable to take students flying.

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Congratulations on completing consultant, in addition to running your training, what’s the best thing a small web design company. So about being a pilot? having saved enough, I was able to make a career change, with the Being able to see everything from ability to also carry out a small the air is an amazing feeling. I’ve amount of freelance work while I always enjoyed travelling and was training as a pilot. meeting new people, and working in aviation allows me to do this on a How did you become interested in daily basis. I also enjoy the technical flying? aspects of being a pilot, such as My dad had a Private Pilots License working out how a component of the when I was growing up, so I was aircraft works, in order to be able always curious about flying, reading to fix it, if anything goes wrong. his flying manuals, and going flying with him.

The Oxford Aviation Academy is one of the top flying schools in the Any hair-raising moment’s mid-air? country. How did you fund your studies there?

On a training flight, we had a I previously worked as an IT

suspected landing gear failure,

which would have made it hard to land without some sort of incident taking place. So we circled the airfield while the fire services were put on standby, waiting for us on the runway. We landed without any problems, which was a relief!

Is there a pilot, past or present whom you admire, and why?

I’ve always admired all my instructors, for being able to teach me everything I now know about flying. Being able to stay calm as a student carries out (yet another) bounced landing takes some nerve!

Competition for places at flying schools can be intense, what made you stand out?

As with any university or employer,

they’re looking for the right attitude, which in aviation means being able to make informed decisions quickly, good numerical skills and being able to communicate effectively with other members of the flight crew.

What further aspirations do you have?

I’m currently working as a flight instructor, so I’m teaching new students to fly, which is great fun. I’m hoping to move into the airlines in the next few months, and start building a career flying internationally. At some point, I‘d love to fly aerobatics, as I’ve had a taste of it recently, and really enjoyed it.

so much to see. The small villages, rolling hills and of course, the famously unpredictable weather. Flying in the US was also great fun, and they have amazing sunsets!

Any advice for aspiring pilots?

Go to local airfields, and get to know all the different types of aircraft. Ask about work experience, as this is a great way of learning about aviation, and meeting people that are in the industry.

Where’s the best place you enjoy flying?

I enjoy flying in the UK, as there’s

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41

Aerospace Engineering with Astronautics and Space Technology – sounds like rocket science! Could you explain what you do?

Muslim Role-Models Reharna Khan ith Aerospace Engineering w Astronautics and Space Technology Student

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My degree entails three areas; Aerospace Engineering, which is based on the design, construction and operation of aircraft.

Astronautics and thirdly Space Technology is the study of design, construction and operation of vehicles for spacecraft and space missions, including satellites and rockets!

the stubborn individual I am, I wasn’t prepared to give up.

This is a very specific area of engineering, were you always very focused on exactly what you wanted to achieve at university and focus on?

If I’m honest, I didn’t think I would make it to college let alone University. I became ill with pneumonia during my GCSE’s. I was now a year behind, with low grades looming and the prospect of University out of the window. I remember searching UCAS courses until I read ‘Aerospace engineering You must be extremely good at with astronautics and space physics mashAllah, did you enjoy technology’. Just the title of the science and maths at school? degree made my heart skip a beat.

GCSE’s were tough! I struggled a That’s it! That’s what I’ve wanted to great deal. Thanks to my teachers, do! Pilot? Astronaut? YES! Who knew I attended after-school classes there was such a course? and tried my best to build on my Would you like to go into space? confidence. Results day arrived Will we be seeing you in years and my grades weren’t as bad as to come on our screens; the first expected; I passed all 11 GSCE’s, woman on Mars?! but a below average in mathematics was quite painful. However, being

I have hoped to travel to space.

However, in summer 2010, I was accepted onto a Human Spaceflight and Exploration course at the Institute of Space Physics, Sweden. After listening to the ‘Astronaut Selection Criteria’ by the German astronaut Gerhard Thiele, I realised that both my height and medical record would be an issue. In space, you have to have very good health because of the change in environment from Earth, (plenty of air), to very little, despite an oxygen supply, which can be very stressful to the body.

Hence, I decided upon returning from the course that although going to space would be an issue, there is no reason why I couldn’t send something into space (robot, satellite or rocket).

did vote for that, however it was later decided by officials that the Agency should be given a more appropriate name. The UKSA do a great deal of outreach work and I strongly recommend all schools and individuals become more involved in the space sector. The Space sector not only contributes £9.1 billion a year to the UK economy, but also employs 28,900 people!

Does the UK have its own Space Agency?

Space Facts

Yes. The UK Space Agency (UKSA) was established on 1st April 2010.

There was a great deal of discussion on Twitter on what to name it. One suggestion was ‘ Her Majesty’s Space Agency’, which I personally thought sounded very Bond-like. If I’m honest, I

boiling (literally!)

4. The latest Muslim Astronaut in Space: Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor (October 10, 2007), Mission: Soyuz TMA-11. Read about his dilemma: ‘How to face Mecca in Space’ here: http://www.wired. com/science/space/news/2007/09/ mecca_in_orbit

Any advice for future engineers?

Networking is a great way to learn! Attend Institute lectures and conferences. Learn to be confident because every employer looks at your grades, and you as an individual, your personality and your presentation.

1. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky published the ‘Tsiolkovsky Rocket Formula’ in 1903.

2. March 16th, 1926, Robert Goddard constructed and tested the first ever rocket using liquid fuel.

3. Middle layers of space suits are bulky and press against an astronaut’s body to prevent the astronaut from

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43

Wardown Park Museum

Luton Town Hall

Wardown Park Museum 44

Wrest Park

One of the many things that people can get involved in is volunteering, and there are plenty of opportunities for all interests and ages.

I am proud to live in Luton, and I have many great role models here whom I look up to. It is these role models who have made me the person that I am today.

City

People from Luton, have a dream, an ambition, a desire to achieve success, and it is that motivation that has influenced me and got me where I am today.

I am proud to live in Luton because communities work together. Close-knit communities within the town make it a pleasure to live in.

Nimra Chaudry

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My

Luton. 30 miles north of London. Home to 258,000 people, making it one of the many diverse towns in the United Kingdom. There is no doubt, Luton is multicultural and different beliefs are well respected amongst many different types of people. Due to the diversity of the town, I have met some amazing people who have really had a positive impact on me as a person.

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Domestic Abuse, Controlling Partners Targeted Ministers are to change the definition of domestic abuse to recognise under18s for the first time and protect victims from “coercive” non-violent threatening behaviour. It means men or women who abuse their partners by stopping them going out or abuse them emotionally could be found guilty of domestic violence offences.

includes any incident of “threatening behaviour, violence or abuse” between partners or family members, regardless of gender.

The “coercive” element is to be added amid concerns over methods used by offenders to break down their partners by denying them freedom and dignity; such as barring them from seeing friends and locking them inside the home.

meant to care for you is horrific at any age, but it can be especially damaging for young people - the scars can last a lifetime.”

National organisations helping victims in the UK; Nour: 0208 904 8193 Women’s Aid: 0800 917 1414 Scottish Domestic Abuse: The law is being extended to protect 0800 027 1234 16 and 17 year olds for the first time Wales Domestic Abuse: amid fears many teenage girls who Campaigners welcomed the changes 0808 80 10 800 suffer in abusive relationships have but warned that more funding is Male Advice & Enquiry: been unable to get the help they urgently required to help highly 0808 801 0327 need. vulnerable victims. Deputy Prime Dyn Wales/Dyn Cymru (support Minister Nick Clegg said the changes for male victims in Wales): There is no clear criminal definition of “help expose the true face of 0808 801 0321 domestic violence. domestic violence, which is much more Broken Rainbow 0300 099 5428 complex and much more widespread and 08452 60 44 60 However, a Government-backed than people often realise. Suffering Forced Marriage Helpline: definition agreed eight years ago at the hands of people who are 0800 5999 247

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Applying to University

UK Universities

Where & what can you study? Application deadlines: Dates Tips from the Experts for receipt of applications at You can apply to study at any UCAS; university where you meet the • 15 October – all applications entrance requirements, and for all medicine, dentistry, that offers the subject(s) that veterinary medicine, science you want to study. All courses courses, and for all courses at or subjects, along with their So you’ve decided to go to the universities of Oxford and detailed ‘Entry Profiles’, can university, you’re reasonably sure of what you want to study, be found on the UCAS website, Cambridge • 15 January - applications where you can also watch a and now you’ve got to tackle

‘Choosing Courses’ video. Entry for all courses except those the application process! requirements specifically for the listed above with a 15 October Before starting, make sure that Russell Group of universities can deadline, and Art and design you understand the application courses with a 24 March be found in Informed Choices. procedures for the country you deadline. www.ucas.ac.uk want to study in. If it’s a UK • 24 March - applications for university, apply through UCAS art and design courses except Applying via UCAS and if it’s a university outside those listed with a 15 January the UK; (going abroad to study Go to the UCAS website, click deadline on the ‘Students’ tab, and then a degree taught in English, • After these dates and up till click on Step 2 – Applying. often with lower tuition fees, is 30 June - Applications received becoming increasingly popular) Apply online, using APPLY;

by UCAS during this period you’ll need to register to start then you’ll need to check will only be considered by individual university application your application. Lots of help, universities if they still have including a video on how to use procedures. vacancies for the courses that

APPLY, is available on the you have selected.

UCAS website.

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Personal Statements You need to make yours stand out from the crowd! Lots of advice is available, both on the UCAS website and on others such as ‘Bright Knowledge’, which has a ‘Library of Personal Statements’ for you to look at.

Above all, make sure that your statement reflects your genuine interest for your chosen course or subject(s). www.brightknowledge.org Further online sources of advice/information; • You Go Further • Bright Knowledge • Best Course4me • Access Professions • The Student Room

Student Finance (Student Loans)

Applying to University Abroad, for degrees taught in English

The student loans company website (www.slc.co.uk) will give you all the loans information you need.

In addition, the National Union of Students (NUS) and the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) have been working together to produce an alternative loan-repayment system that is equitable for Muslim students and is acceptable under scriptural law. You can also apply for scholarships with The Muslim Student Academy www.muslimstudentacademy.org.uk

• Europe: to find degrees taught in English, by subject & country: try PLOTEUS and top university websites www.ec.europa.eu/ploteus • USA: the Fulbright Commission www.fulbright.org.uk • Australia: StudyOptions www.studyoptions.com Inspiring Futures can help you Inspiring Futures is a not for profit organisation which, through the Futurewise programme, has been helping young people through the transitional stages of choosing subjects and routes to Higher Education and Careers for more than 70 years. Futurewise offers personalised careers guidance and a planning service, usually through schools but also to individuals directly.

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For further information on Inspiring Futures you can visit the following websites; www.inspiringfutures.org.uk www.myfuturewise.org.uk www.myfuturewise.org.uk/events Heather Hudson

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University Focus

trip to the countryside. They did various year was Charity Week. Brighton ISOC. sporting activities, had a BBQ and more. Birmingham ISOC. Previously we’ve organised events including Fresher’s trips, sisters’ picnic, We have a variety of events throughout talks and iftars. University College the year with the main attraction being Dublin ISOC. Islam Awareness Week (IAW). During ISoc or ISOC- what do I mean? An ISoc this week we organise lectures with In the past the Islamic Society of (or ISOC!) is simply an Islamic Society. speakers who address topics such as Portsmouth (ISOP) has organised many Most universities, many colleges and successful IAW’s as well as Charity even some schools have an Islamic Weeks. Our ‘Fresher’s Dinner’ events Society. Like most other university and have been great for all new Muslim college societies, ISocs are run voluntarily students to get to know one another by students, who want to provide an as well as the committee. The Islamic Islamic and friendly atmosphere in what Society of Portsmouth has also hosted may otherwise be a lonely and scary many great lectures with guest speakers university experience! as well as weekly halaqa’s for brothers and sisters. Portmouth ISOC. So what does an ISoc do?

How do I find my ISoc? We spoke to various ISoc committee Misconceptions within Islam. We also members across the country to see what have stalls with mehndi to attract The best place to start looking for their ISoc does over the year. people, football tournaments and a your ISoc, like most other societies, is sister’s party. York ISOC. during the Fresher’s induction week, and Previously we’ve organised talks, socials, usually the Fresher’s Fair. Most ISoc’s meals, Eid parties for international Over the year we organise halaqa’s, will have a stall or table set up, with students, a pamper day for sisters only, socials for brothers and sisters and IAW. friendly brothers and sisters inviting all as well as a brothers only residential One of our most successful events last to join! Not only that but

University Islamic Societies

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you’ll usually get freebies (look out for the free FOSIS Fresher Packs being delivered to ISocs across the country!) as well as more information about Fresher’s

events that the ISoc has organised for all new members. These can range from the highly exciting paintballing type events, to more common PS3/Xbox tournaments, lunches and charity dinners as well as extremely interesting talks and debates.

We spoke to ISocs to get a sneak preview on their Fresher’s week programmes.

It’s not so much a fresher’s week as a fresher’s month. We’ll be having talks, halaqa’s, swimming and aqua aerobics, Lasertag, meals, a fresher’s competition (more information on the UB ISoc facebook page soon!) and much, much more! Birmingham ISOC.

What’s happening over the year?

The latest one is the Sisters’ Picnic; basically an event where the sisters get to know each other more and share their experiences coming from different backgrounds. And the soccer tournament is going ahead as well this year. Other We’re teaming up with the Brunei Society events planned are talks on “Do We to organise fresher’s week events. York Need a Religion?” and we’ll organize a ISOC. We’ll be having a booth for fresher’s to sign up as well as cool events to welcome fresher’s such as the Fresher’s Dinner and Soccer Match. The Fresher’s Dinner has been one of our most successful events in the past, as people like the idea of eating and meeting with friends at dinners. University College Dublin ISOC. special session “Welcome to ISOC” for We’ll be having Laserquest and fresher’s insha’Allah. University College Paintballing tournaments as well as a Dublin ISOC. social dinner. There will also be a campus We’ll be taking part in Interfaith week and city tour. Following on from this, the during November, as well as organising week after we’ll be holding a welcome spiritual lectures. Something new that party for everyone. Brighton ISOC. we’d like to do as well this year will be running campaigns. York ISOC.

Continued on the next page

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socials so we’re going to work on that insha’Allah. Brighton ISOC. As well as IAW and Charity Week we’ll be doing more of what we’ve done before, but this year it’ll be bigger and better! Birmingham ISOC. We have many fresh ideas for the upcoming year. So far we have confirmed to take part in Charity Week as well as Islamic Awareness Week. We plan to keep our weekly halaqa’s ongoing throughout the year. Insha’Allah we also plan to have different guests visit the university each month to deliver a lecture for everyone. You will have to keep posted with the ISOP for more information on our future events.

Portsmouth ISOC. We’ll have more of the same events as previous years; lectures, halaqa’s and socials. This year, we’d like to organise more sister’s socials; sisters are the foundation of the ISoc but for some reason there’s not enough sisters’ 52

The best thing about my ISoc is…

The unity! Brotherhood and sisterhood is extremely important for all ISocs and it definitely exists at ours! Brighton ISOC.

The diversity of the members coming from all over the world, the unity amongst us and the love we have for each other.

University College Dublin ISOC. The new committee has such an enthusiasm and drive to make this year’s ISOP a huge success insha’Allah. Everyone studies a range of degrees and as a result it brings an amazing flow of creativity to the table. Portsmouth ISOC. How do I join?

The diversity! There’s diversity amongst the members and the committee, it’s an open society with a vibrant committee, a great team to work with. York ISOC.

You can usually join an ISoc at their Fresher’s stall. It’s sometimes as simple as giving them your name and email (you might be added to a mailing list where We go above and beyond for our they’ll send out information about events students. We’ve recently campaigned throughout the year). ISocs, like most and succeeded in a refurbishment for our other societies on campus, may ask for prayer room, and are now campaigning a joining fee. This just helps the ISoc to for a second, larger prayer room on fund events throughout the year; and in campus. We’re also campaigning for some ISocs being a member means you’ll more halal food on campus. We’re the get discounts at the all-important social voice of Muslim Students, and we take events throughout the year. Some ISocs, this role very seriously. Birmingham ISOC. however, get alot more financial support

from the Student Union (SU) and so it’s completely free to sign up and become a member. If you’re not joining these ISocs you’re really missing out! Great events, amazing brother/sisterhood and usually good food too! and all for free!

about their course. Birmingham ISOC. If you’ve missed the ISoc booth, look for posters in the Prayer Rooms, Facebook, and word of mouth from friends and seniors. University College Dublin ISOC.

What if I missed the Fresher’s Fair?

We have two fresher’s fairs, one in September at the start of the academic You can find our ISoc through the student year and again in January (re-fresher’s union website, the university guide on all fair); initially anyone can find us there. societies, and on facebook. The ISoc is We also have Facebook pages and a also larger on the Moulsecoomb campus Twitter account set up so we are easily and here it’s much easier to find the ISoc. accessible to everyone. Portsmouth ISOC. Brighton ISOC. Some general tips then would be to check You can find the ISoc through the with the SU or chaplaincy and most ISocs chaplaincy. Our ISoc is more active now have a website and/or facebook during the first term, and there are lots of page. So don’t waste any more time; find socials during the beginning of the year. your ISoc and you’ll also find your family Join our mailing list to find out more. York away from home!

ISOC. If no ISoc exists at your university, contact We’ve set up a fresher’s facebook group FOSIS (vp.islamicsocieties@fosis.org.uk) (advertised on our main facebook ISoc for information and support on how to set page), with over 90 member’s already one up. who are getting to know each other, the Husna Kasmani university, and talking to current students support us by joining our page on www.facebook.com/fifteen21magazine

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THE LITTLE GIRL

FOOD for the

SOUL

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my daughter, spoke up from her relaxed position in her seat. “Dad, I’m thinking of something.”

broke in. How far would this little girl take this revelation? So I asked, “Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?”

She didn’t hesitate one moment with her answer: “We keep on sinning, and Allah (SWT) just keeps on forgiving us.”

This announcement usually meant she had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that “My sin burdened me heavily. But when her six-year-old mind had discovered.

I was eager to hear this gem, and so I I measured it against Your Grace, asked: “What are you thinking?”

O Lord, Your forgiveness came out

greater.” – Imam Shafi’i

“The rain,” she began, “is like sin, and the windscreen wipers are like Allah (SWT) wiping our sins away.”

“That’s really good!” Then my curiosity

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Ehsan Khan

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Masjids Around The World Baitul Makarram means Holy House in Bengali, and this beautiful mosque, the national mosque of Bangladesh, is situated in the heart of Dhaka. The mosque originally had a capacity of 30,000 but was increased to 40,000 to accommodate the overcrowding that would occur during Ramadan. Infact, it is the 10th largest mosque in the world.

Baitul Mukarram Mosque Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

cube-shaped building can be seen from a far distance in Dhaka.

The entrances to the mosque are traditional arch-shaped doorways. The exterior and interior of the mosque is white with white marble on the floor. The main prayer hall has an area of over 26,000 square feet with an additional mezzanine floor to the eastern side.

Construction of the mosque began in 1960 There is a large courtyard and there are and it was finally completed in 1968. The gardens with rows of fountains which add mosque area is very large and includes to the beauty of the mosque. shops, libraries, offices and parking areas within the grounds of the mosque.

This mosque was built to accommodate Baitul Makarram has one minaret which is the Muslims who lived in the largest city in designed in the traditional Mughal style. the country. The mosque was an ambitious The most striking and unique feature of project and is regarded as one of the the mosque is the cube shaped building most beautiful mosques in the world. The which bears a resemblance to the Ka’aba architectural style of Baitul Makarram in Mecca. The main building is eight closely resembles the famous Ka’abah storeys (33 meters / 99 feet) above in Mecca, distinguishing it from other ground level. This means that the white mosques in Bangladesh and the region.

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Built:

1968

Capacity:

40,000

Zeeshan Arif

The cuboid Baitul Mukarram Mosque resembling the Ka’abah in Mecca Baitul Mukarram Mosque Interior support us by joining our page on www.facebook.com/fifteen21magazine

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Bullying Angry and wonder why this is happening to you?

From good heartedness, you begin to depart

Every day is another deja-vu

Intimidating and manipulating, is your source of power

Afraid to go to school and feel nervous if you’re on your own

poetry

The thought of superiority is where it starts

Every minute of it you enjoy and devour Oblivious to the harm caused

From telling another is what you postpone

Not a second did you pause You made him feel less than zero To your friends you become a hero He began to feel secluded From the social world, he was excluded Feeling anxious, depressed, and insecure Yet all the pain, he did endure

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Wish you could talk to someone, Unsure on what you want to say A damaged person you don’t want to portray Beginning to think it’s all your own fault, Remaining silent, becomes a default

B

Don’t keep your feelings inside In an adult, you should confide Telling someone can help you feel less alone you just have to get out of your comfort zone This experience will make you a stronger person It’s upwards from here, it shouldn’t worsen.

They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying

Bullying Sidra Chaudry

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59

Ingredients:

Recipes Nusayba Malik

Salsa • 350g tomatoes • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/2 teaspoon lime juice

Nachos and Salsa

• 4 tablespoons freshly chopped coriander • 1/4 teaspoon sugar • 1 green chilli, seeded Nachos • 1 (200g) pack plain tortilla chips • 50g mozzarella cheese, grated • 50g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

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Preparation Prep 20min › Cook 4min › Ready in 24min 1. Cut the tomatoes in half and remove the seeds, then dice. Place in a bowl and stir in all the remaining salsa ingredients.

2. Preheat the grill of your oven.

3. Place the tortilla chips on a large baking tray or shallow ovenproof dish and spoon over the salsa.

4. Scatter over the cheese. Place under the grill for 3-4 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Enjoy!

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National Events

To add your local study circles, conferences, events or courses please email events@fifteen21.com

Birmingham

Leicester

The Zawiya Centre T: 0121 766 8364 W: www.thezawiya.com

Masjid An-Noor T: 0116 262 5440 W: www.idauk.org

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

Monthly Youth Programme for boys, starts first Saturday of each month

Bradford

York

Islam Bradford Centre T: 01274 395521 E: info@islambradford.com

York Central Masjid T: 01904 413 123 E: contact@yorkmosque.org

Study Circles, for brothers and sisters (separate classes), various days & times

Brothers Qur’an Circle, every Friday, between Maghrib and Isha Salah Sisters Qur’an Circle, every Sunday, 11am to Dhuhr Salah

Cambridge Cambridge Masjid T: 01223-350134 E: cambridgemosque@gmail.com

Arabic, Study Circles, Qur’anic Studies for both Brothers & Sisters, varies days & times

In The ability

nd Dis Islam a

Edinburgh Central Mosque T: 0131 343 3802 E: edinburghmosque@hotmail.com

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

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