As-salam-alaikum

I am Zeeshan, the sports officer for the ISoc. Some of you may have not seen me much around campus. That is because I am a part-time student and have to manage this role along with my full time job! This position may not be as important as other roles but sports are a way to bring people together from various backgrounds and religions. We've had brothers from diverse countries such as Thailand, China and Indonesia coming to play football every Thursday. Even when it was freezing, we had more than 10 players come to play.

This semester will mark the first time the Islamic Society have entered a football team for the intramural league. In fact two football teams have been entered as I have recognised that there is a big passion for football amongst the brothers. I am not sure how the ‘One Ummah’ and ‘ISoc Legends’ will do in the league but I hope that we can give a good impression to the non-muslims by our good behaviour on the pitch be able to form friendships with them.

This semester is also the first time that a sisters’ netball team has been entered for the intramural league. The matches will be every Friday from 10th February. I hope that people who can’t participate can at least go and support the team. If you would like to join the team, or you'd like to find out more, go to the Intermural Netball page

Arguably the two most important events of this semester are Discover Islam Week (DIW) and Charity Week (CW). DIW is the only proper chance the Muslims on campus have to show non-muslims what Islam is really about. It is the chance to improve the image of Islam within University and to remove the misconceptions students may have about our religion.

DIW is planned from 13th-17th February 2011 and there will be lots of events and talks planned. The ISoc will try its best to deliver a great week. However, the success of the week depends on you. It is the first time ever that both CW and DIW are held in the same semester. Several other events have also been planned for the semester. If the committee could do everything themselves then they would but due to workloads and lack of resources we are unable to do this. This is where you come in.

Your help is urgently needed for DIW and for CW. Also help in other events would be much appreciated. The Da'wah for Dummies workshop is on Sunday 5th February from 11.30-5.30pm. The workshop aims to equip those who are novices in giving da'wah to be able have the confidence and the ability to give the basic form of da'wah to muslims/non-muslims.

If you'd like to know more about sports at Leeds ISoc, please contact me at sports@leedsisoc.com, or if you'd like to get involved in CW / DIW, email us at info@leedsisoc.com