Ayaan Institute recently advertised for three summer internships in different areas of our work. We were delighted to receive a huge response from all over the world – 91 applications from people of all faiths and none from the UK, USA, Canada, Netherlands, Ireland, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Italy, Qatar, Kashmir, Turkey, and many other places.

We shortlisted 15 talented people, and the Directors have now interviewed them all in the past week. We faced a difficult decision in selecting just three. It has been a pleasant and refreshing experience for the Directors, and a learning curve for us too. We have learned: –

• There is a good deal of interest in our work.
• There are plenty of young talented people with skills and experiences to offer.
• Many are also doing courageous thinking and challenging research for their higher degrees.
• That we as a Muslim community and UK society need to do more to harness and employ the talent available among our youth.

“Ayaan Institute is just six months old and are not able to do more than our current resources allow. However, the Directors have thought about this and will seek to provide more opportunities for engagement and work soon Insha’Allah. To those who have been unlucky on this occasion, we are sorry and hope the disappointment will not deter you from future opportunities with Ayaan.”
Jahangir Mohammed, Director Chair of Ayaan Institute

“Going through the shortlisted candidates for the Ayaan Institute summer internship was genuinely inspiring for me — to see the enthusiasm, idealism, commitment directed towards a more unified and productive future for the umma. Our goal at Ayaan is that it remains a space where young talent is nurtured to contribute towards better futures for Muslims around the world, towards seeking solutions beyond the diagnosis of our current problems and challenges.”
Yahya Birt, Research Director, Ayaan Institute

“It was exciting to be part of the interview process and get to know some brilliant young people keen to join the Ayaan Institute. Meeting the prospective candidates showed us that there is so much talent and enthusiasm amongst our communities for working on research projects that impact society for the better. I hope we can learn from our appointed interns and from those who choose to take part in our future programmes.”
Dr Sadia Habib, Research Director, Ayaan Institute