I sat down with Zara Mohammed to discuss her unique experience as a high profile community leader. Zara talks about the practicalities of government and media engagement and shares personal leadership lessons. She also reflects on what our community needs to do better in order to improve political and civil society participation. Finally we talk about her possible plans for the future.

From 2021-25, Zara was the first woman, the youngest person, and the first Scot to serve as Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the UK’s largest and most diverse Muslim umbrella body. She was also President of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) from 2016-17. Zara currently leads a consultancy focused on developing leadership excellence, strengthening governance, and advancing workplace inclusion.

Follow Zara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaramohammed1/

Check out her current work: https://zara-mohammed.com

Learn more about the MCB: https://mcb.org.uk

(0:00) Trailer

(0:59) The burdens of leadership

(4:22) Zara's 2018 run-in with Iqbal (!)

(14:18) Becoming Secretary General of MCB

(19:52) How to handle media engagement

(24:44) Why won't the government engage with MCB?

(35:59) Avoiding insularity and building alliances

(42:02) Why should anyone donate to MCB?

(48:32) Zara's advice to her successor

(50:56) FOSIS and the future of umbrella organisations

(58:04) Female leaders and young leaders

(1:09:32) Zara's sources of support

(1:16:10) Deciding on Zara's future

(1:24:57) Muslim community or communities?

(1:28:21) Further democratising MCB membership

(1:33:20) Closing thoughts

My speech at the 2018 MCB conference which is referenced at the beginning and end of our discussion is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_EWfn9fIkQ

#11 - Zara Mohammed: What Does Sensible Muslim Political Engagement Look Like?