BMMS December 95

Controversy continues concerning the selection of a Labour candidate for the Glasgow Govan constituency (The Scotsman 13.12.95, Sun 15.12.95, Dundee Courier & Advertiser 15.12.95, The Times 15.12.95, Glasgow Herald 15.12.95 & 16.12.95, The Mail on Sunday 17.12.95). A Pakistani councillor, Mohammad Sarwar, failed to obtain the nomination for the seat by the narrow margin of one vote on 14 December 1995 (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for August 1995). It is a ‘safe Labour seat’ and could have produced the first Muslim MP. However, the vote took place after a number of months of media accusations of financial irregularities, against Mr Sarwar, a millionaire businessman, who denies the accusations. He said that he would ask the national executive of the party to overturn the result. It is expected that the matter will be discussed by the executive on 24 January 1996 when a final decision should be taken (Muslim News 22.12.95, Glasgow Daily Record 18.12.95). Mr Sarwar’s opponents also question his socialist credentials citing the fact that only one of his four cash and carry businesses will negotiate with a union (Scotland on Sunday 10.12.95).

There were also accusations of attempted vote rigging which led one of the ballot scrutineers, who publically supported Mr Sarwar’s opponent, to declare that 52 postal votes, mainly for Mr Sarwar, were ineligible because the signatures did not match those on the voters’ membership cards. It is claimed that many of the Muslim women voting for Mr Sarwar used the term Bibi or Begum instead of the Mrs or Miss which appeared on their membership records. Mr Sarwar said that those whose votes were disqualified could sue. "These members are outraged. If there is not a satisfactory reply from the Labour Party national executive, then they will all be considering some form of legal action" (Glasgow Daily Record 16.12.95). He later said that he was prepared to wait for the result of the Labour Party inquiry rather than initiate legal action (Scottish Daily Mail 19.12.95).

The scrutineer, who is also the constituency secretary, said that not all the forms were signed by Asians and that the votes were extremely suspicious. She said, "It stinks of fraud. Someone other than a Labour Party member has put a signature on the forms. There were very, very clearly different signatures. That is clearly against the rules and it is against the law". She added that she did not know which of the two candidates’ supporters were responsible (The Scotsman 16.12.95). It seems that there was disagreement among the scrutineers as to whether these votes should be rejected (Scotland on Sunday 17.12.95). Two months prior to this vote, 26 of Mr Sarwar’s supporters were declared ineligible to vote because their names were not on the electoral roll. Police in Strathclyde have stated that they will not investigate any alleged ballot fraud during the selection process which they say is subject to the rules and supervision of the Labour Party (The Scotsman 18.12.95).

The whole issue has led to accusations of racism (Aberdeen Evening Express 15.12.95, Glasgow Daily Record 15.12.95). The vice-chairperson of the constituency party stated that, "This is a clear message from the Labour Party. If you’re of Muslim or Pakistani background, you’re not on. That’s not the message we expected to hear today" (Q News 15.12.95). There is a similar process underway in Bradford West where it is hoped that a Muslim candidate will be selected (see BMMS for April and October 1994). In a speech at a meeting in Bradford, George Galloway MP (Glasgow Hillhead), in support of Mr Sarwar, said, "In mosques and in Asian community halls up and down the length of the country every single person - which is more than two million - believes they have been dealt a grave injustice" (The Scotsman 18.12.95). Some community leaders at the meeting said that they feared racism would prevent the first Muslim MP being elected in Bradford (West Riding Yorkshire Post 18.12.95). As a result of the Glasgow vote, the Edinburgh convenor of the Union of Muslim Organisations stated that the Asian support for Labour could no longer be guaranteed (Edinburgh Evening News 18.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 1/2]

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Arab dissidents in Britain

There have been a number of reports concerning the safety of Muslim dissidents in Britain (see BMMS for December 1994; October and November 1995). It is reported that Egypt has sent up to 100 state security agents to London to monitor Egyptian dissidents in Europe (Independent 06.12.95). It is claimed that some of the agents are armed . Their alleged arrival follows attacks on Egyptian officials and installations in Switzerland and Pakistan. President Hosni Mubarak is reported to have accused Britain and Germany of offering asylum to the Egyptian regime’s opponents. However, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has denied the press reports, saying that they accepted the Egyptian embassy’s statement that the reports were not true (Q News 15.12.95). Some Muslims in the UK, however, believe that the government is denying the story to avoid conflict with the Egyptian government.

An attempt was made to cancel a meeting entitled ‘Islamic uprising in Arabia - the untold story’, to be held at Birmingham Central Mosque, allegedly on "political grounds" (Black Country Evening Mail 07.12.95). The meeting was organised by the Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights, who are opposed to the Saudi royal family’s rule in Saudi Arabia. However the event was permitted by the managing committee after they were threatened with legal action by the Glasgow Hillhead Member of Parliament, George Galloway, who was involved in organising the meeting. Members of this Saudi opposition forum, Muhammad al-Mas’ari and Saad al-Faqih arrived in Britain as refugees. The British government, however, claim that al-Mas’ari has been abusing British hospitality and undermining an ally of Britain (Daily Jang 08.01.96). He has, as a consequence, been issued with a deportation order.

In November 1995, a Libyan opponent of the Gadaffi regime was killed in West London after receiving death threats. There are reports of mosques around the country being put under surveillance (Q News 15.12.95). Various opposition parties are represented in London either as groups or as individuals, such as the Bahrain Freedom Movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, the Turkish Islamic Association, the Turkish Grey Wolves, the Kurdish PKK, the Libyan Jamma al-Islamiya, the Algerian Islamic Salvation Front and the Tunisian al-Nahdah party (Guardian 19.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 2/3]

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Asylum and Immigration Bill

The government has published its new Asylum and Immigration Bill which has led to some comment amongst Muslims (Daily Jang 01.12.95). The aim of the bill is to prevent ‘bogus’ asylum seekers and illegal immigrants from coming to the UK, speed up the procedures for assessing refugee status and encourage employers to verify the resident status of prospective employees. It makes it a summary offence to employ a person, aged 16 or over, not entitled to work in the UK, with the maximum penalty being a £5,000 fine. This would possibly lead to employers being cautious about employing black or Asian applicants for jobs. The bill outlines measures to prevent housing benefit and child allowance claims from some classes of asylum seekers. It also creates the new criminal offences of obtaining leave to remain in the country by deception, facilitating the entry of an asylum claimant for gain, and facilitating the acquisition of leave to remain by deception. It also increases fines for immigration offences and increases powers of search and arrest of those suspected of immigration offences. However, the bill does provide for the right to apply for bail for detained illegal entrants, which is not allowed at present.

The Home Secretary has published a ‘white list’ specifying countries, including Pakistan, India and Ghana, in which it is thought that there is not a serious risk of persecution (Daily Jang 12.12.95). The onus will be on the refugees to prove that their lives are threatened in their former country of residence. Additionally, state benefits are to be withdrawn from asylum seekers which will lead to hardship as they are not allowed to work under their conditions of residence (Q News 15.12.95). The implementation of this measure has been postponed until March following concerted opposition.

The measures in the bill come into force on 6 January 1996. The Government apparently insists that the measures are in line with other European countries and that they will dissuade ‘bogus’ refugees from coming to the UK. The Trade Unions Council (TUC), in a report published in December 1995, states that the bill is "seriously flawed" and imposes 40 new burdens on businesses (Daily Jang 11.12.95).

The bill’s publication provoked reaction from various agencies and sections of the Asian and black community (Daily Jang 06.12.95). The director of the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants stated, "This bill clearly blurs the distinction between asylum and immigration. It brings forward detailed provisions like the white and black lists of so-called safe and unsafe countries which need never have been put in legislation". The Association of London Government, representing London’s local authorities, said the proposed measures would damage race relations.

A coalition, headed by the Anti-Racist Alliance, has been set-up to oppose the bill (Daily Jang 13.12.95). The group consists of over 30 organisations including the Commission for Racial Equality, the Refugee Council, the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, the Labour Party Black Socialist Society, the Indian Workers’ Association and the National Union of Refugee Organisation. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 3]

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Short Reports

HuT campus activities

The Islamic Society at Brunel University has been allowed to reconvene under the control of ‘moderate’ Muslim students, following its suspension by the Students’ Union (Hayes & Harlington Gazette 29.11.95). The society has been suspended three times within a year due to the use of speakers promoting ideas judged to be racist and homophobic. Suspensions took place in November 1994, May 1995 and October 1995, when supporters of Hizb ut-Tahrir distributed allegedly anti-homosexual literature on campus. The president of the Students’ Union at the university stated that the society would be allowed to operate for a probationary period on the condition that it abides by the union’s equal opportunities rules. A study conducted by the National Union of Students over the past year has concluded by calling for the government to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir on campuses (see BMMS for October 1995). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 4]

Use of Hillingdon library

Controversy continues regarding the leasing of the former Harlington Library to the Islamic Cultural and Muslim Society and Anjuman Himayatul Islam (see BMMS for July, August and November 1995). Accusations of racism were made by protesters to the plan at a meeting of Hillingdon Council when councillors considered a 200-name petition requesting the lease to the Muslim groups be overturned (Hayes & Harlington Gazette 29.11.95). Residents living close to the former library are concerned about parking problems and the apparent lack of facilities at the building. However, a councillor, speaking on behalf of the Muslim group who did not attend the meeting, stated that an agreement had been made regarding parking and that the lease was short-term while the groups concerned located more appropriate accommodation. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 4]

Police seek Tunisian fraudster

Police almost arrested the Tunisian-born alleged fraudster, Sammi Lofti [sic], in Chesterfield on 3rd December (Nottingham Evening Post 06.12.95). However, when police broke into his hotel room in Chesterfield after a tip-off, he left by using a fire escape. Lofti has apparently tricked more than £300,000 mainly from Muslims by claiming he had sick relatives who needed help or dead relatives who needed to be buried (see BMMS for August and November 1995). The police search was stepped-up when an appeal for information was made on the BBC TV Crimewatch programme (Nottingham Evening Post 13.12.95). Pictures were shown and a tape recording played of Sammi Lofti in an attempt to warn hoteliers and Muslims. He is said to have used up to 15 different aliases and recently there have been reported sightings in Nottingham, Chesterfield, Leeds and Sheffield. He has also recently been in Turkey for two months. Interpol are assisting the British and Turkish police to apprehend him. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 4]

Racial harassment, Manchester

A scheme to tackle racial violence and harassment was scheduled to be launched at the Pakistani Community Centre in the Longsight area of Manchester on 18th December (Manchester Evening News 08.12.95). The scheme is the first stage in a pilot project aimed at providing a network of action and support. The project, Action Against Racial Harassment, involves a wide range of agencies, including the police and community leaders, and will encourage victims to come forward and seek help. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 4/5]

Sikh/Muslim hate letters

A ‘hate letter’ circulated in an area of Slough has been condemned by community leaders. The letter’s contents appear to be directed at creating a division between the Sikh and Muslim communities in particular (see BMMS for July, August and September 1995). Slough Race Equality Council is trying to prevent the letter from creating tension between different communities in the town by liaison with community groups. Parents from a local school attended a meeting in which the police, who have stated that the contents of the letter contravene race relations law, outlined how they were dealing with the problem. Various community leaders, including county councillors, have condemned the letter stating that those responsible for sending it seem to be intent on creating conflict within the community. The vice-president of the Pakistan Welfare Association stated that, "this is obviously the work of someone who takes pleasure at causing mischief and division in the community" (Slough & Langley Observer 01.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 5]

Muslims Against Racism

The inaugural meeting of Muslims Against Racism (MAR) was held in London on 29 November 1995, attended by approximately 500 people (Ham & High 08.12.95), chaired by Fuad Nahdi, editor of Q News (see BMMS for November 1995). MAR is the first Muslim umbrella group dedicated to combating racism and improving Muslims’ social position and pledged to form an "uncompromising alliance against all forms of injustice in society including racism, Islamophobia and fascism" (Daily Jang 01.12.95). The meeting, organised by Q-News, in association with other Muslim organisations, outlined the increasing evidence of prejudice against Muslims and it was pointed out that a recent study showed that over 60% of victims of racially motivated attacks in Western Europe are Muslims. The chairperson of the meeting suggested that the continued prejudice and intolerance against Islam and Muslims in the West was generating a Muslim underclass. The umbrella group comprises around 12 Muslim organisations. The organisations represented at the meeting included Hizb ut-Tahrir, the Islamic Party of Britain and the Muslim Parliament. Massoud Shadjareh of the Muslim Parliament said of the conference, "The key point to emerge was the need to organise on the basis of our Muslim identity rather than our racial, national or linguistic identities. We are discriminated against because we are Muslim, not because we are black, brown or anything else. The other point which came across very strongly was the need to organise our own programmes to help our community overcome discrimination" (Q News 01.12.95). At the end of the meeting it was decided to form a Muslim platform against racism. The conference organisers hope to hold subsequent meetings in other UK cities. The next meeting is planned to be held in Birmingham on 13 January 1996 where unemployment amongst the community of Pakistani origin is 31% compared to a national average of 9%. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 5]

High Wycombe ‘urs

An celebration in commemoration [‘urs] of the Sufi spiritual leader Khawaja Ghreeb Nawaz Syed Moeenuddin Chishti, who lived 900 years ago and is buried in Ajmeer, India, was held in High Wycombe (Bucks Free Press 08.12.95). The meeting lasted five hours and included speeches on the life of the saint and a langar [serving of free food]. The organisers, Jammat Jundullah, were satisfied with the attendance. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 5/6]

Canterbury calls for dialogue

The Archbishop of Canterbury, speaking at a conference in London, which was jointly hosted by UNESCO and Amar, a body which funds Iraqi refugee camps, called for more dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims. He claimed that the relationship between Christianity and Islam is "potentially one of the great fault lines running between and through civilisations, with recurrent tremors reminding us that destruction can burst forth where such deep divisions lie beneath the surface crust" (The Daily Telegraph 07.12.95). He said that all future Church of England priests should study at least two other faiths. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 6]

Halifax shops damaged

Businesses, owned by members of the Asian community, have recently been the target of attacks in Halifax (Awaaz 01.12.95). The attacks have taken place in the St. John’s area of the town, damaging several shops. Fortunately no-one has been hurt in the attacks but at least one victim was uninsured. The police have arrested and interviewed three people in relation to the attacks and they are continuing with their inquiries. Police are not yet convinced that the attacks are either racially motivated or the result of tensions between community factions. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 6]

Bangladeshi alleged war criminals

The vice-chairman of an east London mosque is reported to be under investigation by Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit following allegations that he was involved in atrocities during the Bangladeshi war of independence in 1971 (The Observer 17.12.95). A Bangladesh-based group, called Generation 71, claim that the man was one of the leaders of a pro-Pakistan group and are calling for the man’s prosecution in Britain, using powers under the 1957 Geneva Conventions Act. The accused man denies the allegations and claims that the story was written by a vindictive colleague (see BMMS for April, May, July and August 1995). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 6]

Muslim grave sites, Croydon

Croydon Council proposes to create approximately 400 grave sites for Muslims, in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Warlingham (The Croydon Post 06.12.95). An application to overcome a restrictive covenant preventing the use of the cemetery’s perimeter land for burials, has been made to permit the proposed provision. Muslim burial sites in Bandon Hill cemetery are almost full. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 6]

Religious hatred legislation thwarted

At a meeting of various members of UK faith communities, a letter was drawn up to be sent to the Prime Minister calling for a change in British law to make religious discrimination illegal (Muslim News 22.12.95). At the conclusion of the seminar, the chairperson expressed the thought that 1996, the 20th anniversary of the Race Relations Act (1976), would be an appropriate time to examine its shortcomings and effectiveness in promoting good relations between various communities in Britain. Meanwhile, the Home Secretary, Michael Howard, has apparently angered his European counterparts when he refused to sign a common policy against discrimination which would have made it illegal to incite religious hatred (Q News 01.12.95 & 15.12.95). It is believed by some that the British government’s objection to a clause on religious hatred was because it would have made it possible to prosecute Salman Rushdie in the British courts. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 6]

Sikhs and Muslims in Southall

A project in Southall is to be extended until 1999 due to its success in reducing tension and promoting tolerance in the area (Southall Gazette 15.12.95). The project, funded by the John Lyon’s Charity, was started following tension between Sikh and Muslim youths during religious festivals and has the backing of Southall police and Ealing Racial Equality Council (see BMMS for May, June and July 1995). Project workers hold informal meetings and assist young people from the Asian community to find appropriate youth facilities. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

London Muslim Housing

Ten 4-bedroom homes have been built by the North London Muslim Housing Association to house Muslim families in Stoke Newington (Hackney Gazette & North London Advertiser 14.12.95). The project cost almost £1 million and the homes are being specifically provided for large families in Hackney. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

Vodka advert offends

Muslim leaders have protested at the siting of a poster advertising vodka near a Bolton mosque (Bolton Metro News 30.11.95). The poster depicts a semi-naked woman and the Daubhill Muslim society are reported to have claimed that the siting of the advertisement near the society’s mosque is "insensitive". The advertising company responsible for the poster have apparently stated that they did not intend causing offence and will ensure that the poster is removed. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

Carey in Sarajevo

There is a common Muslim perception that the Archbishop of Canterbury has in the past failed to condemn the atrocities committed against Bosnian Muslims (Muslim News 22.12.95). The Archbishop visited Sarajevo during December 1995. In its editorial, the Muslim News stated, "If Dr Carey returns from BiH without making any moral stand on the atrocities, his credibility among British Muslims will be at its lowest ebb. The interfaith dialogue will suffer further". [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

Councillors’ association established

A meeting of councillors of Pakistani and Kashmiri origin held in London has led to the setting up of an Association of Pakistani and Kashmiri Councillors (Daily Jang 13.12.95). The meeting was apparently arranged at the suggestion of the High Commissioner of Pakistan who will be the head of the association. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

Public Eye: Muslim exorcisms

The BBC TV programme Public Eye, shown on BBC 2 on 21.12.95, highlighted the issue of Muslim exorcism as practised by certain pirs [spiritual guides] (Reviews: West Riding Yorkshire Post 21.12.95, Paisley Daily Express 21.12.95 & Eastern Eye 15.12.95). The programme revealed how two Muslim girls in Britain, had died while being exorcised and raised concern about the power such people had over some Muslims. Many of the victims of the exorcisms were suffering from such conditions as schizophrenia and epilepsy but were believed by their families to be possessed by jinn. In a concurrent report in the Daily Mirror, cases of exorcism of Muslim girls were outlined where the girls had relationships with white males or were simply ill. The exorcisms often involve physical assault, the use of smoke inhalation and rubbing chilli powder and oil over the victims’ bodies. There are also reported cases of sexual assault by the pirs. Often cases of assault are not reported to the police (Daily Mirror 21.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 7]

Sufi council formed

At a meeting at Leicester Central Mosque, a Sufi Council of the UK was formed (Daily Jang 13.12.95). Approximately 150 imams, Muslim scholars [‘ulama] and sufis participated in the meeting and an executive council of 30 members was elected. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

Christians and Muslims in Birmingham

The Provost of Birmingham’s Anglican cathedral, the Very Revd. Peter Berry, has urged that 1996 should be the year of friendship between Christians and Muslims (Black Country Evening Mail 23.12.95). In a Christmas message, the Provost, while discussing the situation in Bosnia, stated, "Moslems [sic] share with Christians a deep desire for peace. The most wonderful Christmas box we could give the world would be a range of promises and practical examples of Christian/Moslem friendship and co-operation here in Birmingham... I wonder if 1996 could be designated the Christian Moslem Friendship Year here in Birmingham". [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

Algerian on hunger strike

Muslim supporters of an Algerian in Walton Jail, Liverpool, are campaigning to halt his hunger strike in prison (Liverpool Echo 26.12.95 & Muslim News 22.12.95). The man, convicted of an £80,000 arson insurance fraud in October 1994, which he denies, has been refusing all food since his conviction and drinking only vitamin-enriched liquids. A member of the campaign group said, "He is coming under pressure from Moslems [sic] to end the hunger strike, because it goes against his religion. He says he will only do so when an appeal has been secured". [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

Yusuf Islam and Saudi government

It is reported that the London ambassador for Saudi Arabia has advised certain individuals not to fund Yusuf Islam be withdrawn following alleged criticisms of the Saudi regime (Guardian 15.12.95). Yusuf Islam is alleged to have called for the release of Saudi dissidents, opposed the Gulf War and refused to attend Saudi National Day celebrations, which, it is claimed, he said were not allowed to be celebrated according to Islamic teaching. However, Mr Islam denies having made the latter statement and stated that although he had received £1.5 million from King Fahd of Saudi Arabia to help purchase school premises, he has received no further funding since the Gulf War (Muslim News 22.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

Counselling service to expand

The Islamic Dawa Academy in Highfields, Leicester intends expanding it activities following the success of its counselling and advice service to local people (Leicester Mercury 15.12.95). The centre has been running for two years and is staffed by volunteers. The service also includes marriage guidance and has been encouraging people in the community to consider fostering. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

No Muslims at palace reception

A reception for aid workers, attended by 450 people, which was organised by Buckingham Palace, apparently failed to invite any representatives of Muslim charities (Q News 15.12.95). A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace stated that not all agencies could be invited and implied that the omission of Muslims was not deliberate. Muslim aid agencies, it seems, were not aware of the event. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 8]

Muslims and Christmas

A number of articles have been published examining how non-Christians celebrate Christmas (see BMMS for December 1994). To some Muslims, Christmas Day is not marked as a special day (The Daily Telegraph 23.12.95 & Swindon Evening Advertiser 22.12.95). Children are told that they will receive presents on Eid and, with regards to children in state schools, some Muslim parents do not mind their children learning about the Christmas story as long as the details are discussed at home. It is acknowledged that some Muslim parents withdraw their children from school celebrations. In another article, Dr. Zaki Badawi stated, "Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ, whose mission is love. The world never needed this message more than it needs it now. We Muslims share with Christians their joy on this occasion" (News of the World 24.12.95) [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9]

Muslim lottery winner

In an article reflecting on the £17.8 million National Lottery jackpot win by a Muslim in December 1994 (see BMMS for December 1994; April and June 1995), Q News outlined the disaster which had occurred in the lives of the lottery winner and his family (Q News 15.12.95). The article highlighted the corrupting dangers of money and the way in which it divided the man’s family. It reports that there is still a family feud over the way in which the money was divided. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9]

Muslim burial, Worthing

Provision for Muslim burial in Worthing has been approved by the local council (Worthing Herald 08.12.95 & 21.12.95). The Islamic Social and Welfare Society in the town represents approximately 1,000 Muslims and wants the use of an unused area of Durrington Cemetery. Approximately six grave spaces would be needed each year. The neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove already have provision for Muslim burial.[BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9]

Interfaith centre proposal backed

The Prince of Wales, together with the Prime Minister and the Dalai Lama, have backed a £4 million project to build an international inter-faith centre in Britain, hopefully at Westminster College, Oxford (Daily Jang 06.12.95). The project is sponsored by Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and other faiths. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9]

Reading improves employment prospects

Reading College of Arts and Technology is co-operating with the Pakistani Community Centre to improve the employment prospects of Muslims in Reading (Reading Evening Post 28.12.95). The two institutions have agreed a partnership to educate and train people for work. The community welfare and liaison adviser at the college said, "It will provide anything from specific job training to improving English language skills". [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9]

Equality in the legal profession

It has been alleged that the Law Society is stalling attempts to provide equality of opportunity in the legal profession (Q News 01.12.95). The Law Society has apparently delayed attempts to include religious discrimination in its list of professional offences, as recommended by the Lord Chancellor’s Advisory Committee. The Law Society has apparently claimed that when the final code of conduct was drafted the religious discrimination clause was omitted as an oversight and that it will almost certainly be included in a new policy in two years’ time. However, a study for the Law Society conducted by the Policy Studies Institute, reveals the difficulty of ethnic minority students, the majority of whom are Muslim, in entering the legal profession. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 9/10]

Birmingham youth visit refugees

A group of nine young people from Birmingham visited refugee camps in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir during a three-week trip, organised by the Sparkhill Youth Project and the Kashmiri and Pakistani Professionals’ Association (Daily Jang 13.12.95). Funding for the visit was made available by the local community, local businesses and the Prince’s Trust. Plans are being made for another visit in August 1996. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 10]

Imam caned pupils

An Oldham imam has been convicted of common assault on two nine year-old children (Manchester Evening News 21.12.95). The children were caned during Qur’an classes at a Bangladeshi community centre. Police were alerted by the head teacher of the children’s school. The imam was fined £320 with £35 costs. A police officer from Oldham Child Abuse Unit said, after the court case, "While traditions of cultural groups will always be respected, the agencies in Oldham involved in child protection will always take any inflicted injuries [sic] to a child very seriously. It is particularly the case involving imams, relating to physical chastisement of children entrusted to their care" (Oldham Evening Chronicle 21.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 10]

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Updates

Education

State-funded school for Bury?

Concern over the moral values of Muslim children was given as one reason why there is a need for a Muslim state-funded school in Bury (Bury Journal 30.11.95; Bury Times 01.12.95). The Bury Muslim Education Trust (Bury MET) sent a letter and a 500-name petition to the education committee listing a number of reasons why a Muslim school is needed. The chair of Bury MET raised the point that there are a large number [over 4000] of Christian voluntary schools and over 30 voluntary Jewish schools in the UK [but no publicly funded Muslim schools as yet]. The trust is hoping to establish a secondary school for 11-16 year-old students. However, leaders of four local mosques claim that the Bury MET, which is proposing the new school, does not represent the views of the local Muslim community (Bury Times 15.12.95 & 22.12.95 & Radcliffe Times 21.12.95). A statement issued by the mosques said, "We do not recognise the Trust [Bury Muslim Education Trust] and do not support the idea of this school".

The Bury Education Committee is seeking further details from the Muslim community as to whether the proposed school would segregate the sexes and whether it would sufficiently cover the National Curriculum (Radcliffe Times 07.12.95). The Education Committee is concerned that such a school would be divisive and apparently there is concern about ‘fundamentalism’. The Education Committee agreed to give advice to the Muslims on submitting the proposal for a new school to the Secretary of State for Education and Employment. The local education authority has surplus secondary school places and considers it to be unlikely that the submission will be successful. There was concern from the Conservative opposition on the council that such a school would be divisive. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 10]

Notts. research on underachievement

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have initiated a study programme to examine why Muslim children underachieve (Nottingham Evening Post 07.12.95). The researchers, from the university’s School of Education, are to study the effects of school life on children from the Asian community and will focus on two primary schools and one secondary school in the city which have a high proportion of Muslim pupils. One of the researchers stated that, "of all ethnic minorities in Nottingham, Pakistan [sic] Muslim children achieve the lowest. The reasons behind this are very complicated, but mainly revolve around links between the home and school". The researchers apparently contended that this problem would not necessarily solved by the establishment of Muslim schools. This has provoked a response from some Muslim educationalists who believe that this conclusion could undermine the case for separate schools. A spokesperson for the Muslim Educational Trust is reported to have said, "I find the premise of the research surprising given the recent school league tables which showed Muslim schools nationwide performing better than average"(Q News 15.12.95).

The study will also examine reasons behind school exclusions, suspensions, attendance, behaviour and subsequent further education and employment of the pupils. The research will aim to suggest policy changes. The project is funded as part of Nottingham’s City Challenge initiative and will finish in March 1996, although there are hopes for further research. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 10/11]

New teaching centre, Nelson

A new Muslim teaching centre has been opened in Cross Street, Nelson (Nelson Leader 01.12.95). The aim of the Idara Minhaj ul-Qur’an, known in English as the School of Spiritual Koranic Teaching, is to provide a better understanding of Islam through the Qur’an. The school has developed a new method of teaching Urdu which is designed to improve the students’ understanding of Islam. The president of the centre hoped that the school would help the students to "live as better people in a multi-cultural society". The centre is seeking women teachers to teach Islam and Urdu to girls. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 11]

Muslim students under-perform

Based on its own league tables, which have been compiled since 1993 and derived from areas where Muslims are in the majority, leaders of the Muslim Parliament have stated that Muslim children are consistently under-performing in state schools (Daily Jang 01.12.95, Q News 01.12.95 & Muslim News 22.12.95). Jahangir Mohammed, deputy leader of the parliament, stated "It is wrong to hold the stereotype that Asians academically do better compared to white children. This does not take into account that only an average of 24.1 per cent of Muslim children make the grade". As a consequence, he concluded, the majority of Muslim children will become unemployed and therefore the way forward for the Muslim community is to establish more Muslim schools. The national average for schools obtaining 5 or more GCSE’s (Grades A-C) is 43.5%.

The concern of many Muslims is that the statistics indicate no significant improvements over the past three years. However, some educationalists have been cautious in interpreting the statistics without taking into consideration that the league tables do not make comparisons between children of diverse backgrounds and that inner-city schools tend to under-perform. Some Muslim independent schools, however, statistically performed relatively well in the league tables. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 11]

Batley seminar for women

A seminar for women was held in Batley on 12th December (Awaaz 01.12.95). The meeting, organised by the Pakistan and Kashmir Welfare Association, focused on education, training and employment and sought to enable women to meet representatives of various training and employment organisations. It also allowed them to explore possible educational opportunities. A previous meeting last year attracted few women and the organisers felt the need for a women-only event this year. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 11/12]

Birmingham education enquiry

Following the termination of franchise agreements between a Birmingham college and four community groups (see BMMS for March 1995), a spokesperson for the one of the groups, the Muslim Education and Employment Training Centre in Alum Rock, Birmingham, has called for contracts to be reinstated (Birmingham Evening Mail 08.12.95). Bournville College cancelled the contracts when it discovered that there were anomalies in the running of some classes despite having paid £140,000 to the groups. A police investigation is continuing. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 12]

No state-funding imminent

A spokesperson for the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has confirmed that no announcement of the first award of voluntary aided status to a Muslim school is imminent (Q News 01.12.95). There have been repeated applications for state funding for Islamia School in London and Feversham College in Bradford which have been unsuccessful. However, Feversham College intends to make another application in the future, with co-operation from Bradford Council. Its previous submission in February 1995 was refused on the grounds that the existing school buildings did not meet safety requirements. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 12]

Birmingham teachers visit Pakistan

Following a successful student exchange programme of students from a Birmingham college and Pakistan, a group of staff from East Birmingham College visited schools, colleges and government departments in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir (Daily Jang 03.01.96). The project manager said, "However much we think we know what the ancestral homes of many of our Birmingham-born Pakistani students are like, we have learned more in one week’s visit than we ever thought possible. Everyone working in the City of Birmingham needs to go on a visit like this!". The college plans to send another group of students and staff to visit Pakistan during February 1996. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 12]

Prayer rooms and race relations

Some headteachers claim that the provision of Muslim prayer rooms in state schools could undermine race relations (Eastern Eye 08.12.95). Some schools in areas with a large number of students of Asian descent, for example Bradford and East London, have a room set aside for prayer. A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council has stated, however, that both students and parents are consulted before facilities are provided. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 12]

Mothers’ views on daughters’ education

An article in the Cambridge Journal of Education examines the education of Muslim girls, based on interviews conducted in Birmingham (The Times Educational Supplement 08.12.95). The research, carried out by a lecturer in education at the University of Birmingham and the headteacher of an independent Muslim girls’ school, was based on interviews with 20 Muslim mothers of girls aged seven to nine. Of those interviewed, ten sent their children to an independent Muslim school and ten sent their children to a state school. The researchers discovered that parents who sent their daughters to the independent school were more ambitious for their girls, wanting them to obtain qualifications which would enable them to be economically independent if necessary, however they wished to ensure that their children were educated in an ‘holistic’ Muslim environment rather than sending their daughters to supplementary classes for their Islamic education. The parents who sent their daughters to the state school realised that their children were exposed to conflicting values to those at home but were confident that this would have no adverse effect on their education. The research acknowledged that some Muslim girls’ schools gave priority to the Islamic aspects of the students’ education in preference to the academic. In relation to state schools, the researchers recommended that Muslims, particularly women, should be included on governing bodies. It is worthy of note that the sample was particularly small and that the Muslim mothers who sent their daughters to the independent school were neither ethnically nor economically typical of Muslims in Britain. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 12/13]

Concern over RE in Kirklees

Muslims are concerned about the new Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Kirklees as it places a strong emphasis on the teaching of Christianity, including in schools with a majority of Muslim students (Awaaz 01.12.95). A consultative meeting, organised by the Indian Muslim Welfare Society and the Ulema Muslim Association, held to solicit the views of parents and school governors, raised fears about how the syllabus will be implemented. Muslim scholars who attended the meeting requested that urgent action be taken in relation to the new syllabus. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 13]

Feversham site discussions

Feversham College, an independent Muslim girls’ school in Bradford, is attempting to purchase the former Cottingley Manor School building from Leeds Catholic Diocese (Bradford Telegraph & Argus 27.12.95). The building, opened in 1948, has an asking price of £1.5 million and the diocese is legally bound to sell to the highest bidder. If the purchase goes ahead, the college hopes to be in the new premises by September 1996 (see BMMS for November 1995). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 13]

Attitudes report: Tower Hamlets

A report, Living in Tower Hamlets: A survey of the attitudes of secondary school pupils, published by the Tower Hamlets Education Strategy Group: Policy, Quality, Equality, has revealed that Bangladeshi girls generally performed well in school and had a positive outlook to school and that 60% of Bangladeshi boys considered that racial discrimination was a concern compared to only 33% of Bangladeshi girls (Daily Jang 03.01.96). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 13]

Labour and Muslim schools

The Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Employment, David Blunkett, has been reported as indicating that schools wishing to join the state sector would be able to do so if they comply with the principles laid down in the Diversity and Excellence document of the Labour Party (Al-Madaris [the newsletter of the Association of Muslim Schools] 01.01.96). The document makes no specific reference to schools wishing to transfer from independent to state funding, which has led some Muslim schools campaigners to conclude that state funding would not be available under a Labour government. However, a member of Mr Blunkett’s team has apparently clarified the Labour Party’s proposals and stated that, "it is open to any school - independent or otherwise - to seek their place in the proposed family of state-funded schools... we do not envisage markedly different mechanics for opting in to the maintained sector than those which currently apply...". [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 13]

Mosques

Aberdeen

Permission to build a mosque on a five-acre site near the beach in Aberdeen has been refused by councillors on environmental grounds (Aberdeen Evening Express 16.12.95 & 23.12.95, Aberdeen Press and Journal 22.12.95 & 23.12.95, Glasgow Herald 23.12.95). The councillors say that the land should remain an open space for recreational use and that the site was not appropriate for a mosque. The plan was first proposed by Aberdeen’s Lord Provost, James Wyness (see BMMS for December 1993; August 1994; November 1995). However, the mosque plan still has to be considered by the property committee and the final decision will most likely be made by a new Aberdeen City Council after March 1996. The present mosque in Spital is considered to be too small. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 13/14]

Birmingham

Some residents near a mosque in Erdington, Birmingham have obtained a total of 346 signatures on two petitions, which have been sent to the city council in protest against the proposed construction of a minaret on the Ghausia mosque (Sutton Coldfield News 01.12.95). They fear the minaret will be used for the adhan [call to prayer]. In addition, the mosque trust has applied for permission to build a number of extensions which will increase the capacity of the mosque. Residents claim that this will create traffic problems. However, a counter petition of 605 signatures was submitted to the council with the assurance that the minaret would be symbolic only. The plans have the support of two local councillors, and a city planning officer stated that the extra traffic would not be sufficient to warrant a refusal. As a consequence the proposals were approved. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14]

Blackburn

Modifications to a Blackburn mosque are to go ahead despite objections by some local residents (Lancashire Evening Telegraph 16.12.95). The plans include an 8 metre diameter dome, two 14 metre high minarets and an increase in the prayer hall floorspace. There will also be additional washing and toilet facilities and accommodation for guests. Objectors had complained that the mosque would increase parking problems, reduce light to nearby houses and cause additional noise and disturbance. Despite the fact that the car parking facilities would be reduced on the site, planning officers did not consider that there were sufficient grounds for refusing planning permission. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14]

Bletchley

A mosque is planned for Bletchley town centre (Milton Keynes Citizen 14.12.95). However, a petition signed by over 500 local people has been compiled against the building of the mosque on the grounds of increased noise, disturbance and inadequate parking in the area. As a consequence, borough councillors have deferred making a decision regarding the plans until they have made a site visit. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14]

Halifax

Plans for a 2 metre high security fence around the Madni Mosque in Halifax have been rejected (Halifax Evening Courier 13.12.95). A councillor said that the proposed fence would not give the right image for a religious building. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14]

High Wycombe

Councillors from Wycombe District Council have been on a fact-finding tour around a mosque in Jubilee Road, High Wycombe (Bucks Free Press 01.12.95). They were particularly concerned about parking arrangements, which are to be modified in the town’s central area which includes the mosque. A petition was sent to the local highways department by the mosque committee disapproving of the new parking scheme. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14]

London

Plans have been proposed to build a new mosque, which would accommodate 500 people, on the site of a former dairy, for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Morden, London (Wimbledon News 01.12.95). The facilities at the new buildings would include TV studios, halls, a library and offices and the building would include a minaret. Some residents in the area are concerned that parking problems will worsen in the area of the site, which has been derelict for more than two years. To confuse the issue surrounding the mosque plans, a bogus letter disguised as a council consultation document, on council-headed paper and attached to a statutory planning notice, has been circulating in the area containing factually incorrect information about the development with a view to influencing the consultation process with residents (Wimbledon News 15.12.95 & Wimbledon Guardian 21.12.95). The leader of Merton council stated that the person who had produced the illegal letter would be prosecuted if their identity was discovered. He added that the letter would cast doubt on the validity of the responses from the public consultation concerning the project. The opposition leader on the council added that, "Local residents have a right to know the facts of this and any planning application and should be allowed to make their own decision based on facts" (Putney & Wimbledon Times 15.12.95). The council has asked the Ahmadiyya association to prepare a public display so that residents are able to form an informed opinion about the development (Wandsworth Borough News 15.12.95). The Ahmadiyya association spokesperson said, "I don’t know who did it [produced the letter] and will leave it for others to conclude why it was done". If the development is built the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association would move from its present base at the London Mosque in Putney where it has been located for more than 70 years. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 14/15]

London

The building of the Suleymaniye Mosque in Haggerston, London, costing £5.5m, is nearing completion (see BMMS for November 1994). A 120 feet high tower, part of the minaret, was set in place at a special ceremony on 1st December (Hackney Gazette & North London Advertiser 30.11.95). The final building will be six storeys high with a basement car park, shops on the ground level and the mosque comprising the first and second floors. The mosque is being built by the U.K. Turkish Islamic Cultural Centre in Stoke Newington. A spokesperson for the centre stated that the external appearance of the mosque will be Georgian whereas the interior will be in an Eastern architectural style. Local residents were concerned that the minaret would be used for the adhan, however the minaret is decorative and not functional. The mosque is expected to be completed after August 1996. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 15]

Oldham

Oldham Development Committee will be advised to reject plans for the conversion of a language school to a mosque (Oldham Evening Chronicle 08.12.95). Plans to turn the school into a community centre have already been rejected. The council has received more than 50 letters from local residents opposing the plans together with a 61-name petition. It is expected that the mosque proposal will be turned down because of poor parking facilities in the area and the anticipated noise and disturbance to local residents. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 15]

Rochdale

Rochdale Council’s Resources Sub-Committee has agreed to sell the Castlemere Community Centre site to a mosque committee for £150,000. The mosque committee has applied for planning permission to use the building as a community centre and to build a mosque, which will include a dome and minaret, adjacent to the centre. It is hoped that the building of the new mosque will be finished by the summer of 1996. Plans to include classrooms for a Muslim girls’ school will not go ahead (see BMMS for October 1995). The leader of the mosque group is reported to have stated that, "We have already been in touch with the Saudi Arabian Embassy to try to get the Head Imam from Mecca - the Muslim equivalent of the Pope [sic] - to lay the first stone" (Rochdale Observer 02.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 15]

Sandwell

A site allocated for the building of a mosque in Cradley Heath, Sandwell may be used for the building of a nursery instead (Halesowen News & County Express 30.11.95). Cradley Heath Islamic Association successfully bid for the land in November but Sandwell Council favour the use of the site for nursery provision. As a consequence, local authority officers are reported as wanting to hold discussions with the Muslim community with a view to offering another site for the mosque. Some residents living near the land claim that the traffic in the area is already congested and that the building of a mosque will create more traffic problems (see BMMS for June, July, August, September, October and November 1995). A spokesperson for the Islamic Association is reported to have said that the community is willing to co-operate with the council. However, the association also claimed that planning for the building of the mosque has already started and that there are no other suitable premises in the area (Halesowen News & County Express 07.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 16]

Slough

There are plans to transform an Islamic Centre in Stoke Poges Lane, Slough into a mosque and day centre with a basement car park (Slough & Langley Observer 01.12.95). People living near the proposed mosque claim that their lives will be seriously disrupted. They say that the present centre already causes traffic and parking problems and that there are already enough mosques in the town. A Muslim county councillor who attends the centre stated that the mosque had already obtained planning permission and that these plans dealt with the parking problems. Earlier in the year a proposal to construct a dome on the roof of the centre was rejected by the council. [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 16]

Swansea

Permission has been given by Swansea City Council to the Muslim Student Trust to demolish and rebuild the front and side elevations of their property in King Edward Road, Swansea (South Wales Evening Post 21.12.95). [BMMS December 1995 Vol. III, No. 12, p. 16]

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