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British Muslims Monthly Survey for January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1
Features Motorway services halal restaurant
Reports Community Scunthorpe centre investigation
Education ‘No Islam’ teaching withdrawal Certificates at mosque, Spenborough
Politics
Racism Mosque security introduced, Newcastle
Women Coventry women’s centre closes Muslim older women’s meetings, Finchley Pakistan Muslim Welfare gift, Heckmondwicke
Youth
Interfaith
Halal
Health
Mosques and Burials Bishop’s Stortford, Hockerill Street Hackney, Turkish Cultural Centre
Features Most local papers reporting on Ramadan have interviewed a local Muslim about what the holy month means to her or him. The approach of the Halifax Evening Courier (16.01.97) interviewed Arfan Mahmood, a worker in the town’s McDonald’s, who said: "It is a bit of a challenge working here but it’s not too bad. After a while, you don’t really think about eating. You get used to it...Ramadan is about a lot of things, it’s not just about keeping your mouth shut and fasting. It’s meant to concentrate your mind on spiritual things. The whole idea is to purify yourself. That means not smoking, not womanising, not swearing and no back-biting as well as not eating and drinking. It helps you realise how lucky you are, to think about how it feels to live on an empty stomach." The Windsor & Eton Express (09.01.97) and the Ascot Express (09.01.97) have given over a page to Julie Jaleelah Siddiqui, who embraced Islam in May 1995, to explain the significance of Ramadan. She writes: "The month itself though is much more than simply ‘not eating’. It is a time for personal reflection and is used as a mental training ground, making one more God-conscious at all other times. It is a time when all members of the family come together even more and children always find the month very exciting! Any observance of Islamic teachings becomes an act of worship as Islam provides guidance for all areas of life; personal, social or global. Observing Ramadan is therefore an act of worship". Ms Siddiqui works at the Al-Nasr Islamic Information Centre in Slough, which can be contacted on 01753 550788. The Sheffield Star (20.01.97) features the Sheffield Sharks’ basketball coach Jim Brandon, who found no difficulty integrating the fast with his work as a sportsman: "One of the things I like about Ramadan is the understanding it brings of sacrifice. It makes you appreciate the bounties that Allah gives you. Islam is about giving charity and helping other people as well as ourselves. That’s one thing I try to teach the Sharks - the importance of listening and trying to help others." Raja Amir Dad Khan, in his weekly column for the Bucks Free Press (10.01.97) stresses the additional obligation on all Muslims to give charity during Ramadan and relays a plea from the chair of the local mosque committee to "all members of the Muslim community attending evening prayers to ensure they arrive in plenty of time and to make sure that cars are only brought into the area around the Mosque if necessary." Other ways in which even non-Muslims may be affected by Ramadan are noted by some papers. For instance, the Yorkshire Post (09.01.97) devotes a column to the way in which the price of sheep for slaughter has risen in livestock markets in the north, due to increase demand from halal butchers. The Asian Times notes that a compromise has been reached regarding the selection process of the Labour Party in Bradford West (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for February and May 1996). The National Executive of the party has decided that although the contest has to go ahead from 8 January to 16 February, selection meetings will only take place at the weekends from 11am to 2pm, not evenings as planned, which would have clashed with times for prayers and congregational readings of the Qur’an. This change follows the receipt of a petition from Bradford West constituency members. Mohammmed Akbar Shah, officer for University ward in Bradford West, explained: "This (the clash of timetabling with Ramadan) has severe consequences for our Muslim membership, as it clashes with their religious requirements. It is seen by many as a strategic move to undermine involvement of the Muslim membership in this democratic process. Our Asian opponents in the Tory party are actively giving this issue a great deal of currency in the city already." Two papers, the Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel (10.01.97) and the Leicester Mercury (16.01.97) give advice from health professionals to fasting Muslims who are diabetic and two more, the City of London Recorder (17.01.97) and the Birmingham Evening Mail (10.01.97) explain how health promotion workers see Ramadan as a good opportunity for Muslims to give up smoking permanently. The Birmingham Evening Mail gives the phone number of the Khush Dil Stop Smoking Initiative, 0121 554 3899 Islamic Relief is increasing its aid efforts over Ramadan by sending food packages to the needy in over 19 different countries. The packages contain sugar, flour, rice and oil and weigh between 10 and 12kg. To send a donation and for more details, contact Fadi Itani on 0171 722 0039 (Asian Times, 16.01.97). Special radio and television broadcasting was noted by some papers. The Leicester Mercury (10.01.97) explains that Sabras Sound in Leicester obtained a special licence to broadcast 24 hours a day for 28 days during Ramadan. The Atherstone Herald Extra (08.01.97) had a short piece about the four-part series on BBC-1, Ramadan Journeys, which looks at Ramadan through the eyes of visual artists. Q-News (27.12.97) has an article about Muslims in prison during Ramadan, featuring Imam Murad ad-Deen, the first full-time Muslim prison chaplain in Britain. Imam Murad ad-Deen is chaplain at Pentonville Prison, where there are currently over 150 prisoners who are Muslims, some of whom have converted to Islam whilst in prison. The Daily Jang (15.01.97) has printed a letter from one such. Mohammed Ibrahim, formerly Paul Jackson, writes from Brixton Prison: "Being a new convert to Islam, English and in prison, I am finding it difficult and disheartening (although I am not discouraged) at the fact that very little help is available for me and others who want to practise their religion, new found or otherwise, and to learn the teachings of Islam...The holy month of Ramadhan is upon us and still I am somewhat confused as to its meaning...I would like to hear from Muslims anywhere in the world...". Mohammed Ibrahim’s address is: MC 1902, HM Prison, Jebb Avenue, Brixton, London, SW25 5XF. The Wall Street Journal (08.01.97) has a front page article on the subect of the sighting of the new moon to determine the start of Ramadan and the start of Eid. It describes various computer programmes which can help with the problem of sighting the new moon in places such as Birmingham, where, as Mohammed Khalid of the Islamic Resource Centre says: "Here, you don’t see the moon for years and years. In fact, the last time we’ve seen the sun was a couple of weeks ago." Mufti Mohammed Aslam of the Jamiat-Ulema in Dewsbury claimed that there was no need to use a computer and that the authority of Saudi Arabia on the matter should be accepted. East (17.01.97) maintains that there is a disagreement between The London Central Mosque and the UK Ruiyate Hilal (Moon Sighting) Committee. Iqbal Sacranie, chair of the Moon Sighting Committee, claims that the Central mosque has been secretly and unduly influenced by Saudi Arabia in the matter. He said: "The Central Mosque insists on following Saudi Arabia for the start of Ramadan. This means that they sometimes begin fasting a day earlier than the rest of Britain. We cannot accept the London Central Mosque’s way of doing this because it goes against Sharia law. We represent the majority of Muslims in this country." Many local newspapers have invited local Muslims to cooperate in writing articles about the meaning and traditions of Ramadan. An example is the Bucks Herald (22.01.97) where the articles are by one of the paper’s reporter, Siobhan Murphy, and the secretary of the Pushtun Association, Nazar Mohammad. Their article begins: "The month of Ramadan, which started on January 10, is the holiest month of the Islamic year, as it is the month when the Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad" and concludes with a children’s competition. The competition is to draw a picture or write an essay about Ramadan and the prize is a meal in the Taj Mahal Restaurant, Aylesbury, for the children and their parents. Raja Amir Dad Khan’s column in the Bucks Free Press (17.01.97) combines basic information about the meaning of Ramadan for non-Muslims and practical information, such as prayer times in local mosques, for Muslims. Crawley News (22.01.97) describes an incident where police investigated a house with its doors open in the early morning, where Muslims had been eating sehri [the pre-fast meal] and then praying. DC John Carey of Crawley CID said: "The town has a large Asian population and there is the chance they might be encouraging burglars by leaving doors open. We encourage people to follow their religion but ask them to take care at such an early hour." Mohammed Hussein of the Crawley Islamic Centre was touched by the neighbourly and police concern: "Muslims rise as early as 5.30am to eat and pray during Ramadan. It just shows that people are looking out for each other these days despite what people say" (Crawley News, 22.01.97). The Yorkshire Post (22.01.97) and the Yorkshire Daily Examiner (22.01.97) have articles on Fast FM, a radio station which has a licence just for the month of Ramadan and broadcasts from Kirklees. Fast FM also reaches Batley, Dewsbury, Cleckheaton, Bradford and Leeds. In schools, Ramadan is often an opportunity for non-Muslims to learn more about Islam. One of the Gloucester Citizen’s (24.01.97) reporters visited a local primary school, Widden Primary School, where half the children are Muslims. Headteacher Richard Land explained that the school sets aside a room where fasting children can pray and spend their lunch hour, and that: "Our non-Muslim pupils are very interested in Ramadan and the relationship in school between the different faith groups is very good." According to the Walsall Express & Star (30.01.97), Joseph Leckie School in Walsall made similar arrangements for Muslim pupils, who form 55% of that school’s population. At Joseph Leckie School there is also a room available for Friday prayers throughout the year. There were several examples of non-Muslims experiencing fasting in empathy with Muslims. At Ravenshall School, Thornhill Lees, Liz McGrath, an RE teacher asked her colleagues to spend a day fasting "...partly to experience the discipline our pupils have every day for a month and partly to empathise with them. I got a brilliant response - 90 per cent of staff took part and only those with medical complaints didn’t" (Dewsbury Reporter, 24.01.97). Ruth Gledhill, writing for the Times (25.01.97), also fasted for the day on which she visited the Shia mosque in Holland Park. The gender aspect of her experience is highlighted: "We women were separated from the men by an impenetrable green velvet curtain...All the women were covered from the head down, although shoes were left in the hall outside. I was wearing a black silk chador and scarf loaned by Emma Nicholson, the MP, who is a tireless campaigner for Shia refugees and a frequent visitor to the Middle East...The prayers are invalid if clothes are borrowed without the owner’s consent." Several papers in the Leicester area, the Oadby & Wigston Mail (23.01.97), the Leicester Mail (23.01.97), and the Loughborough Mail (23.01.97), have advice for diabetic Muslims during Ramadan and direct readers to a booklet on the topic produced by the Leicestershire Diabetes Care Unit of Leicester General Hospital. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 1/2]
Motorway services halal restaurant A great many papers, both national and local, have reported on plans by the Pakistani Welfare Association of Birmingham to open a halal restaurant on a major motorway in the Midlands. Mohammed Akram Mirza, vice-chair of the PWA and leader of the project, explained: "The idea came six years ago when I was travelling with some friends from Pakistan on the way to Heathrow airport. Unfortunately they could not find halal food anywhere on the motorway. They said this was a shame in such a big country which was a model for Pakistani people...There is a big market now for this kind of food, not only here but on the Continent too" (Financial Times, 04.01.97). Support for the idea has come from Birmingham City Council’s economic development department, whose director Richard Green, is recommending that the council give £5,000 towards a feasibility study. He explained that it would be a community business: "For a number of years, members of the association (Handsworth PWA) have been exploring the possibility of setting up a motorway service station as a community managed business. The project would be constituted as a trading arm of the Pakistan Welfare Association and will specialise in the provision of halal and vegetarian food focused on the needs of, but not exclusively accessed by, the Muslim community. This community is not currently provided for in respect of travel-focused catering" (Black Country Evening Mail, Birmingham Evening Mail, 03.01.97). Mr Mirza is currently negotiating with local councils over five possible sites and is applying for funding from the European Union (Sandwell Express & Star, Sheffield Star, 03.01.97). The Blackpool Gazette (03.01.97) and Teletext (03.01.97) report that the project would create about 600 jobs, which would be mainly filled by the Muslim community. Three local papers, the Birmingham Post (11.01.97), the Birmingham Evening Mail (10.01.97), and the Black Country Evening Mail (10.01.97), report on opposition to the scheme from an animal rights group, Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (Viva!). their spokesperson, Ursula Bates, said: "Halal slaughter was introduced centuries ago to protect animals from even greater cruelty but it has become set in stone. To criticise it is to run the risk of being called racist. However many Muslims do not agree with this cruel and outdated method of slaughter and are vegetarian." Mr Mirza responded: "There are two million Muslims in this country who are not catered for with halal food at any service station. There is no genuine reason for any concern as we will also provide a vegetarian menu." The secretary of Solihull Animal Aid, Ursula Bates, has expressed her organisation’s concern about the plans for the service station. She claims that to slaughter animals when they are fully conscious is unnecessarily cruel and that: "One or two of the halal slaughter houses do now pre-stun animals before slaughter - if this is the case there is no reason why all halal slaughter houses cannot follow the same practice" (Solihull News, 20.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 2/3]
Once again there has been controversy amongst Muslims regarding the acceptance of charity grants from the National Lottery. Coventry Muslims have defended their decision to accept funding from the National Lottery for health care projects at the Muslim Community Centre in Red Lane, Foleshill (see BMMS for December 1996). Ghulam Choudhary, manager of the centre explained: "We were lucky when we got this money. Personally I don’t see anything wrong with accepting it. This money is to pay for an extension to be built for the provision of health care, not just for Muslims, but for the whole of the Asian community. I don’t agree with people who say we are hypocritical. Muslims are against gambling and if it was to say, build a mosque or something like a place of worship then we would not have accepted it. The local Muslim community understands what we are doing and knows this cash won’t be used for a place of worship" (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 16.01.97). Councillor Shabir Ahmed, rejecting Masood Sharjdjareh’s contention that: "Taking money from it [the Lottery] is like doing business with prostitutes and drug dealers", said: "As a Muslim I know gambling is wrong and I would think twice before buying a lottery ticket, but these are charitable grants. It’s not as if this money is going to a religious cause. This is for welfare and the people of Coventry really need it" (East, 10.01.97). In Keighley, new officers are to be elected to the managing body of the Keighley Muslim Association and constitutional changes will be made. The Association’s press secretary, Khadim Hussain, says: "Most of the officers have been with us for some time and so we are planning a re-election. We are also looking at a new constitution, although nothing has been decided yet." However, Mohammed Ajaib, a former officer of the association, claims the re-shuffle is the result of the Sangat Centre’s decision in 1995 to accept National Lottery money (see BMMS for January and February 1996). He said: "The public does not want the present committee running the association because of the feeling against the lottery money, and the new constitution is a result of the lottery argument. This matter affects the entire community" (Keighley News, 03.01.97). Although the National Lotteries Board and the Charities Commission have reiterated that they believe the £375,000 given to the Sangat Centre from the lottery is being correctly spent, some sections of the local Muslim community are still unhappy at the source of the grant and regard it as haram. The chair of the Ittehaad Community Association, Ali Akbar said: "We at Ittehaad are disgusted that no consultation was made with the community whether to apply to the National Lottery for funding. In one case, elderly residents refused to use the Sangat minibus when they found out it was bought with lottery money. Numbers using the day centre have reduced as they learn more about the lottery handout. Gambling is forbidden and any money relating to this cannot be spent on the mosque or its buildings, whether it is for welfare or training purposes. Sangat has been asked by various community associations and individuals to give the money back but with no success" (Keighley News, 24.01.97). The paper asked Khadim Hussein, general manager of the Sangat Centre for his response to Mr Akbar’s criticism, but he was unavailable for comment. The Keighley News (17.01.97) also published an apology to Mr Hussein regarding their reporting of controversy around allegations made by Mohammed Ajaib, a former officer of the Keighley Muslim Association. In Walsall, Birchills’ Ghousia mosque has applied for £50,000 from the National Lottery fund for improvements to its community centre facilities. Vice president of the mosque committee, Ali Ashgar, claimed that the funds would not be used for the mosque itself: "The bid is for the car park, toilets and boundary wall. It’s for places of prayer that the money has to be 100 per cent clean. Ideally we need to build a second floor on our community centre for things like English language lessons for Muslim women". Criticism about the lottery as a source of funding was voiced by Aftab Ali, spokesperson for the organisation Idara Minulhaj Quran: "Islam forbids money from any kind of gambling association. The application should be turned down. The National Lottery shouldn’t fund anything Islamic. We can get funding from Arab countries. The mosque is setting a bad example to our young people. The application may be for toilets and car park but it’s all the mosque - a house of God" (Express & Star Walsall, Sandwell, Birmingham 07.01.97, 08.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Reports Community Q-News (27.12.96) claims that the pages of a Qur’an recently sold at auction by Christies were wrongly described. The newspaper has consulted Habibullah Solekh, an Islamic calligraphy expert who works in the state library in Tashkent, who asserts that four of the pages of the Uthmani Qur’an, one of the oldest in the world, have been sold by Christies. However, the pages recently sold were described by the auctioneers as a "massive Kufic folio" originating in North Africa, not the former Soviet Union. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 3]
Late reports continue to come in of Prince Charles’ recent speech on Islam and its repercussions (see BMMS for December 1996). Omar Bakri Mohammad, leader of Al-Muhajiroun (see BMMS for February and August 1996) has written an open letter to the Prince, urging him to publicly embrace Islam, so that: "Allah will guide all the people to Islam in order to complete our mission, by seeing the Islamic flag dominating over Downing Street" (Asian Times, 02.01.97, Church of England Newspaper, 03.01.97). The Church of England Newspaper (03.01.97) also reported the comments of Bishop Nazir-Ali, echoing the Prince’s call for more tolerance: "In the West, for example, we need increasing recognition that Muslims often understand themselves more in terms of faith than of race. It is good that measures are beginning to be taken against religious discrimination in the work place. We also need to make sure there are adequate legal safeguards against incitement to religious hatred, while at the same time protecting the rights to freedom of expression." The Daily Mail (06.01.97) carries a feature article on the Prince’s twelve person advisory group on Islam. The group meets several times a year with Prince Charles and is as follows: Dr Rana Kabbani, Muslim feminist writer; Rt Rev Simon Barrington-Ward, Bishop of Coventry; Rt Rev Michael Nazir-Ali, Bishop of Rochester, formerly Bishop of Raiwind, Pakistan; Dr Zaki Badawi, principal of the Muslim College, London; Dr Farhad Nizami, of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies; Professor Akbar Ahmed, of Selwyn College, Cambridge; Clifford Longley, a Catholic; Edward Mortimer of the Financial Times, also Catholic; the Saudi Arabian ambassador, Dr Ghazi al-Ghosaibi; Sir Alan Munro of the Foreign Office, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia; John Shepherd, a permanent secretary with the Foreign Office; and the Prince’s private secretary, Stephen Lamport. East (17.01.97) mentions only six of the twelve advisors in its article, and quotes Surjit Singh Kalra, a Sikh member of the Inner Cities Religious Council, who said: "If the Prince of Wales has a separate committee for Muslim affairs he should do the same for all the main religions, not just one. Setting up a committee on Islamic Affairs sends out the wrong messages. Other religions may regard it as favouritism." Spokesperson for the Prince, Sandy Henney, denied there was any favouritism. She said: "The Prince of Wales choses to talk to a number of people on issues that are current ranging from the environment to architecture. Islam in the West is something that he feels is current and important in this country" (East, 17.01.97). Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward told the Rugby Evening Telegraph (07.01.97) something of the Prince’s involvement with his advisory group on Islam: "The group itself is just advising and discussing some of the issues and it is very varied with different people coming and going...We discuss the way in which the Prince’s involvement can help to develop good relations between the West and Islam and in particular between Christians and Muslims." Another local paper, Kent Today, (14.01.97) had a small piece concerning the involvement of the Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir Ali, with the group. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 3]
A series of talks on Islam has been organised jointly by Nottingham University’s Islamic Society and the city’s Pakistan Centre. The talks were planned for a week in the middle of January and form part of the speaking tour of Sheikh Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips (see BMMS for December 1996), an Islamic scholar from Jamaica. Details of the event can be obtained from phoning 0115 924 2434 or 0468 914768 (Nottingham Evening Post, 06.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 3/4]
The Willesden-based Association of Muslims with Disabilities (see BMMS for February, March and October 1996) runs a drop-in session at the Brent Association of Disabled People in Harlesden Road on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Their activities include arts and crafts, lunch, outings, counselling, and information on benefits and services. The group needs volunteers, particularly drivers. The contact person is Ahmed Serroukh on 0181 830 3821 (Willesden & Brent Chronicle, 09.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Bury North MP Alistair Bury celebrated the birthday of the founding father of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, as a guest of honour of the local Pakistani community at a dinner in the Charcoal Tandoori. Dr Abdul Ghafoor Bhatti, welfare attaché at the Pakistani vice-consulate, took the opportunity to remind Pakistani community leaders present that, after 23 January, Pakistani passports cannot be renewed without a valid identity card. Another speaker, Dr Mohammed Sharid Salem spoke of the need for grater understanding between communities: "Even Prince Charles stated in a recent conference that the West can learn from Islamic culture about family values, respect for individuals and compassion for the less well-off in society" (Radcliffe Times, 26.12.96). Jinnah Day celebrations were also reported from Warrington, where civic and council leaders attended an event organised by the Pakistan Welfare Society and the Circle of Literary Friends (Warrington Guardian, 10.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Q-News (27.12.96) has an article on Islamic publishing houses in Britain in which it singles out the Quilliam Press for commendation. The article begins: "One of the most reliable windows into the rapidly-evolving British Muslim scene is the world of Islamic publishing. Until recently, the Muslim bookshops shelved a scene of desolation. Poorly written and printed books imported from the Subcontinent seemed to confirm stereotypes of Islam as a foreign implantation into Britain, and one with little interest in cultural excellence. But in the past ten years the publishing scene has been transformed." The article reviews three of Quilliam’s recent titles: Imam Abdullah al-Haddad’s Key to the Garden; Knud Holmboe’s Desert Encounter; and Ruqayyah Waris Maqsood’s Muslim Marriage Guide. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Q-News now has a northern news bureau, run by local businessman and community activist, Qasim Afzal. Enquiries to the Manchester bureau should be made to: Q-News North, ABI House, 339 Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester M8 0SN, telephone and fax: 0161 205 2885 (Q-News, 27.12.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Readings of the Qur’an and an explanation of its importance in Islam were held in the Bagshaw Museum, Batley on 19 and 26 January and 2 February at 2pm (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 30.12.96). The museum is also staging exhibitions about Islam during January and February and having an Eid celebration on 23 February (Wakefield Express, 10.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Members of the Carshalton Muslim Cultural Welfare Association recently held a jumble sale to raise funds for repairs to their premises, the Wentworth Hall in Carshalton (Sutton Herald, 31.12.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
A man was stabbed during disturbances involving 40 worshippers at Aylesbury’s mosque on Saturday 28 December. The following day, police organised a meeting of the leaders of the various factions within the mosque , members of the Aylesbury Vale Racial Equality Council and Thames Valley Police (Bucks Herald, 31.12.96). The Scottish edition of the Express on Sunday (05.01.97) explained that the appointment of a new imam had been the catalyst of the violence, which had resulted in three people being charged by the police. Temporary imams were leading the prayers until the dispute could be resolved and police had warned that if violence were to break out again, they would have the mosque closed. The Bucks Herald (08.01.97) reports that prior to Ramadan an agreement had been reached as to who would lead prayers during the holy month and this had been signed by all concerned. In addition, all parties to the dispute had agreed that they would put aside their differences during this time. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
The Huddersfield Council of Islamic Affairs Trust recently held its AGM, elected new officers and approved changes to the constitution. Presenting the Annual Report, Mr Tariq, the Secretary General, said: "All of us have a duty, not only to ourselves, but to other human beings as well, bearing this in mind we should resolve to work together to realise the full potential of our community in partnership with Huddersfield Pride Limited and other public and private organisations" (Awaaz, 01.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4]
Awaaz (01.01.97) has produced a short supplement giving a month-by-month account of some of the significant stories it has covered concerning Muslims in the north of England in the past year. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4] An emergency meeting was called for 4 January to discuss alleged mismanagement of Sheffield’s Pakistan Muslim Centre (Sheffield Star, 03.01.97, Sheffield Star, Barnsley Star, 04.01.97). Critics claim that the centre has not held the compulsory meetings open to all the 1,000 plus members, as laid down in the constitution; money is not being spent on youth projects; and the centre’s restaurant is losing money. Centre member Matloub Hussain, who also works for Sheffield Youth Service, said: "A lot of people feel annoyed because we no longer have a say in what goes on any more" (Sheffield Star, Barnsley Star, 04.01.97).The meeting planned for 4 January was postponed until 16 February. Meanwhile, Pakistani youth are demanding a say in how the centre is run. Youth spokesperson Nissar Jaffar said: "We’ve been neglected by our elders and want representation on the centre’s management committee. We feel it’s reasonable to have eight representatives on the board including women who should also have a say" (Sheffield Star, 06.01.97). However, centre chief executive Shahid Malik found the youth accusations unjust. He said: "This is a power struggle. It’s not fair to say government money for youth projects was used incorrectly" (Sheffield Weekly Gazette, 09.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 4/5]
Wasim Darr, president of the UK Islamic Mission in Southampton has received an MBE for his services to community relations in the New Year’s honours list. He organises Islamic exhibitions and other educational and social events throughout the country and is a representative on Southampton’s SACRE, which advises on religious matters in education. Mr Darr said: "My main purpose is to create harmony and understanding in society. I am very optimistic about the future and very proud to receive the MBE for my work" (Southern Daily Echo, 04.01.97). This edition of the paper also carries an article by Mohammed Aslam, chair of the Southampton Medina Mosque Trust, on Ramadan and a short piece on progress towards building the new mosque in the city (see BMMS for November and December 1996). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5]
Scunthorpe centre investigation The management of the Pakistani Welfare, Cultural and Islamic Centre in Scunthorpe have been given until 17 January to respond to the details of an investigation by the Charity Commission. The Commission was alerted to possible abuses by Salim Uddin, the Association’s welfare officer and former international cricketer. Pending the outcome of the enquiry, essential safety work on the premises, which was to have been funded by single regeneration budget funds via North Lincs Council, has been suspended (Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 08.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5]
Mohammed has become the 36th most popular name for boys in Britain, ahead of John by five places. East (17.01.96) reported Dr Majid Katme, secretary of the Union of Muslim Families, who said: "I am really amazed by this. I thought there was a trend of people living in Britain losing their cultural identity - calling themselves Hammy instead of Hameed. Mohammed is a model to mankind. People like to copy it and remind themselves of him." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5]
Residents in a street in Blackburn are feeding the birds with chapattis, causing pigeons to flock there, as they say feeding birds is a Muslim custom bringing Allah’s blessings (Cambridge Evening Telegraph, Derby Evening Telegraph, 18.01.96, Grimsby Evening Telegraph, 20.01.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5]
Yusuf Islam, who was formerly known as Cat Stevens, is planning to record some Bosnian music together with two songs he has written himself. He said: "Interestingly, it is Bosnian songs which have brought me closer to wanting to do something more (in music). I’ve now taken steps to supporting a new project which is a compilation of some beautiful Bosnian songs, melodies and poems and we hope this will be released in the very near future; we hope this year". Yusuf Islam plans to visit Bosnia again during Ramadan. He told reporters that he is a supporter of the Bosnian Party of Democratic Action (SDA), which had helped organise his visit to Bosnia in 1993 (Daily Jang, 22.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5] The Queen will be unable to visit a mosque in Bradford when she visits the city on 27 March, Maundy Thursday, to distribute Maundy Money in Bradford Cathedral (see BMMS for December 1996). In reply to a letter of invitation from Bradford Council of Mosques president Khadim Hussain, the West Yorkshire Lord Lieutenant John Lyles wrote: "I am sorry to convey the disappointing news to you that the Queen is unable to extend her programme to visit the Mosque on March 27. Her Majesty stresses that she looks forward to meeting representatives from the Muslim community at the events already arranged for the day. You will realise that, because of her extensive commitment, the Queen is unlikely to pay a further official visit to West Yorkshire in the near future, and I wonder if you would like me to approach another member of the Royal Family to see if we can arrange a visit to the mosque?" (Yorkshire Post, 28.01.97). Mr Hussain said: "We are hoping now for another member of the Royal Family to come to Bradford. So we will be meeting to decide who to invite. I was a bit disappointed when I read the letter because it would be a great honour to meet the queen. I’m hoping to talk to her when she talks to Muslim representatives. I would tell her of the problems the Asian community faces in Bradford such as education, unemployment and drugs" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 31.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5]
Sarah Sheriff, writing in Muslim News (24.01.97) reports on plans for the millennium: "Two leading members of the Muslim community are part of an inter-faith subcommittee which has drawn up proposals on how national activities to mark the Millennium can be less dominated by secular celebrations and more closely reflect the 2000th anniversary of the Prophet Jesus’s (pbuh) birth". The two Muslim members are Maulana Shahid Raza and Iqbal Sacranie. Mr Sacranie said: "The millennium celebrations will be a massive publicity event and since the Muslims have a long established and significant presence in society, they should play a leading part in defining the type of activities which marks the passing of the millennium. The celebrations should present an opportunity to reflect on the good and bad of the last 2000 years and to learn from mistakes (especially in the fields of justice and human rights) so that there is a better future for all the citizens of the world". [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 5/6]
A new charitable trust has been set up in Stoke-on-Trent, the Rajput Welfare Trust. Its aims include an advice service, the teaching and interpretation of Islam, and establishing a community centre. One of the trustees, Mohammed Pervez Raja, said: "We have felt that there has been a need for an organisation of this type for a while and we have been pleased with the marvellous response that we have had. The constitution of the trust is now in place and we can move forward, providing guidance and information for both the Rajput community and the Muslims living in this city" (Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel, 21.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Vandals caused several hundred pounds worth of damage at the Islamic Bangladeshi Centre in Lewisham Road, Smethwick, during the night of 21 to 22 January. They kicked in the front door of the centre, smashed desks and filing cabinets, stole the safe containing £250, as well as a computer and personal files. The centre’s chair, Councillor Amrick Uppal, said: "We are already struggling to get by. We need something like this like a hole in the head. It is diabolical what has happened and we want the people caught as soon as possible" (Sandwell Express & Star, 22.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
During the night of 21 to 22 January, burglars stole a hundred computer disks, representing an author’s life’s work, when they broke into her kitchen and took her computers, fax, a camera, and the disks. Rosalyn Ruquaiyyah Maqsood, a feminist Muslim writer, had three books just about to be published on the disks: The Wild Falcon, a 500 page novel; Bride of the Nile, a novel for teenagers due to be published next year in Ireland; and a dictionary of Islam, to be published in India. Ms Maqsood, a former teacher, is the author of over 30 published works with Islamic themes for children and adults. She said: "I don’t care about the other things. I just want the disks back. They are of no value to anyone else. I’m distraught. I’d just finished writing the 500 pages. It will take me a year or more to do that work all over again." Items taken included a Phillips Videowriter, 100 blue three-and-a-half inch disks, a Goldstar computer, Pentax camera, a Sanyo fax and documents. Anyone offered any of these for sale is asked to phone Humberside CID on 01482 220500 (Hull Daily Mail,23.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Newham Council’s Community Affairs Sub-committee have agreed that £331,766 should be spent renovating a building in Katherine Road, Forest Gate to convert it into a centre mainly for the use of Muslim women. The centre would offer drop-in and support services, information technology training, a weights room and a cafe. The final decision will be taken at the council’s Policy and Resources Committee meeting (City of London Recorder, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Festive lights decorating the main road between the Eagle Street and Cambridge Street mosques in Coventry were switched on by the Lord Mayor, Councillor Stan Hodson at Iftar time on 30 January. The lights were to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan (Coventry Evening Telegraph, Rugby Evening Telegraph, 30.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Plans for a casino in London’s Docklands have met with some reservations from the community umbrella organisation, Docklands Forum. Their spokesman responded to the plans by saying: "The casino may bring employment, such as croupiers, cleaners and managers. The punters may also use other local services, which will then bring investment to the area. But some people consider gambling unacceptable. It is contrary to the Muslim religion and puritan beliefs. There is also concern that gambling is inextricably linked to crime and vice. It is relatively easy to lose a lot of money very quickly and it is particularly addictive..." (City of London Recorder, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
The Darlington & Stockton Times (25.01.97) reviews an exhibition of work by Ahmed El Haddad, currently on show at the Darlington Art Gallery. Ahmed El Haddad was born in Tetouan, Morocco and studied fine art in Madrid. He also has work currently on show in Bishop Auckland and Durham. Townscapes feature largely in the Darlington exhibition and the artist commented on this work: "I want to show people something they’ve never seen before; give a story about people and how they live and the architecture around them...I just want to be someone who brings a message. to let English people see the work of an Islamic artist. To let them see that art is different in every country...I want to show the poverty and everything else too. That is my responsibility; to show how people really live in the other world." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Muslim News (24.01.97) has an obituary of Khurram Murad, who died aged 64 on 19 December in Leicester’s Glenfield Hospital after a long illness. Khurram Murad was born in Bhopal, India, in 1932 and migrated to Pakistan in 1948. He studied engineering at the University of Karachi and subsequently at the University of Minnesota. He joined the Jamiat-e-Islami in Bhopal as a student and on arrival in Karachi joined the student section of the movement, the Islami Jamiat-e-Taleba. He remained a leader in this Islamic movement throughout his life and became the head of its training department, which involved him in the promotion of Islam worldwide. He was the author of over thirty works in Urdu and English. He was also the translator of Mawlana Abdul A’la Mawdudi, the founder of the Jamiat-e-Islami, including such famous works as Let us be Muslims. He edited Mawlana Abul Hasan Ali Navdi’s Muslims in the West: The Message and the Mission, wrote books for children, directed a video on the life of the Prophet Mohammed, and was constantly involved in da’wah and interfaith dialogue. Muslim News estimates that there are over 400 audio and video cassettes in circulation of Khurram Murad in Pakistan and elsewhere in the Muslim world. As a leader of the Islamic Movement of Pakistan, he was detained without trial in Dhaka for three months in 1964 and was a prisoner of war in India for three years after December 1971. Khurram Murad leaves a wife and six children. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
The Education Society of the Association of Muslim Researchers (AMR) plans to hold an event on Islam and Art in mid 1997. AMR would like to hear from artists, designers, teachers, researchers, and anyone else interested in this theme who would like to contribute. The AMR can be contacted at PO Box 8175, London SE23 3ZB, phone: 0181 699 1887, e-mail: amr@amrnet.demon.co.uk (Muslim News, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 6]
An exhibition staffed by the London-based IQRA Trust will open on 24 February for three weeks in Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre. In Swindon the exhibition has been organised by the Thamesdown Islamic Association. Their representative, Khan Nawaz, said: "The average person in this country has a very poor knowledge of Islam and what we believe. It [the exhibition] is mainly for schools. Through the education authorities we have invited schoolchildren and religious education teachers from all over Wiltshire and parts of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. But it will be open to everyone between 4pm and 6pm" (Swindon Evening Advertiser, 28.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 6]
Education The Daily Telegraph (22.01.96) carries a guest editorial by Anne Applebaum, who is Jewish and the political columnist of the London Evening Standard on the subject on non-Christians celebrating Christmas. Her reflections were sparked by Israr Khan’s disturbing a carol concert at the school in Birmingham where he teaches (see BMMS for December 1996). She writes: "It isn’t the first time a Christmas row has broken out in this country. In 1993, the Labour city council in Birmingham decided that they weren’t going to have Christmas lights, as they had done in the past, but ‘seasonal’ lights instead: angels would be replaced by snowflakes and ‘Merry Christmas would become ‘Happy Holidays’. The council took the decision on the grounds that the city’s many religious minorities, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu, would appreciate the change. They were wrong. Muslims objected to the change, and above all Alan Blumenthal, a Jewish member of the council, objected to the change. Blumenthal now says: "They were cancelling Christmas’". The student from Washwood Heath School whose parents kept her off school in protest at Mr Khan’s actions, Cassie Rouse, has now returned. Her father, who is also a governor at the school, explained that, "Cassie has decided to go back as she doesn’t want to jeopardise her exam chances" (Birmingham Evening Mail, 07.01.97). Mr Khan also returned to school at the beginning of term. The headteacher, Jim Collins, said: "The matter is still under investigation and will be dealt with according to the school’s grievance and disciplinary procedure" (Birmingham Post, 08.01.97). Mr Khan has undergone a disciplinary procedure but will be allowed to keep his job. The school’s headteacher, Jim Collins, said: "A full investigation was conducted into this incident and formal disciplinary proceedings were commenced. These have been concluded and an appropriate outcome has ben reached. All parties have agreed to continue to work together in the interests of the school and its students and the matter is now closed" (Birmingham Evening Mail,23.01.97, 24.01.97, Birmingham Post, Black Country Evening Mail 24.01.97). Sally Rouse, a parent who temporarily withdrew her daughter from the school in protest at Mr Khan’s actions was not happy with the outcome of the disciplinary hearing. She said: "This is sending out a totally wrong message to the kids at the school, saying it is perfectly OK for someone to show disrespect for someone else’s faith and culture" (Black Country Evening Mail, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 6]
Ibrahim Hewitt, development officer of the Association of Muslim Schools (AMS), has an article in Q-News (27.12.96) in which he explains the role of the AMS and the need for Muslim schools. Mr Hewitt claims there are now 53 full-time Muslim schools in Britain. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 6]
The numbers of students at the Lancaster Muslim girls’ boarding school, the Fountain of Knowledge (see BMMS for April, August and September 1996), continues to grow. The Blackburn based trust which owns the school, the Al-Badr Islamic Trust hopes to expand to 1,000 pupils in five years’ time. Following an appeal in the Lancaster Guardian, four local people have been recruited to the teaching staff. The school is still looking for staff and can be contacted on: 01524 389595 (Lancaster Guardian, 27.12.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 6/7]
Awaaz (01.01.97) has an article about the Sunday GCSE classes at the Grange School, Bradford (see BMMS for December 1996). The headteacher was very pleased at the students’ response to the classes: "They are realising the benefits they can gain from extra tuition and it has to be admired. One of the best things about this, is the way it shows what an asset the Muslim community is for Bradford." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 7]
Awaaz (01.01.97) has an editorial article about the impact of Islamic worship in schools. The editor concludes that there are many benefits for Muslims from such assemblies: "They have been able to participate actively in these assemblies by demonstrating their knowledge, skills and achievements. Muslim pupils have consequently gained greater confidence in themselves, in the school and its staff - feeling proud that their religion and culture are valued." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 7]
Al-Furqan School in Birmingham (see BMMS for November 1996) and the Islamia Primary School in Brent, north London (see BMMS for December 1995; June, July and November 1996) look likely to become Britain’s first state-funded Muslim schools. The Birmingham Post (08.01.97), in an editorial about Al-Furqan’s application, maintains that: "...as long as the state pays for other religious-based schools, notably Roman Catholic and Church of England schools, there can be no complaint about establishing a Moslem school. Its pupils would, by law, be required to study the national curriculum. That means they would be taught the basic elements of British culture and history as well as the English language. They would also be taught about Islam and they may be able to learn Arabic but that would be no more outlandish than the widespread teaching of Welsh language and literature in Wales." Zahida Hussain, head of Al-Furquan, told the Birmingham Post (08.01.97): "Moslem parents feel it is unfair that they don’t have a chance available to them to chose the school best suited to the needs of their child. The school is committed to dealing with the National Curriculum and is committed to high standards of education." A spokesperson from Birmingham education department, however, maintains that their objection to the school is based on the argument of there being surplus places in the area: "We are concerned because there is currently a significant number of surplus primary places in the area and expanding this school would add to the problem" (Birmingham Evening Mail, 07.01.97). Ms Hussain responded out that there was a great demand from Muslim families in the area for an Islamic education for their children, but with 70% unemployment amongst the community served, many could not afford the fees of £1,000 a year. The application from the Islamia Primary School is slightly more advanced than that of Al-Furqan and a decision is expected soon . The Funding Agency for Schools has decided in favour of state-funding in principle for both schools, which augurs well for approval from the Education Department (Church Times, 10.01.97, Independent, 07.01.97). The Al-Sadiq school for boys and its sister school, the Al-Zahra school for girls, in north London are also awaiting news of their applications. Yousif Al-Khoei, director of the Al-Khoei Foundation which runs the schools, welcomed Islamia’s success: "If any Muslim school gets their application approved it is good news for us. We hope to hear from the Funding Agency later this month" (East, 10.01.97). Eastern Eye (31.01.97), as part of an Eid feature article, has a piece on the Islamia School, written by Sarita Bhatia, with attractive, positive photos by Rahil Ahmad. Commenting on the possibility of state funding, Yusuf Islam, founder of the school, said: "We’re hopeful of success, but we won’t be celebrating until we see the final decision." Dr Azam Baig, head of the school and formerly of the Aitcheson School in Lahore, said: "We maintain very high standards in the school. We push for education first and foremost and do not ‘turn the children into fundamentalists’ as some would have you believe...I truly believe it is a multi-cultural school. I invite anyone to come and see it for themselves to make up their own minds...We give normal education with normal studies. There is no hidden agenda at the school that makes these children different." On the question of the financial difficulties the school has faced since its inception, Dr Baig said: "We’ve survived by taking the begging bowl all over the world and on Yusuf’s generosity for which he will be many times rewarded." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 7]
‘No Islam’ teaching withdrawal A father in Newham, east London, has withdrawn his son from religious education at Ravenscroft Primary School, claiming that too little attention is given to Christianity and too much to other faiths. Marc Salisbury said: "I only wanted my sons taught Christianity and Judaism. Sikhism is just made up. Islam is too aggressive, and Hinduism and Buddhism are just rubbish. I believe in God and I want my children taught about Christianity. The majority of the school are Christian and I believe that the teachers should be doing more. I have been called a racist, but it is laughable to say that when my wife Simbee is a Malaysian." Mrs Salisbury, a convert to Christianity from Buddhism, said: "The children are English and should be taught Christianity. I believe that when you are in Rome you do what the Romans do. I would not teach them Buddhism which is a religion I was born under. They are vulnerable at an early age and it is up to the parents to give them a faith to follow." Graham Lane, head of Newham Council, a governor of the school, and councillor for the ward in which Ravenscroft is located, said: "It is a multi-racial religious curriculum because between 30 and 40 percent of the pupils are Muslim or Hindu. It is something he [Mr Salisbury] is particularly upset about. He has tried three times, unsuccessfully, to become a parent governor and he is now trying to spark a ballot to have the school opt-out for grant maintained status" (Express, 06.01.97). According to the Yorkshire Post (06.01.97), Mr Salisbury has insisted on his right to a list of the names and addresses of all parents at the school in order to lobby them about a possible opt-out. The governors have so far defied the Department for Education and Employment and so far have refused to hand over the list. Councillor Lane told the North of England Education Conference in Sheffield that an opt-out ballot on religion would "allow very deep divisions of race to emerge...We think that the maintenance of good race relations overrides any other legislation." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 7/8]
An investigation by Bolton Social Services and inspectors from the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) has been launched into the Al Jamiah Al Islamiyyah School in Bromley Cross. An anonymous phone call alleging abuse was received by the social services department about the boys’ boarding school, which has approximately 120 boys aged between 12 and 20. A report has been written on the school. Councillor Ken Peters, chair of the social services committee, said: "We have been concerned about this school for some time. But we have had difficulty gaining access for an inspection. I will be writing to local MPs to ensure that they are aware of the situation where an independent school can continue to operate for a considerable period of time with social services having very limited powers to deal with concerns" (Bolton Evening News, 09.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8]
Eastern Eye (31.01.97) has a short article on Muslim Education Relief (MER), a charity which is involved in promoting education in war zones such as Bosnia, Chechnya and Kashmir. The charity sets up education centres in the war affected areas; they supplement existing educational services with equipment and supplies; and they offer scholarships for students from the war zones to come to the UK to study. Qamer Bhatti, managing director of MER, said: "Education is the only real way forward for needy people. Real relief work is based on education because we believe in long-term rather than short-term measures. Lack of education leads to people becoming victims of all sorts of greed". More information on MER can be had by phoning 0181 451 2009. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8]
Certificates at mosque, Spenborough Fifty of the 400 children who attend after-school classes at Heckmondwicke Mosque have received certificates and books in recognition of their achievements. Waseem Riaz, of the Pakistan and Muslim Welfare Society, explained that the children were taught in groups according to their ability, rather than their age: "They are judged on their knowledge of Arabic, Urdu,English and how well they know the Koran, as well as on their general good behaviour" (Spenborough Guardian, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8]
A project bringing together Muslim and Catholic school students in Dunfermline and Kelty has won the six participating schools European Commission Scottish Equality Awards. Dunfermline High School, St Columba’s High School and Kelty’s St Joseph’s Primary School received certificates for promoting equality of opportunity in education. The primary school children in Kelty learnt some Urdu in order to be able to better converse with the visitors from their exchange school. Discussions between Catholic and Muslim senior school students were recognised as being valuable. Bilingual Support Service manager David Watson explained: "The senior pupils discussed aspects of their religion and were surprised to find that they had quite a few things in common." Michelle McKearnon of the Support Service received an award in her own right as being the initiator and co-ordinator of the projects, which it is hoped will be a model for future exchanges (Dunfermline Press & West of Fife Advertiser, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8]
A secondary school in Birmingham, George Dixon school in Edgbaston, is experimenting with splitting the first three years into separate boys’ and girls’ groups. The experiment has proved very popular with the 380 pupils involved, with the majority feeling that they could concentrate better, worked harder, and made greater progress in single sex groups. Nine out of ten teachers and a majority of parents liked the separate groups, too. About 25 per cent of George Dixon’s 750 students are Muslim and their parents like the separate classes for cultural reasons. Julian Souter, senior director at the school, believed that, additionally, there were good educational reasons for the separate classes: "We were aware, as are many Birmingham schools, that some children come to us with a low reading age. We wanted to tackle that. The theory is that because of the differences between boys and girls at the age of 11 - because girls are more mature than boys - you are better able to tackle shortcomings in single-sex groups. There is a big debate about the under achievement of boys in general terms and, in certain subjects, about the relatively low take-up by girls. But very few places have taken the logical step of deciding to teach boys and girls separately" (Birmingham Post, 23.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8]
Muslim sixth form students at Howden Clough Girls High School in Batley, West Yorkshire, are demanding an apology from a teacher who allegedly separated Asian Muslim and white girls before accusing the Asians of stealing a white girl’s purse (Yorkshire Post, 28.01.97). The teacher, David Smithson, apparently told the Muslims that they shared "collective responsibility" for the theft and should therefore feel "collectively guilty and ashamed" (Yorkshire Post, 28.01.97). After a search of some of the girls’ bags, nothing was found. He is also reputed to have said: "This is the last thing I would have expected from your kind. You are supposed to be religious, especially with it being the month of Ramadan" (Birmingham Post, Daily Jang, 28.01.97). The following day, the headteacher called three of the girls into her office and Mr Smithson apologised to them, saying: "I am sorry if I offended you by making comments about Ramadan". The girls, however, are still angry that he singled out the Muslims, and that he has not apologised to all 39 of them. A spokesperson for the Kirklees Metropolitan Council said that the teachers and governors had: "...moved quickly to ask the Kirklees Local Education Authority to carry out an investigation and to report back to the governing body so that properly considered action can be taken where appropriate" (Daily Jang, 28.01.97). Another incident occurred at the school on 23 January, when a religious education teacher had an argument with a Muslim GCSE student who did not want to read a passage in the Bible because she did not agree with it. The teacher is alleged to have accused the class of not understanding Islam and referred to them as "parrots" who just accepted whatever they were told. One student said: "It was very offensive and we are very angry. The tension here is very high and it is doing nothing to reassure the parents that send their children to our school that it can stamp out racism. The school is supposed to have anti-racist policies that are meant to be observed by all the pupils but what’s the point when teachers seem to break the same rules" (Yorkshire Post, 29.01.97). A spokesperson for the education authority, Rob Vincent, said: "All we can say is that, until the investigation is completed, we cannot respond to each and every individual allegation. We are treating it very seriously...We do not want to wash over any issue of this sensitivity" (Yorkshire Post, 29.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 8/9]
The parent-teacher association at Chapel Allerton Primary School is unhappy at its local MP’s suggestion that allegations of racism and insensitivity to Muslims should be the subject of an independent enquiry. Home Office minister with special responsibility for race relations, Timothy Kirkthorpe, who is also MP for Leeds North East, said: "I will not tolerate racism in Leeds North East, so we must get to the bottom of this matter and determine whether these allegations are well founded" (East, 31.01.97). The PTA claim that a 400-name petition protesting about the running of the school had nothing to do with parents of the school’s pupils. In a statement, the PTA objected that: "The school has some 500 pupils. A petition containing 400 signatures would suggest that the majority of parents with children at the school had signed it. We have yet to find one parent who was approached to sign such a petition. Who are these protesters and what connection do they have with the school?" (Yorkshire Evening Post, 27.01.97). Mohammed Riaz, spokesperson for the protesting parents, detailed various incidents of racial and religious discrimination at the school. He claimed that recently: "During Ramadan cooking and dancing classes were organised. Pork was served to Muslim children at lunchtime. Parents’ written requests for their children not to attend assembly went ignored...the parents are incensed. They have gone to meetings with teachers and have come out crying" (East, 31.01.97). He maintains that since Mrs Robb-Webb was appointed headteacher, over fifty Asian parents had withdrawn their children from the school, and that the problems of relationships with some parents and pupils, particularly Pakistanis were longstanding. The city council launched an inquiry into the situation at the school in September but has yet to announce its findings (East, 31.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9]
Politics The Daily Mail (13.01.97) reports that the Saudi exile, Mohammed al-Mas’ari, has debts of more than £100,000, including £15,000 owing to BT. The debt to BT may have occurred because Dr al-Mas’ari has waged a propaganda war against Saudi Arabia by fax (see BMMS for December 1995; January, April, June and July 1996). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9]
Muslims in Stirling are to be included as representatives on Stirling Council’s Civic Assembly, which will monitor, debate and influence Stirling Council’s policies. Ghulam Rasool, chair of the Central Scotland Islamic Centre, said: "It is something Muslims would wish to be involved in, but so far no one has asked us. I will be discussing this with our people". Helen Munro, Stirling’s director of community services, confirmed that Muslims would be invited to send representatives along with all the other community organisations (Aberdeen Press & Journal, 09.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9]
Detectives are continuing to investigate the letter bomb sent to the Al-Hayat Arabic language newspaper in London on 13 January. The bomb was posted in Alexandria, Egypt (Black Country Evening Mail, 14.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9]
A meeting planned as a tribute to Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, has been attacked by Councillor Gerry Ross, leader of Hackney New Labour, as potentially disruptive to community relations in the borough. He said: "It is particularly important that different groups and sections in Hackney work together in peace. We are building bridges. The whole purpose of this organisation is to destroy those bridges. I will oppose it to the best of my ability. It’s very worrying that the organisation has premises in Stoke Newington." The meeting is due to be held on 16 February in Stoke Newington Road (Hackney Gazette, 16.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9]
Dr Zaki Badawi told the press that the Council of Imams and Mosques of Great Britain was working on an advice document to guide Muslims on how to vote in the coming election. It will have some similarities with the Common Good, a document published by the Catholic bishops of England and Wales. Dr Badawi said: "The Common Good is based on Islamic principles. No Muslim would object to most of what it says...Our document will not tell people who to vote for, but what to vote for, and will have a very extensive section on the family. The Muslim family is stronger than most families in the west but it is under threat...we have to look at what changes need to be made to the family". Anglican bishops also met in the middle of January to discuss the election and are producing a statement (Independent, 20.01.97). Eastern Eye (31.01.97) reports that the document will contain opposition to divorce and abortion and will highlight the need for greater workers’ rights, particularly for Muslims. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 9/10]
Bradford West’s sitting MP Max Madden has asked Tony Blair to intervene directly in local Labour Party affairs, following allegations in an article in the Daily Jang (see BMMS for February and May 1996) that four would-be candidates had formed a Muslim-only United Front. The men involved are said to be Bradford’s former mayor, Mohammed Ajeeb; former council housing chair, Rangzeeb; Bradford Riot Commissioner Mohammed Taj; and Rotherham councillor Nazir Ahmed (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 22.01.97). Zaff Tanweer, the Daily Jang reporter told the Bradford Telegraph that the alliance was not about Islam but about ensuring the candidate was of Pakistani origin. Councillor Ajeeb refuted these allegations, arguing that: "The real proof against it is that Max Madden himself has been shortlisted in University where 100 per cent of the people who decided about the shortlist were Muslim" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 22.01.97). Max Madden believes that the four have called their alliance the United Front of Pakistani Muslims and said that: "They are clearly urging Labour Party members to vote according to country of origin and religion and that, I believe, is fundamentally undemocratic and deeply offensive" (Daily Mail, 23.01.97). On 23 January the Bradford Telegraph & Argus reported that Tony Blair’s office had received Mr Madden’s complaint, together with the Jang’s Urdu article and an English translation, and that they would be investigating. All four of those accused of undemocratic practises had denied the accusations. The Guardian (27.01.97) reported that, even if such a pact of Pakistani Muslims did exist, it seemed unlikely to succeed in Bradford West, and neither did Max Madden, the reason being that, on 26 January, Mr Masha Singh, a Sikh health researcher, won the first round in the nominations contest. The Guardian’s reporter, Martin Wainwright, claims that those who will appear on the shortlist at the beginning of February are Mr Singh, Mr Madden, Mohammed Taj and Zulficar Ali. Martin Wainwright quotes an anonymous local party officer who said: "But whether they all get on the shortlist is entirely debatable. If you look at the NEC’s record of choosing shortlists, it often bears no relation to nominations, so we have no idea who will go into the final round". [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 10]
Paul Tyrell, writing in the Independent (23.01.97) discusses the issue of freedom of speech on university campuses and, in particular, whether some Islamic groups should be banned. He writes that Graham Hellerwell, last year’s president of Huddersfield University’s student union, received threats after refusing to recognise an allegedly extremist group as part of the union. The article then discusses the formation of a working group of the Committee of Vice-chancellors and Principals in November last year on combatting extremism on campuses (see BMMS for October and December 1995; January, February, March, May, August and September 1996) and the Manchester University Islamic Society’s motion against the occupation of Palestine (see BMMS for October and November 1996). He concludes with a statement from Graham Hellerwell that: "Freedom of speech is something of a double-edged sword because it’s difficult to know where to draw the line between opinion and intolerance. I think everyone has the right to express their views so long as this doesn’t impinge on the rights and views of other people" (Independent, 23.01.97). Muslim News (24.01.97) reports that Manchester University’s Islamic Society president who proposed the anti-Zionist motion, Noweed Ahmed, continues to receive threats, which Muslim News believes come from Zionist students. He received the following message on his e-mail: "You lost dip-shit. And try it again and you will lose again, except this time we’ll get even more people and humiliate you in front of your friends". [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 10]
Eastern Eye (31.01.97) has a feature article written by Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament, on the Parliament’s organisational structure and its aims for the future (see BMMS for May and June 1996). Aspects of the Parliament’s activities which are highlighted in the article are: the Bait al-Mal al-Islami (Islamic Welfare Fund); the Halal Food Authority; campaigns by the Parliament concerning Muslim schools and after-school supplementary education; and the Parliament’s Human Rights Committee. The contact address for the Muslim Parliament is: 458A Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester M8 9JW, phone and fax: 0161 720 9959. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 10]
South Shields MP Dr David Clark recently visited the Bangladeshi Cultural Centre in the town, together with Councillor Audrey McMillan. The two visitors were pictured seated in front of the Qur’an, together with children from the mosque, as if they were participating in a recitation of the Qur’an (South Shields Gazette, 20.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 10]
The Jewish Chronicle (24.01.97) has interviewed Hackney councillors from each of the three main parties who are opposed to meetings of the Nation of Islam in the borough. Gerry Ross, New Labour, said he viewed the meetings as a possible threat to "the bridges we have been trying to build between communities" but added that "we would have to steer a careful course, as we don’t want to give these people any unnecessary publicity". Joe Lobenstein, Conservative, said he would associate himself "with any party that condemns and denounces the philosophy propagated by this organisation, which is against the interests of Britain and the Jewish community". Liberal councillor Howard Hyman also supported an all-party alliance to stop Nation of Islam meetings in the borough. The Voice (27.01.97) reports that at a council meeting on 29 January Gerry Ross had a motion tabled condemning the Nation of Islam and that he was seeking legal advice as to whether the council had the power to ban NOI’s meetings. An NOI spokesperson told the Voice: "Opposition to us is nothing new. We do not crave publicity. We have meetings each Sunday which people are welcome to attend. This is where they can hear us". The NOI has premises in Stoke Newington, which is within the borough of Hackney. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 10/11]
Racism East (10.01.97) quotes the conclusion of the Runnymede Trust’s report on Islamophobia in Britain, which says: "It cannot be seriously doubted that Muslim communities suffer from racist violence and harassment even more than do other minority communities."[These and previous reports are based on a leak. In fact information from Runnymede Trust says that this report has not yet been completed or reported] (See BMMS for July, August and December 1996). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
A chef who was rejected for a job at an Italian restaurant because he was Algerian and Muslim has been awarded £500 at an industrial tribunal in Glasgow. Azzedine Belkadi applied for a pizza chef’s job at the L’Artista Restaurant in Hope Street through the Job Centre. However, when he was subsequently refused an interview when the boss, Franco Conti, told him he did not like Algerians or Muslims. Mr Belkadi told the Job Centre what had happened and when they phoned Mr Conti he repeated what he had said to the applicant and added that Muslims spent too much time talking about religion (Glasgow Evening Times, 25.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 11]
Amna Mahmood, 17, who worked for the Body Shop in Hounslow, west London for a year, is suing her former employers for racial discrimination. She claims that, six days after she started wearing hijab, the manager dismissed her, claiming financial cutbacks and that Ms Mahmood’s work was not satisfactory. Ms Mahmood claims that just a few weeks after her dismissal in September 1996, the store was hiring new workers (Observer, 26.01.97, East, 31.01.97). Ms Mahmood said: "The day I first wore my hijab my manager ignored me. Usually she would talk to me. The following Friday the deputy manager saw me in the street and asked me to come into the store because she wanted to speak to me. When I got to the store the manager told me my work was not up to standard. She told me that she needed to lose one member of staff. I said ‘I’m not taking this’ and that she’d hear from my solicitors. At the time they had an advert in the shop window for temporary staff. I’m convinced I was sacked for following my faith. It’s such a coincidence that I wear the hijab and a week later I get sacked. The job meant a lot to me, I enjoyed working there...The Body Shop have insulted my religion by sacking me for following my faith" (East, 31.01.97). Makbool Javaid of the Society of Muslim Lawyers commented: "Discrimination against Muslims is on the increase. It’s incredible to think that people’s careers and lives can be ruined just because of the religion they follow, and yet nobody does anything about it. Religious discrimination needs to be outlawed to help stop the rising tide of Islamophobia in Britain" (East, 31.01.97). A spokesperson for the Body Shop, Blair Palese, whilst arguing that the Hounslow store was a franchise and legally a separate entity, still maintained that the Body Shop would win the case: "We won’t lose this case. We don’t fire people based on their religion or race, it’s not good business sense. The Body shop recognises that equality of opportunity is a human and a civil right and supports and promotes this issue throughout our business" (East, 31.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 11]
Mosque security introduced, Newcastle A mosque in Newcastle, the Shahjalal Mosque, has had to hire security guards to protect worshippers, following racist attacks on worshippers. Muslims have been spat at, assaulted and stoned on their way to evening prayers at the mosque, and their cars have been vandalised. Four years ago, Khoaz Miah, aged 66, was kicked to death by a racist on his way to the mosque. Fazul Choudhury, chair of the Newcastle Bangladeshi Association, confirmed the seriousness of the situation: "We go to pray between seven and nine o’clock in the evening. That is when a handful of youths start harassing us. We are talking about verbal abuse, stoning, spitting and physical assault. Most of our members living in this area have experienced harassment or physical assault. I have written to the police asking them to prevent if not minimise the harassment. This is an on-going problem during Ramadan. Abdul Malik, chair of Newcastle’s Action for Racial Justice, helped set up the patrols of security guards during Ramadan. He said: "The security measures will at least give people who feel very vulnerable some comfort during Ramadan". Newcastle City Council and the City Challenge project are funding the patrols, which will last only for the month of Ramadan. Community leaders are anxious that a longer-term solution be found to the problem (East, 31.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 11]
Women Coventry women’s centre closes Coventry’s Muslim women’s centre, the Al Nisa Centre in Cobden Street, Foleshill, has had to close due to internal conflicts. The treasurer, Zatoon Akhtar, claims that she was forced to leave the management committee. She said: "The dispute arose because I believe I was wrongly dismissed from the committee. A special general meeting was held on January 5 and the old committee was required to step down after a no confidence vote. The members elected a new committee and I was re-elected as treasurer. However, the previous committee has not accepted the outcome". Mike Rawson, Coventry City Council’s voluntary sector policy co-ordinator said the council had been asked to intervene: "I have spoken to both parties and their solicitors and from what we can determine the constitutions of both groups are flawed. I have suggested that we invite the Charity Commission to give its view on the matter" (Coventry Evening Telegraph, Rugby Evening Telegraph, 14.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 11]
The development officer of the association of Muslim Schools has reportedly blamed women for some of the crimes of which they are the victims: "I believe the problem of crime is worsened because some women are deliberately dressing that way in order to attract attention, not realising the sort of attention they are actually arousing. They are, by not addressing modestly, actually putting themselves in very vulnerable and often dangerous positions." Kath Rees, chief executive of a women’s refuge in Wolverhampton responded: "A women has the right to dress exactly how she wants without fear of attack. If a man feels that a women dressed provacatively, he is the one with problem" (East, 17.07.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 11/12]
Ibrahim Hewitt, development officer of the Association of Muslim Schools blamed women for some of the crimes of which they are victims: "I believe the problem of crime is worsened because some women are deliberately dressing that way in order to attract attention, not realising the sort of attention they are actually arousing. They are, by not dressing modestly, actually putting themselves in very vulnerable and often dangerous positions." Kath Rees, chief executive of a women’s refuge in Wolverhampton responded: "A woman has the right to dress exactly as she wants without fear of attack. I do not see a tangible link between crime and women dressing as they do. If a man feels a woman is dressed provocatively, he is the one with the problem" (East, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. ***]
Muslim older women’s meetings, Finchley A group for older Muslim women, called Khawateen, meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at East Finchley Neighbourhood Centre for lunches, discussions and outings. More information can be obtained by phoning 0181 446 4860 (Barnet & Potters Bar Times, 23.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 12]
Pakistan Muslim Welfare gift, Heckmondwicke A school in Heckmondwicke, Cawley Lane primary school, has received an unusual gift in recognition for its help in teaching Asian women English. The school allowed its community room to be used for part of the Barnardo’s literacy project, whose premises were being renovated at the time. As an expression of their gratitude, the local Pakistan Muslim Welfare Society presented the school with a stuffed mongoose and snake from Pakistan. Waseem Riaz of the PMWS said: "The gift was presented to show our appreciation and gratitude for all the help Cawley Lane School has given by providing temporary accommodation for the Barnardo’s English classes for our women. It is for all pupils, teaching and secretarial staff and the governing body." The PMWS is a member of the Worldwide Fund for Nature and does not condone taxidermy unless the animal has died of natural causes. Waseem Riaz said: "We believe that even through a natural death, nature’s beauty can be highlighted to the children of Cawley Lane School." Accepting the gift, the school’s headteacher, Malcolm Charlesworth said: "They’ve done tremendously well and it’s been very encouraging to see how many Asian mums are willing and able to learn English. their confidence and self-esteem has grown tremendously. It’s a wonderful venture, and I wish it could have been done years ago. It’s a very positive move which we wanted to encourage and were pleased to be able to help out" (Spenborough Guardian, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 12]
The women of Hartlepool’s Ahmadiyya Muslim Association organised an exhibition on Islam during the week of 30 January in the town’s Central Library. More information on the exhibition and the Ahmadiyya Association can be obtained by phoning Hartlepool 235608 or 264474 (Hartlepool Mail, 30.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 12]
Youth Reports (Bolton Evening News, 02.01.97, Asian Times, 09.01.97) continue of the death of Bilal Hussein Bhayat, aged 18, of Aston, Birmingham who collapsed at a party in Cardiff and was dead on arrival at hospital (see BMMS for December 1996). The cause of death was assumed by the police to be illegal drugs, although at the time of the papers going to press the post mortem toxicology reports were not yet available. Asian Times (09.01.97) interviews an Asian club owner and rave organiser, S P Dhinsa, who comments: "Music is inextricably linked to drugs, especially jungle. It has just so happened that Muslims, far more than Sikhs or Hindus (who tend to prefer bhangra or soul), have got into the jungle scene. Also, quite simply, alcohol being the taboo it is in Muslim culture, means that these kids don’t drink out of fear of being found out when they go home. How else can they get their kicks at these raves? Drugs is the obvious alternative, helped by the fact that it’s so ridiculously easily available." The Asian Times also interviewed Abdul Jalil Sajid of the Brighton Islamic Centre, who said: "I hope Bilal’s death is a wake up call to all those who don’t seem to realise that the fact Islam has a strict moral code of behaviour, does not mean that our people are less likely to go against it." His organisation has produced Parent to Parent, a booklet for families about drug culture, which can be obtained by phoning 01273 722438. [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 12]
Interfaith Members of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities have pledged their support to the Three Faiths Forum, which will be based at the Sternberg Centre in Finchley Road, London. The Sternberg Centre is the largest centre for the study of Judaism and Jewish culture in Europe. The Three Faiths Forum aims to promote dialogue between the three religions which trace their roots to Abraham (Times, 25.01.97, Daily Jang, 29.01.97). The Sternberg Centre houses the Jewish Reform movement’s Leo Baeck College, where Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan recently received an interfaith award. At the award ceremony, the Prince said: "Only by celebrating what we have in common and understanding and tolerating our differences can we offer hope for a better future. This is particularly true with regard to the Abrahamic faiths, for Judaism, Christianity and Islam are all branches of the same family" (Times, 25.01.97). Sir Sigmund Sternberg, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who chairs the executive committee of the International Council of Christians and Jews and who is a founding member of the Forum, said: The forum is open to all those who, while adhering to their respective faiths, are committed to the vital task of developing mutual respect. It is hoped, through dialogue conducive to friendship and trust, to widen contacts between preachers, teachers and writers from all three faiths" (Times, 25.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 12]
Halal The Hexham Courant (24.01.97) reports that regionally the price of ewes for slaughter at markets has topped the £100 mark. The additional demand due to Ramadan and subsequently Eid is part of the reason for the price increase. Meat trade economist Duncan Sinclair explained that: "The Ramadan market has added strength to the price of horned ewes and to lambs in the 30-33 kilo bracket but it is not the only factor influencing the market. Supply is having a very positive impact too..." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
Health A conference jointly organised by SPUC (Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child), the Indian Muslim Welfare Society and other Muslim organisations local to the Batley area took place at the IMWS’ premises in Batley (see BMMS for July, September, October and November 1996). The speakers were Dr Maid Katme, organiser of SPUC Muslims, Dr Tasnem Tariq, and Elizabeth Peacock, MP for Batley and Spen (Awaaz, 01.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
The chaplaincy team at the Royal Bolton Hospital, comprising Rev Neil Gray, Maulana Qari Farooq Ali and Dilip Trevi, has welcomed the opening of the Muslim prayer room on 7 January. The Muslim prayer room was opened in time for the start of Ramadan and the Hindu prayer room is due to be opened at the end of February. Farooq Ali said: "I am sure everyone in the community will welcome such a facility which will no doubt provide a great deal of comfort for many" (Eastern Eye, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
Two articles, in the Borehamwood Times (16.01.96) and East (24.01.97) reflect a concern that, in many areas, hospitals are not meeting the spiritual needs of all of their patients. The Borehamwood Times article is based on an interview with the Rev Chris Swift, who is head of a team of chaplains and lay visitors based at Barnet General Hospital. At the end of 1997, Barnet General will also be serving patients from the Edgware area and this change will mean increased numbers of Hindu, Jewish and Muslim patients. The hospital has official links with the Jewish community through the Rev Michael Plaskow of Woodside Park Synagogue, but none with Muslims or Hindus as yet. Chris Swift is hoping that a new multifaith space for worship could be built, with less emphasis on Christian imagery than the present chapel. He said: "I have travelled around the country looking at how other hospitals have dealt with this problem in places like Bradford and Nuneaton. One of the best I saw was quite minimalist. But you can’t do something that will please everybody. It is only going to appeal to those liberal elements of all religions that are happy to use the same space as other faiths. I would like to have a place with some character where people feel they can pray". The article in East maintains that in many areas, hospitals are neglecting their obligation under the Patients’ Charter to cater for everyone’s religious needs and that provision is usually dependent upon the goodwill of Christian chaplains. Iqbal Sacranie of the UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs explained that: "We have found that if we really pursue the matter, then chaplains take it up, otherwise they are not interested." Professor James Beckford, co-author with Dr Sophie Gilliat of a recent report on chaplaincy in a multi-faith society agreed that provision was uneven: "The question of accountability has to be asked of Christian chaplains. There is some way to go." [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
An editorial comment in the Edinburgh Evening News (21.01.97) maintains that if transplants of pigs hearts to human beings became a reality, this could pose problems for Muslims. She concludes her article by asking: "But just as Jehovah’s Witnesses have had their refusal of blood transfusions for their children overturned in the courts, would Muslim parents find that civil law overrides moral or religious beliefs when doctors can only give a patient the best chance of recovery by using animal transplants?" [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
Mosques and Burials The trustees of the mosque in Havelock Street, Aylesbury, are hoping to expand it by raising and covering the sunken courtyard and adding a community centre (see BMMS for January, March and December 1996). At present, there is no space at the mosque for women to pray. The plans to roof the courtyard will provide a space that can be curtained off for women. this would be an interim measure until the community centre is built. It is estimated that the mosque serves 2,000 Muslims in Aylesbury (Bucks Herald, 22.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
Bishop’s Stortford, Hockerill Street The Herts and Essex Mosque and Cultural Centre wants to move to a shop in Hockerill Street, Bishop’s Stortford, and use it as a mosque and cultural centre. They are applying to East Herts District Council for change of use permission. The group currently rent premises for Friday prayers in the town. Members of the group come from Sawbridgeworth, Bishop’s Stortford, Saffron Walden, Stansted and Dunmow (Herts & Essex Observer, 23.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13]
An application to use the Muslim education centre in Amberley Street for early morning worship is likely to be rejected, in spite of a petition from almost 1,000 people asking for time restrictions to be lifted. Planning officers felt that any increase in the permitted hours of use, at present from 3.30pm to 7pm weekdays and 10am to 12pm on Saturdays, would give rise to disturbance from traffic and noise. Saquir Mohammed, general secretary of the Bradford Council for Mosques, said: "We represent more than 70,000 Muslims and have never received any sort of complaint from people that they have been disturbed by worshippers" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 22.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 13/14]
The proposal to build a mosque on the site of former garages between Chapel and Montrose Streets in Brierfield was due to be discussed by the town council on 4 February. Objections from local residents include possible noise and traffic nuisance and that the mosque will be so big as to cause a reduction of daylight in their homes (Burnley Express, 24.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
An outline planning application from the Zeenat Ul Quran Trust has been submitted to Pendle Borough Council for their decision on 4 February (see BMMS for December 1996). The Trust’s proposed mosque will be on a site in Halifax Road and have a capacity of 200 (Burnley Express, 03.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
The lease of Wentworth Hall in Carshalton (see BMMS for February, March, July and October 1996), the premises used by the Muslim Cultural and Welfare Association of Sutton, has been renewed, in spite of formal objections from some local residents (Sutton Guardian, 02.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
Chorley Muslim Welfare Society (CMWS) has submitted detailed plans for a new mosque to Chorley Council for approval. Their present mosque is a converted pub which is too small and does not face Mecca. Mohammed Sajid, secretary of the CMWS, said: "We need a new mosque which faces Mecca for prayers. We would hope to start work on the mosque as soon as we have purchased the land." Chorley Council has agreed to make part of the site available and negotiations with the present owners of the remaining land, Graham Builders Merchants, are currently taking place (Chorley Guardian, Leyland Guardian, 22.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
Hackney, Turkish Cultural Centre A Weymouth firm, W and J Tod has won the contract to make fibre glass window arches, balcony panels and ceiling domes for the Turkish Mosque and Cultural Centre in east London (see BMMS for November 1994; December 1995 and May 1996). Divisional manager John Taylor outlined the company’s experience of building parts of mosques in Britain and explained: "Islamic architecture whilst maintaining a strong basic theme can be varied and quite specific to particular communities" (Dorset Evening Echo, 16.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
An agreement has been reached in a long-running dispute over rent, between Dudley Council and the Jamia Mosque Trust in Maltmill Lane. The trust claim that when they moved into their current premises in 1986 they were promised they could pay a nominal rent, but council officials insisted they should be paying full rent. The mosque is to pay off a lump sum of back rent from 1992 to 1996 and will clear some more of the debt over a longer period of time. In return the council has agreed to write off the rent from 1986 to 1992 and to offer the mosque committee a peppercorn rent for the next 21 years. Jamia Mosque secretary Abdul Razzaq said: "We were promised peppercorn rent rates when we moved in but because the council’s accounts department did not approve it for so long our rent arrears have been growing. We are the most needy minority group in the borough and we are glad we now have the assistance of the local authority" (Halesowen Chronicle, 17.01.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
The London Islamic Cultural Society has chosen Crescent Design and Development Limited, a Harrow company, to build their mosque in Wightman Road (see BMMS for April, May and June 1996). the company have estimated that the mosque will cost £450,000, £150,000 more than the society originally intended to spend. Abdool Ali, their secretary, commented: "Now we are going to get on with it and step up our fundraising by exploring new avenues like writing to other mosques in London and contacting all the Islamic embassies. We could not do much fund-raising until now because we had no figure on the building cost. Now we are in a much better position with a target" (Broadway Ham & High, 03.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
An ad-hoc committee has been appointed to run Leyton High Road Mosque (see BMMS for December 1996), pending elections for a new executive committee. Four members have been appointed to oversee the elections, which have been fixed for 12 January. The ad-hoc committee has informed the chair of the trustees, Mohammed ‘Sam’ Bangladesh, of their actions. Mr Bangladesh claims that a sect is trying to take over the mosque, which he founded three years ago (Leytonstone Guardian, 02.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
Plans to include a funeral preparation area in the Quwat-Ul-Islam Mosque in Forest Gate have been dropped. The mosque has, however, been granted permission for additional one and two storey buildings on the site (City of London Recorder, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
A consortium of Muslim groups is believed to have bought the site of the former acid factory of Berk Spencer Acids off Canning Road in West Ham. The 16-acre site is heavily polluted with industrial waste and so the purchasers will have to offer ’clean up’ solutions for which government grants are available. Detailed plans have yet to be submitted to Newham Council (City of London Recorder, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14]
Detailed plans for the mosque on the former Express Dairy site in Morden are expected to be ready in the spring (see BMMS for December 1995; January, February, March, April, June and October 1996). Initial planning permission for this Ahmadiyya Association mosque and national headquarters was granted in February 1996 amid considerable protest (Wimbledon News, 03.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 14/15]
Almost every Muslim family burying their dead in Nottingham has asked for a brick or stone vaulted grave. When a new Muslim section of the Wilford Hill cemetery was set up in 1995, this was the practice, but Nottingham council subsequently banned it, saying that such methods of burial take up too much space. Environment committee chair Councillor John Hartshorne said: "With a vaulted grave, it needs to be wider than a non-Muslim coffin and takes up half as much space again, which increases usage. Land is fast being used. We have pointed this out to the Muslim community. They say we must stick with their religious beliefs and the wishes of the families" (Nottingham Evening Post, 22.01.97). Following protests from Muslims, the council has reconsidered its earlier decision and will now allow vaulted graves, but the need for more cemetery land has become more urgent as a result. After the council meeting which approved the changes, the chair of Nottingham Islamic Centre, Raja Mohammed Azam said: "It is not a question of land. It is a question of the responsibility of the council to provide land according to our needs. This is a very sensible decision which reflects the wishes of the majority of the Muslim community" (Nottingham Evening Post, 25.01.97). Councillor Hartshorne commented: "It seems the situation has changed over the years. Whereas the first immigrants into Britain from Muslim countries tended to send their relatives back to their country of origin, the second and third generations want to use our burial facilities. It is creating a problem for our facilities and for the Muslim community" (Nottingham Evening Post, 25.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
A central government inspector has overturned Oldham Environmental Services Sub-Committee’s decision to refuse planning permission for a mosque and madrassa in Ronald Street, Oldham (see BMMS for January and August 1996). Whereas he acknowledged there would be some increase in car usage and parking in the street for limited periods of time, on balance he did not think there would be sufficient disturbance to local residents to warrant denying permission (Oldham Evening Chronicle, 16.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
Following discussions between Rugby council and the town’s Mosque Society, the Muslim community has been given permission to hold burials at weekends when necessary (see BMMS for December 1996). This is in order to comply with the Islamic tradition of burying the deceased as soon as possible after death has occurred (Rugby Observer, 16.12.96). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
Merton and Sutton joint cemetery board is currently considering whether to allow Muslims to bury their dead in just a shroud, without the use of a coffin. The local Muslim community is also requesting that graves be lined with wood. If the changes are approved, they would be implemented throughout the Wimbledon area (Wimbledon News, 17.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
Wolverhampton planning committee has refused permission for the Muslim Educational Trust to expand its mosque into the next terraced house adjacent to the property for which it has planning permission in Lime Street (see BMMS for December 1996). Chair of the planning committee, Councillor John Rowley explained: "When we originally granted permission it was always felt the level of use would be limited to that one house. If this organisation needs to expand then they could sell the house they are currently using with planning permission and find new premises. We would not be doing any favours for the residents of Lime Street if we granted permission" (Wolverhampton Chronicle, 03.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
Wolverhampton councillors have made a site visit to the buildings which were formerly Wolverhampton Steam Laundry and as a result, have approved plans for a mosque there (see BMMS for November 1996). The visit was in response to a petition from 137 people objecting to the mosque proposals, largely on the grounds of possible traffic problems. The scheme will provide separate male and female assembly halls, a library, office, kitchen and accommodation for an imam. Some councillors, such as David Saville, felt that the mosque would be an improvement in the area, as the present buildings are very dilapidated (Wolverhampton Express & Star, 10.01.97). [BMMS January 1997 Vol. V, No. 1, p. 15]
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