Ustadha Khola Hasan
(Office Director/ Scholar)
Background & Education
Ustadha Khola Hasan was born in Saudi Arabia, attended primary school in Kenya, and has spent most of her life in London.
She is also currently pursuing the five-year ʿĀlimiyyah programme at As Salam Institute, specialising in the Islamic sciences and training towards roles in religious leadership, scholarship, and guidance.
Her teachers include distinguished scholars and academics such as Suhaib Hasan Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Abdel Haleem, Masood Baderin, Akram Nadwi, Salah Al Ghobashi, Lynn Welchman, Werner Menski, and Ahmad Barouni.
Writing & Media
Her writing and public speaking career began at an early age. At 17, she authored The Crumbling Minarets of Spain, which was later published in England and translated into Arabic and Urdu internationally.
She is also an established broadcaster, contributing to both television and radio. In 2005, she participated in a BBC Radio 4 debate on “Women in Islam” alongside Irshad Manji, which went on to win the Sony Gold Prize for Best Speech Programme.
She also took part in the renowned Doha Debates, addressing the issue of equality for women.
Professional Experience
She worked for eight years as an Intervention Provider with the Home Office, working with police, prison, and social services in relation to young people at risk of radicalisation.
She serves as Office Director and Counsellor at the Islamic Shariah Council.
Community Engagement & Outreach
She has contributed regularly to Imams Online and maintains her own blog, sharing insights on contemporary issues, faith, and community.
Through her work, she engages in counselling, education, and public discourse, contributing to discussions around Islam, society, and modern challenges.
More on Ustadha Khola Hasan
BBCDohaDebates - June 1, 2005 - Series 1 Episode 7 (Part 3)
On 1 June 2005, The Doha Debates discussed the motion “This House believes that Arab women should have full equality with men.” Speakers included Toujan Faisal and Tareq Al Suwaidan for, and Sheikh Jihad Brown and Khola Hassan against. The motion passed with 85.8% in favor and 14.2% against.
Watch here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkhKhjx2esY&list=PLyCESSbmtFDt-oGBTWi8YrgNDyFMKJAJj&index=16
What British Muslims Really Do – April 14, 2017 – Episode 3 (Extended Interview)
On 14 April 2017, an uncut extended interview was released from Episode 3 of What British Muslims Really Do, featuring Ustadah Khola Hasan.
Watch here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnrIpUWcSyM&t=1343s
Publications
“The crumbling minarets of Spain”, Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd, circa 1986.
Translation from Urdu of “The many shades of Shirk”, Al Quran Society, 1988.
“Social and Medical effects of consanguineous marriages within the British Mirpuri community”, Albatross Consultancy Ltd, 2009.
An article entitled “Hijab: a symbol of Modesty or Seclusion?” in “Islam and the Veil”, edited by Theodore Gabriel and Rabiha Hannan, 2011.
A biographical article entitled “My British Hijab” in the Muslim Institute’s journal Critical Muslim Vol. 05, January 2013.
“The Islamic Shariah Council’s response to Baroness Cox’s Arbitration and Mediation Bill”, The Islamic Shariah Council, February 2014.
“A Coursebook in Islam, (Volume 1)” 7th ed, Al Quran Society, 2014