CCN0434

Nisha Mehwish completed Year 12 last year at the Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB) (Karawatha) with an OP1.

She was also Girls� College Captain 2012 and the Class Dux 2012.

CCN interviewed Nisha at the school yesterday:

[CCN] What does it feel like being the top student at the school?

[Nisha] I�m really happy that all the hard work and sleepless nights actually paid off.

[CCN] Were you expecting to get an OP1?

[Nisha] Although I was really hoping and praying to get an OP 1, I could never be sure that I would actually get it because apart from the high school subject grades, the OP also depends on the QCS mark and you never really know how the result will turn out until the OPs are actually released. So, for me, the anxiety and anticipation continued from the first QCS test until the night before the OPs were released, but Alhamdulillah, everything turned out for the best.

[CCN] What do you plan to study, where and why?

[Nisha] I am currently studying Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Science at Griffith University Gold Coast campus and will go on to study the Graduate Diploma of Dentistry.

[CCN] Was this your decision?

[Nisha] Because I could never really decide what I wanted to do in the future, my parents had a key role in helping me choose a suitable career path.

[CCN] What other activities did you take part in while at school?

[Nisha] Apart from the compulsory ICAS competitions, I also took part in the Westpac Maths and Rio Tinto science competitions every year since grade 8. Since I was the Girls� College Captain, I represented the school in multiple local and community events such as the Commonwealth Observance Day at the Chung Tian Buddhist Temple and the Sunnybank District ANZAC Day Parade and Commemoration. I have also been part of school-related events such as the opening of our Multipurpose Hall and as part of my duties as Captain, I have given speeches at our school assemblies. I have also organised fundraising and awareness for the Children�s Medical Research Institute�s Jeans for Genes charity which our school has been doing for three years now.

[CCN] What were your favourite subjects? And why?

[Nisha] My favourite subject has to be Maths because I have always been able to do well in it. Islamic Studies was also good (even though it wasn�t an OP subject) because we always learnt new things eg. Islamic stories and duas. I also studied Chemistry, Biology, Physics, IT and English.

[CCN] Other than getting an OP1 what would you consider to be some of your other achievements?

[Nisha] Apart from the activities I took part in (written in Q6), I suppose the feeling of having accomplished something great is an achievement in itself. I was the Dux of my class throughout high school (grade 8-12). I am also part of the Griffith Honours College which only selective members get into.

[CCN] What would you say was the best thing about studying at ICB?

[Nisha] The best thing has to be studying in an Islamic environment with other Muslim students and teachers. Also, because there is a small student-teacher ratio, the teachers get to know all of the students really well which means that they are better able to tackle the students� weaknesses and reinforce their strengths.

[CCN] Tell us a bit about your background.

[Nisha] I was born in Pakistan and we first came to Australia in 1999 when i was 4 years old, but we have been moving a lot throughout my primary schooling until we finally settled in Brisbane in 2008 because I was starting high school. I was at ICB starting grade 1 (2001) and left halfway during grade 2 (2002) but then I returned in grade 8 (2008) until I finished grade 12 (2012).I have an older brother, Ali Imran, who graduated 1 year before me from ICB. He was the Boys� College Captain and Class Dux of 2011. He is currently studying Medical Imaging at QUT. I have studied in Islamic schools all my life because it allowed me to study and grow up in an Islamic environment.

[CCN] What do you like best about the school?

[Nisha] The Islamic environment; helpful and supportive teachers, principal and other staff members; lots of academic help; lots of competitions to participate in eg. ICAS, Westpac Maths, Rio Tinto Science, writing competitions, speech competitions; lots of sporting opportunities for the more athletic students;.

I also liked the fact that because it was a small school, you get to know the other students really well which is good because you may see the other students and teachers a lot out of school as well such as at other Muslim functions, at the masjid, at the shopping centre or even at university in the future.

[CCN] What part did your family play in helping you do so well?

[Nisha] The support from parents was really crucial to all my achievements because they have been guiding me for my entire life. They have always known and wanted whatever is best for me and have encouraged me to accomplish my goals and dreams. Whenever I went off-track, they would always push me to study and work hard in the year that would decide my future.

[CCN] How did you find the teachers at the school?

[Nisha] The teachers were really helpful and supportive because whenever I had any problems in any assignment and or upcoming exam, they were always available at lunch times or after school and would guide me in the right direction. No matter how many questions I would have, they would answer all of them to the best of their ability. I am really thankful and grateful to all of them because it is their input and feedback that allowed me to reach my full potential which led to my success in school.

[CCN] The QCS played an important part in your OP. How did you find the test and what support did you get from the school to help you with performing well in the test?

[Nisha] When we had our first practice QCS test at the end of grade 10, I was really worried because the test seemed really difficult. Even though my grades for the QCS improved a little during grade 11, they were still not at the standard I would have liked them to be. However, during grade 12, the principal arranged some sessions with actual QCS markers and they gave us hints and tips about what we should expect, how we should attempt the questions, how we should manage our time, what form we have to write in and the minor details we have to watch out for. The skills and advice attained from those sessions were crucial to my QCS success.

We also had Saturday classes for QCS held by some of our teachers (Mr Basic and Mrs Dean) in which they helped us solve the question papers and helped us to actually utilise the skills that the QCS markers were talking about. I am really thankful for them for actually taking time out of their weekend in order to help us.
Also, all the practice papers that we did in exam conditions were sent out to the professional QCS markers. Not only did they give us advice on what we were lacking in our answers, they also told us about the common mistakes we made and their feedback and assessment of the four QCS papers gave each of us an idea about what our final QCS grade would be. In the case of the QCS writing task, it gave us a chance to write in different writing styles/genres and choose the one we were most comfortable with (my best genre turned out to be scientific report/journal).

[CCN] What do you see as your role as a Muslim woman living in Australia?

[Nisha] I suppose I could be a role model for other Muslim girls who may think that living in a non-Muslim country restricts your chances of success. I hope that by my example they can learn that it is possible to achieve anything that you set your mind to.

[CCN] What advice do you offer other students who are still at school?

[Nisha] Attend all the practice QCS sessions. If you ever have a problem with anything, approach your teachers because they will help you. Focus on your studies in your final year because it is the year that counts but try to find a balance between study, socialising and free time. Try to make the final year fulfilling too because the memories will last forever.

[CCN] What changes would you like to see happen at the ICoB for current and future pupils?

[Nisha] Subjects that raise the OP rank would be good such as Maths C, a language (eg. Arabic) or a university level course.

[CCN] Thank you, Nisha, for speaking with us and we wish you all the best for the future, insha'Allah.

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UK: City University in London has been accused of discrimination by a group of Muslim students after it started locking a room used for Friday prayers.

A group of students have formed Muslim Voices on Campus, calling on the university to reverse its decision.

The group said it was being "unjustly targeted".

City said it acted because students had refused to submit the proposed content of sermons to the university before prayers to check its "appropriateness".

Wasif Sheikh (pictured below), who leads the group, said: "We feel we are being unjustly targeted. All of our sermons are open, we welcome all students and all staff.

"But when you start submitting your sermons to be monitored and scrutinised then there's a chance for it to be dictated what's allowed and what's not allowed. We, as students, don't accept that."

'Confrontational atmosphere'

Three years ago, the counter-extremism think tank the Quilliam Foundation released a report on the sermons at Friday prayers at City University, in central London.

It claimed hardline views and a confrontational atmosphere were being encouraged.

In one sermon, which was recorded, the speaker said: "The Islamic state teaches to cut the hand of the thief. Yes it does. And it also teaches us to stone the adulterer.

"When they tell us that, the Islamic state tells us and teaches us to kill the apostate, yes it does."

BBC London has seen no evidence those views are still being spread now, but some argue the episode shows the need for greater scrutiny.

'Vicious history'

Dr Usama Hasan from the Quilliam Foundation said: "If there was no past history at the university, I think what the students are saying would sound extremely reasonable.

"However, there has been quite a vicious and nasty history there. They have to deal with that and give a bit more to the university.

The university could not continue to condone an activity taking place on its premises where it cannot exercise reasonable supervision�

"Both sides need to compromise here and negotiate with some difficult conversations."

The university could not continue to condone an activity taking place on its premises where it cannot exercise reasonable supervision�

Spokeswoman City University London

The challenge faced by many universities is how to deal with any potential extremism threat, without being seen to restrict freedom of speech.

A statement from the university said it needed to be sure of the "appropriateness" of what was being discussed in sermons as authorised university events.

It said it also needed to be assured that all "students eligible to deliver" prayers and sermons "are considered equally and given the opportunity to do so".

The statement went on: "The university could not continue to condone an activity taking place on its premises where it cannot exercise reasonable supervision."

In addition, the university said it had suggested a number of alternative places for students to pray nearby.

Source: BBC News London

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