Muslim Staff Network

Muslim Staff Network

The Muslim Staff Network is a peer support network which believes that, in order for every individual to reach their full potential, there must be no fear of discrimination or prejudice and a belief that career opportunities or experience of work is not predetermined by religion.

Membership

Membership is open to all University of Leeds staff from a Muslim background, and those with a positive interest in driving forward religious equality within the University of Leeds as an inclusive employer.

Aims

Our aims are to:

• encourage the University of Leeds to maintain a safe and positive working environment for Muslim staff and support activities for the elimination of religious discrimination for employees;
• support the University of Leeds to develop and maintain a representative workforce with inclusive leadership, and to raise the visibility and profile of the contribution that University of Leeds Muslim staff members make;
• maintain and expand the membership of the University of Leeds Muslim Staff Network to provide a forum where Muslim staff can share experiences and issues affecting their work and professional development;
• engage with other groups, including other internal and external staff networks, trade unions, employer associations and community groups who share a common agenda or experience of eliminating disadvantage, addressing unmet needs or increasing participation;
• offer support and encouragement to other underrepresented or marginalised staff networks;
• work in partnership with the University of Leeds to ensure compliance with the equality legislation relating to religious equality, and to enable the development and implementation of national policies and strategy.

Muslim Staff Network Committee members

Co-Chairs

• Sharif Patel (General)
• Maria Hussain (General)
• Ghazala Mir (Islamophobia)
• Hassan Mudasir (Leeds University Union Islamic Society Liaison)

Other Committee Members :

• Farhat Yaqoob (Muslim Chaplain)
• Yasmin Hussain and Paul Bagguley (Events)
• Manhal Ali (Social)
• Tajjamal Khan (IT)
• Salma Al Arefi (Intersectionality)
• Hassan Mudasir (Treasurer)
• Rizwan Nawaz (Sustainability)
• Nafisa Shafiq (Communications)

For more information about joining the Muslim Staff Network, contact: msn@leeds.ac.uk

“Never Not Political: Studying Sufism in the Black Atlantic”

When: Wednesday 6 October at 14-15.30 (online for 13:50)

Speaker: Dr Youssef Carter, Associate Professor, North Carolina University, Chapel Hill. Dr. Carter holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California-Berkeley and is an expert in Sufism and Islam in West Africa and the United States

Abstract:  This talk offers an overview of my own reflections gained from the ethnographic study of African-American and West African Muslims who are members of the Mustafawi Sufi Order. Through this work, I provide some commentary on what, I argue, is a necessary convergence between Islamic Studies and Black Studies. For too long, Islamic Studies has elided the vital role that Muslim networks has played in the emergence of Africana religious identities. At the same time, it seems that scholarship on Africana religious communities could shed more light on the contributions that Muslim networks might offer theorizations on diaspora and decoloniality. In regard to these opportunities for study, a focus on the deployment of Muslim spiritualities in the Black Atlantic potentially reveals much in the way of deepening our understanding of Muslim networks and the emergence of religious identities, as well as opens up conversations about the value of studying spiritual development and discourses about spirituality in the United States and beyond.

Sign up via Eventbrite.

Zoom link to be emailed on 5 October (day before event)

‘Triple Threat: How owning your Identity is your Superpower’

When:  Monday 25 October at 14-15.30 (online for 13:50)

Speaker: Na’ima Roberts, Black Muslim Female Award-winning Author

Overview: Na’ima Roberts, an award-winning Black Muslim author from Yorkshire will offer insights into navigating and leveraging your intersectional identity. It will also explore the correlation between you how you ‘show up’ in your various identities on your performance in your spiritual, personal and professional life.

Sign up via Eventbrite.

Zoom link to be emailed on 24 October (day before event)