Arwa Hanin Elrayess has been elected President of the prestigious Oxford Union for the Trinity term of 2026, marking a historic first for the renowned debating society.
The philosophy, politics, and economics student secured victory with 757 votes, winning a closely contested election by a margin of 155 votes. According to the university’s student newspaper, Cherwell, her election represents a dual milestone: she is the first Arab woman, and the first person of Palestinian and Algerian heritage, to hold the position.
Her father, Mohamed Elrayess, celebrated the achievement on LinkedIn, highlighting its groundbreaking nature.
Elrayess’s campaign focused on restoring stability to the society, which has faced recent internal governance issues. She pledged to separate internal disputes from the Union’s core mission of hosting debates, arguing that such conflicts had become a distraction.
Speaking to Cherwell, Elrayess stated the Union was navigating “very difficult times” and needed a reset. She emphasized a platform built on transparency, financial responsibility, and a reaffirmed commitment to free speech.
The Oxford Union, one of the world’s most prominent student-led debating forums, regularly hosts high-profile speakers on global affairs. Its events can draw significant attention, as seen earlier this year when a debate on India-Pakistan relations made headlines following a last-minute withdrawal by the Indian delegation.
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Elrayess is set to lead the society with a mandate to refocus on its foundational role as a platform for dialogue and debate.