The Amina Team
Our governance team is comprised of a board of trustees that are rooted within Muslim and BME communities across Scotland. Our board members are ‘experts by experience’ and have practice-based understanding of the barriers disadvantaged and marginalised BME women experience. Our trustees serve an average of three years on the board, where re-election to the board is required every two years. The diversity of our board membership reflects the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of the communities we serve. The Amina board meets every six weeks and has subcommittees from HR/Personnel to Finance, Fundraising, and Strategy.
Board Members
Iqra Arsalan
Iqra joined the Amina board in June 2022.
Presently a Welfare officer, Iqra is also working towards a Masters in International Human Rights Law (LLM).
Iqra carries out volunteer work with local food banks, and currently runs an animal welfare organisation in Karachi with her husband called ARTS Animal Hospital. It is Karachi’s first and only animal hospital dedicated to the free treatment of stray animals. She is also one of the founders of Feed the poor Karachi, a charitable organisation in Pakistan which assists vulnerable people with no financial means.
Iqra is inspired by the human rights work of Amina, a subject very close to her heart. As a BME Muslim woman, she strongly believes in the work Amina does to support BME women.
Sarah has been involved with Amina in a variety of capacities since 2014.
She holds an MA in Social Science from the University of Glasgow with a focus on public policy.
Sarah works in the third sector on Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. She volunteers across the sector with women and children who are survivors of gender-based violence and/or sexual assault.
Sarah Anne Todd
Elisa Sajed
Elisa is a PhD researcher at the University of Strathclyde investigating domestic abuse in South Asian faith communities in Scotland. She has an MSc in Gender Studies and BA (Hons) in Sociology and Criminology.
Elisa has been involved with voluntary service working with women from BAME communities for many years, encouraging political integration and activity, as well as supporting and advocating for minority women suffering from domestic abuse.
Her motivation for joining the board at Amina is to channel her expertise into an organisation which understands the difficulties faced by minority women at both individual and structural levels. Elisa also stands as a board member to provide representation for disabled Muslim women and carers.
Alison is currently a Helpline volunteer, and was previously employed as the Financial Advocacy worker with Amina MWRC.
She left employment due to carer responsibilities but is very happy to stay involved as a volunteer!
Her other interests include being a volunteer for Police Scotland with their National Independent Strategic Group. She has been a Trustee for other charities, including in roles as Chair and Vice Chair.
Alison's previous employment was as a Manager and Volunteer Coordinator with a mental health advocacy charity.
She is also a proud Granny!
Alison Wilson
Maryam Kayani
Maryam is a law graduate from the University of Strathclyde, and holds a Master of Literature in Gender Studies from the University of St Andrews.
Alongside her formal education, she pursues religious studies to contextualise Islam in the 21st century.
An Aziz Foundation scholar, Maryam is committed to community building and advocating for BME representation and social justice. She has worked within the Muslim community for years and, through volunteering, organises fundraising campaigns, educational events and initiatives to support vulnerable communities.
Maryam is passionate about supporting grassroots initiatives, centred around empowering and uplifting young people.
A revert Muslimah, Fariha came to Islam 30 years ago and has been active in the Muslim community since, undertaking Muslim youthwork and being a Founder Member, first Lead Staff Member and later a Board Director for Amina MWRC.
With a post graduate Diploma in Community and Social Work, Fariha worked for over 40 years in Community Development, both, in local government and the voluntary sector.
Most recently, she headed up Youth Community Support Agency, a Black & Minority Ethnic youthwork charity, before retiring in 2021. Fariha also served as a Glasgow City Councillor for the Govan ward from 2012 -2017.
Fariha has also served on a wide range of charitable Boards, including a Housing Association and the Muslim Council of Scotland. Fariha is delighted to have been elected to rejoin the Amina Board at the 2024 AGM.
Fariha Thomas
