On Sunday 31st January, the UK largest democratic Muslim umbrella body elected their new Secretary General. Zara Mohammed was elected by winning a majority of MCB affiliates votes and succeeds Harun Khan, who has completed a maximum of four years as the head of the organisation. Ajmal Masroor, an Imam, teacher and broadcaster, was also in the running for this post. Hassan Joudi has also been re-elected as Deputy Secretary General.
Upon her election, Zara Mohammed, said, “My vision is to continue to build a truly inclusive, diverse and representative body; one which is driven by the needs of British Muslims for the common good. Being elected as the first female Secretary General is quite an honour and I hope it will inspire more women and young people to come forward to take on leadership roles. They are the future of this organisation and our society.”
Zara Mohammed is a Master’s graduate in Human Rights Law and a Training and Development Consultant. She has formerly served as an Assistant Secretary General for the Muslim Council of Britain and is the first woman in the organisation’s history to have been elected into the post of Secretary General.
Completing his term, outgoing Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Harun Khan, said, “It has been a privilege and honour to serve our communities over the past four and a half years as Secretary-General of this great national institution. There have been some amazing achievements during my tenure which stand testament to the dedication of volunteers, staff and our members. I wish the very best of success to Ms. Zara Mohammed – may she continue to lead this organisation to greater heights for the betterment of our communities across the country.”
The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’s largest and most diverse umbrella body of mosques, Islamic schools and Muslim associations. Affiliates elect a Secretary General and National Council every two years.
