Biggest Influencer

There was a post written by one of my favourite LinkedIn influencer's Hannah Moser ‘who inspires you the most’. I could think of many at different stages, family, friends and colleagues all of whom have played a pivotal part in who I am today. There is one standout, my older sister Hafsa Hussain the first-born sibling in my family and of all my immediate cousins. The reason for this article is to celebrate the outstanding educational achievement of her son Rayyan Akram having recently achieved straight A’s in his A-levels. There is a lot more to it and it was worth more than a post and personally I have been meaning to write an article therefore could not think of a better motivator.

So my sister who I love dearly, the sort of love that is real that doesn’t really get the appreciation/acknowledgement it warrants for what the person has contributed in your life. In her time as a British Bengali growing up in the 70’s and 80s’ in South West London Tooting (not the funky Tooting you meet your friends for a night out in today) there she was. Now I am not one to go on about culture, race and religion too much but back then it was everything, it was how generally speaking things were determined for you in life. The typical stereotypes apply here the pressures from the community to get her married off from the age of 16 but my parents were cool (that is another article ?? they were something special indeed) they fought that off. My point here is she was a trailblazer intelligent, stylish, independent and all about her family. Everyone wanted a piece of her, other parents wanted to adopt her and any girl who knew her around that time wanted to be her (they will secretly admit that). She was outstanding in education, writing, speaking it was like having the ultimate life role model in front of you. I mean I am not joking her handwriting was like it was printed in italic off a computer, her folders were organised like she was the PA to the Prime Minister and she spoke like she was royalty. This was with no support, no private education, no educated role models in our family and the 1000 restrictions for an Asian Muslim Woman in those times – this was all on her own.

She on her own educated me and my brother above and beyond school from the age of as far back as I can remember, I mean she literally produced times table books of her own better than what you have today (all handwritten). She was firm and did not take any messing around. She attended our parent’s evenings, followed up on our reports and set us her own targets (I mean I remember one teacher staring at her after my sister eloquently spoke and she said to her in shock how are you this odd boy’s sister). These skills I still have today, in particular the way I write and using my imagination. I used to read her letters, her work and how she used words, she inspired me. She made us learn words in the dictionary and tested us every week, she literally unlocked our potential. Anyway, now the trip down memory lane is done fast forward to the present day.

As a single mother she raised two children Zafira and Rayyan, with struggles beyond belief as well as being the central support hub for my entire family. Zafira is 21 (I think – bad uncle) and is now in her final years studying Medicine (with outstanding results at both GCSE and A-level). Then comes her son Rayyan which I relate to a little bit more as a young boy growing up in South London (without my late father from a young age). It was very easy to go the wrong way so I was a bit more concerned about him as my niece was a good girl from the start. He and my sister proved me wrong, he absolutely smashed his GCSE’s with so many A’s and A+s that I can’t remember to the point he was acknowledged for outstanding achievement by the Bangladeshi Embassy for young British Bengali's (my niece previously attained this accolade). However, I was still not convinced because for me the toughest part of my life was always A-levels not just the studying but managing the new found freedom as you become a young adult so I reserved judgement.

Guess what, my sister and nephew proved me wrong again with straight A’s at Psychology, French and English Literature. So that’s it I give in and admit I am immensely proud of him. Not just his educational achievements but as a young man and the character he has demonstrated. For both Rayyan and Zafira I could not write an article long enough to list all their extra-curricular activities for example to name but a few: Taekwondo trophies, Sea cadets, Police Cadets, Royal Marines, Acting (yes even with David Hasselhoff on Broadway), Internships, Football, Volleyball for England (Rayyan achieved a sports scholarship too), Music, Charity work, Sailing (yes my niece is a qualified instructor) and she is also a football coach! I thought I was fancy in school playing the guitar and drums (tut tut).

My sister, honestly should start up her own tutoring/life coaching academy for young kids (anyone out there DM me so I can make money out of her as an unofficial agent). It simply amazes me and words are not enough. Rayyan good luck, off to study Law with French at Nottingham University (any of my contacts in Law want the next best thing here is your man). So, until my next article when these two are finished educationally and start their amazing careers it is adios and thank you for reading.

Yours sincerely,

A damn proud brother and uncle.