The Glasgow University Muslim Students Association (GUMSA, pronounced gəmsjɑː) is an Islamic society aimed at catering to Muslim and non-Muslim students at the University of Glasgow. GUMSA was established in 1968 by Dr Mohammad Aslam Ibrahim and is the longest running Muslim student organisation in Scotland and one of the oldest in the United Kingdom. GUMSA's motto is "seeking knowledge is obligatory upon very muslim."
History
1968–1976
The society was founded on 11 November 1968, under the guidance of professor Salah Shahin from the University of the West of Scotland. Shahin approached a group of youth at the University of Glasgow to form a Muslim student organisation. The inaugural meeting, advertised in the Glasgow University Guardian, took place in the Glasgow University Union extension. In the same year, GUMSA member Aziz Khan became the first Scottish president of the Federation of Student Islamic Societies.
Publicity was via hand-written flyers posted across campus. The society was met with no resistance and had regular interfaith contact, particularly with the Christian Union. Iftars to break the fast were held for the community during Ramadan, with food cooked by the members.
In 1971, GUMSA members helped to form their sister society at the University of Strathclyde, the Strathclyde University Muslim Students Association (SUMSA).
Following the departure of the founding members, the organisation began to dwindle in size and underwent periods of inactivity, notably in 1973 following the departure of founder Ibrahim, and again in 1976 following the departure of the president of three years, Mahmoud Akhtar.
1987–1992
In 1987, Mohd Tengku Sembok provided leadership to the society. Sembok later went on to become a prominent member of the academic circle in Malaysia. GUMSA was unable to match the popularity of 'GUAsia,' which was more favoured by individuals of South Asian descent. This, in conjunction with the Malaysian government providing significantly less funding for overseas study grants, resulted a larger portion of GUMSA's members coming from the city of Glasgow.
Whilst there was no pause in GUMSA's running between the academic session of 1990 and 1991, there was no communication between former and incoming leaders. The leaders at this time, Ruzwan Mohammed and Zahid Hanif, were new to GUMSA. Due to this, the society was restructured.
The society had little engagement when compared with the Pakistani society of the time. Mohammed, who served as the chairman at the time, made a concerted effort to keep in contact with the society following his departure from the University. He continues to hold a yearly class for the society.
1994–1999
Following a short period of inactivity, the society again had to start from scratch with initial meetings taking place in a mosque off the University campus on Oakfield Avenue. Many large events were held by the committee in this period, such as in the University Bute hall with nasheed artist Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens), lectures, including "Islam: Oppressed or Oppressive", and a play titled The Return of Salahudeen featuring prominent figures in the Muslim community. Imam Siraj Wahhaj also visited the society to speak. The event took place on the Glasgow University Campus in the Wellington Church. The era saw the society make its first website – unusual for the time.
The period also became one of the most politically active the society has seen. Many members ran for positions within the Students' Representative Council (SRC) - particularly for positions within the council executive committee.
Around this time, GUMSA helped another of its sister organisations to form: CUMSA (Caledonian University Muslim Students Organisation), which would grow into another prominent and active society within the Muslim community of Glasgow.
The general secretary of the society was Azhar Ali, who also went on to revive the Federation of Student Islamic Societies Scotland branch.
The period was also the first time in which the society held an "Islam Awareness Week", which it continues to hold. The week involved interfaith events which were amongst the first being held in Scotland at that time.
2000-2004
2003 saw the first big change in the logo used by the organisation. A GUMSA member - Maarya Sharif sketched a design of someone in "sujood" or 'prostration' which Muslims perform during their five daily prayers. The concept of a Muslim in prostration continued onto the next logo version.