Ba educator using storytelling to inspire communities

A Ba-born educator is using storytelling and unity to strengthen education and community connections across New Zealand and Fiji.

Mohammed Rizwan Hussein, originally from Namada in Ba, is deputy principal at Al-Madinah School in Auckland, New Zealand.

“I believe in leaving things better than I found them so that when I move on, I know I have made a real difference,” he said.

“To me, success is about working alongside people to achieve better outcomes and ensuring that we move forward as a collective rather than leaving anyone behind.”

The 44-year-old is married and has three sons.

Mr Hussein attended Ba Muslim Primary School and Kamil Muslim College before moving to New Zealand in 1997. He completed secondary school at Mangere College before earning a Bachelor of Education.

“Being at Kamil College taught me the impact that good education and good educators can have,” he said.

“This inspired me to become a teacher, although at one point I did think about becoming a lawyer.”

Mr Hussein has been teaching since 2004, spending most of his career in state schools in New Zealand.

He also spent five years teaching in Abu Dhabi, an experience he described as important to his growth as an educator.

Al-Madinah School is a state-integrated Islamic school.

His role involves overseeing curriculum development and administration while ensuring students receive a high standard of education in a supportive environment.

“It is a unique and rewarding place to work because we focus on academic excellence while also upholding the values and traditions of our community,” he said.

“My goal there, much like my mission in life, is to work alongside our staff and families to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students.

“It is about building a strong foundation for the next generation, making sure they have the tools and confidence to succeed in whatever path they choose.”

Strengthening Ba Football through storytelling

Mr Hussein joined the Ba Football Association media team in 2023 at the invitation of vice-president Zaim Ali.

“At the time, there was a clear disconnect and a lot of frustration among the fans,” he said.

“Once I was inside the association, I saw the immense hard work and personal sacrifices being made by the officials under Amzad Khan’s leadership.

“I realised my role was to bridge that gap and help fans understand that we all want the same thing — success.”

“We cannot achieve that in isolation, which is why I created the motto #StrongerTogether. It was about building awareness that when the fans and the association stand as one, success becomes inevitable.”

He said the message was reflected in Ba’s success when the side won the 2023 Inter-District Championship after a difficult earlier campaign.

“Now, under the presidency of Praneel Dayal, that legacy of strong leadership continues,” he said.

“His business background and the Dayal family reputation are driving the club forward at a rapid pace, but the core message remains the same. Ba football thrives when the fans and officials work together.”

Mr Hussein handles content creation, media and marketing for the Ba Football Association.

“While people might describe me as the voice of the club, I see my role as a storyteller,” he said.

“The real heavy lifting is done by the players and officials on the ground.

“My task is to keep the fans informed and make sure the hard work happening behind the scenes is properly acknowledged and shared with the community.

“I appreciate the trust Praneel Dayal has in me to deliver this for Ba football. If I could, I would move to Fiji to do this role for Ba football.”

As someone born and raised in Ba, Mr Hussein said his connection to the town remained strong.

“Football is the heartbeat of the town. It is more than just a sport there,” he said.

“It is part of our identity and a source of immense pride for the community. Growing up, you see how much the team means to the people, and that passion stays with you.

“When the opportunity came up to give back to the association, it felt like a natural fit. I wanted to use my skills to support the club that has given so much joy to my family and friends over the years.

“It is about honouring that legacy and ensuring the next generation of fans feels that same pride and connection to the Men in Black.”