Since 2012, a portion of the UK population have been effectively denied access into higher education. The tripled fees also came with the addition of real interest. For Muslims, interest bearing loans are regarded as forbidden meaning that some students felt they could no longer aspire to higher education.

For me it meant watching my sisters accept that they could not progress to university. By the time I applied, the solution to this problem had been agreed upon so I deferred my entry certain that it would be available. This wasn't the case so ended up having to work full time during my studies and 70/80 hour weeks in the holidays. Being on minimum wage meant that this still wasn’t enough.

I’ve since been able to receive support but there are countless students suffering in silence, feeling hopeless and trying to navigate this systematic barrier by themselves. Those most affected are from the poorest background with little to no family support. Now with COVID, those who used employment to get through are also struggling

The government are aware and have a solution that is legislated and ready. This alternative student finance is based on a Takaful structure and will be available to ALL-no student regardless of faith will be disadvantaged. The only thing left is political will to get it done

This is an equality issue and if you believe all students deserve the right to an education please sign, share and email your MP to put pressure on the department of education to make ASF available urgently

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