No end in Sight

There are times when many of us feel as though we are at a standstill in our lives. With a lack of direction and nowhere to turn, answers are hard to find. I was faced with this very problem for the last three years.

A successful woman, in many different areas of my life and extremely driven, I still found myself looking for the fulfilment I so badly longed for.

A new beginning

It was one evening, after talking to my friends and family I found two possible solutions to my problems. One was to volunteer for MPACUK and the other to submit an entry for The Muslim Writers Awards.

I emailed both organisations on the same day in an aim that this would be the beginning of a great journey.

And indeed it was. I began attending MPACUK branch meetings and joined immediately. I liked their message and decided I would be an advocate in spreading it. I became very involved very quickly and so forgot about the deadline to submit my entry for The Muslim Writers Awards.

Since then, I have used my writing skills within MPACUK, I have written several articles and my passion as a writer has gone from strength to strength.

As a writer and a journalism student, I feel writing is the best way in which every individual can find their voice and change the world. I know I’ve certainly found my voice here.

A different Journey

On Saturday night, some of my MPACUK colleagues and I attended The Muslim Writers Awards 2008 held in Birmingham. To say it was an amazing and inspirational event would be a large understatement.

The event had all the essential ingredients to make it a success. It was organised perfectly, down to the very last detail. The food was fantastic, the venue beautiful and the people came in their thousands.

The Awards, organised by Innovate Arts, a voluntary organisation, who encourage Muslims to write and help them to get their work published, received 10,000 entries from writers of all ages for all kinds of genres.

This amazing accomplishment was celebrated with great performances, many celebrity speakers, politicians and a humorous interview with the famous Jermaine Jackson.

However, the most important people there were those who had the courage to write what they felt and to submit their entries. Although, there were only a few who received awards, in my eyes they are all winners.

All the writers had something they wanted to say, something they wanted others to read, a message they wanted to convey.

Mosques, Masses and Messages

These writers are the pride of our Muslim community; they are the people who have the ability to spread what they believe, to get their stories heard, to make sure their message reaches the masses. They are the important people and we should be doing all we can to nurture their talents.

There are not enough people out there encouraging Muslims to speak out, to write what they truly believe. Where are our mosques? Why aren’t they getting these children off the streets at an early age and getting them involved in such valuable projects? How many local mosques actually encourage those in their congregation, young or old, male or female, to broaden their horizons and do something other than pray?

Don’t get me wrong, prayer is our way of reaching our Lord. We must do it. But if we are always reaching our Lord through prayer, who is spreading the Lords word and ensuring his creation is safe. There are many ways to become closer to your Lord, yet as Muslims we are reluctant to try them. We are the entrusted ones, the final generation, we must do it. What better way to do it than to write.


My message to you
As a writer myself, I felt incredibly emotional and realised once again the power of the written word. As the famous saying goes, the pen is mightier than the sword. There is no need to fight when you have the ability to instil change with your words.

I strongly believe that by writing I can help to change the world. I can make a difference but I can’t do it alone. MPACUK can’t do it alone. It is down to each and everyone one of you.

I am not the most religious Muslim but I know I have to do something to help other Muslims, to protect what is sacred and true and to challenge anyone who steps in my way.

My Prayer for us all

I pray to The Almighty that he give us all the strength and courage to tackle those who challenge us, to give us the patience when our message feels it is getting lost, to allow us to strive hard everyday in our worthy causes and to use the talents and skills He has bestowed upon us and not to let them go to waste, in order to save our beautiful religion and protect our fellow Muslims.

Never have I been prouder to be a Muslim than I am today. With so much potential out there and so many Muslims who have the ability to restore justice, I feel that changing the world is not an unattainable goal. We can achieve this together. Let’s do this together, write here, write now.

To get your voice heard contact: info@mpacuk.org or call 0870 760 5594

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