BMMS January 95

By way of response to the government's white paper Health of the Nation, the Muslim Women's Helpline organised a conference to discuss one of the five priority areas identified in the paper, namely that of mental health. "Research has revealed that there are disturbingly high instances of mental ill-health among Asian women in general and higher still among Muslim women" (Q News (20.01.95). The conference, entitled "Mental Health and the Muslim Woman", which took place on 23rd January in the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, was aimed at mental health professionals, providers of mental health care and Muslim organisations. The three main speakers were Sabnum Dharamsi, chairwoman of the Muslim Women's Helpline, who gave an overview of the problems; Dr Rashid Skinner, a consultant clinical psychologist, who discussed the inadequacies of mainstream services in dealing with mental health in the Muslim community and the lack of a spiritual dimension in traditional western psychotherapy; and Mrs Aliya Haeri, a Muslim counsellor, who spoke about an Islamic approach to inner health: prevention, treatment and cure.

The Muslim weekly, Q News, decided to devote a series of articles to this question which it regards as suffering from a lack of acknowledgement amongst Muslims in Britain. In an editorial in that newspaper devoted to the subject (20.01.95), Muslim community leaders were urged to take a leaf out of the Christian pastoral system of ministers visiting their congregations in their homes "to talk to them and their families about their situations and troubles, [then] they would rapidly become aware of the rising tide of mental disorder (among other social dysfunctions) increasingly present in Muslim households". It lamented the lack of a support system for people under stress within the Muslim community especially as the extended family network has largely been left behind. This places an intolerable stress on many Muslim women. "At least in the Hindu and Sikh communities they can go to their temples and gurdwaras, where they are made welcome and can receive spiritual sustenance. Unfortunately this is not true of the mosques most of which are nothing more than arenas for the public parading of adult male egos: neither women nor children, it would seem, are welcome nor have any place there... Women are completely excluded as some kind of moral pollutant. It is hardly surprising that the children are drifting away into the more tolerant and relaxed, and less morally demanding, society around them; and that suicides among Muslim women are increasing".

The first of the Q News series of articles was by Dr A Majid, a consultant psychiatrist and adviser to the World Health Organisation, under the title Migrants and Mental Health (20.01.95). He noted that the phenomenon of migrants suffering due to the breakdown in social structure which resulted in moving from one society to another was attested by Ibn Khaldun in the 14th century. There are an estimated 18 million migrants in contemporary Western Europe, most of them Muslims. In the author's opinion, the current provision for the mental health of these migrants is inadequate, ineffective and sometimes damaging and harmful. Problems are not confined to the first generation of migrants but flow on to embrace later generations who are caught between two cultures and value systems. The rise of racism across Europe, particularly that aimed specifically against Muslims, leads to an undermining of self-esteem and an increased sense of inferiority, which is precisely one of its evil aims. The problems of communication and a failure on the part of European professionals to understand the cultural and religious mentality of migrants has led to wrong diagnoses and a general lack of empathy. In an effort to develop some of the cross-cultural sensitivities which have been successful in North America, the World Health Organisation has established a permanent centre in Europe to develop programmes and policies to educate professionals in the field of transcultural psychiatry.

A shortened form of the contribution of Dr Rashid Skinner to the conference was published by Q News (27.01.95). He held that many psychological problems are, in part, culturally determined and so, therefore, people from minority cultures tend not to be so well served by the psychological services put in place by the majority culture. "Culture is a way of perceiving how you stand in the world" and, for Muslims, Islam is the underlying construct in their perception of themselves, thus it was held that Islam is the fundamental matrix in which all Muslims locate themselves, therefore, a correct appreciation of the place of religion in their lives is essential for sound mental health. "But", said Skinner, "in my experience, culture is largely ignored when considering the problems of people referred to the statutory authorities. And remember that by culture, when talking about Muslims, it is Islam which forms an essential ingredient".

This emphasis on a correct understanding of the place of culture in mental health played a dominant part in the whole thesis. As cultural perceptions shift, so do the classifications and explanations of what constitutes mental health and illness; the shift from regarding homosexuality as a mental disorder to an alternative lifestyle was cited. Religious cultures provided "folk myths" which helped people to understand their inner being. These have largely been lost in the West and have been replaced by a "professional model" which provides an impressive label but "this explanation may be scientifically no better than an old wives' tale". Unless the therapist and the client share a common set of models through which to understand and talk about inner health then the potential damage which can be caused by professional health workers can well be greater than the dysfunction itself. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 1/2]

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British Muslims and Chechnya

The General Secretary of the Union of Muslim Organisations, Dr Syed Aziz Pasha, wrote an open letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations which was published in the Daily Jang (13.01.95). It expressed the dismay of British Muslims at the attacks on the people of Chechnya and called on the Secretary General to take urgent action to halt the "massacre". He went on, "Apparently, the Organisation of Islamic Conference is not willing to offer any military support to the victims of aggression without the blessings of the United Nations. Therefore, it is a greater responsibility on your part to intervene and put pressure on the Russian government to stop their brutal behaviour and send UN forces if necessary to protect the innocent civilians of Chechnya and ensure their right of self-determination".

National representatives of Islamic Relief have launched an appeal for food, clothing, medical supplies and cash to fund a relief convoy to Chechnya. The appeal was launched in Leicester (Leicester Mercury 04.02.95) but Chechnya has become a major focus of concern for the charity which has decided to allocate US$ 100,000 for relief operations there (Q News 27.01.95). The charity "Human Appeal", which is also Muslim managed, has decided to devote its entire Ramadan appeal to relief work in Chechnya. It has brought over a Chechnyan imam to tour mosques explaining the plight of the people and appealing for relief funds in mosques.

Whilst the sterling work of Muslim relief agencies in disaster areas was praised in an article in Q News (27.01.95), it was noted that there is little effort on the part of British Muslims for the relief of suffering amongst their co-religionists in this country. This should be the primary focus of zakat [statutory poor-due] payments, according to a quotation from Sheikh Darsh, whilst charitable donations can be applied to the relief of suffering of all human beings everywhere. The article went on to note the lack of funding for such valuable services as the Muslim Women's Helpline and attention was drawn to the Muslim Parliament's attempts to build a welfare structure to help Muslims in this country.

A short appraisal of the many charitable activities of Islamic Relief during the ten years of its existence was published in Muslim News (27.01.95) which noted that the charity had raised £11.8m during the decade, culminating in £4.3m in 1993 alone. A breakdown of some of the extensive list of projects sponsored by Islamic Relief was recorded. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 2/3]

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The "cat stamp" debacle

There was considerable outrage amongst Muslims in Britain over the decision of the Royal Mail to associate Muhammad with Mussolini and Lenin as sharing the same regard for cats in their promotional literature for a new range of stamps dedicated to these animals. Muslims concerns were twofold: firstly, that the person of their esteemed prophet should be linked to two such tyrants, and secondly, that the literature should have contained a representation of Muhammad himself. The latter point is a moot one as sources disagree as to whether the representation was intended to be Muhammad or an unidentified Muslim cleric. The marketing manager of Royal Mail made it clear that "they did not realise that physical representation of the Prophet is forbidden in Islamic doctrine" (Wolverhampton Express & Star 25.01.95). Further, the same manager issued an apology and explanation: "The intention was to demonstrate [that] all sorts of historical figures were cat lovers. It certainly was not our intention to imply [that] the Prophet Muhammad had anything else in common with the other characters" (The Newcastle upon Tyne Journal 26.01.95).

Dr Syed Aziz Pasha, general secretary of the Union of Muslim Organisations, said, "This is not only blasphemy, it is completely wrong to mention our Prophet alongside Lenin and Mussolini, two hated dictators. He has no likeness to either of them... This has been done deliberately to offend and provoke Muslims. But we have kept our protests low-key to resolve the matter quietly" (Q News 03.02.95). Likewise, in the same newspaper, Dr Kalim Siddiqui said, "...this type of incident is occurring far too often to be the result of ignorance. It fits an increasing pattern of Western malice against Islam". Dr Zaki Badawi similarly explained, "There is a statement attributed to the Prophet prohibiting the depiction of living objects... Some Shi'i paintings do contain representations of the Prophet but never his face... It reveals the extent to which people researching Muslim issues actually consult Muslims beforehand". A Q News editorial (27.01.95) listed experts on Islamic art, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who could have been consulted by the Royal Mail on the subject, which concluded, " 'I didn't know' doesn't wash anymore." The Royal Mail produced a revised version of the leaflet which omitted the offensive reference. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 3/4]

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Archbishop of York and school worship

The remarks of the Archbishop of York regarding a revision of the current legislation requiring all schools to hold a daily act of collective worship were noted by the Muslim weekly Q News (13.01.95). The Archbishop was quoted as saying that, "There are continual complaints about the hypocrisy of those who are not themselves believers teaching others how to worship... There would probably be advantages to having less worship but of a better quality." Muslim commentators have noted the difficulties of conducting broadly Christian worship in multi-faith schools but the point was also made that any reduction in the religious influence in education would only contribute to a further secularisation.

In an editorial in the same newspaper two pertinent points were made, viz. that subjecting non-Christian children to broadly Christian worship serves further to reinforce their feeling of being marginalised and that no faith-based alternative has so far been agreed by consensus.

"Adults, confronted with the symbols of an alien creed proclaimed as normative, can assess and comprehend them. Their rights are not infringed. Children, however, lack the sophistication to assess and if necessary discard the assumptions presented in collective activities solemnly presided over by people who are among the most authoritative figures in their lives. It is true that there is little risk that they will be converted to Christianity by such exposure - Trinitarian and incarnationalist theology, even when simplified in liturgy, being even more baffling to children than it is to adults. But they will take home with them a feeling of outsider status, an alienation which, adding to the existing marginalising pressures of racism, can benefit neither their communities, their host society or themselves".

After exploring the common ground found by Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars at a recent meeting on the place of Abraham in the three faiths hosted by the Bishop of Oxford, the editorial went on, "The time has surely come for an approach which takes advantage of the unitive aspects of Britain's major faiths. As Muslims, with a historic record of toleration towards both Christians and Jews, it is our responsibility to propose to Mrs Sheppard an 'Abrahamic consensus' - a core of strong ethical ideals supported by a simple and intelligible monotheism, which contains nothing which might alienate children or their parents. Doctrines and rites specific to each faith would then be taught in the mosque, church and synagogue, not in school... A meeting should be held, perhaps under the auspices of the Islamic Academy in Cambridge, to bring together experts in religious education from the three major faiths, with a view to hammering out the main features of such an Abrahamic consensus". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 4/5]

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Sikh/Muslim clash, Isleworth

The West Thames Further Education College in Isleworth, which has been congratulated on its harmonious race relations, was the scene for a "race fight" between Sikh and Muslim young men (The Independent 10.01.95). The dispute is said to have involved around 100 people and 20 arrests were made. The college principal is reported to have received a tip-off that trouble was brewing and so he was able to call the police immediately when a "gang of Muslim fundamentalists, so I understand, entered the college carrying banners and started chanting, obviously intent on causing trouble". Almost all the people involved in the trouble were not students at the college and many were "much older than 18". A crowd of up to 100 Muslims is reported to have gathered outside the Chiswick police station where some of the demonstrators were being held.

After the trouble, local Sikh and Muslim leaders met to discuss the situation from which meeting a joint statement was issued which said, "At our meeting on Wednesday [11th January] there was a mutual agreement that all Sikh and Muslim students wished to ensure that they could continue to work together as students in a friendly and co-operative manner" (Chiswick Gazette 13.01.95). It was confirmed by Scotland Yard that members of the Territorial Support Group and local officers had been expecting trouble which was quickly diffused with the confiscation of several knives and batons.

Fifteen of the young men who were arrested were brought before magistrates in Feltham on 10th January charged with public order offences. They were remanded on bail until 24th January. Great emphasis was laid in local press reports that the college has a tradition of good communal relations and that this incident was orchestrated by people outside the college community (Hounslow, Feltham & Hanworth Times 13.01.95, Hounslow & Chiswick Informer 13.01.95 and Teddington & Hampton Times 13.01.95). There was speculation in the press that Hizb ut-Tahrir might have been involved in the affair. Religious and community leaders from the area made extensive calls for the unrest to cease and for harmonious relations to be allowed to resume (Middlesex Chronicle 19.01.95).

The whole issue of Sikh-Hindu-Muslim conflict was discussed in an article in Time Out (25.01.95) in relation to the Isleworth disturbance. The opinion was expressed that Hizb ut-Tahrir are targeting Hindus in particular and that Sikhs also were seeing a repeat of inter-communal tensions carried forward from the time when Muslims and Sikhs were in conflict in the Punjab. There were dire warnings of possible inter-communal violence and the involvement of organised gangs on all sides. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 5]

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Repercussions of Algerian hijack

In the light of the Algerian hijack of an Air France aeroplane, the spotlight has been turned on Algerian refugees living in Britain. It is claimed that they are raising money in London mosques to buy guns to wage a "terrorist war" in Algeria, that money is being extorted out of "illegal Algerians in Britain", that "some of the 20 activists identified in Britain have travelled recently to Algeria to murder opponents" and that people who have been involved in "terrorist massacres" are "using taxpayers' money to fund their legal battle to be allowed to stay in Britain" (The Sunday Times 01.01.95).

Following the Sunday Times report that mosques are being put under surveillance by MI5 to monitor fund-raising for victims of the violence in Algeria, the Muslim community was reported to be "outraged" according to a report in the Muslim News (27.01.95). Several Muslim leaders justified the permissibility of Muslims raising money for victims of violence wherever they might be. The same report listed replies from bodies representing hundreds of Muslim organisations and mosques to the effect that none of them had any evidence of such surveillance taking place.

Britons in Algeria have been threatened with death unless the Foreign Office closes the British Embassy in Algeria (International Herald Tribune 04.01.95). The Foreign Office, which has advised all Britons to leave Algeria and has reduced its diplomatic presence from 12 through six to four, is said to be keeping the matter under constant review (The Independent 04.01.95).

In the light of the hijack and the attacks on Israeli targets in London last summer, the Sunday Telegraph (29.01.95) reported that, "Michael Howard, the Home Secretary, has ordered an investigation into the use of Islamic charities to channel thousands of pounds to the Islamic Resistance Movement, HAMAS, and other terrorist groups committed to disrupting Middle East peace moves. He is ready to act immediately if the intelligence services and police provide evidence that charities posing as legitimate humanitarian aid organisations are being used to divert funds to Middle Eastern terrorist groups. The charities could be closed down and their assets frozen. Any foreigner found to be involved in fund-raising for terrorism is likely to face deportation. Organisers could be prosecuted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act."

The move follows an emergency order in the USA blocking the assets of 12 groups and 18 individuals believed to be involved in undermining Middle East peace moves. These groups include HAMAS, Islamic Jihad and Hizbollah as well as the Jewish extremist groups Kach and Kahane Chai. The Home Secretary's moves have met with considerable support from Conservative politicians. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 5/6]

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Progress at Luton (Bury Park) mosque

The ten men charged with violent disorder in connection with the dispute at the mosque in Bury Park, Luton, which reached a climax on 22 July 1994 (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for June, July, August and December 1994) have been sent for trial by jury at the Crown Court following an application made before the magistrates' court.

The election of a new management committee at the mosque, which was conducted under the supervision of the Electoral Reform Society, was completed without incident. The group which lost control two years ago was returned and the leader of the opposing faction said that the issue was now completely settled and he hoped that peace would now return to the community (Luton News 25.01.95).

The imam who had been dismissed by the mosque committee in the course of the dispute appeared before an industrial tribunal in Bedford to claim that he had been unfairly dismissed. The case hinged around whether or not Mohammed Abdul Hannan was actually an employee of the mosque committee or not. The case was made that the mosque committee must be his employers because they paid him and gave him direction in the ordering of prayers and teaching in the mosque. Counsel for the mosque committee argued that the imam was a spiritual leader "and could not therefore be subject to 'earthly laws'" (Dunstable Gazette 11.01.95). Further, it was argued, "As Imam of the Bury Park Mosque, in his role as spiritual leader, Mr Hannan was not governed by the committee in law. He teaches Islamic law and Islamic religion, but he is not told how he should teach or what he should do... His role was pastoral and religious and not involved in administration... A person is in a religious role or function as long as they fulfil certain criteria. One of those is that they are not answerable to the jurisdiction of earthly courts [sic]".

The tribunal's judgement rejected Mr Abdul Hannan's appeal on the grounds that, "because of the spiritual nature of Mr Hannan's duties, he was not employed by the respondents under the contract of service" (Luton News 25.01.95). The chairman of the tribunal "pointed to established case law on the subject, which involved ministers from the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, concluding in each case that the ministers and priests were the servants of their gods [sic] and not of their churches".

This decision affects only the legality of Mr Abdul Hannan's dismissal as it falls within the remit of an industrial tribunal. He is free to bring a case against the mosque committee in the civil court for breach of contract. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 6/7]

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Reporting Ramadan

With the approach of Ramadan, the problem of agreeing a common date for the opening and closing of the fast and thus of the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr was raised again (Q News 13.01.95). The debacle in Manchester last year was rehearsed whereby all the city's schools of thought agreed on a common date so that a public festival could be arranged but the agreement disintegrated into a three-day Eid due to "decrees issued from superiors 'back home'". Three groups were reported to be seeking a common formula for timing Eid this year. There was little optimism with the exception of Dr Syed Aziz Pasha of the UMO who said, "All the ulema [religious scholars] are involved here. The Deobandi, Barelwi, Mawdudi, Ahl-e-Hadith and Azhari groups are participating and their decisions should carry some weight... Now that all the chief ulema are there we hope this problem, which is a minor one, will be resolved".

In the event, the opening of the fast was staggered over three days in communities around the country. Even the renowned unity of the Muslim communities in Birmingham broke down when various groups ignored the pre-arranged date for the start of the month, which had been worked out by consultation of astronomical data, and relied instead on telephoned reports of moon sightings from other countries.

Local papers reported the start of the fast and its meaning and impact in the lives of believers. Reports came from Birmingham, Blackburn, Fife, Halifax and Peterborough. In Leicester, a guest speaker has been brought from Pakistan; Qari Zawar Bahadur will lead the prayers in the New Central Mosque and give an exposition. Muslims in Gravesend completed the conversion of a former public house into a mosque in time for Ramadan but were still without an imam to lead them through the month; they resorted to advertising in the local press. Muslim businesses, in co-operation with the UK Ruiyate Hilal Committee, based at the Balham mosque, have sponsored an information page (number 537) on the teletext service of Channel 4 television. The Bradford daily newspaper, the Telegraph & Argus, will publish the times of sunrise and sunset each day.

There are to be two designated local radio stations aimed at Muslims during the month of Ramadan. The established "Fast FM" in Bradford has changed its name this year to "Awaz FM" to avoid confusion with the newcomer in Leeds. For the second year running, Awaz FM will be carried by Yorkshire Cable's network as well as via the ether. The programme will run question panels, give information, conduct interviews and play devotional music during the month with an estimated listening public of 80,000. The newcomer on the broadcasting scene is Fast FM in Leeds which has been set up especially for Ramadan this year by a group of local businessmen. It will be on the air 24 hours each day and transmit in four languages a selection of informational, religious and music programmes.

To coincide with Ramadan, the mainstream broadcasting companies are also scheduling particular programmes. BBC Radio 2 carried a special feature on Muslim women in its "Good Morning Sunday" programme at 0700 on 29th January. ITV scheduled an interview with a Muslim barrister on the development of a British Islamic culture on its "Sunday Brunch" programme at 1030 on 29th January. BBC TV is running a series of four programmes under the general title of "The Spirit of Islam" at around 0010 each Friday morning. The first programme featured the life of a Muslim community leader and taxi driver in Chesham together with his family. This led to considerable interest in the man and his family in the local press (South Bucks Star 27.01.95, The Bucks Examiner 03.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 7/8]

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Clarifications on hijab "statements"

Following the article by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (The Independent 22.12.94) entitles Sex, veils and stereotypes (see BMMS for December 1994), the issue was discussed in an article in Q News (13.01.95) under the headline Why Men (and some women) Are Afraid of Hijab. The article proposed the theory that some men fear the hijab because it is a token of self-empowered women who are developing their Islamic consciousness and proclaiming their worth as individuals. Likewise younger Muslim women who wear the hijab are being criticised by some older Muslim women who presumably have made their "statement" by not wearing it.

The author responded to her critics in a letter published in Q News (20.01.95). She emphasised that, "I wrote my piece after a great deal of thought and in order to raise a healthy debate both within and about a community which I know is beleaguered, misunderstood and excluded. I am not in the business of making things worse and I have always publicly argued for equal rights for Muslims and against Islamophobia".

She noted the things which she set out to do in the article:

a. " Showing how the intended symbolism of the hijab is being corrupted, particularly in the west

b. Asking questions about the morality of coercing women to take on the hijab

c. Acknowledging the importance of the hijab to women who were making the decision to wear the hijab in terms of their religious and personal identity

d. Saying that the hijab had revealed the hypocrisy and xenophobic tendencies of liberals and some feminists

e. Looking at the origins and interpretations of the hijab

f. Asking whether it is time to raise questions about something that has so many 'meanings'; is [it] really a useful symbol or has it become a convenient distraction which in part is helping those who are intent on destroying Islam?"

And concluded, "I neither have the right nor the desire to tell people what they ought to be wearing, but I do have a responsibility to raise an issue that has become such a burning one in Europe and parts of the Middle East at the moment. When you write a piece like this there is bound to be disagreement and a good thing too. That is the only way one can avoid being bound up in dogma and self- righteousness". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 8/9]

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"PC" madness, Walsall

Walsall Community Health Trust produced a series of posters as part of a campaign to cut the number of teenage pregnancies in the area which, with between 40 and 50 girls under 16 becoming pregnant each year, is the highest in the Midlands (other sources put the figure at about 600 per year cf. Walsall Advertiser 26.01.95). According to the public health director, Dr Sam Ramaiah, the campaign was deliberately high-profile in order to be effective (Walsall Express & Star 23.01.95). A poster depicting three condoms with the caption "Packet of Free" which was designed to be fixed to the sides of local buses to promote contraceptive advice services was attacked by local Muslims on the grounds that, "It is not right to do this publicity. It will only encourage the youngsters to have sex".

The Community Health Trust also ordered 500 posters which depicted an Asian boy standing near a white girl as part of the same campaign. The advertising agency responsible for the campaign switched around the sexes of the people and the posters actually showed an Asian girl beside a white boy. These posters were pulped and replaced by another design which showed the people in the sex-colour combination originally ordered by the Trust. This episode led to further Muslim complaints. Thus, the chairman of the Walsall Union of Muslim Organisations, "To show an Asian girl with a white man is more offensive to our community than the other way round. The community thinks it is encouraging an Asian girl to go with a white man. But we are opposed to the poster showing the Asian man with the white girl, too. There is no need for it and I think they should withdraw the poster entirely" (Black Country Evening Mail 02.02.95).

The debacle prompted an editorial comment (Walsall Express & Star 04.02.95) to the effect that, "...it sounds suspiciously like political correctness gone so far that it becomes racism. We all lose from that - but the biggest losers are the youngsters. The relationships will still happen - but in secret and in ignorance. Meanwhile the bigoted thinking behind this silly switch continues unhindered". The ultimate resolution of the problem was to agree on a final version of the poster which shows two white people. This poster will now go on public display. The campaign is reported to have had the effect of doubling the number of young people attending a local sexual health advice centre (Black Country Evening Mail 08.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 9]

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Short Reports

Edhi returns to Pakistan

The leading Pakistani social worker and philanthropist, Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi, who fled to Britain in December in fear of his life (see BMMS for December 1994), returned to Pakistan on 8th January. He reinforced his apolitical position and denied any tension between himself and the former cricketer, Imran Khan, over the extent to which their respective philanthropic positions should be given a political dimension (Daily Jang 06.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 10]

Disorderly outside mosque

The Dundee man who admitted in court that he was guilty of causing a disturbance outside a mosque in March 1994 (see BMMS for November 1994) has been fined £200. He told the police that he "didn't like coloured people" (Dundee Courier & Advertiser 14.01.95). The man had been referred for social inquiry reports which revealed that, whilst he had not changed his opinions, he agreed to keep them to himself in future. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 10]

Internal divisions, Halifax

Calderdale Council has voted the sum of £2,500 to pay for independent oversight of elections for the management committee of a community centre in Halifax which has been the subject of a dispute over control between local Muslim groups (see BMMS for December 1994). The money will be used to ensure that there is a full electoral roll and that the election is carried out in a fair manner in accordance with the centre's constitution. The newly elected committee will also receive training paid for by the council's grant. The oversight will be in the hands of the Community Education Training Unit in Halifax (Halifax Evening Courier 17.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 10/11]

Notts. abattoir rejected

The scheme to create an abattoir behind a butcher's shop in the Bakersfield district of Nottingham (see BMMS for November and December 1994) has been refused planning permission on the grounds that it is unsuitable in a residential area (Nottingham Evening Post 05.01.95). The planning committee chairman said that the council understood the need for a halal abattoir locally and that a site would be sought probably on an industrial estate. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11]

Muslim burial plot, Nelson?

Muslims in Nelson submitted an application for an exclusive Muslim burial plot and a prayer room or shelter in their local cemetery. The question was discussed at a meeting of the environmental health committee which called for more information and discussions to be held with Muslim leaders (Nelson Leader 06.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11]

Relief work for Bosnia

Muslims in Leeds and Bradford joined together to assemble a further consignment of food and aid to be sent to Bosnia by lorry convoy. The group's most recent contribution brought the total of aid raised by them to 50 tonnes of food, a lorry and an ambulance.

The Bosnian Relief Fund, based in Walsall, has awarded a trophy to local Chief Inspector Les Leek in recognition of the numerous trips to Bosnia which he has made with the Walsall Aid Convoy. Local Muslims were also honoured for their service to the community and to Bosnian relief work in particular. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11]

British government and Kashmir

The Foreign Secretary, Mr Douglas Hurd, is reported to have made statements about the position of Kashmir on a recent visit to the subcontinent to the effect that, "the UN Resolutions on Kashmir, being forty years old, can no longer be a basis of the settlement of the dispute over the territory between India and Pakistan" (Daily Jang 13.01.95). The World Kashmir Freedom Movement reacted strongly to Mr Hurd's comments saying that he was "towing the Indian line". The Movement has called on all Kashmiri people in Britain to lobby their MP's to focus their attention on the true state of affairs in that country. A statement was issued by a prominent Muslim leader in Glasgow, Bashir Maan, which referred to Mr Hurd's remarks as "yet another example of western hypocrisy". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11]

American Muslim lectures

Nuh Keller, an American convert to Islam since 1977 and an expert on shari'ah [Islamic law] trained in al-Azhar [the most prestigious centre for Islamic learning in Egypt], Jordan and Syria, conducted a lecture tour of various Muslim centres in Britain including Birmingham, Bradford, Cambridge, Leicester, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford speaking on a variety of subjects. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11]

Dewsbury: AIDS awareness

Dewsbury Health Promotion, in co-operation with Ayoub Mohammed who is responsible for raising awareness on the issues surrounding AIDS and HIV infection amongst the Muslim community, staged a World Aids Day lunch at the Massawat Centre in Dewsbury in December. Mr Mohammed said, "HIV and AIDS is an issue which can no longer be ignored by our communities... HIV does not respect religious, cultural or language barriers. HIV transmission amongst members of the dominant culture also have an impact within our communities. There is now risk of transmission in all communities including ours" (Awaaz [community newsletter based in the northern towns] January 1995). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 11/12]

Muslims progress in employment?

Dr Kalim Siddiqui, the leader of the Muslim Parliament, contributed an article in Eastern Eye (03.01.95) in which he traced the progress which British Muslims had made in employment. He developed the thesis that there was a cut-off point beyond which Muslims were not permitted to ascend by reference to his own experience. He saw post-war immigration policies as providing a pool of cheap labour which could continue in a marginalised fashion always available for unskilled work but without the need to provide long-term community development. This led to the Muslim Manifesto of 1990 which led the Muslim Parliament to set up "a political system of our own". The intention was to "rescue the Muslim community from their appointed place at the bottom of the social and economic pile in Britain... We are and want to be good citizens of this country, but we totally reject the lowly place on offer to us as our permanent condition". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 12]

Leeds community centre

The Muslim community in Burley, Leeds, has been committed to work collaboratively with the Leeds City Council in plans to build a community centre which is to replace a former centre which had to be demolished because of structural faults. The centre will serve Muslims particularly in this inner-city area. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 12]

Bradford polemics

A lecture was given at the Bradford Central Library by Sufi Tariq Mahmood al-Naqshbandi on the "true teaching of Jesus Christ" under the auspices of the Islamic Information Society and the Minhaj al Qur'an Youth League. The lecture aimed to expound "the truth of Prophet Jesus that has so far been hidden" (Daily Jang 06.01.95).

A letter was published by Q News (13.01.95) from the Team Rector of the Parish of Manningham, Bradford, noting with regret the manner in which a lecture by the same Sufi Tariq Mahmood al-Naqshbandi on the Gospel of Barnabas was advertised and delivered. "Irresponsibly the word "banned" was written across the fly leaflet, when copies are freely available and worse still the scholarly introduction to this "gospel" was virtually ignored... When all Christian texts are very carefully examined, no good will come from those who dismiss scholarly effort and achievement as of no consequence. Islam is diminished by this approach, truth suffers and it is sad, very sad that Bradford Muslims are exposed to such poor teachings". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 12]

National Assembly Against Racism

To coincide with and to give publicity to the National Assembly Against Racism to be held in Tower Hamlets on 4th February, the Morning Star (14.01.95) carried an article on the rise of racism in Britain and the failure of the police and criminal justice system in bringing those who perpetrate racist attacks to justice. The article chronicled the rise in racist attacks in Britain and the rise of racism throughout Europe. The many groups which campaign against racism were held to be fragmented and were urged to unite under the Charter Against Racism which is to be discussed and promulgated by the Assembly. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 12]

Weekend burials, Halifax

Muslims in Halifax have been bringing pressure through a local councillor, Mohammed Najib, to have cemeteries opened at weekends, as they are in Bradford and Huddersfield, so that burials can take place in accordance with Muslim custom. Similarly, the West Yorkshire coroner has been petitioned to find ways to speed up the release of death certificates for bodies which are to be flown back to Pakistan for burial (Halifax Evening Courier 06.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 12/13]

Halal savings and investment?

The Islamic Foundation in Leicester was approached by Algosaibi Investment Services Ltd. with a proposal to launch a halal investment and savings fund applicable to Muslims in Britain. The proposal calls for a board of trustees to be chaired by Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, the ex-deputy governor of the Central Bank of Pakistan, and including Dr Suhaib Hassan and Sheikh Darsh as consultants on matters of fiqh [Islamic jurisprudence]. An initial meeting was held at the Foundation's conference centre on 16th January to discuss the proposal but the attendance was limited. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 13]

Calligraphy exhibition

Rasheed Butt, one of the leaders in the Islamic art of calligraphy and a citizen of Pakistan, held an exhibition of his work in St Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham, on 14th January under the auspices of the Iqbal Academy (UK). The exhibition served as a fore-runner for a major exhibition of objets d'art to be staged by the Academy in the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, from 13 to 15 October 1995 under the title Iqbal and the Fine Arts: the Heritage of Islamic Creativity. It is hoped that the major exhibition will be inaugurated by the Prince of Wales, and will include a keynote address by Professor Annemarie Schimmell of the universities of Bonn and Harvard. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 13]

Manchester: women's job training

The work of the Chester Road Training Centre in Old Trafford, Manchester, was profiled in the Manchester Evening News (10.01.95) where particular attention was paid to its success in training women of Asian heritage to enter the workforce. The centre is funded jointly by the European Social Fund, the borough council and the Trafford Park Development Corporation. A Muslim tutor on the course explained that it was the only course available in the area which is exclusively for women and staffed by women. This is important as about 75% of the students have never worked before and often have to build their English language skill from a base of learning the alphabet. In addition to language courses, the centre teaches a range of office and secretarial skills but especially aims to build up the confidence of women who are entering an "alien" environment for the first time. The centre received a national training award from the government at the end of January. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 13]

Bristol advice centre

The Bristol and Avon Muslim Association was set up eight years ago to provide advice to the estimated 5,500 Muslims in the area on health, housing, education and employment matters. It runs an advice centre in the Easton district of Bristol which is staffed on each weekday morning and hopes to extend the comprehensive list of community projects with which is has been involved in previous years. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 13]

Quddus Ali assault: acquittal

The only person so far to have been brought to trial for taking part in the gang race attack on Quddus Ali in September 1993 was acquitted at Southwark Crown Court. Mr Ali, now aged 18 years, is under constant care at his home after spending four months in a coma. He was the most seriously injured victim of an attack on a group of Bengalis in East London. There appears to be insufficient evidence to bring anyone to a successful prosecution. The chairman of the Committee for Bangladeshi Rights in the UK has intimated that he will press for an investigation into the police handing of the case and the conduct of the prosecution during the trial (Daily Jang 13.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 13/14]

Cash cuts, schemes suffer

The London Boroughs of Camden and Islington have failed in their bid for £65m to rejuvenate the King's Cross area. One of the consequences of this failure is that several schemes specifically run for the training of Muslim women in the area are in danger of being closed due to lack of funds. This is due to government policy to link all funding for these projects to the Single Regeneration Budget. An appeal is to be lodged with the Home Office, who used to fund the projects through the Central London Training and Enterprise Council, but is seems unlikely that they will be able to commit funds which have now been routed through the Department of the Environment (Ham & High 06.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 14]

LSE student held in India

A demonstration was organised by an unnamed Muslim group (cf. advertisement in Q News 20.01.95) to draw attention to the plight of Ahmad Omar Sheikh, the LSE student who is currently being detained in India after being implicated in a plot to kidnap tourists in Delhi to draw attention to the struggle between India and Kashmir (see BMMS for October and November 1994). The demonstration took place outside the Indian High Commission in London on 27th January between 1400 and 1630. The demonstration was not widely reported in the press although it was noticed by Time Out (01.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 14]

Power struggle in Slough

The long-running struggle for control of the mosque in Diamond Road, Slough between the Pakistan Welfare Association and the Slough Islamic Trust (see BMMS for April, August, September, October and November 1994) erupted into violence on Monday 30th January when up to 40 men were involved in a fight in the mosque car park. The dispute began with heated arguments between the factions after prayers in the mosque. It then became a brawl in the car park in which bricks, stakes and a knife were used resulting in four people needing hospital treatment and one person being arrested (Slough & Langley Express 02.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 14]

Cost of child graves

Muslims in Bolton, under the aegis of the Asian and Afro Caribbean Advisory Centre, have repeated an application which they first made to the local council in 1992 to have a reduction in the cost of graves for babies. They claimed that they were being penalised because of their belief that every baby, even if it lives for only the shortest of time, must be accorded a full Muslim burial for which they are charged standard adult rates. A council spokesman pointed out that a child's burial takes up a grave space just the same as an adult and therefore costs the same but he did undertake to bring up the matter at the annual review of charges (Bolton Metro News 19.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 14]

Ilford exorcism: appeals

Three of the four persons who were found guilty of the manslaughter of Farida Patel of Ilford, who died during at attempted "exorcism" (see BMMS for October, November and December 1994), lodged appeals against their sentences. The appeals of Rabiya Patel and Siraj Tutla were rejected but the Appeal Court reduced the sentence of the dead woman's brother, Hafiz Patel, from twelve to three months in prison (Daily Telegraph 20.01.95).

The chairman of the Muslim Community Centre in Ilford has called in a maulana [religious leader] and a professional musician who is reported to have special powers of healing to help the local Muslim community to come to terms with their feelings regarding possession by djinns [beings created from fire which some Muslims believe to be capable of possessing humans] . Both men are said to have considerable experience in releasing people who are possessed. They intend to offer a service to all inhabitants of the area (Ilford Recorder 26.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 14/15]

Oldham women's refuge

The UK Islamic Mission has launched a plan to convert a house next to their mosque in Retford Street, Oldham, into a new mosque with a refuge for battered women above it. The plans will cost £100,000 and the refuge hopefully will open by the end of the current year. The UKIM recognises the need for a secure refuge for local women whose marriages have broken down and who are suffering domestic violence. The intention is that representatives of the Mission will offer marriage counselling to both parties with a view to helping them repair their relationship before being able to offer the woman refuge if all else fails. The entrance to the refuge will be secure and there will be no communicating doors with the mosque (The Oldham Advertiser 19.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 15]

Carey to visit Sudan?

It has been reported that the Archbishop of Canterbury is considering returning to the Sudan for a formal visit following the informal one which he made at New Year 1994 which resulted in expressions of concern from Muslims in Britain (see BMMS for January 1994). It appears that some discussions have taken place on the subject between the Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan and he Sudanese President (Muslim News 27.01.95). It is public knowledge that Dr Carey would like to reinstate the formal visit at some time but Lambeth Palace confirms that no decision has yet been made although the matter is under general discussion. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 15]

Anti-smoking campaign

With the onset of Ramadan, with its prohibition of smoking during daylight hours, health education units around the country are urging Muslims to give up smoking for good. A pilot project was run in Coventry last year which is to be followed this year by an extensive campaign in that city and the surrounding towns. Similar calls have come from Bradford, Keighley and Nottingham. In an innovative partnership with local Muslim leaders, prayer and fasting calendars have been printed which contain warnings about the risks of smoking and advice/support for those who want to give it up. The campaign will run under the slogan "Giving up Smoking for Ramadan? - Give up for Good". It has been estimated that around 50% of Muslim men smoke compared to 28% as the national average. Smoking is also linked to certain diseases which are particularly prevalent in communities of Asian heritage (Coventry Evening Telegraph 24.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 15]

Islam and ecology

The Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (a registered charity) has launched its draft prospectus which sets out its aims as bringing the impulses contained in the Qur'an and Sunnah to bear on environmental and ecological issues. It has already been active for five years in organising conferences and providing an Islamic consultancy to a host of environmental bodies. The Foundation is currently raising money for the purchase of a suitable property to act as a permanent headquarters. Further, it gives an immediate aim as being "to establish centres of community activity where inhabitants can activate those properties inherent in Islam capable of remedying the globally recognised environmental and social crisis which threatens us and future generations". The director of the Foundation, Fazlun Khalid, contributed an article on development issues to Q News (03.02.95) in which he gave several examples from various countries to support the thesis that "development equals destruction and progress equals pollution". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 15/16]

Asylum and immigration report

A joint report on the treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers in Britain has been issued by the human rights organisation Liberty and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants which exposes the "high detention and deportation figures", "unjust" laws and the government's "overall lack of concern" (Daily Jang 20.01.95). The report is to be submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Committee at its meeting in Geneva in July. As many asylum seekers are Muslim and as there is still a significant immigration of marriage partners into Britain's Muslim community, this report has obvious significance for Muslims in Britain. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 16]

Monopolies and minority radio

In the light of repeated failed attempts to see a designated radio station serving Muslims in Britain, Q News (20.01.95) spent some time investigating the regulations of the Radio Authority. It transpires that no one company is allowed to own more than 20 channels nationally or 15% of the national provision. At the same time there are only four "Asian" franchises in local radio currently and two of these are controlled by the Sunrise Radio company which is perceived by some Muslims to have a particular bias against them and towards Hindu concerns. This represents 50% of the "Asian" provision which would be well in excess of the limit if it were equated with the national regulations. The Radio Authority does not have an equivalent of the national limit which applies to minority radio stations even though the criteria for awarding radio licences would suggest that a distinctive "minority network" exists. The article portrayed this as a deficiency. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 16]

Bodies retained during investigation

Two young Muslim men were found dead in front of a gas fire in Walsall. Both men had died from carbon monoxide poisoning but police have ruled out any charges against the owner of the property or the installers of the gas fire. There was some concern from within the Muslim community that the coroner would not release the bodies for immediate burial after the post mortem examinations but he insisted that the bodies must be kept available for further examination in accordance with regulations until after the police investigations were completed. The bodies have now been released for burial and a full inquest will take place at a later date (Dudley Express & Star 02.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 16]

Romantic logo offends

Staffordshire County Council libraries have withdrawn a sticker which had been intended to identify works of romantic fiction in their libraries. The sticker showed a drawing of a couple kissing. The withdrawal followed complaints from Muslims. The chairman of Burton on Trent's two mosque committees said, "Some Muslims find it offensive to see a kiss in public" (Walsall Express & Star 28.01.95). This protest prompted a letter from an unnamed Muslim who wrote, "I am a Muslim and find it extremely difficult to live in this country without any compromise... I think that the person who objected to the bookmark is just looking for trouble and also encouraging worsening race relations. If the bookmark is too sexy or offensive then what was he looking for among novels - Aladdin or One Thousand and One Nights?" (Burton Mail 06.02.95). The sticker has been replaced with one depicting a heart. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 16/17]

Pensioners living alone

Muslim and Hindu elderly people gathered to celebrate a day of traditional subcontinent dancing and crafts organised by the Indian Senior Citizens Centre, Withington, Manchester. The centre was established in 1988 by a retired geriatrics specialist who reports that some 200 of the estimated 4,000 Asian pensioners in the Manchester area live alone in linguistic and cultural isolation (Manchester Evening News 27.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 17]

CRE and religious discrimination

The attempt by the Commission for Racial Equality to gather information on religious discrimination in Britain has come in for severe criticism from some Muslim groups over the way in which it has sent out guidelines and forms to various community organisations and asked them to gather data on religious discrimination in employment, education and religious observance at work (Q News 03.02.95). The CRE has been pressing for legislation to be extended to religious discrimination for some years but the Home Secretary remains unconvinced. Muslims have been to the fore in claiming that they are discriminated against by virtue of their religion and so the timing of the CRE's current initiative, coinciding with Ramadan as it does and having a one-month deadline, is particularly unfortunate. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 17]

The crusades revisited

The First Crusade was called by Pope Urban II in November 1095, nine hundred years ago this autumn. To mark this event there has already been a new television series re-telling the story of the crusades in a modern idiom. As a contribution to this revived interest in the crusades and with an eye to contemporary developments in Europe, David Rosser-Owen brought his military and historical experience to bear on the First Crusade in an article in Q News (03.02.95). In this he set out to examine the conduct of the crusade, the reasons behind its call and the contribution to European civilisation which was made by the discoveries which it brought in its wake. These last mentioned are of particular importance to extending the European understanding of the contribution made to its development by contact with the Muslim world and included the foundations of international law, a revision of the banking and fiscal system and a range of accoutrements for a refined style of life, in addition to a whole plethora of improvements in military tactics, weaponry and the design of castles. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 17]

Walsall: weekend burials

Last July, councillors in Walsall agreed to a year's trial of a scheme to allow Muslims to be buried at weekends and evenings. To date there have been five applications but four of them have been unsuccessful. The problem in these cases has been that the request was not made before 1500 on the Friday which is the deadline for the council to arrange to have the grave dug and for staff to be in attendance. Muslim leaders have requested more flexibility (Walsall Express & Star 25.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 17]

Daughters kept in Libya

A woman from Cardiff, who went on holiday to Libya with her Arab husband and four daughters in the summer, was forced to leave the country and return home without the girls who have been detained in Tripoli by their father. The woman is now organising a campaign, supported by local people, including Muslims, and the press, to put pressure on the British and Libyan governments to intervene. Legal steps have been taken against the father should he return to this country but there are calls for the Hague Convention to be extended to include more Middle East countries like Libya (Wales on Sunday 05.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Call for multi-ethnic C of E

The Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir Ali, who made history by becoming the first diocesan bishop in the Church of England to come from a Pakistani family, revealed in an address in Rochdale Cathedral that he had received a deal of hate mail since his appointment was announced. He pointed out that he had also received considerable quantities of supportive letters and continued, "It [his appointment to Rochester] could finally be a realisation in the Church of England that this country has significantly changed and it's accepted that we need more people from ethnic minorities in positions of leadership" (Q News 03.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Muslims in honours list

Four Muslims were amongst those awarded honours in the New Year Honours List: Mrs Lily Khan (OBE) for services to Asian community in Surrey; Ebrahim Mohammad Kotwal (OBE) Lord Chancellor's Department; Wali Tassar Uddin JP (MBE) for services to race relations in Scotland; and Nazir Khan (MBE) for services to education. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Rochdale woman petitions to stay

Muslims in Rochdale are petitioning the Home Secretary over the case of a Pakistani Muslim woman who married a British citizen in Pakistan two years ago and came to settle in Britain. She was not aware that she had to apply for permanent residence in Britain at the end of her first year. Her marriage has now broken down as a result of maltreatment by her husband and his family and so she is faced with a deportation order which will take effect in February as soon as her treatment for TB is completed. She wishes to be allowed to remain in this country (Q News 20.01.95) [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Death of Muslim leader

The death was announced of Dr Kassim Parekh (59), one of the most respected leaders in the Muslim community in Gloucester. He was an anaesthetist who was forced to retire at the age of 46 due to ill-health since which time he had devoted all his energies to the service of the Gloucestershire Islamic Trust. Dr Parekh was found dead at the wheel of his car on 19th January. It is thought that he died of a heart attack. He was later cremated (Gloucester News 26.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Tighter law on racial harassment

The latest stage of the Criminal Justice Act became law at the beginning of February. This tightens the prescriptions for dealing with racial and all other types of harassment. Of particular importance will be the provision to make the distribution of racially offensive material an arrestable offence and the potential to sentence 15 to 17 year-olds to a maximum of two years detention in a young offenders' institution. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 18]

Interfaith social welfare conference

"Linking Up Inter-Faith", an interfaith social welfare advisory body linked to the Board of Social Responsibility of the Diocese of Manchester, is co-ordinating a conference on Muslim social welfare concerns with a planning committee of leading Muslims. The conference is planned for late 1995 or 1996 and hopes to bring together Muslims who are involved in social welfare work to discuss objectives and possible strategies for realising them. The organisation can be contacted at 27 Blackfriars Road, Manchester, M3 7AQ. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19]

Persian woman's experiences

A Persian woman, who left Iran when she was a child of two with her parents to settle in Britain but returned as an adult to contract a marriage with an Iranian which lasted only two years, has written a book about her experiences: Cherry Mosteshar: Unveiled: Life And Death Among The Ayatollahs, Hodder and Stoughton, £16.99. She returned to Iran after a career in journalism with the intention of becoming a foreign correspondent to a string of British newspapers. The book details her unhappy marriage and her experiences with officials in Iran whom she encountered in the course of attempting to pursue her journalistic career. A picture is painted on one woman's perspective on contemporary life in Iran particularly with reference to the position of women. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19]

Live animal exports

The recent protests over live animal exports from Britain provided grounds for a Muslim perspective to be offered in an article in Q News (20.01.95). The conditions under which calves were reared in crates and the process of transportation were explored and generally condemned. Two important comments were solicited. Firstly, from Fazlun Khalid of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences, "Islam has a lot to say about animal welfare... Muslims should get involved in the demonstrations within the law. Otherwise they run the risk of giving a very narrow view of Islam restricted to concern about halal-meat". Secondly, from Dr Ghayasuddin of the Halal Food Authority, "We obviously support animal welfare concepts and campaigns. But it is hypocritical for people to scream about the well-being of animals and remain silent about the suffering of innocent people all over the world. Things need to be put into perspective". [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19]

Private Eye on Birmingham

The satirical magazine Private Eye (27.01.95) published the results of their investigation into the Muslim Unemployment Project, Handsworth, Birmingham, which is controlled by the United Muslim Social and Unemployment Centre which is the recipient of some £41,000 of council grants. The investigation brought to light a series of alleged irregularities in the conduct of the affairs of these bodies which focused on financial and administrative mismanagement. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19]

Folk singers' concert, Halifax

Mirpuri folk singers provided a free concert at the Islamic Cultural Community Centre, Halifax, on Sunday 29th January. Singers came from as far away as Birmingham and free food was provided for the audience of around 500. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19]

"No-go" areas in Bradford

According to a survey conducted by the Bradford and Ilkley College, two areas of Cal, Bradford, have been made into "no-go" areas for white youths by young men from Pakistani families. There are other areas of Cal which are avoided by youths from Asian families who are liable to be attacked by young white men. Racial violence is said to have declined in the area but at the expense of an increase in segregation (Q News 20.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 19/20]

Buddhist-Christian-Muslim dialogue

St John's Theological College, Nottingham, which trains future Christian ministers, has opened up a week-long course which it had planned for internal students to Christians, Muslims and Buddhists from the surrounding area. The course aims to examine basic Christian doctrines in relation to the teachings of the other two faiths. The course is designed to be a component of both Diploma and MA level courses which are awarded by the University of Nottingham. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 20]

Peterborough street, harmonious example

Gladstone Street in the heart of Peterborough was the subject of a community profile in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph (03.02.95). The street used to be home to a community of Italian immigrants and still contains an Italian Catholic Mission and the facility for Italians to have their passports issued there but the number of Italian families has decreased by 75% over the past thirty years. The largest community now is Muslim and several people from the street were profiled including community workers, businessmen and unemployed people. The mosque, primary school, post office, pub and shops provide the foci of a harmonious community in which, by all reports, a spirit of goodwill and co-operation exists. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 20]

Trees "butchered at mosque

Watford mosque received permission from the local council to "crown" four lime trees on their property which were protected by a tree preservation order. The permission required the work to be done by a qualified tree surgeon and for the crowning to be to a height of six metres. The mosque engaged someone to do the work who was not a qualified tree surgeon, the trees were "butchered" and a council official was despatched immediately to halt the work before it was completed. An inspection revealed that it will probably take five years for the trees to recover and the bill for remedial work will be sent to the mosque. A spokesman for the mosque said that they did not know that the person was unqualified. The operative has admitted liability. It has not yet been decided whether the council will press charges under the Town and Country Planning Act (West Herts & Watford Observer 27.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 20]

Glasgow protests over drink fail

In spite of concerted efforts by local Muslim and Christian leaders in Glasgow, the city's licensing board has granted a provisional public house licence to a large leisure complex in Kelvingrove Park. Objections focused on the loss of the amenity to Muslims who would not want to be associated with licensed premises, the damage which would be done to the neighbourhood by widening roads to provide access to lorries and the general disruption of increased traffic and patrons (Glasgow Evening Times 19.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 20]

Fife plans scrapped

Fife Islamic Society has scrapped plans to convert a former cinema in College Street, Buckhaven, into a multicultural social centre. The decision was prompted by the Society's failure to raise sufficient funds for the project, particularly through local authority grants. They are now applying for outline planning permission to clear the site and use it for residential development. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 20]

Rugby role model

The decision to include Ikram Butt in the England Rugby League squad prompted a profile of him in The Observer (22.01.95). He is the first man from an Asian family to play professional rugby league in this country. Butt was born in Leeds, the son of a Pakistani father who had boxed in the air force, and attended a rugby-playing school in Headingley. He spoke of the lack of knowledge about rugby amongst most Asian families, by comparison with their passion for cricket and hockey, as the foremost reason why such boys do not enter the sport. He had encountered racial taunts from fans and some players in his early days and is now taking part in coaching sessions in schools to encouraged others to follow his example. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 21]

Muslims oppose sex shop

Muslim community leaders in Edinburgh have united in their opposition to a sex shop being opened in the centre of the city within the immediate vicinity of two mosques. Leaders from these mosques have orchestrated complaints which have been lodged with Edinburgh District Council and have called on local Christian leaders to join them in their opposition to the proposal (Edinburgh Evening News 01.02.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 21]

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Updates

Education

Shattering the Muslim myths

A Muslim A-level student at Greenhead Grammar School, Keighley, was chosen to give a speech at the school's presentation evening. The speech was printed in full by the Keighley News (20.01.95) under the headline "Shattering the Muslim myths". The young woman concerned gave an account of the achievements which her generation of young Muslims had made in education given that her parents were immigrants with "very little English" who had encouraged their daughters to be individuals and think for themselves. Two of her sisters are currently at university reading education and medicine; she, herself, is studying four A-level subjects with a career in law in mind. She spoke of the potential for a crisis of identity and the need to develop a strong Islamic faith to guide one through education and into adult life. "I have many other friends who have succeeded academically and have high expectations of a career in a worthwhile profession, in addition to the traditional role of motherhood." [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 21]

AMS office for Leicester

The Association of Muslim Schools has opened an office in Leicester with a full-time development officer in the person of Ibrahim Hewitt. The intention of the move is to offer support to Muslim schools especially in the areas of curriculum development, resources and the raising of standards in the increasing number of Muslim community-based schools which are now reckoned to number 38 (Education 13.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 21]

Harassment of Muslim girls

The alleged harassment of Muslim girls in state schools by Muslim boys who regard them as being immodestly dressed or following Islamically unacceptable subjects was reported in an article in The Observer (05.02.95). In all areas where there is a sizeable Muslim population, the article suggests, "a struggle is taking place for the hearts, minds and souls of the young. It is most marked in the colleges and universities, but is spilling over into schools". The article regarded this phenomenon as a response to the "demonising" of Islam which is widely held to be taking place within western society. At the same time it is an expression of the idealism of youth which seeks to exhort others to follow a path towards higher goals. One worrying feature is that the reference point for such exhortations is that a failure to observe these decrees will be to set out on the inexorable path to damnation. Not surprisingly, this leads some to talk of coercive methods being employed and clearly has an impact on impressionable young minds. The article went on to link the current crisis to the cuts in Section 11 funding for additional English language support in schools. For many Muslim children, an estimated 7,000 in Bradford alone, this provision has been a life-line representing the only real chance they have to bring their language skills up to such a level that they will be able to benefit from the whole educational process. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 21/22]

Dewsbury student gets a "first"

Harun Patel was one of only two students at Staffordshire University to be awarded a first class honours degree in computer aided engineering. He is from Dewsbury, where he was educated at the Institute of Islamic Education and Huddersfield Technical College. He was complimentary about his time in Dewsbury, "I learnt self-discipline and respect at the Institute, and I think this led me to putting the effort and work in to getting the first" (Dewsbury Reporter 20.01.95). Harun is now considering registering for a PhD in engineering.

WEA course on Islam

The Salisbury, Wiltshire, branch of the Workers' Education Association has included a day course on an introduction to Islam in its spring programme. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 22]

Nursery school projects: Ramadan

The weekly journal Nursery World (19.01.95) is running a series of articles on using religious festivals as the bases for projects for nursery education. The second of the series was devoted to Ramadan. It gave a brief overview of the meaning and practice of the fast, suggested that the Muslim community should be used as a resource and recommended appropriate further reading. There were suggestions of Muslim artefacts which could be assembled or made for a display and pointers were given to the way in which young children could be brought to consider some of the wider issues involved in the spirit of fasting. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 22]

MEF annual meeting

The seventh annual meeting of the Muslim Educational Forum was held at the Islamic Foundation, near Leicester, on 21st and 22nd January. There were nearly thirty speeches addressed to the meeting which ranged from an appeal for Muslims not to be so isolated in their educational aims, through a stern warning about the reduction in Section 11 funding, to an appeal to give full weight to the learning of Arabic. The nature of the meeting is to be an open exchange of views with no powers of resolution or enforcement; as such it fulfilled its ends. A report of the meeting was carried by Q News (27.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 22]

Outstanding success in Maths

The Leicester Islamic Academy, once mooted as a candidate to opt-in to Grant Maintained status, is rejoicing at the outstanding success of two girls who sat their GCSE Maths examinations more than two years early and achieved grade B passes. A further four girls took grade B and C passes in Maths in the November examination. The school is co-educational at the primary level and for girls only at secondary level. Since it was opened in 1981, it has had the noteworthy success of one former pupil achieving a first class honours degree in English from Oxford University. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 22]

Islamia Education Trust Leeds

The Islamia Education Trust Leeds has begun to advertise for a headteacher to take on the responsibilities at a new Muslim Girls' High School which they plan to open in September 1995. The person appointed will be involved in setting the ethos and policies of the school. The Trust is likewise offering positions to teachers to take charge of all curriculum areas. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 23]

Mosques

Bolton

Residents in the neighbourhood of the proposed 1500 m² mosque in Peace Street, Bolton, have continued to petition the planning authority to reject the plans currently under discussion (see BMMS for October and December 1994). The planning committee has been recommended to accept the plans by council officers. Concerns focus on the additional traffic congestion in the area, lack of adequate parking provision and the fact that the plans call for three minarets, two of 103 feet and a third at 156 feet, which it is feared would dominate the skyline of the whole town (Manchester Evening News 13.01.95).

Further, an application has been made to the Civil Aviation Authority to consider whether the minarets will prove a hazard to aircraft making their approaches to nearby aerodromes. A spokesman for the CAA suggested that the aerodromes might like to consult with the planning authority but "This building is not inordinately high and is not particularly close to either aerodrome" (Bolton Evening News 18.01.95). Further, it would not be a hazard to emergency helicopters.

There are also concerns about a 2 ft water main which crosses the site which would have to be diverted at the developers' expense. Protests have been recorded over fifty trees which would have to be felled if the site is developed and footpaths which cross the site would have to be diverted. The application was discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on 19th January where a decision was deferred until 9th February when a site inspection was scheduled. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 23]

Bolton

The Ikhwanul Muslim Society has been negotiating for permission to build a mosque on Gibraltar Street, Deane, Bolton. The plans for the building itself are generally acceptable to planners but there is concern over the lack of adequate parking provision. The latest plans call for an underground car park to be built but planning engineers were not happy with the structure and feared that it would prove too expensive to be realised. The council is asking for provision for 20 cars to be parked off-street. An alternative suggestion being explored is the purchase of adjoining land for a car park. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 23]

Bradford

The Bradford Islamic Cultural and Education Association has lodged an appeal with the Department of the Environment following the city council's refusal to grant planning permission for a domestic garage in Thornbury Crescent to be used as a mosque (see BMMS for November 1994). The planning authority refused the application on the grounds that the garage is in a residential area and there is insufficient parking (Bradford Telegraph & Argus 02.01.95). [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 23]

Burnley

The Planning and Environment Committee of Burnley Council has generally welcomed the application from local Muslims to restore a derelict building to be used as a mosque. They are happy about the erection of two minarets but the remaining problem is the noise level of the call to prayer which Muslims wish to make from them. The suggested noise level is 70 decibels which is comparable to some car alarms and it has been suggested that the adhan [call to prayer] should be limited to three times per day between the hours of 0800 and 2000. Some councillors think this to be impracticable and fear that the noise level would still be too high. A final decision has been deferred for further consultation on this point. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 23]

Chelsea

Permission has been granted for the use of the basement of a house in Golborne Road, Chelsea, as a mosque. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Crawley

A half-built mosque in Broadwood Rise, Crawley, has been the subject of attacks by vandals who have knocked down walls, stolen materials, torched a workman's hut and daubed racist slogans around the site. Local police have been advising the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association on appropriate security measures in an attempt to prevent a clash between vandals and vigilantes. A firm of security guards has been retained to protect the building which is due to be completed in around four months. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Dewsbury

Permission has been granted to add a second storey to a mosque under construction in Hope Street, Dewsbury, which will serve as a meeting room. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Rochdale

Muslims in Rochdale have lost the opportunity to secure a small site in Ramsay Street for additional car parking provision. The site will be developed for a house instead but there may be sufficient space for two additional parking places. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Skipton

The forty families which make up the Muslim community in Skipton have been given permission to expand their mosque in Midland Street (see BMMS for October 1994) by removing the internal walls between two terraced houses. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Smethwick

Local residents in Smethwick are opposing plans to build a Muslim welfare centre on a site in Shireland Road. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Southport

Planning permission has been granted to the Southport Muslim Society to convert a former Christian church into the first mosque in the town. The former Methodist chapel has been used as a sculpture studio since it ceased to be needed for worship. There were complaints from local residents and church leaders which focused on the potential for increased noise and parking problems. The mosque will have a normal congregation of 30 people, all of whom live in the town. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Stoke on Trent

Plans have been submitted to extend the Darbar Unique Centre used by followers of Pir Pandariman in Oldfield Street, Stoke on Trent. The plans include the addition of ornate archways and high copper domes. Local residents are opposing the extension particularly as it is coupled with a request to keep the centre open beyond the current closing time of 2330. The architect has pointed out that the extension is mainly to the rear of the present building and will result in the site having an air of completion. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Wellington

The ground floor of a house in Regent Street, Wellington, Shropshire,which has been used for worship and education classes without planning permission for several years without complaint from neighbours has been given retrospective planning permission by the planning authority. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

Wolverhampton

The Cradley Heath Muslim Association has asked Sandwell Council for notional consent to accept a nominal payment for a suitable site in their area for a proposed mosque. No such site has yet been located but their current accommodation is too small. The council has replied that this is likely to breach the requirement of the Audit Commission that councils must sell land at the market price. [BMMS January 1995 Vol. III, No. 1, p. 24]

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