What We Do
Find out more about our focused vision and rich history here
Vision, mission & Purpose
Surah Asr forms the basis of our Vision, Mission and Purpose.
- Vision: We envision an environment where students are empowered through the words of Allah to enrich society
- Mission: Our mission is to strengthen society by fostering a God-conscious and nurturing environment for Muslim students, through a journey of development, faith-inspired activism and advocacy
- Purpose:
- To foster an environment where Muslim students can develop an intimate relationship with Allah and be empowered by His words
- To facilitate faith-founded activism that stands up for justice and ensures the freedom to worship for Muslim students
- To facilitate for students to embark on a transformative journey of progression in faith, skills and habits to become comprehensive Muslims living to further the cause of Allah
OUR HISTORY
Since June 1963, FOSIS has achieved some incredible milestones. Here's a timeline of our key moments:
1963
THE ESTABLISHMENT
FOSIS was founded in July 1963 at a meeting held in the Cadbury Room at the University of Birmingham. At this meeting, representatives from different Islamic societies agreed to form a national body to look after the interests of Muslim students at universities. Founding members included Islamic societies from the University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Dublin, Imperial College (London), University of Leeds, London Islamic Circle, Muslim Student Society UK, University of Oxford, School of Oriental and African Studies (London), Sheffield Islamic Circle, Wolverhampton Malayan Teachers College. At that time, the organisation was named FOISS (Federation of Islamic Student Societies) and it was renamed later that year to its current variation of FOSIS. In the early ’60s, FOSIS was the only support group that many Muslims in the UK and Ireland could look to for support and advice.
1964
HOSTING MALCOLM X
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcom X) in Manchester Dec. 1964 on a tour organised by us at FOSIS! He visited other cities including: London, Birmingham, and Sheffield. An honour to reflect on him, and for us to be one of the last to host him. El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcom X) in Manchester Dec. 1964 on a tour organised by us at FOSIS! He visited other cities including: London, Birmingham, and Sheffield. An honour to reflect on him, and for us to be one of the last to host him.
1971
HOSTEL OPENED IN KILBURN
Ebrahimsa Mohamed, a pioneer in establishing a sustainable income source for FOSIS in the 60s and 70s, obtained sufficient funds to purchase a residential property in 1971. The work converting and refurbishing the building allowed it to re-open as a hostel, and the FOSIS head office, in November 1972. It was a hub of activity, hosting a range of events from weddings to receptions for newly arrived students.
1986
SHAYKH AHMED DEEDAT SPEAKS AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
In his talk at the 23rd Annual ‘FOSIS Winter Gathering’, Sheikh Deedat encouraged the students to equip themselves with the message of Allah and spread dawah. It was in the same year that his international profile, when he received the King Faisal Award for his services to Islam in the field of Dawah.
2018
10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PALESTINE CONFERENCE
10th Anniversary of the Palestine Conference, which marked 70 years since the Nakba (or ‘catastrophe’). This event was the BIGGEST student-led Palestine Conference of its time.