Arwa Hanin Elrayess has made history by winning the Oxford Union election for the Trinity term 2026, according to the university’s student newspaper Cherwell.
The philosophy, politics and economics student won the closely fought race with 757 votes, finishing 155 votes ahead of rival candidate Liza Barkova.
Her father, Mohamed Elrayess, celebrated her victory on LinkedIn, saying she is the first Arab woman, and the first Palestinian and Algerian, to be elected to the position.
Elrayess ran on a pledge to restore stability within the society, promising to separate internal disputes from the debates the Union hosts. She said recent governance issues had distracted from the Union’s core purpose.
The Oxford Union, one of the world’s most recognised student-run debating societies, often hosts high-profile speakers on international affairs. Earlier this year, a debate on India-Pakistan relations drew attention after the Indian delegation withdrew at the last moment.
Speaking to Cherwell, Arwa said the Union was facing “very difficult times” and needed a fresh start, stressing transparency, financial responsibility and its identity as a platform for free speech.
She has also contributed to the documentary Heart of a Protest, which explored pro-Palestine demonstrations in the UK.
Tensions within the Union have grown in recent times. Former presidents George Abaraonye and Moosa Harraj both faced no-confidence motions.
Harraj, a Pakistani student, became the second student from Pakistan to lead the Union within a year, following Israr Khan in 2024. Pakistani representation remains strong, with Aitchison College graduate Shahmir Aziz currently serving on the Secretary’s Committee.
Good for her . She should avoid Pakistanis/ indians on campus. They might harm her.
We Pakistanis never helped palestine