Tom Harrigan MBE – Head of External Relations
On retiring at the rank of Chief Inspector in 2005 after 30 years service with Strathclyde Police, Tom was appointed to the position of Inter Faith Liaison Officer with Glasgow City Council. Tom was honoured in 2005 by HRH Queen Elizabeth II when he received an MBE for services to the Police and the Community.
Anela Anwar – Head of Projects
Anela, a graduate in Law, has over ten years experience working with minority ethnic communities spanning training, research, youth empowerment and community engagement. She has developed and lead several grass roots projects aimed at minority ethnic communities, particularly minority ethnic women and young people.
Shaukat Sultan – Project Manager
Shaukat, a respected and long standing community activist, manages roshni’s community engagement and outreach programmes as well as the Protection You Protecting Children project. Shaukat has a wealth of experience in the voluntary sector and social care field across the UK and Australia. Shaukat, a qualified counsellor, is passionate about the safety and wellbeing of minority ethnic communities in Scotland.
Stephen Whitelaw – Communications & Digital Media
Stephen combines a solid educational and technical background with over two decades of business experience. After co-founding the software company Buchanan International Inc in Silicon Valley, Stephen founded the UK headquarters of Buchanan in Scotland. Stephen spent three years working in the field of Enterprise Security in both the USA and Russia. Stephen is married with one child.
Paul Pia – Governance
Paul, a graduate in law and economics , Paul became a corporate lawyer and was a partner of Burness LLP ( now Burness, Paull & Willimsons LLP) from 1974 until 2010, In addition to advisory and transactional work in the private , public and third sectors , he was the “man of business” for numerous clients as a business advisor, director or trustee. He advised many charities was rated by Chambers as an expert in charity law. Since demitting office as a law partner, Paul has continued to provide the services of legal counsel , business advisory , trustee and director.
Shameem Ahmed – Community Support Officer
Shameem has been actively involved in community work, having set up a children’s weekend school and is currently working as a trainee relationship counsellor. Shameem is passionate about ensuring the well being of childen, young people and adults within ME communites. Having been an active supporter of roshni since its inception, Shameem is now part of the roshni team. Her varied skill sets and determination will bring a new dimension to the work of roshni.
Nasim Azad – East of Scotland Co-ordinator
Nasim Azad is based in Edinburgh. Nasim is a well known and respected community activist. Nasim is involved in numerous community projects, including Interfaith initiatives, women’s issues and women’s rights.
Nasim co-ordinates roshni’s numerous projects in the East of Scotland.
Vali Hussein – Project Officer / North of Scotland Co-ordinator
Vali Hussein has many years of experience working with minority ethnic communities, both in professional and voluntary capacities. Vali, a graduate of Theology, has practiced as an Imam and Chaplain across the UK. Vali, who holds a certificate in counselling, also has experience of delivering training within minority ethnic communities on sensitive topics such as abuse. Vali is involved with a number of other charities where he has an active role in fundraising and promotion.
Vali co-ordinates roshni’s projects in the north of Scotland.
Shaykh Hassan Rabbani – Project Officer
Shaykh Rabbani, the only Scotland born Muslim graduate of the prestigious Al-Azhar University in Cairo, is a leading luminary in Islamic theology. Hassan was selected for the ground breaking joint University of Cambridge and Al-Azhar University Cairo leadership and training programme. Shaykh Rabbani has taught Islamic studies and practiced as an Imam/Faith Advisor across the UK.
Zia Ul Haq – Project Officer
Coming soon
Saira Ghulam – Project Officer
Coming soon
Amrita Ahluwalia – Policy and Research Officer
Coming soon
Seonaid Stevenson – Policy and Research Officer
Seonaid, a graduate in Law and English Literature, is passionate about ensuring the safety and wellbeing of minority ethnic children, young people and vulnerable adults. Seonaid has shown a real commitment to working with communities on issues such as rights and empowerment, ensuring that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard. We are delighted to have Seonaid on board as a research intern. Seonaid will carry out research into the perceptions of child abuse withinScotland’s minority ethnic communities.
Lauren Wilks - Intern
Lauren, originally from West Yorkshire, Lauren is currently based in Edinburgh where she is studying for an MSc by Research in Sociology funded by the
ESRC. She has particular interest in immigration policy and gender-based violence. Previously Lauren studied history at the University of Edinburgh. She has also completed internships with the Carnegie UK Trust, the British Red Cross and, more recently, Seva Mandir - rural development NGO based in southern Rajasthan. As an intern at roshni, Lauren contributes briefings and articles for the website.
Arsalan Rashid – It Support
Arsalan,a graduate in Computer Engineering. Arsalan is part of the continuing e learning development team in roshni. He has skill sets in the design and construction of the innovative elearning modules being currently developed by roshni. he also runs the It support for roshni.
Volunteers
roshni owe a tremendous debt to our volunteers, past, present and hopefully for the future. they are too numerous to individualise, however, that is exactly what will be done in the very near future.
roshni will set up an additional page to individually thank and name each volunteer who has given their time effort and energy.
