KU graduate becomes first Muslim minister

Kingston graduate Hadia Tajik has been made Culture Minister of Norway.


Ingvild Olaussen


Former KU student Hadia Tajik created history when she became Norway’s new Culture Minister, setting a milestone as the first Muslim cabinet member in Norway.


Ms Tajik, 29, also became the youngest minister the country has ever had. She graduated from Kingston University in 2005 with a Master’s degree in human rights.


She said: “My stay at Kingston University was a time when I matured and developed personally and intellectually.


“I remember Professor Brian Brivati urging us repeatedly to ‘think harder’ during his lessons on the politics of mass murder and understanding human rights. I try to live by the notion of thinking harder in my daily work.”