Zahida Mallard

Speaking out for social justice

Alongside being a busy wife and mum, Zahida Mallard is building a faith that's living and breathing and relevant for today, both at church, and as a member of General Synod, the Church of England's 'parliament'.

At St Lawrence's Church in Eldwick near Bingley, Zahida performs a miscellany of roles: 'Sunday Club, which I help to run; also leading housegroup; things like being on the intercessors' rotas; sidesperson - all those activities, some of which happen behind the scene rather than in front for people to observe.'

As a member of the House of Laity of General Synod, she attends two Synods a year, one at London in February and one in York in July - the more informal fringe meetings at the latter appealing the most 'because that is when you get to speak to somebody or sit next to somebody'.

When it comes to debates, Zahida sometimes feels frustrated when she sees the same people contributing over and over again - but is often inspired by sessions and has a number of favourite moments: 'Some of the debates that we've had around social justice - because that is something that I feel quite strongly about - or anything to do with young people or children.'

In perhaps characteristic fashion, Zahida's maiden speech was an unplanned and passionate reference to a news story that underlined the human rights of the individual: 'It was the follow-up to the Stephen Lawrence inquiry and the Church's response - and it's something that I could relate to very easily.'

In fact for Zahida, General Synod is all about giving a voice to people with a vision - not just to well-known names: 'Whether that's Nelson Mandela or whether that's Desmond Tutu or whether that's somebody else - I wouldn't particularly want to say one person is who I put my hope in, 'cause my hope is in God, whatever form God takes.'

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