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British Muslims Monthly Survey for June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6
Features Muslim Parliament developments
Short Reports Hamas funding controversy continues Threat leaflets received by mosque Religious discrimination and elections Atia Idrees deportation delayed CRE and religious discrimination Hospital prayer provision discussed Indecent assault: imam sentenced Waiter eye injury report controversy Anti-abortion campaign launched
Updates Education Nelson head-pupils interviewed Educationalist’s UN conference speech Muslim on Fife education committee School leaflet teacher identified Language support jobs campaign Kilburn classes granted permission Diversity encouraged in Cardiff school Nottingham planning application Muslim children learning to read Liberal Democrats and collective worship New boys school project to be launched
Mosques
Burials
Features Following a re-run of the parliamentary candidacy selection vote in Glasgow, Govan, Mr Mohammed Saarwar won by 82 votes (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for August and December 1995; January, February, March, April and May 1996). The re-run had been ordered by Labour’s NEC, of the contest between Mike Watson and Mohammed Sarwar. On 20 June Mr Watson petitioned the Court of Session in Edinburgh to strike off the names of 24 Labour Party members in the Glasgow Govan constituency, claiming that they were ineligible to vote as their stated addresses on their Party cards did not tally with the electoral register and that some of them had moved out of Govan (Daily Jang, 21.06.96). A detailed history of conflicts in the Govan Constituency Labour Party is printed in the Scotsman (12.06.96). The Daily Record (20.06.96) interviewed both Mr Sarwar and Mr Watson and asked them three questions. These were: "What do you think of New Labour?", "Where do you stand on Labour’s social security proposals, especially child benefit for school pupils?", "What would you do if Tony Blair dropped the tax-raising power for the Scottish Parliament?" On the same page, there was also a statement by Margaret Curran, originally the third candidate, who has now dropped out of the contest, on her reasons for so doing. She said: "I could no longer stand in this selection. It has been a very unfair campaign with little to do with the merits and skills of the candidates." Ms Curran is founder member and present convenor of the Scottish Labour Women’s Caucus. Mr Sarwar is now likely to become Britain’s first Muslim MP, as Govan is a Labour "safe seat". Hewas critical of the press after insinuations that he would neglect his non-Muslim constituents: "I never did this as a councillor and I won’t do this on a national level. Why doesn’t anyone ask Catholic or Protestant or Jewish MPs if they will promote the interests of their kind? All I can say is that I’m a democratic socialist and believe in the fair distribution of wealth. None of this is in conflict with Islam" (Eastern Eye, 28.06.96). According to the Daily Record (26.06.96), the leader of the Muslim Parliament, Dr Ghayasuddin, has called on Muslims to boycott all candidates at the next general election, including Mohammed Sarwar. The latter’s response was: "I have debated and had discussions with representatives of the Muslim Parliament - who only represent one percent of Muslims in Scotland - and I have made my position absolutely clear. If Muslim and black and ethnic communities are to advance in this country and be part of British society, they have to join in mainstream politics. If they do not, they will be isolated. And I have said all along I will represent the Labour Party and the whole community in Govan, irrespective of race, colour or creed" (Daily Record, 26.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 1] The Saudi Arabian dissident, Muhammad al-Mas’ari, is facing a police investigation after allegedly making anti-semitic statements. The offending statements apparently were printed in Al-Huquq, an Arabic language newsletter which Dr al-Mas’ari edits and sends to the Middle East. Michael Whine, on behalf of the Jewish Board of Deputies, said: "His comments would not just be in breach of the public order laws, they would also appear to be an incitement to murder" (Sunday Times, 16.06.96). Mike Gapes, a Labour member of the all-party parliamentary group against anti-semitism, said: "If people take asylum under our laws, they should abide by those laws. To call for the extermination of a people is incredible" (Sunday Times, 16.06.96). Dr al-Mas’ari defended his words, saying: "The article is only against the Jews of Israel, not the Jews of Golders Green or wherever. It is only because they are in Palestine that we must fight them" (Daily Telegraph, 20.06.96). The Jewish Chronicle (21.06.96) carried belated news of the referral of Al-Huquq to the Crown Prosecution Service as being in possible contravention of race relations and public order laws. Mike Gapes MP described the newsletter as "unbelievably outrageous". Conservative MP Winston Churchill accused Dr al-Mas’ari of "abusing the hospitality of this country" (Jewish Chronicle, 21.06.96). When the US airbase at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia was bombed, killing 19 Americans, Dr al-Mas’ari said on Radio 4: "The Americans have become a very convenient target, being a shield for Al Saud, standing between Al Saud and the people. They are quite an easy target from a religious and moral point of view" (Manchester Evening News, 27.06.96). Dr al-Mas’ari’s pronouncements on the bombing, combined with his earlier remarks on international Jewry, have caused some newspaper editors to call for his removal from Britain (Shropshire Star, 28.06.96, Daily Mail, 28.06.96, Scottish Daily Mail, 28.06.96). The foreign Secretary, Michael Rifkind has reassured the government of Saudi Arabia of the British government’s continuing support for their country, and the desire to continue and increase trade links, including arms sales (Daily Jang, 03.07.96). According to the Jang and the Guardian (03.07.96), Mr Rifkind has assured Saudi Arabia of his government’s intention to change asylum policies and to exclude "terrorists" from the definition of refugees. When asked if such proposed changes were intended to deal with people such as Dr al-Mas’ari, Mr Rifkind said: "What it is to deal with is people who are inciting terrorism and people who are either funding terrorism or actively supporting it in a way that clearly would be incompatible with refugee status" (Daily Jang, 03.07.96). The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern about any further restrictions by Britain to the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees: "There are already exclusion clauses to the UN Convention which accommodate the concerns of governments. This also raises the old question of what is a terrorist" (Guardian, 03.07.96). The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants also expressed concern about the implications of such proposals for asylum seekers and exiles settled in Britain. Their spokesperson, Don Flynn, said: "Clearly, it would be worrying because of potential difficulties of being able to define terrorist activity and what is meant by supporting terrorism. The government could not simply start refusing people who expressed support for political causes, such as Kurdish nationalism for instance, because a Kurdish guerilla group had blown up an army base in eastern Turkey. The fact that some people are vocally supporting pursuing political objectives by armed means is not a sufficiently strong reason to deny asylum. In practical terms, envisaging an amendment to the 1951 Convention is almost totally out of the question since it would require unanimity from all the existing signatories" (Q-News, 04.07.96).Dr al-Mas’ari now claims that his writings, such as the apparently anti-semitic pronouncements, have been wilfully mistranslated. He said: "The translation is quite mutilated. There are choices of words which are extreme" (Daily Jang, 05.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 1/2]
Muslim Parliament developments The new leader of the Muslim Parliament, Dr Muhammed Ghayasuddin (see BMMS for May 1996), has suspended the deputy speaker and treasurer, Dr Al-Yafai. The suspension, which a press statement from the parliament claimed was "due to the seriousness of his actions in taking his grievances outside the framework of the Muslim Parliament without first raising them in its decision making bodies" follows Dr Al-Yafai’s criticisms of the current leadership. Dr Al-Yafai had recently claimed there was no longer any "accountability of leaders or funds and no Taqwa [fear of God] and no democratic practice" (Daily Jang, 11.06.96). For his part, Dr Al-Yafai claims that he has resigned, saying: "The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain is in urgent need of reform. We have been trying to put our cherished house in order since the death of our leader Dr Kalim Siddiqui but our efforts so far have been in vain" (Press release from Dr Al-Yafai, 02.07.96). An international conference will be held to honour the late Dr Kalim Siddiqui, on 1 September. The theme will be Stages of Islamic Revolution. Dr Ghayasuddin, who has succeeded Dr Siddiqui not only as head of the Muslim Parliament , but also as director of the Muslim Institute for Research and Planning, said: "Dr Kalim was both an intellectual and an activist. We hope this conference will contribute to the greater understanding of his ideas and to the continuation of his work, both in Britain and globally" (Muslim News, 28.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 2/3]
Short Reports Hamas funding controversy continues The Jewish Chronicle (31.05.96) reported that communal security was top of the agenda at a meeting due to be held with John Major and Jewish representatives at the beginning of June. An anonymous spokesperson for the Board of Deputies was reported as saying: "We are going to raise the matter of support for Hamas and Hizbollah that exists in Britain. We want the government to cut off the flow of funds that is going to these organisations in the Middle East." The Jewish Chronicle (07.06.96) and Q-News (24.05.96-13.06.96) both carried belated news of the result of the Charity Commissioners’ investigation into the British-based charity, Interpal (see BMMS for March and April 1996). Clearing Interpal of any involvement with Hamas or any other "terrorist" organisation, the Charity Commissioners said: "It would be inappropriate for the charity to ensure that its funds go only to supporters of the Israelis in the volatile areas in which it works...It had been alleged that some funds find their way to supporters of terrorism. This is possible in an area of benefit where a significant number of poor and disadvantaged people might support the aims of Hamas. Poverty and need must, however, be the only criteria when deciding how the charity’s funds are distributed" (Q-News, 24.05.96). An article in Muslim News (28.06.96) linked the investigation of the London-based charity, Interpal, which helps Palestinians, with political events in Israel. The editor writes: "No evidence was found linking Interpal, a British charity, whose accounts were frozen by the Charity Commission in March, with any terrorist groups. The Commission came to the conclusions [ clearing Interpal and unfreezing the accounts] just as the Israeli election results were coming out, vindicating the Israeli connections to the freezing of the accounts." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 3] Prisoners at Strangeways Prison are threatening to go on hunger strike over the issue of halal food (Manchester Evening News, 06.06.96). A spokesperson for the prison admitted that there had been problems in the past regarding the cooking of food for Muslim prisoners in [non-halal] animal-derived cooking fat but that these problems had since been rectified. She claimed that food was prepared in line with the prison directory on religious practices: "We offer set menus including halal, pork-free meals, vegetarian, vegan and a kosher menu. There are no requirements for separate cooking facilities in the directory, which is agreed by Muslims" (Eastern Eye, 14.06.96). Eastern Eye (14.06.96) took up the issue in their leader column: "The prison authorities say they are doing their job by providing halal meat. But they must go one step further and ensure that it is being cooked away from non-halal meat, or there is no point. It is about time the prison authorities stopped taking half measures and took their responsibilities seriously." A subsequent edition of Eastern Eye (28.06.96) expressed the belief that the hunger strike at Strangeways could spread to other prisons. In a letter to the editor in the same paper, Amjid Hussain from Luton condemns what he sees as hypocrisy by one of the prisoners leading the hunger strike, Hamid Qureshi. He writes: "So why are these Muslims ‘who follow their religion with a strictness that cannot be beaten’ in prison? Did Mr Qureshi feel as strongly against either personally taking drugs or encouraging others to do so as he does about non-halal food? I am sure that people who follow their religion with a strictness that cannot be beaten will find hypocrisy far more distasteful than the prospect of non-halal food." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 3] Threat leaflets received by mosque Anti-Muslim hate mail (see BMMS for May 1996) has been received by Cheetham Hill Mosque, Manchester. The letters purport to be from the Jewish Defence League, which the British Board of Deputies claim does not exist in Britain (Jewish Telegraph, Manchester edition, 07.06.96). The Union of Muslim Organisations (UMO) has taken up the issue of these threatening letters, which have been sent to many British Muslim organisations, with the Home Office. Dr Pasha, the general secretary of the UMO was assured of the seriousness with which the Home Office views these letters in a written reply from Timothy Kirkhope, the Home Office minister (Daily Jang, 20.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 3/4] Asian Muslims have contacted the Asian Advisory centre in Bolton complaining about the soaring prices of halal chicken and lamb in the town, which may be linked to the BSE crisis. The chairperson of the advisory centre, Jamil Ahmed, said: "People are finding it difficult to afford the prices. They may have eaten chicken four times a week but now they have to eat potatoes. It is so expensive and it is making it hard for the whole family. Some questions need to be asked about the prices that are being charged. It should not be linked to the beef crisis" (Bolton Metro News, 06.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 4] Slough Festival ended in violence with fighting between groups of Muslims and Sikhs (see BMMS for May 1996). Over 100 people were involved. There were no injuries but police made nine arrests for public order offences. Chief Inspector Stephen Evans maintained that the presence of 80 police officers and a helicopter prevented the violence from escalating: "The very visible police presence ensured families who had come to the festival would feel secure. I did not see families flee in fear and I think that was because the heavy policing acted as a reassurance...Nobody was injured. But I am disappointed that two groups of youngsters ruined the day for some people at the festival" (Slough & Langley Observer, 14.06.96). In a separate incident, an Asian youth was apparently "kidnapped". He ran into an office in Nixey Close, Slough and begged staff to call police, saying he was being chased. He was then forced into the boot of a car by two people armed with baseball bats. Police believe that the incident may be linked to Muslim-Sikh tensions in the town. They are not treating the incident as kidnapping, because, after initial investigations, they believe the "kidnappers" were friends who were saving the young man from other pursuers (Slough & Langley Observer, 14.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 4] A report published at the beginning of May, the Antisemitism World Report - a country by country survey of prejudice and discrimination against Jews - cites Muslim organisations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Muslim Parliament as being the biggest threat in Britain to Jews after the Far Right, according to Q-News (14.06.96). The survey is published jointly by the Institute of Jewish Policy Research and the American Jewish Committee. Massoud Shadjareh of the Muslim Parliament rejected the accusation that his organisation is anti-semitic: "We are very clear about the difference between anti-Zionism and anti-semitism. It is inaccurate, to say the least, of the report to say we don’t differentiate. In fact the shoe is on the other foot. It is because reports like this fail to separate the two ideas that they end up calling everyone anti-semitic. For example, the Board of Deputies refused to share an anti-racist platform with us earlier this year because they said we opposed the state of Israel. Of course we’re opposed to the state of Israel as we are opposed to injustice anywhere else - but that does not make us racists". [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 4] An open day for a new halal abattoir was held at the premises at Shelf, near Halifax. It has been refurbished to meet European standards and will employ about 25 workers (Halifax Evening Courier, 18.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 4] Religious discrimination and elections During arguments between Max Madden, Labour MP for Bradford West, and Mohammed Riaz, prospective Conservative candidate, the former commented on the extent of religious and racial intolerance which abounded in the local elections. Mr Madden said: "I do not regard religious and racial bigotry as trivial. Unless all parties unite against this kind of intolerance it will only be a matter of time before serious injury or death occurs. Racial and religious intolerance was played between all races in the local election and I welcome statements issued, recently, by the leadership of all the parties (see BMMS for April and May 1996), of their opposition to religious and racial intolerance and their attempt to confront it when it happens" (Daily Jang, 12.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 4] Atia Idrees deportation delayed Atia Idrees’ legal representative, commenting on the leave to apply for judicial review which has been granted in the case (see BMMS for March and May 1996), said that she hoped the judges would exercise compassion. Beata Dasarathy said that she hoped the case would set a precedent: "As it stands now, the Home Office is not permitting anybody to stay as a carer. There needs to be a precedent in this field for cases of a humanitarian nature. It’s extremely relevant for people with AIDS and for the elderly" (Q-News, 24.05.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5] CRE and religious discrimination The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) continues to look at the case for outlawing religious discrimination (Q-News, 14.06.96) (see BMMS for March 1996). Speaking at the launch of the CRE’s annual report, chairperson Herman Ouseley explained: "The Commission’s brief is race. It draws its powers and responsibilities from that brief. However, we recognise that religious communities face intolerance, vilification and discrimination and this has been highlighted in our review of the Act...We are working closely with groups in the community to strengthen the case [for outlawing religious discrimination] and make it more convincing." Iqbal Sacranie, spokesperson for the UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs, felt that the CRE should give the issue a higher profile: "Reference should have been made to the Special Committee set up under the legal team of the CRE which has been looking at blatant cases of religious discrimination for which no legal remedy presently exists...the Report on this issue [is] incomplete" (Muslim News, 28.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5] The Bucks Free Press (31.05.96) carries an informative article by Raja Amir Dad Khan on the significance of the first of Muharram, which marks the Islamic New Year and which fell on 20 May this year. The tenth of Muharram is also of great significance for Muslims, as it is a commemoration of the death of the grandson of the Holy Prophet, which was the cause of the split between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims. Raja Khan puts the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain, which occurred at Karbala, Iraq, in 680 CE, in the context of the duty to oppose unjust rule. Muslims in Halifax planned to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad on 20 July with a parade from the mosque in Halifax Old Road, through the town centre, to the mosque in Victoria Road. The parade starts at 2pm and takes several hours (Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 03.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5] The secretary of the Enfield mosque and vice-president of the local Bangladeshi Community Association, Abdur Rahim, aged 60, has been found guilty of affray at Wood Green Crown Court (Enfield Gazette, 06.06.96). Mr Rahim had been seen waving a rounders bat and leading a group of armed Asians in a fight between Asian and white youths in Ryan’s Park, Ponders End last June. Two white men, Andrew Hunt, 22, and Gareth Penny, 22, have also been found guilty on similar charges. Their defence was that they were acting in self-defence but the judge commented that if they felt threatened, they should have run away. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5] Aslam Khan is organising a petition to the Home Office to demand that the Home Office allow his wife, Razia and six month-old son, Zohaib to join him and his daughter, Salma, in Britain. Mr Khan, who used to be known as Maurice Wynn before embracing Islam, used to visit Pakistan regularly with a friend. In 1991, he became a Muslim and married Razia in Pakistan. He kept making visits to Pakistan to see his wife and daughter, then last year, Salma fell ill, and Mr Khan successfully pleaded with the British High Commission to let her travel home with him. Appeals to the Home Office to allow his wife and other child to join him have failed so far. Now Aslam Khan is organising the petition to the Home Office to demonstrate the support he has (Manchester Evening News, 11.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5] Yusuf Islam, chair of the Islamia Schools Trust in Kilburn, was one of the performers scheduled to take place in a mush’aira, or poetry festival at Willesden Green Library on 22 June. Performers recited or sang Islamic verse in Arabic, English and Urdu at this free event (Paddington Times, 06.06.96). Q-News (04.07.96) carries a two-page review of a Muslim Rap Evening held in Willesden Green at the end of June. The main act were the rap group, Mecca to Medina. They were supported by: Kashan, whose performance included references to the conspiracy against Shaykh Omar Abdul Rahman; Abdullah Davies, playing Romany drums together with Joe and Arthur Lewis-Nunes on violin and flute. The evening was compered by Shah Saud in Hip-hop style and attempting to speak Urdu. The author of the review, Kaleem Mohammed concluded: "...Rap is the expression of the ghetto, the inner cities, so it is natural that Rap should be used by Muslim youth, many of whom have been born and raised in these areas. Muslims using Rap is not a fake and sad attempt at being ‘cool’, it is about young Muslims using a method of expression and communication which they empathise with and one which has its origins in their own cultural heritage - that of the Muslims of Africa" (Q-News, 04.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 5/6] The mother of a Macclesfield man, John Paul Goostrey, who married a Bahraini woman, Natasha, in Manchester in January 1995, is appealing to her daughter-in-law’s family to allow her to return to Britain. Natasha’s grandfather and guardian, Mohammed Doud, is claiming that, according to Islamic law, Natasha is not legally married to Mr Goostrey, as she did not have parental consent. Natasha and John Paul Goostrey are presently in hiding in Bahrain whilst British diplomats are negotiating with Natasha’s family and seeking other legal ways to secure her return to Britain (Manchester Evening News, 12.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6] Sabera Bham, a student photographer at Newport College, has a series of photos in a group exhibition entitled A multicultural View of Wales. Her photos are on the subject of veiled women. Although a Muslim herself, Ms Bham found it very difficult to get veiled women to talk about the subject or pose for photos. Explaining her choice of theme, the photographer said: "They all look so similar and I think most people are fascinated as to why they should choose to wear the veil". The exhibition is at Cardiff Central Library until 15 July (The Western Mail, Cardiff, 15.06.96). ShowCaseArts has produced a photographic resource pack for use in schools, suitable for key stages 3 and 4, that is, ages 13 to 15. The pack seeks to redress some of the current stereotypes of Muslim women in Britain. For more information, contact: Sabina Haulkhory, ShowCaseArts, 52 Westmoor Road, Enfield, EN3 7LF, phone and fax 0181-443-3779. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6] A new body, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), was formed at a meeting at London’s Central Mosque on 15 June. The convenor is Sher Azam from Bradford. He explained the role of the MCB: "The MCB is the result of a long period of consultation within the Muslim community. Since the late 1980's events like the publication of grossly abusive and sacrilegious material [a reference to Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses, against which Sher Azam was a leading campaigner], have shown the need and the value of greater co-ordination within the community...It is a body pledged to...meet the challenges ahead in preparing the case for, and advocating the rights and responsibilities of Muslims living in Britain" (Q-News, 14.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6] An interfaith conference, at which Councillor Peter Spalding, Mayor of Croydon was the main guest, took place in Croydon at the beginning of June. Representatives of Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities spoke about their faith at this gathering (Caterham & District Advertiser, 31.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6] Q-News (24.05.96-13.06.96) devotes two full pages to a review of Power in the Land, a BBC2 documentary, screened as part of the Asian current affairs series, East, on 29 May. One of Q-News’ main criticisms is that Martin Bashir, the interviewer, sought to portray British Asians as a homogeneous community. This criticism was echoed by Makbool Javaid, of the Society of Muslim Lawyers: "This kind of misreporting - putting Muslims across as Asians - is getting to the stage where it looks like it is being used to deny Muslims their own identity. It’s moved beyond complacency and ignorance. It smacks of concerted opposition." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6] Hospital prayer provision discussed Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust are currently discussing the possibility of providing a site for worship for Hindus and Muslims at Bolton General Hospital. A spokesperson said: "The Trust is committed to provide this and I am sure that it will be sorted out by the end of the year" (Bolton Metro News, 13.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 6/7] The Daily Jang (06.06.96) carries an in-depth interview with the first Asian and Muslim Assistant Chief Constable in Britain, Tarique Ghaffur. Ghaffur, 40, joined the police force at 18. While studying part-time, he gained a BA honours degree in Public Administration and an MA in Criminology, as well as going through the process of police exams. In answer to possible Muslim critics, he says: "To be honest, I feel I am doing more good as a Pakistani Muslim in the force rather than a cynic outside. People see me as a role model without compromising their identity." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 7]
Vogue (01.07.96) carries an interview with Marion McGilvary, a Scotswoman who married a Palestinian Arab and converted to Islam. Of the conversion, she says: "It was easy - no instruction, just learning and reciting a few verses from the Qur’an, professing that there is only one God and that Mohammed is his prophet, and there I was; an instant Muslim. Compared to converting some of his [Ahmad, the husband] friends, some of whom had converted bitchiness to a new art form, it was a doddle." She describes the politicising effect a visit to their father’s country of origin had on the children: "Recently Ahmad and I took the family to Lebanon for our first visit since the Civil War. We all had a wonderful time, particularly the children, who enjoyed discovering their Arab heritage. Even the Israeli air raid that occurred during the third week of our stay had an unexpected bonus, in that it brought the whole Middle-East conflict into focus and made the children realise what being a Palestinian meant." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 7] Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, writing in the Independent (31.05.96) claims that: "Facing the rage of third-generation black and Asian Britons who cannot claim their place in this society, influential whites and blacks have abdicated their responsibility to lead." Although an active member of the Labour Party herself, she is very critical of what she sees as that Party’s opportunism on race and immigration. She writes that: "Professor Zig Layton-Henry of Warwick University, an expert on race and politics, is convinced that Labour has decided it has much more to gain by pushing women’s issues than race equality." She also points out that: "Muslims are victims of blatant discrimination and harassment and can get no redress under our laws, because religion is not covered by the race relations legislation." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 7] Five suspended members of the Labour Party won a victory against the Party when a judge at Manchester decided there was a case to answer over their suspension. Ahmed Shazad, challenger for the Gorton seat and chairperson of the Campaign Against Labour Party Suspensions (CALPS) was very pleased about the decision. He said: "This first round is a victory to Asian people, the 7000 suspended members and also to common sense. We are fighting on a matter of principle. We support Labour but they have to understand the difficulties we are going through at local level. In the light of the outcome of this hearing I urge Tony Blair to intervene as a matter of urgency and reinstate all suspended members in Manchester, Birmingham, Bradford, Nottingham, and London" (Daily Jang, 21.06.96). Mr Shazad was suspended after participating in a BBC2 Asian current affairs programme in which he disputed the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee’s allegations that some Asian members were engaged in what was referred to as "Asian entryism". The leader of the Muslim Parliament, pointing to British Muslims’ political power were they to act in a united way, said: "None of the three political parties are prepared to give any commitment on legislation to protect Muslims against religious discrimination nor state funding for Muslim schools. We must mobilise and organise ourselves and generate our own power..."(Daily Star, 25.06.96). This newspaper estimates that there are at least 40 seats Labour cannot win without the votes of Muslims. The Campaign Against Labour Party Suspensions claims that a major reason for the suspensions is the potentially serious challenge to sitting white MPs (Manchester Evening News, 27.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 7]
Indecent assault: imam sentenced Abdus Subhan, the imam in east London who indecently assaulted a 13-year-old girl in his Qur’an class (see BMMS for May 1996) has been jailed for 16 weeks and ordered to pay £500 costs (Birmingham Post, Wolverhampton Express & Star, Walsall Express & Star, Shropshire Star, Birmingham Evening Mail, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, Aberdeen Press & Journal, all 29.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8]
The secretary of the Chapel Walk Mosque in Rotherham, Mohammed Afzal, presented the chair of Rotherham Priority Health Trust with a copy of the Qur’an for use in the hospital’s new Muslim Prayer Room, which was opened recently (Rotherham Record, 19.06.96). Also present were hospital officials, members of the Muslim community, and the deputy mayor and mayoress of Rotherham. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] Waiter eye injury report controversy The family of Amer Rafiq (see BMMS for February, March, April and May 1996), the Manchester student who lost an eye during police arrest at Eid, are angry that they will not be given a copy of the enquiry report into the incident. Amer’s brother-in-law, Azar Iqbal, said: "It seems totally wrong. A copy of the report goes immediately to the police but we will not even get to see it. Even our lawyer cannot get a copy. That seems very unfair" (Manchester Evening News, 03.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] The League of British Muslims in Ilford are one of six community organisations in the borough to be awarded a grant from the national lottery. They have received £148,214 to pay for a community worker and building works at their centre in the borough (Ilford Recorder, 20.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] Around 2,600 school students are scheduled to visit an exhibition on Islam, organised by IQRA Trust in conjunction with La Sainte Union College in Southampton and Hampshire Education Authority. At the launch of the exhibition, College principal Dr Anand Chitnis said it was a privilege to be hosting it. Dr Muhammad Abduh Yamani, former Saudi information minister and presently chair of the IQRA Trust thanked the county council and the college for inviting the exhibition to Southampton (Southern Daily Echo, 21.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] Community leaders and other Glodwick residents have met with police chiefs to discuss vandalism in their area. Abdul Basit Shah, vice president of the Nusrat Ul Islam Mosque and Community Centre, said: "These people are determined to make life miserable for the residents and we must be equally determined not to allow them and we must work with the police to eliminate this problem" (Oldham Advertiser, 27.06.96). Speaking on behalf of the local police, Supt Crawshaw said that no-go areas did not exist in Oldham and he did not intend to allow Glodwick to become one (Oldham Evening Chronicle, 24.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] Edina Druzic is a Muslim refugee from Bosnia, at present living in Glasgow, but preparing to go home. Edina, her mother Ismeta and younger sister Emina were part of a group of 50 Bosnians "ethnically cleansed" from the small town of Bosanski Petrovac, 20km north-west of Bihac. They were brought to Glasgow by a Muslim charity in November 1992. Edina’s father, who had been captured by the Serbs and imprisoned in a concentration camp, eventually managed to leave Bosnia and joined his family in Glasgow. Of the original group, 15 have left since the Dayton Peace Agreement and others are preparing to follow. Edina studied English at Cardonald College, then took four Highers, then successfully completed a travel and tourism course. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8] The News Letter (Ulster edition, 01.07.96) carries a review of a book by Maurice Ryan, Another Ireland, published by Stranmills College. This book is a study of various religions outside of Christianity, which are growing on both sides of the border, including the following faith communities: Jewish, Baha’i, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh. The study also looks at inter-faith developments. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 8]
Research conducted by Dr Narender Kaur Basi and Dr Mark Johnson of the Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations at Warwick University has shown that Asian business owners have to rely on their own resources because their access to loans from institutions is limited. The researchers conclude: "It has been hard work for many Asian shop owners but they are now established as one of the UK’s retail success stories. The joy and pride the Asian community exhibits in the expansion of their businesses has produced an Asian retail sector quickly diversify-ing beyond the stereotypical corner shop service and with significantly greater survival rates than white retailers" (Daily Jang, 25.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 9] The Muslim Parliament wants Muslim institutions in Britain, including mosques, to be connected to the Internet. In a speech to the Muslim Parliament’s Education Committee, Dr Muhammed Ghayasuddin announced the idea of Project Cafe Medina, an initiative to encourage porn-free access to the Internet, in environments where Muslims could socialise. Dr Ghayasuddin explained: "The agreement is such that the mosques themselves would not have to pay a penny to the service provider as all the central service costs would be met by the Muslim Parliament. The local costs would have to be met by the local community..." (Daily Jang, 28.06.96). Dr Ghayasuddin believes these initiatives would be particularly attractive to and beneficial for Muslim youth, particularly the projected Internet cafes: "A new culture must emerge. The centres must have a cafe atmosphere as well as provide a place for socialising in a halal environment. Muslim youth need places to ‘hang out’ and wherever possible these must be in or near mosques" (Q-News, 04.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 9] Two articles in the Muslim News (28.06.96) argue for more dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims in Europe, and between states where Muslims are a minority and where they are a majority. These reflections have as their starting points conferences recently held in Mafraq, Jordan and in Stockholm, Sweden. Ahmed Versi, editor of Muslim News, writes: "Europe, with over 15 million Muslims, is facing a tremendous challenge. Muslims are here to stay yet there are obvious cultural and religious differences which are causing strains. However, whilst other faith communities like the Jews have been accommodated, issues of racism, xenophobia, discrimination, equality of treatment, tolerance, respect etc, are still to be worked on. Muslims ask to be treated as equal citizens, nothing more, nothing less...There are over 20 Jews in the House of Commons (population 300,000). The Muslim population stands at 1.5 to 2 million, yet there is not a single Muslim MP." Ahmed Versi also writes of the establishment of a Euro-Islam Institute in Vienna, established to research the daily life of Muslims in Europe, exchange scholarly research, and to establish links with the Islamic world. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 9] Anti-abortion campaign launched Muslims, Christians of various denominations and atheists came together at the Houses of Parliament for the launch of a SPUC (anti-abortion campaign) Worldwide Family Campaign for the Right to Life (Muslim News, 28.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 9] The Observer (23.06.96) has an article by Martin Bright on conversion. In this article, five people are interviewed who have converted from one religion to another. One is the former Bishop of Birmingham, Hugh Montefiore, who said: "I was rather proud to be a member of the Chosen Race. Still am: I haven’t changed. I have no problem with being a Jewish Christian. All the original Christians were Jews. Jesus was a Jew." Another convert interviewed is Muhammad Ibrahim, a teacher of comparative religion, who, before embracing Islam, was a member of the Church of England. He explained: "I was worried about the doctrine that Jesus was God as a man on Earth. When I began to read the Koran, I began to appreciate that there was a different answer." Martin Bright has an interesting analogy for the phenomenon of conversion: "The experience of converts would appear to be something like that of transsexuals, who have grown up in a body which they do not feel comfortable with. Converts do not feel comfortable with the faith they were born into. Once they have shed the skin of their old faith they can begin their life all over again." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 9]
It now seems unlikely that the Park View Youth Centre will be sold to the Abubakr Islamic Group for use as a cultural centre with prayer and educational facilities. The leader of Southall Council, John Cudmore, said: "Officers are looking into whether the sale of a lease on that site could be used to raise funds that would help finance a brand new youth centre in Southall" (Southall Gazette, 28.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 10] On 25 June the All Party International Kashmir Coordinating Committee held a rally to protest against Home Office Minister Jeremy Hanley’s recent statement on the elections in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Hanley’s reply, on 6 June, to a question put by Max Madden (Labour Bradford West) about the extent of Kashmiri participation in the elections, had ignored the Kashmiri boycott, the poor turnout, and reports by the British media of Indian troops forcing people to vote at gun point. The rally was followed by a press conference, which was addressed by Mr Madden and other members of the all party committee on Kashmir. Mr Amin Qureshi from the Kashmir Children’s Trust showed a video about the plight of Kashmiri Muslims in the Vale of Kashmir. He said: "Our people, here, are dangerously silent about atrocities in (Indian occupied) Kashmir. They have sealed their lips on this continuing human disaster. It is time we begin to take an active role in increasing general awareness about human rights abuses there" (Daily Jang, 26.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 10] A rally in Trafalgar Square at the beginning of July was called by the FIS, the Islamic Salvation Front of Algeria, to launch an opposition platform to the military junta in Algeria. The rally called for the release of imprisoned FIS leaders, Shaykh Abbasi and Ali Benhadj. Q-News (04.07.96) writes that: "FIS’ ‘coming out’ marks a policy turn for the party which has so far operated in Britain under the informal title of ‘The Algerian Community in Britain’ It has wide-spread sympathy and support amongst British Muslims..." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 10] A study from the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland describes Britain as being in the grip of "corporate racism" (Daily Jang, 05.07.96). It states that racism should be fought by all Christians in Britain, irrespective of where they live: "Unless Western Christians are engaged at some level in the struggle against racism, there can be no salvation, no wholeness in society or community life...Racism is a corporate more than an individual sin and therefore involves us all, whether we like it or not." The report adds that Muslims have been targeted as the new "enemy from within" and gives the example that any Muslim wishing to take a religious holiday or pray at work is labelled a militant. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 10] A religious leader was stabbed in the groin in a fight over control of the Diamond Road mosque in Slough (see BMMS for April, August, September, October and November 1994; January, February, March, April, September and October 1995; February 1996). Mohammed Afzal, 57, and Mohammed Jahangir, 35, members of the Slough Islamic Trust (SIT) were charged with the attack on Said Akbar, of the Pakistan Welfare Association (PWA). Mr Afzal is also accused of assaulting Abdul Majeed Kanyani, a passer-by who came to Mr Akbar’s aid (Asian Times, 06.06.96). The alleged incidents were part of a series of fights between the PWA and the SIT on 30 January 1995. Simon Draycott, prosecuter, stated that: "Mr Akbar was taken to the hospital and had to have his scrotum stitched up. He was still in pain five months later" (Eastern Eye, 14.06.96). Mohammed Jahangir in his defence claimed that he had no weapons and when the fighting started he tried to stop it. He claimed that he did not go to the mosque with the intention of fighting: "We were in no position to fight or be violent. It was a house of God and we did not go there for a fight" (Slough & Langley Observer, 14.06.96). Mr Afzal was cleared of all the charges against him because a witness confessed to being the attacker. Mr Afzal’s co-defendant, Mohammed Jahangir, was also cleared of unlawful wounding, affray and assault (Slough & Langley Observer, 21.06.96, Windsor & Eton Observer, 19.06.96, Eastern Eye, 28.06.96). Mr Afzal told the Slough & Langley Express (20.06.96): "It’s all been one-sided. It’s the first time in 18 months that anyone has talked to me. I have stayed silent all the time. When I was arrested by the police I was 100 percent sure that the people making the accusations were totally ignorant. I did no harm to anybody. I was requesting the people not to fight." Abdul Majeed told Reading Crown Court from the witness box: "I hit Said Akbar on the head. Then I hit him between the thighs once or twice. I didn’t want to hit him but I had no choice" (Eastern Eye, 21.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 10/11]
Updates
Education Nelson head-pupils interviewed The head girl, Ruby Anwar, 15, and head boy, Tim Hudson, 14, at Edge End High School, Pendle, were interviewed by the Barnoldswick & Earby Times (14.06.96) about being at a multiracial, multifaith school. Tim said: "If I was the only white in the school I would not mind. I prefer being at Edge End because I like people from all cultures. That is just me. I think in the future, things in the real world outside Edge End will also change because people like me will be out there. That is the way I think it will gradually get better...When some of my friends first found out that I was coming here they said the Muslims would be getting their machetes out, but I found out that this was a load of rubbish." Ruby commented: "In religious education we have a non-Muslim teacher and she does not know much about the Islamic religion. When we talk about issues she learns things as well. Even if it is nothing vital, she is gaining knowledge." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 11] Educationalist’s UN conference speech The Daily Jang (20.06.96) has quoted extensively from a speech by James Shera which was published in the magazine of the Habitat II International Conference in Istanbul, which Mr Shera attended. Mr Shera is a former mayor of Rugby and is now the head of the Inter-cultural Support Service of Warwickshire. Condemning postmodernism, Mr Shera said: "This process is clearly seen as antagonistic by Muslims who are seeking to defend their religion and culture from being taken over in the postmodern world. The media promotes a certain worldly materialism and group conflict. The purity of the past can no longer be guaranteed under such a relentless assault. It is understandable why Muslims reject postmodernism as total disorder and anarchy. Under this pressure, Islam finds itself marginalised and degraded by the western media which gives minimum and detrimental coverage to Islam." Nevertheless, Mr Shera was optimistic about the future: "Peaceful relations and mutual respect between Islam and the West will enable Muslim problems such as Bosnia, Chechnya, Kashmir and Palestine to be more readily addressed. The future will also enable Islam to portray itself with integrity as an example of faith in a troubled and materialistic world" [The full text of the speech is available from CSIC]. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 11] Discussions concerning the conversion of Forest House into a Muslim girls boarding school (see BMMS for May 1996) took place on 13 June (Nottingham Evening Post, 13.06.96). Some residents had raised concerns about potential problems from increased traffic in the area (Nottingham Recorder, 30.05.96) and requested the council to visit the school run by the Madni Trust at Flintham. The chairperson of the planning committee, Alan Clark, said that he thought such a trip would be costly and irrelevant (Nottingham Evening Post, 05.06.96). On 14 June councillors gave approval in principle to the plans for the building to be converted into a Muslim girls boarding school (Nottingham Evening Post, 05.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 11] Muslim on Fife education committee Manzoor-Uz-Zaman, who has an MA in Islamic Studies and is a member of Fife’s Islamic Centre, has been chosen as a representative on the council’s education committee. The other members of the committee represent the Church of Scotland, the Catholic church, primary and secondary school teachers, and parents. There are approximately 3,000 Muslims in the Fife region. (Fife Free Press, 31.05.96, Dunfermline Press & West of Fife Advertiser, 07.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 11]
The Times Educational Supplement (31.05.96) carried an article about research into the views of Muslim girls at private Muslim schools carried out by Dr Marie Parker-Jenkins and Dr Kaye Frances Haw, of the School of Education, University of Nottingham. Many of the girls interviewed wished to challenge the culturally-based traditions which operate to put women in an inferior position. They felt they should seek fresh inspiration and guidance from the Qur’an. One girl said: "It doesn’t make us want to question our religion. Our religion says that women have rights. It’s just that men are interpreting it the wrong way." The researchers found that often, this "challenge from within" had its roots in the Qur’anic and religious instruction girls received at madrassahs or supplementary schools. This was particularly the case where the teachers were female. One girl said: "Our teacher knows more about Islam than my parents, she shows you the proper view of Islam: the same freedom for boys and girls." Dr Parker-Jenkins is the author of Children of Islam (1995), Trentham Books, and Dr Haw is the author of Educating Muslim Girls: a feminist and post-structural analysis (forthcoming). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 11/12]
School leaflet teacher identified The teacher at Acland Burghley school in Kentish Town who gave a student a leaflet, which criticised Muslim women who wear western dress and denouncing all non-Muslim blacks has been named as Basil Phillips (see BMMS for May 1996). Mr Phillips, who is black, teaches PE and runs an after-school black awareness club. The Ham & High [the only paper reporting this case] believes that the leaflet is the work of white racists who want to provoke racial tension (Ham & High, 07.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12]
Language support jobs campaign Birmingham’s political parties are to launch a joint initiative to try to save 210 language support jobs which are threatened when funds from the Home Office to support pupils whose first language is not English runs out. Hundreds of Muslims in the city have also signed a petition calling for Birmingham to make up the shortfall and so save the jobs. Birmingham education department said that it had only enough money to maintain 184 jobs in the language support department (Birmingham Evening Mail, 12.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12]
Kilburn classes granted permission The Mohi-Ul-Islam Siddiquia Association has been granted permission from Kilburn council to run classes in language and religious education for up to 50 children. This temporary permission will last one year (Paddington Times, 13.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12]
The Islamia girls primary and secondary schools in Brent are to try for a third time for state funding, this time for Grant Maintained (GM) status as opposed to Voluntary Aided status. GM status was devised to transfer responsibility for funding schools away from non-Conservative local councils to central government, according to Q-News (14.06.96). The Muslim News (28.06.96) carries an article by Rouksana Fakim on issues raised by the Ofsted reports on the Islamia Schools (see BMMS for March and April 1996). She writes of the inspectors’ approval of the achievements of pupils and their criticisms of aspects of management. Ms Fakim’s opinion is that the schools need to be less insular: "The reports suggest that the schools need to go outside their own environment for in-service training and I believe that the Islamia schools can benefit from the experience of other faith schools in this respect by creating a closer professional relationship with the wider educational community. It is unfortunate that the religious education programme devised in the schools does not inform them about the religious beliefs and practices of other faiths, thereby equipping their pupils for living and working alongside people of diverse faiths and cultures in Britain’s pluralist society." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12]
Six fires have been deliberately started at an Islamic boarding school in Chislehurst, the Darul Uloom School. Firefighters were called out three times in June. Police constable Ronnie Randall, of Chislehurst Police, said: "What’s happening is some rogue students, who are obviously not happy, maybe starting fires in their rooms...We have spoken to most of the students at the school. Nobody seems to know anything." Head teacher Mustafa Musa denied that the fires had been deliberate. He said: "It was a very limited thing and will be sorted out in the coming hours. I don’t want to say anything else." Dr Sabiha Saleem, who regularly contributes funds to the school, commented: "I am dismayed. The culprits should be caught and put right. This can’t go on. It should be investigated properly" (Chislehurst Times, 27.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12]
Diversity encouraged in Cardiff school The Western Mail (Cardiff edition, 21.06.96) carries a feature article on the multilingual and multifaith approach to education at Fitzalan High School, Cardiff. When the governors send out their report, it is in nine languages: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, English, Gujerati, Punjabi, Somali, Urdu and Welsh. Thirty-eight percent of the pupils are of ethnic minority origin, although the paper points out that "some Somali families are more Welsh than many of the Welsh, having been around, it is said, since 1830." Welsh language is a compulsory subject until age 16 and others such as Bengali, Gujerati, Spanish and Arabic are available on demand. The headteacher, Angus Dunphy, gave the following reasons for the school’s multilingual policies: "If we are a school in Wales, and if the Welsh dimension includes the language, all youngsters should be part of that enrichment. The parents want their youngsters to speak proficient English. It is the key to success. If they are fluent in English, it would be of advantage to be fluent in a second language. Look at the case of Arabic. We as a nation need to sell." To facilitate Muslim students praying, they are permitted to leave class a few minutes early in order to pray afternoon prayers and then still be in time to catch the school bus. During Ramadan, those entitled to free school meals are given a packed lunch, which they take home to eat when the fast is over. Mr Dunphy commented: "Children come to school to learn, and therefore we should meet their cultural needs." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 12/13]
Nottingham planning application Nottingham City Council has received plans to turn a house in Bobbers Mill into a Muslim education centre (Nottingham Evening Post, 24.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 13]
A school building which has become vacant in Halifax, the former Haugh Shaw Secondary School, may become an independent Muslim school, along the lines of the Jamia-Al-Karam Muslim School in Nottinghamshire. The director of the Calderdale Racial Equality Council, Mr Ashraf Bismil, said people were reluctant to discuss plans because they feared the school would be condemned before it got off the ground. He explained that: "There is a great deal of merit in the scheme as parents are concerned about religious education. But there is still a long way to go before it could happen. There are technical problems to overcome. There has been talk and some thoughts about using this school building" (Halifax Evening Courier, 25.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 13]
Around 40 parents of Pakistani boys and other community members held a demonstration outside Warwick Boys’ School, Walthamstow to protest against the acting headteacher and a lack of discipline at the school (Daily Jang, 26.06.96). Boys of Pakistani background make up 44% of the student body. Raja Pervaiz, spokesperson for Parents for Education, said in a letter to the governors: "The acting headteacher, Mr McAree, treats us with contempt. His attitude towards us is hostile and patronising as if we know nothing and are unable to understand our children or their needs. Home and community links and liaison with parents about school activities have been destroyed and the parents on the governing body are ridiculed. The school has become a fortress of the acting headteacher with almost a total ban on parental participation in the school’s life. The result of this closed door exercise is that the pupils go out of school and play truant with the school’s full knowledge." Mike Stevens, acting deputy headteacher, admitted that the school had had serious problems, but claimed that since the temporary appointments of himself and Mr McAree, these were being overcome. He said: "The Ofsted report conducted by government inspectors last month would not seem to back this up (the parents’ allegation of lack of cooperation by senior teachers and resulting indiscipline). The response from the students would also indicate that they are generally supportive of senior management and their new initiatives." He further denied parents’ allegations that Muslim prayer facilities had been removed: "We always had and continued to have prayer room facilities and far from becoming a fortress, an allegation totally baseless in fact, we invited all parents to a meeting about three weeks after we joined. Letters were sent out in Urdu and there was a large turnout." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 13] Pupils from schools in Leeds have been invited to the Leeds Grand Mosque to see an exhibition about Islam and learn more about the faith. Ragad Altikriti of the Islamic Cultural Centre, which has organised the exhibition, said: "The aim of the exhibition is to break down barriers between different cultures. There is a growing number of Muslim students in schools across West Yorkshire. We want other children to understand what the religion is all about" (Yorkshire Evening Post, 27.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 13]
Muslim children learning to read An article by Eve Gregory, Nasima Rashid and Ann Williams in the Times Educational Supplement (28.06.96) discusses a project in which they are involved, called Family Literacy History and Children’s Learning Strategies at Home and at School. The study takes place with 12 families, six of Bangladeshi origin and six of indigenous English origin, who have children in Years 1 and 2 in adjacent east London schools with a high percentage of emergent bilinguals. Children’s Qur’anic classes are seen as an important part of their total reading experience by the researchers. The researchers argue that good teachers in primary schools use many different strategies in the teaching of reading. Some of these strategies are also used by the teachers in the Bengali and Qur’anic supplementary classes, and reinforced by parents and older siblings at home. Hence, children would benefit if teachers in the two sectors were more aware of each others strategies. More information about the project can be obtained from: Dr Eve Gregory, Department of Educational Studies, Goldsmith’s College, University of London, Lewisham Way, New Cross, SE14 6NW. Eve Gregory has also written an article about the project and its initial findings in Language, culture and curriculum, Vol.7:2, 1994, pp.111-124, entitled Cultural assumptions and early years’ pedagogy. [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14]
Liberal Democrats and collective worship The Liberal Democrats believe that collective worship in schools should be revised. Their Deputy Leader, Alan Beith, said of the requirement that worship be wholly or mainly of a broadly Christian character: "That’s appropriate in some communities - but it’s inappropriate or impossible in others." On the issue of funding for religious schools, Mr Beith gave the Liberal Democrat view as being: "Clear criteria should be established for the opening of new state-supported, religious schools and such criteria should apply equally to Christian and non-Christian denominations" (Parentwise, 01.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14]
New boys school project to be launched The Islamia Schools Trust, Waqf Al-Birr, is to launch its new secondary school project in September. The Brondesbury College for Boys will be financed almost entirely from fees. There will be a limited number of bursaries and scholarships for those who cannot afford the fees. Chairperson Yusuf Islam saw the school as a response to the changing times: "The challenges created by the impact of global communications and new modes of learning only highlight further the pressing need for a positive and dynamic approach to the quest for knowledge" (Daily Jang, 04.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14]
Mosques Basildon Muslim Association has found a temporary home at 82 Henley Green, Laindon. The Association is raising money to buy itself a permanent place (Southend Evening Echo, 24.06.96, Basildon Standard Recorder, 27.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14] The first detailed drawings of a new, smaller design for the Beckton Mosque and Community Centre (see BMMS for April 1996) have recently been made public (City of London Recorder, 21.06.96). The revised designs do not include the minaret, exhibition hall, and mortuary, which were features of the old design. Spokesperson Sayed Shah explained: "There have been many false stories of our intentions, particularly that we wanted a regional mosque, attracting many thousands of people. The new mosque will only cater for around 280 worshippers. There never was going to be daily call to prayers through speaker systems and we do not allow music or weddings." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14] The trustees of the Islamic Educational Society have asked for permission to open an extra gate to their mosque car park between Audley Grange and Walter Street, Blackburn at prayer times. A council survey showed residents evenly divided on the issue. A report to the planning committee expresses concern that moto-rists will use the gate opening as a through route. The council was due to make a decision on 20 June (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 20.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14] Bradford Council has given its approval to the building of a new mosque in Upper Nidd Street (see BMMS for May 1996). The city council received three petitions totalling 1,470 signatures in favour of the mosque, and two totalling 830 signatures against (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 29.06.96). Some of the objections to the mosque plan have come from parents at neighbouring St Peter’s Roman Catholic School, who were concerned about traffic problems (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 25.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 14/15] Shopkeepers in Burnage are concerned that plans to extend a local mosque will adversely affect their trade, due to parking problems. A spokesperson for the planning department said the parking problems had been addressed. The architect who is designing the extension, Naaser Kaiser, agreed that any parking problems in the area would not be exacerbated: "There are currently 14 car parking spaces within the Mosque’s yard. They will stay the same. It will not encroach in any way" (South Manchester Express Advertiser, 30.05.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 15] Muslims in Chichester, who currently have to travel to Worthing or Portsmouth to worship in a mosque, are fundraising for one of their own (see BMMS for April 1996). They have already raised about £70,000 but a total of £200,000 is needed (Eastern Eye, 14.06.96). The Chichester Observer (06.06.96) printed an apology from the editor, concerning a letter printed in the previous week’s edition. The editor wrote that the letter on the subject of a mosque in Chichester "transgressed the boundaries of robust debate... and may have caused offence of a racist nature. This was not our intention, and the Observer apologises for any distress caused to our readers." Opposition from some Christians to the mosque proposal continues. At a meeting organised by the Chichester Christian Fellowship, Mike Eley, a member of the Fellowship, said: "We are dealing with the devil and all his works in Islam...If you allow a mosque in this city, God won’t stand by and let it happen. This whole thing is an abomination to God" (Portsmouth News, 25.06.96). Sussex Racial Equality Council’s policy development officer, Judy Richards, called for new dialogue on the proposals: "I see no problems in having a place of worship for Muslims in Chichester. I wonder what century some people are living in, in the light of comments which were made...If people believe that having a mosque in Chichester will suddenly make Muslims become bad citizens, there are plenty of statutory (sic) reasons to challenge this" (Portsmouth News, 26.06.96). Canon John Treadgold, the Dean of Chichester, also appealed for Christians to exercise tolerance: "My call is for tolerance because this is a freedom given to us by God himself. I am all for freedom of expression and Islam is one of the three great religions of the world. What I am utterly against is any form of extremism and a militant approach saying I am right and you are wrong. I believe that I am right but I would never say to anyone you are wrong" (Brighton Evening Argus, 01.07.96). The chairperson of the religious education advisers at West Sussex County Council described opposition to the mosque as "startling and sickening" (Portsmouth News, 02.07.96). The Revelation Church has given its support to proposals for a mosque in the city. Their spokesperson said: "We want to show respect and acceptance towards Muslims here in Chichester and look forward to developing relationships" (Portsmouth News, 03.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 15] An opportunity to view the plans of the proposed Ismaili cultural centre (see BMMS for April and May 1996) occurred at a public meeting in East Croydon on 3 June (Croydon Guardian, 30.05.96). A group called the Surrey Border Front [which it later transpired is part of the fascist British National Party] has circulated a leaflet, "No to the Mosque", which warns: "...we will not stop until the mosque-cum-culture centre plans are scrapped". Councillor Sean Fitzsimmons (Labour, Addiscombe) commented: "It’s sad there are still people like that in Britain today. The people of Addiscombe are more tolerant and we will look at this application purely on its merits" (Caterham & District Advertiser, 31.05.96). At a public meeting to discuss the plans about a dozen members of the Surrey Border Front handed out racist literature and attempted to disrupt the meeting. Amongst their number were the BNP’s deputy leader, Richard Edmonds, and the only BNP member ever to be elected councillor, Derek Beackon. They were warned by police that if they made any racist, abusive or inciting remarks they would be ejected from the meeting. After this warning, the meeting continued in an orderly way (Croydon Post, 05.06.96, Croydon Guardian, 05.06.96). Some local residents have expressed concerns over traffic congestion, which the Ismaili community denies will be a problem (Croydon Advertiser, 07.06.96). The Anti-Nazi League has launched a campaign against the racists who it believes are attempting to incite racial hatred over the issue of the cultural centre. Their leaflet, part of which is reprinted in the Croydon Advertiser (14.06.96), says: "Some residents have expressed concern over parking and traffic congestion, but this has been exploited by openly Nazi parties who want to cause division and racial hatred in our community. The Islamic centre should be welcomed as an opportunity to build on the multi-racial and multi-cultural society that we in Croydon enjoy. We should send a message to the Nazis today that black and white live and work together in Croydon. It is the Nazis who are not wanted here." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 15/16] The London Islamic Cultural Society, which was given permission to build a mosque in Wightman Road, Hornsey in May has raised £70,000 so far (see BMMS for April and May 1996). They aim to raise £250,000 before starting work on the venture and the President of the LICS is going to Canada and the US on a fundraising mission in August (Broadway Ham & High, 07.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16] Heathrow Airport’s Chapel of St George is to be extended to include a non-denominational prayer room. The new prayer room will be at ground floor level with easy access for worshippers with physical disabilities. The Catholic chaplain, Father Brian Laycock, explained the need for such a place: "All faiths will feel at home in the new prayer room. There is the ever-present fear of flying. But there are also all sorts of personal tragedies unfolding at Heathrow and it’s important to have somewhere where everyone can talk to their god [sic] in peace" (Hounslow & Chiswick Informer, 31.05.96). The secretary of the High Wycombe Mosque committee, Gulzar Khan, also welcomed the plan, pointing out that many local Muslims use the airport as they fly out to visit relatives overseas (Bucks Free Press, 31.05.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16] Nine hundred people attended a meeting demanding action concerning the half-built mosque in Wellington Road South, Hounslow. Five members of the building committee were replaced and additional members brought in. Work on the mosque started four years ago, but completion has been delayed due to lack of funds. The architect, Tariq Hakim, of Barb Services, Birmingham, said: "I can’t tell you when the building will be finished. They are having to build little by little because funds are reliant on donations from people. Local donations vary a lot. On one fund-raising night you might get £2,000 but sometimes you hardly get anything at all" (Hounslow, Feltham & Hanworth Times, 21.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16] Permission to convert a house into a mosque at Ashville Road, Leytonstone, has been granted, on condition that no amplified music is played. car parking and traffic congestion were objections that had been put forward by some local residents and councillors. Supporting the plan, Councillor Mohammed Nasim said that worshippers would walk to prayers, and so there should be no traffic problem. Another councillor who supported the plans, Tony Buckley, commented: "There has to be some form of rapport built up between the applicants and the residents. Any lack of mutual understanding should be broken down over a period of time"(Leytonstone Guardian,13.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16] A new Muslim centre has received the approval of the North Kensington council and funding from North Kensington City Challenge towards capital and running costs. The centre will include separate prayer halls for men and women, a multi-purpose hall, a creche, day care centre, shop, library, employment advice centre, spaces for cultural education and exhibitions, a caretaker’s flat, kitchens, and administrative offices. The council has specified that the prayer halls shall only be used as ancillary to the main use of the centre as a Muslim cultural heritage centre, with formal worship only allowed on Fridays between noon and 2pm, during Ramadan and Eid, and on an additional 15 days per year, provided that advance approval from the council has been sought. Private donations totalling £2m have already been received. Running costs will be met from an endowment fund (Hammersmith Fulham & Chiswick Times, 07.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16] The Wimbledon Guardian (13.06.96) received a letter from Tariq Ahmad, himself an Ahmadi Muslim, in support of the proposed Ahmadiyya mosque in Morden (see BMMS for December 1995; January, February, March and April 1996). He writes that: "...the borough has been a place which boasted residents from different walks of life, varied cultures, religions and ethnic backgrounds. This, I feel, has enriched the image of our borough while promoting an understanding and co-operation amongst the different communities." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 16/17]
Planning officers in Oldham are recommending the refusal of permission to use a house in Minton Street as a mosque. They were unconvinced by letters sent in support, which were unsigned and all in the same handwriting (Manchester Evening News, 19.06.96).The building has planning consent for use as a school teaching Arabic and is on the list of buildings certified for religious worship. The Director of Environmental Services, Leslie Coop, claimed that the mosque would cause disturbance, noise and traffic problems (Oldham Evening Chronicle, 14.06.96). The application was subsequently withdrawn (Oldham Evening Chronicle, 20.06.96) [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17] A new mosque, big enough to accommodate 1,000 worshippers, is planned for a site in Manzil Way in East Oxford. It would cost £2m and would occupy a two-acre site. Oxford’s planning committee will make its final decision on this application on 29 July (Oxford Mail, 26.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17] Southampton City Council has given permission to convert a former pub in Grantham Road into an Islamic community and religious centre (Eastern Eye, 14.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17] Councillors made a visit to the Darbar Unique Centre in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent before making a decision on plans for an extension (Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel, 01.06.96) (see BMMS for May 1996). The building extension, which was finally approved, involves the roofs of the centre being three feet higher than adjacent terraced houses. The chairperson of the East Fenton Residents Association, Gordon Bossons, voiced the objection that: "People here like to sit on the pavements at the front of their houses enjoying the sunset. The extra height of the new building will stop that. A Labour council has robbed the working man of the pleasure of a sunset." Chairperson of the council planning committee, Barrie Holmes, explained that: "It will be slightly higher than the houses across the road but it will have a conventional pitched roof together with a garden feature. We were satisfied it will be in line with the look of the surrounding area - and have the benefit of replacing buildings which are rather tatty. But on the application to relax the hours we felt it was already allowed to operate to a late enough hour, especially as it is so close to housing" (Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel, 08.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17]
The Environment Secretary, John Gummer, has refused permission for Wiltshire County council to sell the site of a former infants school to the Thamesdown Islamic Association for a mosque. The council had agreed to sell the land to the Islamic Association for £133,000, approximately half its market value. In his letter of refusal to the council, Mr Gummer states that: "In this case I am concerned that the valuations submitted with your application give rise to a very significant discount in favour of a relatively small number of people in the community. In these circumstances I am not satisfied that the proposed disposal is in the interests of the local electorate and council taxpayers or that it would be consistent with the effective, economic and efficient discharge of your authority’s functions ... Should the council or Thamesdown Borough Council resolve to dispose of an alternative site to the Islamic association, which would not involve foregoing such a substantial potential receipt, then I would be prepared to consider whether to grant consent" (Swindon Evening Advertiser, 21.06.96). Editorial comment in the same newspaper was that: "Councils can perform a philanthropic function but these days they are also businesses with large amounts of our money to safeguard. It is their duty when disposing of assets to obtain the best possible price." Thamesdown council is considering appealing to the Department of the Environment to reverse its decision (Swindon Star, 27.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17] The leaders of the Masjid-al-Farouq in Walsall have applied for permission to replace the mosque’s dome with a bigger and more beautiful one. The new dome would cost £37,000 (Walsall Express & Star, 02.07.96, Wolverhampton Express & Star, 03.07.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17] The Muslim association who are using a house as a mosque in contravention of an enforcement notice, could face a fine of up to £20,000 for every day they are in breach of planning regulations. The house, in Higham Hill Road, Walthamstow was made the subject of a six-month enforcement notice by the council in November 1995. A spokesperson for the worshippers, Mohammed Balal, said: "We knew about the deadline but we haven’t been able to find any new premises so we’re staying a bit longer...the whole Muslim community is very angry about the situation. We don’t have anywhere else we could go" (Walthamstow Guardian, 06.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 17/18] Discussions continue about plans for a mosque in Berry Avenue, Watford (see BMMS for March, April and May 1996). Watford’s chief executive, Carole Hassan, sent a letter to residents assuring them of: "...the council’s firm intention to hold an extensive consultation exercise if at any time in the future a planning application is received for this area of land" (West Herts & Watford Observer, 31.05.96). The North Watford Residents Action Group are working on a rival plan. They want to turn the site into a leisure facility, which would have gardens, a children’s play area, and a pitch for five-a-side football and softball. They believe they may be able to obtain National Lottery funding for such a scheme (West Herts & Watford Observer, 07.06.96). The Watford Interfaith Association sent a letter to the West Herts and Watford Observer (17.05.96) in support of the proposed mosque, saying: "We support the provision of adequate and worthy places of worship for all our religions and denominations. People in our society are thirsty for that spiritual dimension without which life is not truly human." [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 18] Burials A ceremony to mark the opening of the new cemetery at Bloxwich on 17 July will have Muslim and Christians taking part. The cemetery cost £75,000 and includes a memorial garden for infants, plots for cremations, and an area for Muslim burials (Walsall Express and Star, 01.06.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 18] Discussions continue on the issue of Muslim burials in Burnley Cemetery (see BMMS for May 1996). Councillor Mozaquir Ali, who originally raised the matter, expressed his disappointment that council officers did not have information on how the scheme in nearby Blackburn operates. According to Councillor Ali, Muslims want burials to take place within 24 hours, which would mean having a weekend service; a commitment not to disturb the graves for at least 100 years; the provision of brick vault-type graves; and a raised mound of soil on top of the grave (Burnley Express, 31.05.96). [BMMS June 1996 Vol. IV, No. 6, p. 18] Muslims are asking the council in Luton to provide free brick graves for their dead, which they claim is Islamic tradition. The cost of such a grave is £588.55. Councillors have been given three options: to have the graves built by contractors at the lowest possible price and charge the bereaved for them; to allow Muslims to supply their own materials and labour, carrying out the work to the council’s specifications; for the council to provide the graves at no extra cost to the bereaved (Luton Leader, 29.05.96). The councillors have decided to refer the matter to a Labour policy group (Luton Leader, 05.06.96). Oldham’s planning committee has rejected requests that land adjacent to the mosque in Werneth Hall Road be used as a Muslim undertakers (see BMMS for May 1996). Director of environmental services, Les Coop, argued that the land should be preserved as a green space: "We just can’t afford to lose any more green land in the Coppice area". Councillor Jawaid Iqbal, who was in favour of the proposal said that members of Oldham’s 15,000 strong Muslim community were having to go out of town to make their funeral arrangements. He said: "It’s a very important service and a very important issue to the Muslim population in Oldham. I think the people do feel a bit snubbed by this" (Oldham Advertiser, 06.06.96). The British Muslim Welfare Association of Oldham, who were formed earlier this year and have 200 members, also expressed their disappointment at the council’s decision. In addition to an undertakers, they want to see a Muslim girls school built in Oldham (Oldham Evening Chronicle, 13.06.96).
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