UCLan ISOC raised £2,000 during 2011 Discover Islam Week

The UCLan Islamic Society raised awareness and money to build a house to the benefit of Pakistani flood victims

Henna workshop at Student Union

“To live is to change and you can at UCLan,” said former ISOC President and Sport student Mohammed Seedat and his saying appeared to have emerged truthfully. The UCLan Student Union Society of the Year in both 08/09 and 09/10, again, launched a charity and awareness event from February 21-25 at the university not only for fundraising purposes but also to build upon a rise in impartiality.

The enchanting prayer of the Imam on a visit to Jamea Masjid, a Preston mosque, as well as the week-long Islam Exhibition with free copies of the Holy Qur’an on ground floor of the library only formed the tip of a well-organised iceberg.

Their aim was to give non-Muslims a better understanding of the Islam and its culture. Guest speakers held lectures on “Does God Exist?”, “Miracles of the Qur’an” and “Is Shariah Law barbaric?” including Questions and Answers sessions to further make a step towards a reduction of prejudices.

Jamea Masjid in Preston

Mohammed describes the Islamic Society as a whole therefore: “Students from different backgrounds all come together on one platform, share ideas and work collaboratively to raise awareness.”

ISOC member and Community Leadership student Faisal Ali said: “I was impressed by how motivated people were, especially the volunteers, to make the Discover Islam Week more productive.” A Krispy Kremes & Cakes for Charity sale as well as an Arabic calligraphy and henna painting workshop at the Student Union and in Foster Building helped gain more than £2,000.

The most joyous moment was made up of this, according to Mohammed: “I really enjoyed fundraising for the charity because we had a £2,000 target and we thought we would never reach it. It was quite emotional when we actually hit the £2,000.”

The Islamic Society has already made plans for their next year’s intent on a NHS project. It will raise money for “a machine needed in Preston Royal Hospital to help patients,” he said. 

Islam Exhibition at the university

“We would like to thank all those who contributed and got involved within Discover Islam Week. Many thanks to Karen Haddon and Michael Ahern for their help and support with the exhibition and we would like to thank Malcolm McVicar, Graham Baldwin, Alan Roff, Prof Rod, Dave Phoenix and their PAs for the donations contributed towards the fundraising project. In return the directorate team all received their names beautifully written in Arabic by the professional calligrapher. We would also like to thank the Student Union, without their help nothing would have been possible. The Islamic Society raised over £2,000 in one week thanks to everyone.” All proceeds of the charity week will be passed on to Ummah Welfare Trust to build a house for victims of the floods in Pakistan. 

If you are interested in following up the Islamic Society, visit the website www.uclanisoc.com.