Interview: My Biggest Challenge As Ameerah of MSSN OAU – Bushrah Bashir

The Ameerah of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) branch, Bushrah Bashir, in this interview with our correspondent, Sodiq Lawal, speaks about her biggest challenge as the Ameerah of MSSN OAU.

Excerpt:

Can you please introduce yourself?





Bushrah Bashir is my name and I’m a part 4 student of the department of microbiology. I’m also the current Ameerah of MSSN OAU.

How did you feel when you were appointed as the Ameerah?

Hmnnnnnnnn! It was shocking because it wasn’t what I was expecting. Though I was nominated and went for the interview but I felt there are always better people. I was having the feeling that even if I’ll be appointed, it won’t be the post of the Ameerah..but I looked up to my Lord to ease it for me.

Has there been any instance you feel like to quit the position of the Ameerah?





Well… I never thought of that because I believed strongly Allah appointed me and knowing so well he’d ease it for me.  Though lt’s really a challenging position but then..it’s He who ended it well that has the kudos not he who started it well.

How do you relate with the Ameer in discharging the activities of MSSN OAU?





I relate well with him. We decide issues generally in meetings but as leaders we still both see to it before dissemination of the information. We’ve been good working together though we differ in the way we opine at times but we both know how to manage that.

How do you relate with Muslim sisters on campus?





Alhamdulillah! Even before I was appointed as the Ameerah, am familiar with a large number of sisters on campus due to one thing or the other..my profession especially,I’m a fashion designer and then it attracts most people to me..so being the Ameerah relating with sisters was easier for me.

What is the biggest challenge that you have faced as the Ameerah?





My biggest challenge as the Ameerah is  working together on  unity under the tenets of MSSN as unified Muslim body,of which unity is what Islam encourages,  so trying to change peoples orientation about that and make them have sense of belonging regardless of where they belong is a big challenge…..

How have you been helping the Muslim sisters towards achieving academic success?





MSSN OAU organizes tutorials and then personal advice on how they can manage their time combining academics with learning about the deen without compromising their primary assignment on campus as well as taking serious their primary assignment on the surface of earth.

Has there been any forum whereby all Muslim sisters on campus come together apart from Jihad week?

Yes. We do have our sister’s circle weekly where female related issues are treated, we partake in sisters seminar at the unit level, and also during the jihad week a day was set aside specially for sisters where about 160 sisters took part.

What is your biggest achievement as the Ameerah?

My biggest achievement also goes back to my challenge..which is making people have sense of belonging to MSSN..I must say things are changing and people are beginning to have the sense of belonging. I pray Allah continue to strengthen it..

What character do you have in you that you want Muslim sisters on this campus to imbibe? 





 Am not a saint or the most perfect being..There are people far better than me just that everyone has their uniqueness.. I’d say they should imbibe whatever they see as good in me and avoid the bad in me..may Allah rectify us all.

What do you love doing most?

 I was born into the fashion designing work of which my mum is an expert in the field.. I really love doing it and will like to know much more on it…may Allah ease our affairs.

How have you been helping Muslim sisters on this campus towards making sure they seek for Qur’anic and Islamic knowledge?

MSSN OAU holds madrasah and also weekly usrah where people learn about the deen better and sisters always meet me with personal questions and I answer and seek more knowledge on the one I don’t know.

We were informed that another Shuuroh committee has been formed to select new executives for 2019/2020 session. Who do you think may take the position of Ameerah from you?





Yeah! Shuroh committee has been constituted of which am a member…I really don’t know who’ll take over as mine too but I know it has been written by the best of writers.

What advice do you have for anyone who emerges as the next Ameerah?

My advice for the next Ameerah is to firstly believe it’s destined tht she’ll be appointed and see it as amaanah on her. She should be humble, respect elders and students. She should relate with other executives with respect and do the best. She should sincerely work on making people to have sense of belonging and most importantly be very prayerful.

We heard that you’re now in final year. When did you intend to marry?





Hmm! Final year…marriage…. smiles… let’s just finish ọgbà femi wahala and see how Allah planned it.. you’ll all get the invitation..smiles..

As the Amirah, how have you been coping your academic activities with MSSN OAU activities? Isn’t it affecting your GP?





Well I’d say it depends on how disciplined you are and how best you can manage your time. For me, taking the responsiblity of Ameerah made me to be more conscious of my time management as I never wanted it to affect me in my academics and my other extra curriculars, though honestly it has not been easy,  but alhamdulillah a’la kulli haal.

What advice can you give to the Muslim sisters on campus?





 My advice to sisters on campus is to continue to be an upright Muslimah, productive Muslimah,and strive to know more about the deen. Alhamdulillah sisters are breaking records..