My Muslim Mentor: Supporting early-career Muslim students and professionals through the job market
Mohammed Ali and Fariya, My Muslim Mentor
Just how difficult is it for young Muslims to start a professional career in Britain?
In a 2016 written submission to parliament, Dr Asma Mustafa and Professor Anthony Heath highlight that Muslims face the lowest employment rates and earnings of any British group. And according to the gov.uk Ethnicity facts and figures, in 2022 Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups had an employment rate of just 61%, the lowest employment rates out of all ethnic groups.
So, how can we support the new generation of young Muslims to get the best start in their career?
That’s where My Muslim Mentor steps in. A newly launched faith-aligned and values-based mentoring platform, designed to challenge UK employment statistics, whilst supporting Muslim students and young professionals to transition into the world of work.
Thanks to My Muslim Mentor, students and young professionals can now access mentorship with Muslim professionals from 20+ industries, gaining valuable advice and guidance on how to navigate the first steps into their dream career without sacrificing Islamic values.
Best of all, My Muslim Mentor is completely free. Sign up here now.
Today’s interview is with sister Fariya, strategy and outreach lead at My Muslim Mentor. Fariya explains why a Muslim mentoring platform is needed, the team’s vision, and details the industries and topics of mentorship available.
Tell us a little more about you and the team behind My Muslim Mentor
I’m Fariya, originally from India and currently in my final year studying Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Warwick. I’ve always been passionate about community-building, social mobility, and creating safe, empowering spaces for others. Over the past five years, alhamdulillah, I’ve worked extensively in the nonprofit sector across both India and the UK. This includes running a grassroots charity in India, supporting local and national initiatives in education, mentorship, healthcare, and fundraising, and collaborating with organisations that centre equity and impact.
The My Muslim Mentor team brings together a shared vision and a diverse set of strengths. I lead on strategy and outreach, shaping the platform’s direction and engagement. Mohamed Ali, a fellow Warwick student, serves as our developer and tech lead, ensuring the platform runs smoothly and evolves to meet user needs. Abdullah Faheem, founder of IHSAAN, brings invaluable experience in both leadership and tech infrastructure, helping to scale our vision.
We’re grateful to be supported by a network of experienced advisors and partners who share our vision. Arfah Farooq, founder of Muslamic Makers and Muslim Tech Fest, and Hasan Joudi, President of the Consortium of Muslim Professional Networks, have provided invaluable guidance as we’ve shaped and grown the platform.
Alongside them, the dedicated team at IHSAAN has played a key role in bringing My Muslim Mentor to life, from graphic design to systemisation and operational support. Their behind-the-scenes work ensures the platform not only looks professional but runs smoothly and sustainably and lives up to the standards of “ihsaan” (excellence), alhamdulillah.
Mohammed Ali and My Muslim Mentor team at the Muslim Tech Fest 2025
What is My Muslim Mentor and why did you feel the need to build a mentoring platform for Muslims?
My Muslim Mentor is a mentorship platform built by and for Muslim students and young professionals in the UK.We connect aspiring Muslims with mentors who not only bring professional expertise, but also a shared lived experience of what it means to navigate workplaces as Muslims. The platform is proudly supported by IHSAAN, Muslamic Makers, and the Consortium of Muslim Professional Networks.
We started this platform because many of us grew up never seeing someone who looked like us or understood our values in the spaces we were entering. Whether it was making career choices, dealing with Islamophobia, or simply figuring out how to ask for prayer space at work, we needed someone who got it. Someone who could say, “I’ve been there too.” And that’s exactly what My Muslim Mentor is here to offer.
The need is urgent. Half of all Muslim households in the UK live in poverty, and Muslims remain significantly underrepresented in leadership, making up less than 1 in 10 senior professionals in fields like law, finance, medicine, and politics, despite comprising 6.5% of the population.
These numbers speak to structural barriers that go far beyond talent or ambition. Our platform exists to challenge those barriers, by making visible role models more accessible, and by building a network of support that is faith-informed, values-driven, and deeply committed to lifting as we climb.
Lots of fun with a life-size Instagram cutout at the Muslim Tech Fest 2025!
What gap or need were you hoping My Muslim Mentor would address?
We set out to address the serious gaps in representation, access, and tailored support that many Muslim students and young professionals face.
Muslim graduates have some of the lowest employment rates in the UK, despite entering higher education in growing numbers. This isn’t due to a lack of ambition or talent, it’s a result of structural barriers, underrepresentation, and a lack of support that understands the nuances of faith in the workplace.
Traditional mentorship schemes often overlook the challenges visibly Muslim professionals face, from unconscious bias in recruitment, to unequal pay, to the internal pressure of code-switching just to fit in. We built My Muslim Mentor to change that.
We’re also tackling the “you don’t know what you don’t know” problem. For many, a single conversation with the right mentor, someone who understands both the professional landscape and what it means to navigate it as a Muslim, can be transformational. That kind of support should never be reserved for the well-connected.
My Muslim Mentor exists to make that access more equal, to open doors, and to show young Muslims that their faith is not a limitation, it’s a strength. We want every Muslim student to know they don’t have to walk this journey alone.
What industries or fields do your mentors represent?
Our mentors come from across 20+ industries, including:
Law, Finance, Consulting, and Civil Service
Healthcare, Medicine, and Government
Tech, Engineering, and Startups
Academia, Journalism, and Education
Creative Industries, Marketing, and Media
Non-Profit, NGO, and Social Impact
Construction, Property, Retail, and Hospitality
We’re intentional about representing both high-profile sectors and underrepresented but deeply impactful fields. Inclusivity is at the heart of our model, ensuring that Muslim students and professionals can find relatable guidance in whichever path they choose to pursue.
What topics and skills will the mentorship sessions focus on?
Mentorship sessions focus on both practical career guidance and faith-aligned support.
Topics include:
Navigating grad schemes and applications
Interview skills, CVs, and personal statements
Industry, company and role-specific advice
Dealing with rejection, confidence, and imposter syndrome
Talking about your faith at work
Networking without compromising your values
Transitioning from university to the working world
Balancing family expectations with career goals
Beyond 1:1 mentoring, we also run Mentor Mondays on social media to spotlight inspiring Muslim professionals, and a Topic of the Week series that tackles real challenges faced by our community, with practical advice and insights from those who’ve been there.
Muslim professionals established in their fields can apply to become a mentor.
How are mentors and mentees matched?
That’s the best part – they’re not. My Muslim Mentor is redefining the traditional mentorship model. Instead of fixed pairings or rigid programmes, we’ve built a flexible, user-driven platform that puts mentees in control.
Mentees can browse mentor profiles on our website, filtering by industry, gender, years of experience, skills, and the type of support each mentor offers. Once they’ve found someone who resonates with their goals, they can book a session directly. No waiting, no applications, no gatekeeping.
Sessions are scheduled at the mutual convenience of both mentor and mentee. There’s no pressure for regular check-ins unless both parties want that. Some mentees speak to several mentors across different fields or stages in their journey – and that’s exactly how we’ve designed it.
Before booking, mentees are asked to share a little about themselves and reflect on what they’d like to gain from the session. This helps mentors, who are often busy professionals, tailor their advice and keep the conversation focused and impactful.
Unlike traditional mentorship programmes, we’re a platform. Dynamic, accessible, and flexible. No forced six-month pairings. No awkward check-ins. Just real, meaningful conversations, when you need them, with someone who gets it.
What’s your vision for My Muslim Mentor and the community you serve?
Our vision is for My Muslim Mentor to become the go-to platform for Muslims seeking career guidance, professional networks, and a community that understands their values.
Looking ahead, we aim to:
Expand our mentor network globally, connecting mentees with Muslim professionals across borders to gain international insights and inspiration.
Host in-person events and skill-building workshops that foster confidence, leadership, and a genuine sense of belonging.
Partner with employers and institutions to co-create inclusive pipelines that actively recognise and nurture Muslim talent.
But more than just helping individuals succeed, our long-term goal is to contribute to the economic and social upliftment of the wider Muslim community. When Muslims feel empowered to thrive, confidently and unapologetically, the impact ripples far beyond a single career.
How can people support My Muslim Mentor or get involved?
There are several meaningful ways to support My Muslim Mentor and be part of our growing movement:
Become a mentor: Our onboarding process is simple, and sessions are flexible. You can offer ad-hoc calls that fit around your schedule. Plus, our team is always on hand to support you.
Share our platform: Whether you’re a student, graduate, or professional, spreading the word helps us reach those who need mentorship the most.
Partner with us: We’re actively seeking collaborations with Islamic Societies, university career services, and organisations committed to uplifting Muslim communities.
Follow and engage: Support our journey by following us on social media, sharing your story, engaging with our content, or simply amplifying our mission within your networks.
Sister Fariya, My Muslim Mentor
What challenges have you overcome during your journey of starting a faith-aligned business?
One of the biggest challenges was building trust and visibility in an already crowded careers and mentoring space. We knew from the beginning that My Muslim Mentor couldn’t just be another platform with polished branding, it had to feel different. Being faith-aligned meant ensuring that every element, from our tone of voice to our mentor selection and matching process, reflected sincerity, authenticity, and a deep respect for our values.
We’re proud to say, by the grace of God, that we’ve been able to grow organically through community support and word of mouth. We’ve been blessed with a passionate, mission-driven team and, most importantly, mentors who genuinely care. That sense of purpose is what keeps us going. And when you’re focused on impact, the challenges start to feel more like stepping stones than obstacles.
Finally, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to a fellow Muslim thinking of starting their own faith-based business?
Start with niyyah (intention). Know why you’re doing it, and ground yourself in that purpose when things get tough.
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. Just start. Take the first step. Build in public, stay open to learning, and don’t let fear stop you. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, even when it still feels like an idea scribbled in a notebook.
Values-led businesses are not a niche, they are a need. So trust your instincts, honour your values, and know that your work can fill a gap that no one else is addressing. Your voice, your story, and your solution matter. Get your idea out there.
Photo credits: Muslim Tech Fest
