Letter from the Editor

Dear Spirit readers,

The final issue of this academic year is here! This is also my last issue leading this year’s team. The Spirit has honestly been the highlight of my time at SOAS. I’ve learned so much from everyone - this is an experience I’ll never forget. It’s been an absolute honour to work with everyone this year. I’m so grateful to all the wonderful people who put in the time and effort to make this issue my absolute favourite edition in all three years of my involvement with the Spirit. I’m so excited to see how the legacy of the Spirit continues to develop each year, and I know I’m leaving it in good hands.

This issue we’re thrilled to announce the return of our podcast in collaboration with SOAS Radio. You can ‘That’s the Spirit’ over on SOAS Radio’s SoundCloud. We have our usual episode highlighting all the best bits from Issue 16 as well as a bonus ‘Behind the Scenes’ episode where the Spirit team runs through the entire making of the paper - from writing to layout to social media.

This issue is the longest in the Spirit’s history, and it’s not one to miss. Our front cover story takes a deep dive into the recent controversy surrounding Director Adam Habib’s use of a racial slur in the All Students Meeting.

SOAS news also includes an article squashing the rumours that UCL is buying SOAS, an update on graduation 2021, an explanation of the students who are witholding their payment from SOAS in a fees strike, and much more. This has been a tumultuous year for SOAS to say the least, so I hope you find our round-up of the most recent events useful.

Over in National News, Charlotte Paule continues her series of Brexit articles with a round up for this academic year. We have updates on the ongoing investigation into Mohamud Hassan’s death, and Shamima Begum’s contested citizenship. Our very own Fakhriya outlines the recent media controversy surrounding Emma Barnett’s interview with the Muslim Council of Britain’s first female secretary general, Zara Mohammed.

In International News we have an article explaining the coup in Myanmar and an article detailing Nigeria’s ban on Bitcoin. We have two topics that are discussed in both International News and Opinion: Karim Khan’s election as the ICC’s new chief prosecutor, and the government’s proposal to assign ‘Free Speech Champions’ in universities. I’m particularly intrigued by is an insightful Opinion piece on the power of Facebook, particularly as a publishing company, following Facebook’s ban of news posts in Australia.

In Features you can find a number of creative and unique submissions, along with an account of life in lockdown and a personal piece about the harmful misinformation surrounding OCD. In Culture, you can read reviews of It’s a Sin, Him and Her, and WandaVision. You can also read an analysis of the Golden Globes snub and two comedians’ takes on live comedy during lockdown.

Over in Sports and Societies we have an article traking the stock in Manchester United alongside vaccination rates. You can also read about Our Streets Now, a group dedicated to ending public sexual harrassment.

Thank you all so much for reading and getting involved this year! If you’d like to join next year’s editorial team, make sure you follow us on social media @soasspirit as applications will open up in July. Happy reading!

Maliha Shoaib Managing Editor