FOSIS :: Ireland

So you want to join the FOSIS Committee?

The purpose of this article is to address some of the common obstacles for Muslim Students to get involved in FOSIS and Islamic Society work in light of our upcoming elections. Hopefully this will answer some burning questions and concerns you might have about working in FOSIS / ISOCs and being a full-time student.

"I don’t have enough time"

Being on the committee does take up your free time. But is that a bad thing?? What else would you be doing in that free time? Playing Xbox 360 / PS3...browsing the Internet aimlessly...watching your favorite TV shows. Not to say these things are bad! But wouldn't it be a better use of your free time to dedicate it to something that will benefit you in this world and the next?

Working in FOSIS gives you the tools to be an effective leader and organizer. Skills that will be important in your life no matter what your future holds.

Not to mention the benefits of working for the sake of Allah!

"...Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward." (4:95)

"I want to focus on Studies"

This is a common concern. As said above, there is a time commitment when you are on the FOSIS committee. However, there is great flexibility in the work. There will be times in uni when you are as free as a bird! And there are times when you can't even think about anything else but your studies...in those times its okay to say you are busy.

We all also need to learn how to balance our time and commitments. Its important that your university life is not just about studies! There is a wealth of experiences and opportunities at your finger-tips. Be involved and study hard. It is inspiring to witness how members of FOSIS balance their academic, social, family and religious commitments in their work with FOSIS without compromise. There are many in the FOSIS alumni that are living proofs of this including Dr Hani al Banna, founder of Islamic Relief and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (whose name is engraved in one of the RCSI corridor of fame!). The best of both worlds is possible...you just need to try.

As a student, your default is to be active. You have time, you have enthusiasm, and you have energy. You have the comfort and support of organized structure. You can afford to make mistakes and the world is your oyster. Working as part of a collective overlooks your weaknesses, amplifies your strengths and accelerates your learning by miles. The energy you get from working with people who are focused pushes you to higher places.

If you’re a medical, dental or engineering student, there are high yield notes, book lists, and audio / video lectures that are available that will make you a super efficient studier. But it’s only available to FOSIS committee members ;)

"I'm not religious enough"

None of us are. We all make mistakes. We all struggle...even with the simple things. Don't let that be an obstacle to joining Islamic work. So if you don’t wear the hijab or have a beard that hangs to the floor, that’s ok! If Islamic work was for saints only, nothing would get done. Plus it’s important that FOSIS and ISOCs are inclusive.What does that mean? FOSIS and ISOCs should be the place for any Muslim Student, regardless of religiosity, race, gender, or culture, to feel comfortable in and accepted.

Don't fall into the utopian vision of being perfect before joining in Islamic work. If the intention is right, Allah will open doors and make things easy. InshaAllah you will find your fellow Muslim Students to be accepting and non-judgmental. Again, we all have our faults, its how we deal with it and the struggle to improve ourselves that matters.

"I'm not experienced enough"

Again, none of us are! The nature of Islamic work at the university level is that it is dynamic. There is a high turnover of personnel every year as people graduate and new people come in. With new faces come new ideas, more vibrancy and passion devoted to improving and making a difference. These are the building blocks on which your experience will develop. To be inexperienced is not an excuse as everyone was in the same position starting off. The sooner you start, the sooner you gain experience. Remember, what you lack in experience, you strive together with the team to compensate in commitment.

Plus there are people you have been around longer who are willing to share their experiences so you will learn quicker and more efficiently. FOSIS Ireland puts a priority on training.

“I’m only an international student here for a short time, there’s enough local students getting involved!”

The last 4 Ireland chairs were all international medical students! 80% of Muslim students on Irish campuses are international students! Your voice on a national level must be heard! Embrace the community of Ireland, the new culture, the luck of the emerald isle and its people and in return teach Ireland about your country and culture. Get involved for the craic of it all! The pleasures and familiarity of home will be awaiting you when you return. Come and taste the diversity FOSIS has to offer.

"I'm still on the Fence"

Well weigh your options and decide! Of course pray istikhara and ask guidance from Allah.

There is a lot of blessing in this work if you do it for the right reasons. Through experience with FOSIS and ISOC work, you can see how people with not much time, who are very busy, can do great work that benefits many people. You gain from it more than you give, and appreciate what you have done with more satisfaction.

Plus there is an attachment that Allah puts in your heart for it. You love to do the work, no matter how difficult or tedious. When you love something, you will sacrifice for it.

Also, the brothers and sisters you will meet in your FOSIS / ISOC career cannot possibly be matched. You will be working with some of the most dedicated and sincere people in the world. You will love these people for the sake of Allah and nothing else and they will love you for the sake of Allah and nothing else. For those of us leaving FOSIS, this is what we will sorely miss, the brother- and sisterhood that define our existence on unity and the lifelong friendships made.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding joining FOSIS, feel free to email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it