BMMS November 95

The Independent carried a special two-day report on Muslims in Britain entitled Inside British Islam (05.12.95) and British Islam: a generation awakes (06.12.95). The reports were the main items in the tabloid Section Two parts on both days and included several full-page photographs, a glossary and discrete sections on education and Muslim groupings in Britain. The articles were written by two Independent journalists who had conducted extensive research and interviewed Muslim religious and community leaders as well as academics with specialist knowledge of Muslims in Britain.

The first article traced the history of Muslim communities from the time of mass immigration onwards. It examined the Rushdie affair and its aftermath before moving on to an examination of the ill-founded perceptions and realities of "fundamentalism" as it applies in Britain. The lack of an Islamically well-educated Muslim leadership was stressed, as were the benefits which accrue to those communities which have a wide range of professionals and businessmen as well as manual workers amongst the ranks of their elders. The interface between Islam and modernity was highlighted by one commentator who pointed out the richness of the Islamic intellectual tradition in history; a history which is sadly little-known today. The first article concluded with a quotation from Dr Zaki Badawi, the principal of the Muslim College, who said, "The Shariah is a law for a Muslim majority. Where Muslims are in a minority they must develop a minority theology. That's what we're working on here".

The second article concentrated on the younger generation of Muslims who had been brought up in Britain. They have a confidence in terms of language and social skills which their parents lacked, which often leads them into higher education, which makes the disparity in employment prospects between the Muslim community and wider society all the more pointed. The revival of interest in religion amongst the young was noted, which leads more into religious practice and study of the corpus of Islamic sources. At the same time, the rejection of religion is more marked in this generation who have found it easier to dismiss the heritage of their parents, including Islam. Attention was drawn to the rise of a Muslim media aimed specifically at the younger generation who define themselves firstly as Muslim rather than by any cultural or ethnic identity. This led on to a discussion of the rise of a British Islam; where young Muslims want to eat pizza, but it must be halal pizza, and to dress modestly, but in western styles.

The great opportunities for living as a Muslim which Britain affords were stressed at some length. Dr Zaki Badawi commented, "Britain is the best place in the world to be a Muslim - most Muslim states are tyrannies and things are harder elsewhere in Europe". Akram Khan Cheema also commented that, "We have a wonderful opportunity in a country like Britain... We have freedom of expression to develop our own thinking without oppression, in spite of the Islamophobia". [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 1]

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Murabitun under fire

The activities of the leader of the Murabitun society, Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Murabit, were explored in a two-page article in Scotland on Sunday (12.11.95). The Shaykh has set himself up in a country house near Inverness which was reported to have been purchased with £325,000 from Malaysia. Attention was also drawn to an Islamic Homeopathic Clinic associated with the society. Allegations were made about the Shaykh's views on the Holocaust, anti-Semitism and Adolf Hitler. The tone and content of the article conveyed the image of a "shadowy world" surrounding the society and its leader.

Scotland on Sunday returned to the same theme in its next edition (19.11.95). It was reported that the Shaykh has links with extreme right-wing groups in Britain such as the National Front. These links included shared distribution of material and common themes such as an admiration for Adolf Hitler and anti-Semitism. It was also alleged that the Murabitun society has been riven by divisions throughout the 24 years that Shaykh Abd al-Qadir has been its leader. Concerns were reported about the leader's lifestyle and the location of substantial funds from benefactors overseas.

The dispute over access to the Ihsan Mosque in Norwich (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for August, September and October 1995) has developed into an attack on the Murabitun society which owns the building. The "Save the Ihsan Mosque Committee", which represents those who have been excluded from using the building, issued a statement which said, "We utterly condemn the vile and pernicious teachings of this sect who, for their own ends, are attempting to destabilise the relationships between different religious groups in Britain and elsewhere" (Norwich Evening News 16.11.95). Similarly, a spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said, "The Murabitun's usage of right-wing ideology is firmly at the odds with their supposed Islamic beliefs [sic]". Quotations were published by the newspaper from pamphlets allegedly published by the society which refer to Adolf Hitler as an "astonishing and frustratingly unfulfilled genius" and speak of the "Masonic ethos of Jew-controlled Christian society". A spokesman for the Charity Commissioners, who are investigating the situation in Norwich, said "We want to ask them [the trustees of the mosque] about their intentions because we are not certain what their plans are".

Scotland on Sunday (19.11.95) also carried a letter from the "Save the Ihsan Mosque Committee" in Norwich which has been in dispute with members of the Murabitun Society for some months about access to the Ihsan Mosque in Norwich. The letter alleged that, "This small but manipulative group have for a number of years been creating dissension within the Norwich Muslim community, principally by alienating various ethnic groups, in order to assume a leadership role". The letter went on to warn that, "This sect stated last year that their intention was to open a mosque in Inverness... As concerned Muslims we would warn non-Muslims in Scotland not to be deceived by their apparently alluring demeanour...". However, the Inverness Courier (17.11.95), interviewed several people who lived around Shaykh Abd al-Qadir's residence, who all reported that the occupants were friendly, caused no trouble and led a private and reserved lifestyle.

A marketing firm called "The Company of Scotland", which is based in the house in which Shaykh Abd al-Qadir lives, ran into trouble with several Scottish traders who signed up to join a trade fair in Amsterdam which they were organising. The Company aims to sell direct to the public as it holds that many large wholesaling and distributing firms have monopolised the market. The venture was reportedly badly organised and many companies returned with significant losses. Questions were raised about the organising prowess of The Company of Scotland and an investigation has been instigated by the trading standards' department of the Highland Regional Council (Inverness Courier 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 2/3]

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HuT on university campuses

Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned from organising on the campus of Birmingham University. A memorandum was sent to all departments saying that any member of Hizb ut-Tahrir who was promoting the group's activities was to be removed from the campus immediately by security personnel. Any infringements of the ban will result in disciplinary proceedings (Jewish Chronicle 03.11.95). The Director of Public Affairs at the university said, "It is principally outsiders causing concern but there are one or two students too... It's not the views that have caused concern. We do uphold freedom of speech - it is enshrined in our procedures. But it was the aggressive manner in which this organisation was going about its business which was amounting to harassment of students and this is something we don't permit even in the interests of free speech. It was aggressive recruiting and pestering students, really" (Q News 10.11.95). HuT spokesman, Farid Kassim, retorted, "Hizb ut-Tahrir is not really interested in what academia might do. We continue distributing our leaflets and giving our talks... This is God's earth. It does not belong to Birmingham or any other Anglo-Saxon. It belongs to Allah. We will continue business as usual". Concerns were expressed that the ban might encourage other universities to follow suit and might betoken a more general challenge to Muslim groups.

Following the debate in the Cambridge Union on the motion that "This house fears the rise of radical Islam", which included a summing-up by Omar Bakri Mohammed of the HuT (see BMMS for October 1995), a follow-up talk under the title "The rise of Islam: what are the western rulers afraid of?" which was organised by the Cambridge Islamic Discussion Stall had its booking of a room cancelled by the university authorities on the grounds that the organisation is neither a registered society of the Cambridge Union nor a bona fide academic organisation. This action led to some discussion of the university's position regarding Islamic groups. The university's Senior Proctor made it clear that the cancellation had nothing to do with the contents of the talk (Daily Jang 10.11.95).

Omar Bakri Mohammed (aka Omar Bakri Fostok) is reported to be subject to monitoring by the Arab section of the Special Branch (The Mail on Sunday 12.11.95). It was also stated that he is currently in receipt of disability benefit and income support from public funds in excess of £200 per week. Born in Syria, Omar Bakri Mohammed has lived in Britain with his family since 1985. He was granted legal residence in 1993 and applied for British citizenship in March 1995. He was arrested in 1991 after allegedly claiming that the Prime Minister would be a legitimate target for assassination. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 3]

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Short Reports

Lucky lottery machine?

A lottery machine installed in a corner shop in Failsworth, Manchester has won renown for being the source of three jackpot winning tickets during the first year of the national lottery, worth a total of £10m. In addition there have been 18 six-ball winners and countless five-ball tickets. The Muslim owner was quoted in the press saying, "Never mind the Lottery finger, I think Allah is looking down and saying it must be me!" (Manchester Evening News 13.11.95). Customers report that they make special detours to buy tickets from the shop and, at one stage, customers were arriving from all over Britain. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 4]

Wandsworth: cemetery provision

Councillors in the London Borough of Wandsworth have agreed to meet the additional costs of £4,330 per year involved in providing additional cemetery staffing at weekends and pubic holidays so that burials can take place within 24 hours of death. Shroud burials will also be introduced and a designated Muslim burial ground at the Morden Cemetery will be extended thus making provision for the next twenty years (Wandsworth Borough News 03.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 4]

Kings Cross sentence campaign

A campaign has been launched by members of the Bangladeshi community in north London, to bring to public attention the plight of Badrul Miah who was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a white youth in the Somers Town district of London in August 1994 (see BMMS for August 1994 and October 1995). An appeal is to be lodged against the conviction on the grounds that the trial judge made errors in law. Several questions have been asked about the conduct of the case and the possibility of racism as an underlying motive behind the actions of the prosecution (Q News 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 4]

Arab dissidents in London

The four Algerians who were arrested in London on suspicion of involvement in terrorist attacks in France and Algeria have been detained pending extradition applications or for further questioning by immigration officials. "Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Muslim Parliament expressed his concern that the British government gave credence to 'every claim made by the French apologists for torture, murder and oppression in Algeria'. He is urging the government to question the reliability of information from the French in relation to suspects" (Q News 17.11.95).

The Sunday Telegraph (19.11.95) returned to the theme of Arab dissidents in London with a report that the Israeli government is putting pressure on Britain to circumscribe the activities of the Palestinian group Hamas who are alleged to be "using London as a base to mastermind terrorist attacks and incite violence". References were made to the France/Algeria situation and allegations were made about proof of links between London-based "commanders" and activists in Syria and Palestine. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 4]

Alcohol licence refused, Falkirk

An Italian restaurant beside a mosque in Falkirk, which was granted its restaurant licence last month, has failed in an application for an off-sales and public house licence due to opposition from the local community (see BMMS for October 1995). "The lawyer acting on behalf of members of the Islamic community claimed any sale of alcohol would disrupt prayer meetings, lead to increased racial harassment, litter and traffic hold-ups in the narrow street" (Falkirk Herald 09.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 4/5]

Shroud burial in Rugby

Councillors in Rugby have acquiesced to an application from local Muslims to permit burial in only a shroud "as long as the body was transported to the graveside in a standard coffin" (Rugby Observer 09.11.95). Notes for guidance on all aspects of Muslim funerals are now to be issued to undertakers. As from 1 April 1996, it will be permitted for Muslims to bury their dead without a coffin in cemeteries in the London Borough of Hounslow (Hounslow & Chiswick Informer 27.10.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 5]

Lottery funds women's centres

The award of £102,900 from the national lottery to Bury Racial Equality Council enabled them to set up a number of training schemes for women from the local Asian community. The plans prompted the chairman of the Bury Islamic Centre to warn that such provision will not be acceptable for Muslims as the source of the money is from gambling which is forbidden (see BMMS for October 1995). He has drawn local Muslims' attention to a fatwa [formal legal opinion] on the subject and has said that any women using the facilities risk being shunned and expelled from the local Muslim community (Radcliffe Times 02.11.95). The Muslim chairman of the Racial Equality Council has defended his actions, saying "We are not running a Muslim organisation or a religious organisation - ours is a social organisation and not just for any one religion... The REC is an organisation for all the ethnic minorities in the Bury area, not just for Asians" (Bury Times 03.11.95). The chairman of the Islamic Centre pointed out that, "This money is for Asian ladies in the Bury area. But as the majority of Asian women are Muslims, they cannot use money which comes from gambling" [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 5]

Kirklees officer disciplined

A Muslim man, who was subjected to "a barrage of racist abuse" from a housing officer in Kirklees, has been given "an unreserved apology" for the officer's "quite unacceptable" behaviour by the Chief Housing Officer. However, the offending officer, who has been dealt with "within the procedures of the Council" is still working as an Urban Renewal Officer in spite of calls for his dismissal (Awaaz [community newsletter] 01.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 5]

Oxford Union debate

On 17th November, the Oxford Union staged a debate with the motion that "This house does not believe that Islam is a threat to British society" (Q News 10.11.95). Speaking for the motion were Sahib Mustaqim Bleher of the Islamic Party of Britain and Makbool Javaid of the Society of Black Lawyers. Amongst those speaking against the motion was Ray Honeyford, the former Bradford headmaster. Attention was drawn to the positive way in which the motion was formulated by comparison with the negative motion "This house fears the rise of radical Islam" at the Cambridge Union (see BMMS for October 1995). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 5]

Manchester alcohol traders banned

Following complaints from worshippers at the Salford and Eccles Mosque in Manchester, it was decided to take the step of banning anyone who traded in alcohol from standing for election to the mosque committee. In the out-going committee, four members sold alcohol and they were disenfranchised by the ban. This led to charges of unfair practice and accusations of acting unconstitutionally. The alcohol purveyors were Bangladeshi restaurateurs who raised counter-questions about Muslims who bought houses with a mortgage. The former president of the committee, who was instrumental in the ban, said "They are now trying to project the idea that selling alcohol is a matter between themselves and God and that their personal lives should not be brought into the running of the mosque. But this is very dangerous thinking". Sheikh Darsh, the chairman of the UK Shari'ah Council commented, "It is totally forbidden to sell alcohol and for the sake of peace and tranquillity in the mosques, these people should step down... This kind of thing is happening up and down the country with committee members who sell alcohol trying to impose their will on the rest of the community... There is no excuse for them selling alcohol. It is not essential like having a house. And that's why Muslims are allowed to buy a house using a mortgage" (Q News 10.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 5/6]

Geldorf conversion denied

According to a report in Q News (17.11.95), a Turkish magazine called Londra Magazin carried a report, sourced to Sheikh Nazim, a leading figure in the Naqshbandi sufi order, that the popular singer Bob Geldof had converted to Islam after a meeting with the Sheikh. It is undisputed that Mr Geldof met the Sheikh at a private gathering and a photograph of them together was leaked to the press, however, both the singer's manager and London associates of Sheikh Nazim have denied the veracity of the report. It is reported that Sheikh Nazim himself has appeared on Turkish television denying the story. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 6]

Chauffeur looses appeal

The former chauffeur of the General Municipal and Boilermakers' Union's leader John Edmonds brought a case of unfair dismissal before an industrial tribunal. Tahir Raffi Janjua claimed that he had been the victim of a cultural mix-up over a visit to the toilet and that he had been treated "like a servant" by Mr Edmonds' secretary (Daily Jang 07.11.95). In giving evidence to the tribunal, Mr Edmonds stated the cause of dismissal as repeated failures to take the most direct routes to engagements which resulted in significant losses of time coupled with disagreements about working conditions which were set out in the contract of employment (Daily Jang 09.11.95). Mr Janjua said that he had been made to look like "a stereotypical Muslim Pakistani predisposed to treating women as inferiors" in his dealings with the secretary (Q News 10.11.95). The tribunal found against Mr Janjua's claim and said in judgement that, "We do not consider there are any facts from which we could properly infer that Mr Janjua was less favourably treated on the grounds of race. We consider Mr Edmonds was working totally properly and not oppressively" (Q News 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 6]

Aylesbury community centre

Muslims in Aylesbury are pressing plans to use a piece of land adjacent to the mosque in Havelock Street to build a youth and community centre to promote better relationships between all elements of the community in an effort to ensure that there is continued social harmony in the area. Concerns have been expressed about the number of young people from the Muslim community who are being excluded from schools and failing to find work. The land is currently owned by the local council but is designated for building sheltered flats through a housing association. Planning reports are to be drawn up and a decision will be made by the full council. The Campaign for Responsible Citizenship, which is the body proposing the scheme, has staged a public meeting to explain its plans (The Bucks Herald 02.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 6]

Crusades: reconciliation march

Thousands of young Christians are expected to re-trace the route of the first crusade across Europe to Jerusalem in the coming months as a token of reconciliation for the way in which the crusaders treated Jews and Muslims. They will be distributing a leaflet printed in German, Turkish and Arabic "which contains an apology asserting that the Crusaders' violence 'betrayed' the message of Christ by corrupting its true meaning of reconciliation, forgiveness and selfless love... The leaflet will assert that contemporary Christians 'act in repentance of the very idea of crusading, and offer apology for the atrocities committed in the name of Christ by our predecessors. We renounce greed hatred and fear, and condemn all violence done in the name of Jesus Christ'" (Baptist Times 02.11.95). The first group set out from Clermont Ferrand in France on 27th November, exactly 900 years after the launch of the first crusade. Various groups will follow sections of the route over the next four years and the climax will come on 15 July 1999 with a service of repentance in Jerusalem to mark the fall of that city and the massacre of thousands of Jews and Muslims. To mark the 900th anniversary of the first crusade, the BBC sent a Muslim and a Christian to follow the route and record their experiences and reflections on the way for two programmes broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on 8th and 15th November. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 7]

Islam on cable TV

The Scarborough Muslim Association of Canada has taken out advertisements in the press announcing a new television programme every Sunday morning on the UK Asianet channel on cable television called "Islam in focus". The programme is said to contain religious information, lectures and devotional material (Q News 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 7]

Racism embedded in British society

The CRE Commissioner and chair of the Pakistan Welfare Association, Dr Z.U.Khan, addressed a meeting of academics in London on embedded racism within British society. He said, "Much racism is implicit in the ways and means that things are done rather than explicit racism of extremist groups and individuals... Institutional racism systematically stigmatises, penalises and excludes non-white peoples. It tends to operate invisibly and insidiously making it more difficult to tackle than explicit individual prejudice". Dr Khan called for people to work hard to make "invisible racism, visible" (Daily Jang 09.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 7]

Youth work, Leicester

The Federation of Muslim Organisations in Leicester is organising conferences of young people locally to raise their awareness of youth work in an effort to increase their demands on the youth service. A spokesman for the federation said, "There are up to five thousand young Muslims in three inner city wards and no paid Muslim part-time workers... We want to see at least six trained Muslim youth workers to reach out to young people - showing them how to be a citizen while retaining a Muslim identity. This is not about making them insular - we want to get young people to interact with the wider community, but first they need to develop their confidence with youth work that comes from their perspective" (Young People Now December 1995). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 7]

Oxford Islamic exhibition

An Islamic Experience Exhibition was staged for a week at the beginning of November at Westminster College, Oxford. The exhibition received visits from local schoolchildren and was open to the general public for two days (Oxford Mail 10.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 7]

Portrait tribute to Muslim leader

A portrait of Abdul Hameed Salik, a leading member of the Muslim community in Rochdale who served many local associations until his death in 1994, has been executed by a local artist and unveiled by the leader of Rochdale council. It will hang in the municipal buildings as a permanent tribute to his service to the city (Rochdale Observer 01.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8]

Muslims Against Racism

As part of a campaign of Muslims Against Racism, the Muslim weekly Q News organised a public meeting on 29th November at which there were to be speakers from the Islamic Party of Britain, the Muslim Parliament and Hizb ut-Tahrir amongst others. Delegations were expected from Belgium, France, Germany and Italy. Issues scheduled for discussion were: What is the Islamic position on racism? How can Muslims contribute to the anti-racist struggle? Is Islamophobia behind the marginalisation of Muslims in the anti-racist movement? Do Muslims have a relevant agenda on the issue of fascism? What is the extent of the problem in Europe? As part of their contribution to the debate, the newspaper ran a series of articles in November issues. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8]

TV programme: Holy Places

Channel 4 television is running a series of six programmes entitled Holy Places made by Amirani Films. The programme on 20th November featured a former convent of the Servite Sisters in Tottenham, north London which had been sold to a Muslim group, funded by the Sultan of Brunei, and converted into a mosque and Islamic centre. A representative of the sisters expressed their joy at knowing that their former priory was to continue as a place for the worship of God (The Universe 12.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8]

Sponsored cycle for Spastics

Two members of the Young Muslims in Oldham bicycled from Oldham to Bradford to raise £130 in sponsorship to assist with the building of a new residential home for the Oldham Spastics Society (Oldham Evening Chronicle 09.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8]

Internal divisions, Halifax

The Islamic Cultural Community Association, which managed the Islamic Cultural Community Centre in Raven Street, Halifax, is to be disbanded (Halifax Evening Courier 20.11.95). The community centre has been the focus of a prolonged dispute between elements of the local Muslim community (see BMMS for December 1994; January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October 1995). The Raven Street building was closed in September after the council declined to pay for extensive repairs. Its future is now uncertain, although there is a suggestion that it might be renovated and re-opened under different management. The Islamic Association was in receipt of grants totalling some £42,000 annually but questions were raised about its accounting procedures by council auditors. The council has now agreed to make a further, final grant to assist the Association to wind up its affairs. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8]

Calamus Foundation lectures

The joint series of lectures entitled Where Muslim and Jewish Civilisations meet, which is being sponsored by the Calamus Foundation and Leo Baeck College (see BMMS for September 1995), attracted the attention of the press to a session on business ethics. The Jewish approach to the question was given by Rabbi Pinchas Rosenstein who acknowledged that many believers "turned a blind eye when it came to the question of business dealings" but stressed that, "Honesty is not something which can be switched on and off" (Jewish Chronicle 17.11.95). The importance of honesty and integrity in business were also stressed by the Muslim speaker, Mohammad Risaluddin, a founder-trustee of the Calamus Foundation. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 8/9]

Haringey cemetery opened

The first new cemetery in the London Borough of Haringey for 150 years has been officially opened by civic and religious leaders. It will provide 2,700 grave spaces which, it is estimated, will last the local community for ten years. There is a special section set aside for Muslim burial in which graves will be correctly aligned (Hornsey & Crouch End Journal 23.11 95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 9]

Police seek Tunisian fraudster

Police in Yorkshire have asked local Muslims to be on the lookout for a Tunisian-born fraudster who has defrauded Muslims out of thousands of pounds in a variety of towns and cities across the UK and Turkey (see BMMS for August 1995). He is wanted by police in both countries and habitually plies Muslims with tales of family bereavements or illness and then asks for loans which he swears on the Qur'an to repay. It is thought that he has recently been sighted in Sheffield (Yorkshire Post 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 9]

Ahmadiyya centre, Birmingham

A Birmingham City Councillor, Mushtaq Rabbani, has reported that he has received telephoned death threats over the decision by the council to lease the former Tilton Road School to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association for a community centre, mosque and careers advice centre (see BMMS for July and October 1995). The police have launched an investigation into the threats but Councillor Rabbani is at pains to stress that they did not come from members of the Ahmadiyya community (Birmingham Evening Mail 18.11.95). The whole proposal has been jeopardised by a recent fire which damaged part of the dilapidated building. At present, the council has decided to postpone any further action on the issue of whether to sell the freehold to the Ahmadis, until a full investigation into the background of the proposal is held. There is concern on the part of local Muslims that public funds will be given to assist the project in the belief that the recipients will be Muslims, whilst in fact, there is a general consensus in Pakistan and other Muslim countries, that the Ahmadis are outside the Muslim ummah [single world-wide community]. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 9]

Use of Hillingdon library

Hillingdon Council is to meet to consider a petition signed by 200 local residents who are opposed to plans to allow the former Harlington Library to be leased to the Islamic Cultural and Muslim Burial Society and Anjuman Himayatul Islam (see BMMS for July and August 1995). The main concerns are the increased traffic congestion in the area and the provision of adequate toilet facilities. The library has been almost unused for the past eighteen-months and the Muslim groups were the only ones to offer proposals to bring it back into service (Gazette Hayes & Harlington 22.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 9]

UMIST makes kitchen halal

The catering department at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology realised that, although a significant proportion of its students were Muslims, they were not using the canteen facilities even though they supplied halal meat. Upon enquiry, they found that students were concerned that the food had been cooked in the kitchen's steam boilers which had also be used for non-halal food. It was resolved that the boilers should be scoured out with earth and washed seven times with water under the supervision of representatives from the Islamic Student Society and a Muslim elder. It was decided that only in this way could the boilers be regarded as sufficiently clean to be used for halal food. A final seal of approval is awaited from the Federation of Student Islamic Societies (Manchester Evening News 23.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 9/10]

High Wycombe graves vandalised

Muslim leaders in High Wycombe have asked for increased security in the town's cemetery after fourteen graves belonging to Muslim children were wrecked in a single night of destruction. Views vary as to whether the damage was indiscriminate vandalism or whether it had a racial motivation; Muslim community leaders tend to the latter opinion (Bucks Free Press 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 10]

UMO and community representation

Dr Syed Aziz Pasha, the secretary of the Union of Muslim Organisations, reacted strongly to suggestions made by Nicholas Baker, a junior minister at the Home Office, at the UMO celebration of the Prophet's birthday on 23rd September, to the effect that the Muslims of Britain should form a new 'broader forum' to "represent the community's interest" (Muslim News 24.11.95). "Syed Pasha retorted by reminding Mr Baker that UMO was the only Muslim organisation which was 'democratic' and represented both Sunni and Shi'i communities. What the Home Office's suggestion would do would be to divide the Muslim community further as 'new bodies have a tendency to create friction'. 'Therefore tell the Home Secretary that UMO is the only democratically elected national representative body in this country'." [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 10]

Religious discrimination seminar

The South London Interfaith Group is to stage a public seminar on 10th December at the Ahl ul-Bayt Islamic Centre to discuss religious discrimination. A variety of speakers are expected including Makbool Javaid of the Society of Black Lawyers and Brian Pearce of the Inter Faith Network of the UK. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 10]

Nelson lights up for Eid

Festive lights in Nelson town centre, which have traditionally been switched on for Christmas, will also be switched on for five days to coincide with Eid ul-Fitr celebrations in February 1996. The decision was made by the Pendle Ethnic Minorities Consultation Forum and will be funded from its own budget which is derived from Pendle Council. Banners will also be erected in Market Street, Nelson and in front of the town hall. The Forum also recommended Pendle Council to stage an Eid celebration meal for local pensioners to mirror the meals provided for pensioners at Christmas (Nelson Leader 17.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 10]

Fasting driver kills child

Mohammed Nazir, a 56 year-old taxi driver, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving when he blacked out at the wheel of his cab whilst observing the fast of Ramadan in 1995. His car mounted the pavement and killed a baby girl in a pushchair. Nazir had been driving for 35 years but had had his licence withdrawn by magistrates at the time of the incident. He was sentenced to eight months in gaol and banned from driving for life (Daily Star 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 10]

Games raise £25,000

More than 5,000 people attended the Islamic Relief Games staged in Birmingham on 22nd October which raised a total of £25,000 for worldwide development projects (see BMMS for October 1995). The soccer tournament was particularly popular with 120 teams coming from all over Britain and as far away as Paris. Other attractions included a funfair, market stalls, singing and a women-only programme (Muslim News 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 11]

Guthrie Centre opens

The Guthrie Centre for Islamic Studies (see BMMS for November 1994), was formally opened on 11th November, although its director, Peter Riddell, will not arrive from Australia until the new year. The centre is part of the London Bible College. The principal of the college, who entered into his post in September 1995, explained thus the reasons for establishing the centre: "After the fall of communism, which was a strong opponent of Christianity, the stage was made clear for Islam... As it is also quite an opponent of Christianity and, because of Islam's militancy, we felt it was right to acquit [sic] ourselves with information... It is important we understand Islam and I must stress we are not about aggressive teachings" (Harefield Gazette 22.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 11]

Islamic Convention, London: report

At the Islamic Convention held in London on 24th September organised jointly by the Islamic Society of Britain and the Young Muslims UK (see BMMS for September 1995), the emphasis was on what Muslims have to offer to the wider society in Britain which, in the words of one speaker, is "in search of a vision and direction" (Muslim News 24.11.95). This theme was taken up by several speakers who called on Muslims to rise above petty internal debates and accept the responsibility of offering guidance to the whole of British society. The importance of entering into the debate about human rights and freedom was stressed by Chandra Muzaffar, the director of a human rights organisation based in Malaysia, who drew attention to the contribution which Islam had to make through a concept of freedom. Sheikh Darsh, the chairman of the UK Shari'ah Council, stressed the need for Muslims to get involved in wider political action in Britain, saying "Participation in politics is important for your future and your positive role and contribution to the society you live in". [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 11]

Coventry woman honoured

Nubbia Kazmi, who has seen the number of women involved in the Al-Nisa Centre in Coventry rocket from 30 to 300 over the two years during which she has been in charge, was rewarded for her phenomenal success when she was presented with a commemorative trophy by former students at a celebration in the centre (Coventry Evening Telegraph 01.12.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 11]

Halifax health project report

The results of a year-long project aimed at investigating the health needs of the largely Asian community in the St John's area of Halifax were presented to the Calderdale Council Health and Environmental Strategy Sub-committee on 23rd November (Halifax Evening Courier 22.11.95). The report noted the need for professionally-trained interpreters and a neighbourhood health centre which could monitor and promote good health with a view to preventing hospital admissions and cutting the length of stay of in-patients. It could offer screening and health care for people returning from long periods overseas with the help of a travel health co-ordinator. Greater efforts were called for to inform the health professionals in the area about the needs of minority community members. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 11]

Peterborough imam's funeral

Over 1,000 people turned out for the funeral of Moulana Abdul Mustafa in Peterborough. He had been imam at the Cromwell Road Mosque from 1972 until 1990 and won respect from the whole community (Peterborough Evening Telegraph 29.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

REC funding withdrawn

The West Yorkshire Racial Equality Council, which received grants totalling £150,000 from local authorities, has been wound up due to financial problems. Two months ago, the REC was criticised by the Commission for Racial Equality for failing to liaise with district councils, a lack of proper financial controls and poor supervision of officers. Its demise was triggered by a withdrawal of funding by Leeds City Council (Halifax Evening Courier 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

Lottery bid for Barry centre

An application by the Muslim Welfare Association in Barry for a grant of £2,750 to pay for an architectural feasibility study on the Barry Islamic Centre was rejected by the local council who said that they would instruct their own architects to carry out the work. The study is required before an formal bid can be made for national lottery assistance in carrying out extensive refurbishment. The centre is situated in the former police station in Holton Road and plans call for the existing cell block to be demolished and replaced with a community hall, classrooms, offices, a library, reception area and lift shaft (Barry & District News 09.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

Coventry crèche opens

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Coventry performed the official opening ceremony for a new crèche at the Muslim Community Association's centre in the Foleshill district of the city (Leamington Evening Telegraph 04.12.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

Luton Muslim exhibition

The Luton Islamic Cultural Association staged an exhibition of Muslim religion and culture at the Beech Hill School on 25th November, with a view to bringing together Muslim and non-Muslim elements of society around a better understanding of Islam (Luton Leader 22.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

Imam: indecent assault charge

Abdul Aziz, formerly an imam and teacher in the Muslim community in Northampton, has been charged with indecently assaulting a nine year-old girl. He was granted bail on the condition that he reside at a specified address in Bradford pending a full hearing at Northampton Crown Court in January 1996 (Northampton Chronicle & Echo 28.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

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Updates

Education

New site for Feversham College?

The former Bradford Muslim Girls' School, which was renamed Feversham College when it moved to the site of the former Feversham School, might be on the move again to the building vacated by Cottingley Manor School when it was closed as part of the re-organisation of Catholic education in Bradford during the summer of 1995. Negotiations are under way with the Leeds Catholic Diocese with a view to purchasing the site which is surrounded by its own playing fields at the junction of Cottingley Road and the road from Bradford to Bingley (Bradford Telegraph & Argus 13.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 12]

Hijab and discrimination

The Helpline column in the Times Educational Supplement (17.11.95) dealt with the question of Muslim pupils wearing hijab. The question was formulated thus: "Is it discriminatory to ban the wearing of Muslim head-dresses?" And was answered: "It probably is, but each case needs to be tested on its merits. Some girls' schools maintain the position that girls cover themselves in the streets because their religion requires them to do so, but insist that they be removed in school on the grounds that it is largely a female environment. If the parents accept this, there is no difficulty. Elsewhere, a school which attempted to ban head-dresses, when the argument of religious faith was advanced in their defence, would almost certainly be held to be acting in a discriminatory manner". [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 13]

Burnley College imam service

Burnley College has decided to appoint religious personnel to work alongside its student counselling service. In view of the college's 15% population of Muslim students, it was decided to appoint an imam to the team as well as a Christian chaplain. The decision was taken after discussions with the Lancashire Council of Mosques, who shared in the selection of an appropriate person, who is a graduate of the college and currently teaching on its religious studies staff. The imam will aim to provide counselling for students and provide some leadership and support in their religious life. The newly-appointed imam is a co-founder of the college's Islamic Society and said, "Our students have always felt it was imperative that we had a more objective, intellectual and conciliatory approach to our religion and culture - discussion rather than discrimination is our philosophy. Interfaith dialogue with the Christian Union is something we hope to develop" (Times Educational Supplement 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 13]

Blackburn madrasah plans rejected

Proposals for a new madrasah in Blackburn have been rejected by the local council after complaints from neighbours that it would be too close to existing houses. The new building would have been sited just 28 feet from the backs of existing houses, at which point it would be a 25 feet high construction. Councillors also took account of the increase in traffic congestion, which would result, in rejecting the plans on the grounds of the building being overbearing and having an un-neighbourly impact on nearby homes (Lancashire Evening Telegraph 21.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 13]

OFSTED inspection for Bradford

The Office for Standards in Education has announced that it is to do a general inspection of eight middle and first schools and two comprehensives in the Manningham area of Bradford in the wake of the disturbances in that city in June 1995. Concern has been expressed about the academic performance of the schools which contain a high proportion of children for whom English is not their first language but the inspection will also take account of social and ethnic factors. This is the first overall survey of education in an area to be proposed. The inspection has been welcomed by the local education authority and Muslim community leaders although there is concern that it should be so timed as to avoid the month of Ramadan when children's performance might be impaired through fasting (The Guardian 14.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 13]

School prayer rooms, London

The headteacher at a school on the Isle of Dogs in east London was asked by his governors to conduct a survey of special provision of prayer rooms in schools in the Tower Hamlets district as they are considering installing a multi-faith prayer room in their school. The survey indicated that nearly all the state schools in the area have some prayer room provision and one had spent £16,000 on providing facilities including washrooms whilst another was thinking of incorporating a prayer room in its plans to rebuild. This issue has provoked some strong reactions in an area which won infamy for being the first to elect a British National Party candidate to the local council. Some voices have defended the traditionally secular nature of state education whilst others report that arrangements have worked well once they have been arrived at by discussions with parents and pupils (Sunday Telegraph 03.12.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 13/14]

Birmingham madrasah: new building

Birmingham City Council is to spend £150,000 to erect a new building for the Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith Madrasah after it issued a compulsory purchase order against its former building in Couchman Road, Saltley which is to be demolished as part of an urban regeneration plan. The new building, which will be completed in around two years, will be built at the junction of Hartopp and Clodeshall roads (The Birmingham Post 13.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Mosques

Aberdeen

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen made a public commitment of his support for finding a suitable site for a mosque in the city in August 1994 (see BMMS for December 1993; August 1994). A definite location has now been proposed at the corner of King Street and Beach Esplanade near the Bridge of Don. The land is currently owned by the city council and it might be leased to the Muslim community for the erection of the first purpose-built mosque in north-east Scotland. The Aberdeen District Council's property and economic development committee unanimously backed a proposal to conduct an investigation of the site which will provide a report to be submitted to the next meeting of the committee (Aberdeen Evening Express 07.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Camberley

The search for a place to worship in Camberley (see BMMS for June and October 1995) has led to negotiations between the Bengali Welfare Association and the Mayor of Surrey Heath with a view to Muslims renting a room in Rossmore House. Both the Bengali Welfare Association and the Islamic Welfare Association are pursuing discussions with the Catholic Diocese of Arundel and Brighton with a view to the purchase of St Gregory's school building when it becomes vacant in 1996. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Eastbourne

Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Seeboard Sports and Social Club in Ashford Square into a mosque with facilities for education and community functions. Permission was further given for the mosque to remain open until 2200 each night to accommodate worshippers particularly during Ramadan (Eastbourne Herald 11.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Newham

A scheme to build a multi-purpose mosque and community centre with an underground car park in Wordsworth Avenue, Manor Park, Newham (see BMMS for July 1995) was rejected on the grounds of increased noise, traffic congestion, parking problems and congestion of the site. Local residents complained that there are already 17 mosques, temples and other places of worship in the immediate area (Docklands Recorder 15.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Reading

Planning permission has been granted to the Reading Islamic Centre to convert two adjoining houses in South Street for use as a mosque and teaching centre. One of the properties was used for such purposes on a temporary basis previously but now the situation has been confirmed by permanent permission (Reading Chronicle 24.11.95). [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

Sandwell

Leaders of the Cradley Heath Muslim Association have given an assurance to local people that the proposed mosque in Plant Street, Cradley Heath, Sandwell will not cause undue disturbance in the area. The proposed building has been at the centre of a prolonged dispute (see BMMS for June, July, August, September and October 1995). Building work is scheduled to commence early in the new year. [BMMS November 1995 Vol. III, No. 11, p. 14]

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