Sofia Haq, Immigration Liaison Officer, Cairo

Ms Sofia Haq has worked in the British Embassy Cairo for over three years. As well as her full-time job as an Immigration Liaison Officer she has proactively sought out opportunities above and beyond her core role with UKBA. She has actively championed the civil service’s diversity message in all of her dealings with staff, both UK-based and locally employed. Thanks to her, where before there was no diversity committee, the embassy now has a functioning committee committed to ensuring that diversity is embedded throughout all embassy functions.

Sofia was interviewed by a magazine Nisf-Eddonia about being a female veiled Muslim UK diplomat and gave a hugely positive appraisal of her experiences in the UK and Egypt, particularly during Ramadan and in the aftermath of the 7/7 bombings. This led to a similar interview with the Al Azhar Association of Graduates. First Secretary Political commented that both interviews and follow-ups significantly contributed to the FCO PREVENT Agenda.

Sofia also organised an embassy-wide Iftar, an event previously criticised for its organisation. By changing the format and championing inclusion, including negotiating use of the ambassadorial residence, she delivered an exceptional team-building event.

She contributed to FCO’s News and Views, on changing the Middle Eastern perception about Muslim life in Britain. And in Frontier World she wrote about her role as a Immigration Liaison Officer and the success she has had implementing intelligence principles within a predominantly Arab/Muslim region.

Sofia directly addressed over 100 staff about the importance of working together as team, embracing differences to enrich the embassy and observing tolerance. She gave personal examples and reinforced her message that a perceived religious divide would damage relations and the embassy’s ability to succeed. Her account was personal, direct and honest and put a stop to malicious rumours and destructive talk about religious divisions in the embassy.

Ms Haq has shown evidence of all four P's: Pride, Passion, Pace and Professionalism in her dedicated approach to diversity in all its forms. Ms Haq leaves Cairo this summer and leaves behind a diversity legacy based on civil service core values that will endure.