Meet the bmslg team

The Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG) consists of members of the Bristol Muslim communities, our Statutory Partners and our Associate Partners.  We have an Executive Committee which consists of the BMSLG founding members and our Vice Chairs who ensure that we are guided by our aims and purpose.

prof adeela
​shafi mbe

BMSLG Strategy Group Member 
Adeela is an Associate Professor in Education at the University of Gloucestershire and founding member of BMSLG. She is currently vice Chair of the Scrutiny of Police Powers for A&S Constabulary. Adeela brings project conceptualisation and management experience to BMSLG and has shaped the vision for strategic Muslim community development in Bristol.

MOHAMED
​A SAYAQLE

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Mohamed is founder of Bristol Somali Youth Voice which empowers disadvantaged young people in Bristol. Leading a range of community programs from grass roots level to strategic level, Mohamed advocates for justice, representation, equality and active citizenship.  He has extensive experience of working with communities and statutory partners.
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ruksana
​aslam

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Ruksana is Advocacy Co-ordinator for Reconstruct Children’s Services. She is founder of new Muslim burial land, Meadows of Peace and Funeral Co-ordinator for Aslam Funeral Services. Ruksana sits on the BTIT management committee and has a key administrative role in BMSLG Executive Committee to enable its inspiring purpose and vision.
Ruksana leads the overall administration of BMSLG

SAED
​ALI

BMSLG Strategy Group Member

Saed is a freelance interpreter.  He is Chair of Boards of Directors at Bristol Somali Resource Centre and Trustee of Easton and Lawrence Hill neighbourhood management [Upourstreet]. Saed serves the community in various capacities and brings a wealth of experience to BMSLG about community issues particularly those who are marginalised.
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ABDUL
​TARIQ SAMAD

​BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Abdul Tariq is a Mechanical Engineer consultant, founding member of Council of Bristol Mosques. He has led NHS policy change in Bristol on Muslim foetus burial and structural design of Muslim burials.  Abdul brings to BMSLG his extensive knowledge and experience to contribute to strategic direction of Muslim progress in Bristol.

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Mohamed
​Berber

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Mohamed Berber is a Police Officer.
Mohamed brings a wealth of experience regarding crime prevention and victim support to BMSLG to make communities safer.​





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jehad
​alrefaie

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
For more than ten years, I have been involved in the humanitarian and development sectors, in Syria, Turkey, and finally in the UK. I have gained extensive experience in designing and supervising empowerment programs for refugees and migrants. Studying MBA and an Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc helped me manage interventions with effective innovative outputs for real-life challenges.​
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ABDUL
​BASHARAT

BMSLG Strategy Group Member

​Abdul is an experienced MD/CEO and has managed and grown various SME businesses over the years. Currently working as a Business Improvement Consultant to help business to improve their efficiency and profitability. Abdul brings extensive experience of strategy, process improvement and working with key stakeholders at every level to BMSLG.
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Aziz
​deen

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Aziz Deen is a solicitor specialising in Islamic Finance and Commercial Property. He is a committed social activist appearing on BBC Question Time and is a first class graduate from the University of Manchester’s Law School. Aziz has been a longstanding supporter of BMSLG since its inception in 2019 and joined the group officially in 2023 after hosting the Bristol Muslim Conference on behalf of BMSLG.​
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Shakila
​Jahan

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
​Shakila is a member of the BTIT Sunday Islamic School and enjoys volunteering for other various organisations including St John’s Ambulance and Southmead Hospital. Before she started university to study Neurophysiology, she worked in the NHS as a clinical assistant and is hoping to use her experience in healthcare and in the community to make a difference that will inspire the newest generation of Muslims through BMSLG.​
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Edin
​ahmed

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Edin Ahmed, a seasoned accountant and dedicated manager at Lloyds Banking Group. With over 15 years' expertise in various sectors, I bring extensive knowledge to finance. Co-founder of Lloyds Muslim Network, recognised as Lloyds Banking Group Ethnicity Role Model for two years. Elected Education and Media Secretary for the Bristol Bangladesh Association. Beyond my professional role, I engage with the Bengali community through TV and radio. ​​

Sayeed
​Jahan

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Sayeed is a young member of BMSLG, soon to begin studying Aerospace Engineering in university. With a strong passion for innovation and community service, he is eager to make meaningful contributions in his field, as well as within his community. After previously volunteering for BTIT Sunday Islamic School, where he developed key skills in teamwork and communication. He now looks forward to applying those experiences with BMSLG, while also learning new skills and gaining broader perspectives.

MOhima
​hussain

BMSLG Strategy Group Member
Mohima Hussain is currently a National Accounts and Business Development Manager, where she oversees relationships with key clients and manages large-scale accounts. In addition to her professional role, she has a strong academic background in Islamic Studies, holding both a BA and MA in the field, and has achieved the designation of Aalima, reflecting a deep commitment to Islamic scholarship. Moreover, she actively contributes to environmental causes, serving as a trustee for the Project Against Plastic initiative, where she helps lead efforts aimed at combating plastic pollution.

Your statutory partners

We have partnered up with Bristol City Council, NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, The CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) and Avon & Somerset Police to map the priorities from the Bristol Muslim communities to those of our Statutory Partners so we can work together to achieve them. 

CC SARAH CREW

BMSLG Statutory Partner
Avon & Somerset Police
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Sarah is Chief Constable at A&S Police and active lead/champion for Inclusion and Diversity within the constabulary and National police lead for Adult Sexual Offences and chairs the South West region Anti-Slavery Partnership. Sarah works with BMSLG to connect their priories with A&S for coherence and joined-up actions.

DEBORAH EL-SAYED

BMSLG Statutory Partner
NHS Clinical Commissioning Group

​Deborah is Executive Director of Transformation,  responsible for driving innovation and strategic development of quality NHS services. She has worked in operational delivery, innovation, and service redesign, emphasising the use of data, technology and user experience/insights to drive design of health and care services and brings this to BMSLG.

REBECCA BALDWIN-CANTELLO

BMSLG Statutory Partner 
Bristol City Council

YOUR ASSOCIATE PARTNERS

Our Associate Partners help and support BMSLG with practical advice, guidance and research.

PROF THERESE O'TOOLE

BMSLG Associate Partner
University of Bristol

Therese is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bristol. Her research looks at Muslim civic engagement at local and national levels and how participatory opportunities can be improved. Therese is keen to explore how research-based evidence and insights can help to advance the work of the BMSLG.
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SADO
JIRDE

BMSLG Associate Partner
Black Network South West (BNSW)
Sado has experience of simultaneously managing multiple projects, proactively engaging with key stakeholders and influencing them to embrace change in order to deliver positive outcomes.  She is an expert in  developing mutually beneficial, strategic relationships with key decision makers to maximising opportunities and increase engagement and participation.

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ALEX
​RAIKES MBE

BMSLG Associate Partner
SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality)
Alex is the Strategic Director of SARI. She set up the Tackling Islamophobia Working Group (TIWG) 5 years ago. Via SARI, Alex has worked tirelessly to: raise awareness of Islamophobic Hate; promote reporting; support victims and ensure a best practice response to incidents by agencies.  Alex supports BMSLG by ensuring that victims are well supported.
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