My name is Abid Hussain, I am 33 years old. I have been married for just over 4 years now. I was born in Pakistan and my family moved to High Wycombe in 1978. We stayed here for about a year and then my father decided to move ‘up north’ to a small town that nobody has heard of called Haslingdon, to be precise.
We then moved to Burnley for a number of years until finally returning to High Wycombe in 1988, where we have been ever since. I am an IT professional and have over 10 years experience in a variety of roles: IT Support, along with Testing and Project Management. I am currently working as a Subsidiary Program Manager for Microsoft based at the Reading campus.
IT was not something I ‘chose’ to get into. I kind of got dragged into it. I started my degree at Oxford Brookes (Technology Management). It turned out that the subjects I was studying did not correlate to what was appening in the IT market at the time. The curriculum being taught was way out of date. I decided to accept a full time job offer and leave the degree, a decision which I do not regret.
I do not consider myself a natural academic or a particularly studious person. The times I did achieve good grades / exam marks was through sheer hard work rather than being naturally gifted. I decided to mention the above because not everyone is exceptionally bright academically, something that our community, parents in particular, fail to grasp. This is by no means an excuse to allow yourself to fail or not aim high. Anything is possible if one works hard and applies oneself.
Outside of work, I teach Tajwid to both youngsters and adults having studied and gained proficiency in this. Again, teaching was not something I intended to do but my wife forced me to try it (may Allah reward her. She teaches tajwid too) and alhamdulillah I really enjoy it. I am by no means the most qualified for this job, but as with many things, there seems to be a shortage of people who can / will teach (especially Tajwid).
My ‘preferred’ time to teach is after Fajr, since I am a bit of an early bird. I had around 8 students during and after Ramadhan for the Fajr classes and mashaAllah the lessons went well. I also teach at the Karima Weekend School on Saturdays 10 – 1:15. We have about 35 students who are split into 3 classes, each class rotated on an hourly basis. I also teach a more advanced class at the Roundhouse in the town centre on Sundays.
I would advise everyone to at least ‘try’ teaching. You do not necessarily need to be a sheikh or advanced student of knowledge to teach the basics and as many teachers will tell you “the best way to retain knowledge is to teach it”. And there is no dispute that the need is massive in our community.
I am also heavily involved in the High Wycombe Inter-Faith group. In addition to the monthly inter-faith meetings we have, we have also organised the Mosque Open Day, and the Dine @ Mine initiative. Both events were very succesful and inshaAllah we hope these will be regular meeting points for peoples of all faiths
I have travelled quite a bit (Goa, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Turkey, USA, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen) – this exposure to other cultures and traditions helps an individual and broadens one’s perspective of the World. It helps a person to become more rounded and tolerant. Last year I was fortunate enough to attend the 40 day Dowra programme in Tarim, Yemen, which was an amazing experience alhamduliLah. I hope to return one day. Other than hoping to travel to other countires when I can, I am thinking about doing a Muslim Chaplaincy course which would allow me to be of benefit to many more people in terms of dawah. I feel it is a good qualification to have even if you never use it.
I think High Wycombe is a great place to live. You can be in a built-up area and after 5 minutes drive in any direction you are in the beautiful countryside. We have woodlands and so much green space which so many crave. It is a tranquil town although some would disagree!
Abid Hussain
My name is Naghman Khan, I have just started a PhD at the University of Nottingham in sustainable energy technology. The project is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in collaboration with the University of Nottingham and a private company called NuAire based in Cardiff. My research is looking to integrate renewable energy (wind power, solar power etc) into buildings.
I did my undergraduate degree at UCL in physical sciences specialising in physics. Here i developed an interest in environmental issues in particular energy related problems. I then went on to do a MSc in Environmental Technology at Imperial College specialising in energy policy and technology. I finished my MSc in September 2005 and soon after commenced the PhD in Nottingham.
After completing my PhD I expect to continue in this field working with sustainable energy in the built environment. There is increasing recognition and demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly products and services and the UK is a global leader in this regard.
High Wycombe was a great place to grow up. I went to The Cressex School and made some life long friends there. I remember Cressex had a reputation for being quite a rough school but I think if you're prepared to work then its a fine school to be in. Most of my family also live in High Wycombe plus the close knit community makes High Wycombe a very friendly town.
I had a part time job in Woolworths for 5 years which was really good. The town is changing and expanding fast providing many opportunities for young people and all my friends I was at school with are working now, some are even married.
Doing a PhD is a compromise on a lot of things, I'm still living as a student whilst my friends work 9-5 jobs and drive expensive cars...its strange sometimes.
I always look forward to coming back to High Wycombe on the weekends...it’s my home.
Naghman Khan
My name is Zakia Qayum, I am 26 years old and currently working in Wycombe General Hospital as a midwife.
I have lived in High Wycombe all my life for which I am grateful. High Wycombe is a cosy town with a large Muslim (Pakistani) community and recent years have seen more practicing sisters (which was not always the case). It is a community where events are organised and managed by a good group of brothers and sisters.
There have been many changes within this community recently and the younger Muslim generation is playing a more active role than what they have done. I have assisted in the organisation of events but personal circumstances (getting married!) have meant that I have not had the time to do as much as I would like, although I feel I am contributing to the community by the type of work that I do.
My intention was never to become a midwife. I didn’t have many aspirations when I left school but I knew I wanted to work with children.
That is the reason I decided to do a full time 2-year diploma in Childhood Studies. After completing my diploma I worked part-time as a nanny and part-time as a nursery nurse at a local private nursery. I enjoyed both jobs and gained many skills but the work became very monotonous.
I also realised much about myself; one of these things being that I could not remain working in these jobs for the rest of my life. The nanny-ing became extremely un-stimulating although the children and my employer were lovely. As for the nursery, I did not agree with the way the children were cared for. Some children began when they were 6 months old, starting at 7.30 am and finishing at 6.30 pm every day. Sometimes they stayed in one room the whole day and did not, in my opinion, gain the attention they required. This made it difficult for me to work in this environment and was a major reason why I decided toleave the profession.
I decided to apply for nursing and got a place at the University of Luton to do my full time diploma for three years. I enjoyed the training which was very stimulating both mentally and more importantly physically and was a big learning curve.
I learned much as a student nurse especially the social aspect, as you meet all kinds of people. Whilst I was doing my nursing I decided to carry out an evening part time course in photography at the local college.
I wanted to keep my options open and was enthusiastic about doing as much as I could. One of the reasons I decided to do another course was that there were times when nursing was difficult especially working with chronically ill patients and it offered an escape route. The photography was great and allowed me to be a little more creative than what I could be in nursing.
When I qualified as a nurse I was not sure which career path to take. I decided the safer option would be to try different areas. The first area I worked in was acute surgery. I worked 6 months at Wycombe General Hospital after which I was physically drained. All I did during my 6 months due to my shift pattern, was work and eat. After my 6 months I took some time out and went ‘back home’ for a month. When I returned I started applying for a community nurse post and this time I decided I was going to work part time to allow me to do other things.
I worked as a community nurse for 18 months in which time I gained many skills and extended my role. Whilst working I started English language and Literature A levels at a local college. This was the best decision I made, as it was extremely enjoyable and I gained so much knowledge. What helped was having great teachers, but that was luck as I had done no research into the college nor the English department.
I began researching into midwifery as I felt I was gaining no more from my community post. I decided to carry out the midwifery degree for 18 months full time.
I loved midwifery from the moment I started and I hope that the passion continues. The training was difficult especially in the final year as I was getting married but it was well worth the hard work. I finally feel that I have found a career that was meant for me, especially as I had not planned to do this and my choices along the way brought me here. I feel this job benefits the local community especially as there are many non-English speaking clients that are extremely vulnerable in my department.
I am constantly challenged and continue to learn from my new post. I have recently qualified so I am planning to continue where I am.
I am working part time so I can give time to my new and old family!! In the future I would like to specialise in working with ‘Asian’ women and carry out some research into the care that they receive.
Zakia Qayum
Please tell us a bit about yourself. Background, family etc?
I was born in Pakistan, (Mirpur, Azad Kashmir) where I lived until I was ten, when I came to England.
How old where you when you began memorising the Quran and how long did it take?
I began memorising the Quran when I was 12 years old at Jamia Islamia in Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. It took me 4 years to complete memorising the Quran. To become a Hafez was a wish of mine, and by the grace of Allah it came true.
How long have you been leading Tarawih prayers?
I have been leading tarawih prayers for the last 22 years. The last 16 years I have lead the prayers in High Wycombe, AlhamduliLah
How do you feel every time you make khatm (complete) of the Quran in Tarawih. Do you feel a sense of sadness or joy?
My feelings, everytime I make khatm of the Quran are unexplainable. It is the best feeling. I enjoy this day more than Eid-ul-Fitr.
Are there any particular Surahs or ayahs you like reciting (if yes, why)?
I enjoy reading every verse in the Quran. However, I enjoy reading Surat ar-Rahman in particular as this surah is about the blessings of Allah.
Are there any particular recitors of the Quran you listen to?
I listen to various recitors, but mostly I enjoy listening to Qari Abdur Rahman as-Sudais, the Imam of the Haram Sharif in Makka.
Do you have any advice for readers?
My advice to readers is that they should try to read the Quran with its proper pronunciation, as well as reading translations of the Quran so they understand what they are reading. Also, I would advise readers to try and read Quran on a daily basis.
Hafez Sajjad Hussain
