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British Muslims Monthly Survey for July 1997 Vol. V, Nr. 7
Features Mandela’s visit to Oxford Centre
Reports
Community Slough and Southall disturbances Celebrations of Prophet’s Birthday Bradford police radio initiative
Education
Politics Councillor’s controversial comments
Racism Bury race equality appointment Threats to report Rochdale Council Anti-discrimination name change
Women
Youth
Interfaith Muslims at Portsmouth festival
Health
Mosques and Burials Leeds, Beeston Road/ Shadwell Lane
Features The Caribbean Times (22.07.97) conducted a small survey of 100 of Brixton’s Black residents asking them for their views on neighbourhood policing, particularly the Nation of Islam’s (NOI) offer to patrol the streets as a vigilante force. 61% answered that they would like to see the NOI patrolling the streets of Brixton, in the way that they act as a law enforcement group in inner-city areas of some cities in the United States. One respondent, Henry Koker, said: "It’s a good idea for a trial period. This area needs to be protected and anything is worth a try". Pub landlord Lloyd Leon, a former mayor of Lambeth, disagreed: "Basically I’m not in favour of the idea. The patrols that the Nation of Islam have done in the States wouldn’t work here. The estates in America are either Black or White. In this country you may have say 60 or 70 per cent White and 30 per cent Black or Asian or whatever on an estate. So to have a predominately Black vigilante group operating on a mixed estate would not work". An editorial in the Caribbean Times advocates a trial of the Nation of Islam’s scheme, concluding: "Most would profoundly disagree with the Nation’s political line but no-one doubts the fact that they CARE for the community and right now that’s what counts. One wonders whether New Labour with their community-centred approaches to law and order will have the courage to sanction Nation patrols? Over to you Jack Straw". The Independent Magazine (26.07.97) has a six-page feature article on the Nation of Islam and its attempts to make converts in Britain. This article claims that: "The problem the Nation faces in recruiting really large numbers is that the idea of Islam as ‘the authentic Black religion’ is anathema to most black Britons. Their separatist programme makes no sense to blacks outside America...Professor Stuart Hall, professor of sociology at the Open University and a prominent theorist on black Britain, says that he ‘cannot see the NOI gaining widespread popularity in this country because of the extent to which this society is racially integrated. Fifty per cent of Caribbean men, and one-third of Caribbean women, have white partners. Moreover, blacks and whites mix more comfortably on the streets in Britain than they do in America.’" [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 1]
Mandela’s visit to Oxford Centre The President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, visited the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on 11 July to give a lecture on "A new world order". On 9 July it was announced that there would be a new scholarship at the centre, the Nelson Mandela Fellowship. Dr Farhan Nizami, the centre’s director, said: "An academic post at Oxford which bears the name of President Nelson Mandela provides important symbolic and practical support for that international dialogue between people of different cultures which is central to the centre’s activities" (Independent, 10.07.97). Photographs of the President’s visit appeared in the Daily Telegraph (12.07.97) and the Asian Times (22.07.97). Nelson Mandela told the Asian Times (22.07.97) that, when in jail on Robben Island he and fellow prisoners went to Islamic classes where they learnt about the Qur’an and ate Asian food brought for them by the imam. He stressed the important role of Islam in the "Rainbow Nation": "South Africa’s vibrant Islamic heritage is a valued and respected part of our nation". President Mandela declined to give an opinion on the Oxford Centre’s building plans (Daily Telegraph, 10.07.97, 12.07.97), which have attracted some opposition. Further information about President Mandela’s visit may be obtained from Dr Basil Mustafa on 01865 278730 (Star & South African Times, 02.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 1]
Reports
Community Controversy continues over the showing of the film Border, which is a story based on the 1971 war between India and Pakistan (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for June 1997). Investigations into the fire at a cinema showing the film, the Belle Vue in Edgware, are continuing. Mahendra Gosai, manager of the Belle Vue in West Ealing, commented: "We have three presentations daily and had no problems at all. We are not expecting trouble. We had 20 Pakistanis here yesterday and there was no incident. We are getting lots of families and kids here and it has proved very successful" (Southall Gazette, 27.06.97). Massoud Shadjareh, chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), believes that the film is being used by the media and some individuals to create divisions. He said: "What appears to be happening is that a film which may offend certain nationalist sympathies, is being used by certain community figures to stir up passions of the UK Muslim community, and to confuse the issue of Islam and nationalism" (Eastern Eye, 04.07.97). Dr Ghayassuddin Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament has now seen the film and has condemned the scene which shows the Qur’an burning. He has written to the distributors, Eros International, suggesting that the scene be cut (East, 16.07.97, Asian Age, 23.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
Money which Yusuf Islam has given for the bathing of elderly and infirm people in their own homes (see BMMS for February 1997) has wiped out a backlog of 75 people who were in need of the service, but were unable to receive it because of Brent Council’s economies. The council’s community care manager, Jane Smith said: "The money will eventually be able to provide about 1,500 baths. Most people prefer a bath between 8.30am and noon so we need a lot of part-time staff. As well as the bathing the helpers also give personal services like doing the shopping or helping the people get dressed. In April we’re consulting Muslim groups to see if the service is appropriate for them". Yusuf Islam has also promised to give another donation to the service next year (Wembley Observer, 26.06.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
The Keighley Muslim Association, which runs the Sangat Community Centre and the Jamia Mosque in Emily Street, has elected a new management committee, following long-standing disputes (see BMMS for February 1996; April, May and June 1997). The chair is Choudary Mazhar Iqbal, the vice chair is Hajji Abdul Rashid, the secretaries are Mahboob Alam and Mohammed Shabir, and the treasurers are Hajjis Mohammed Tariq and Shafiq Ahmed (Keighley News, 27.06.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
Slough and Southall disturbances One of the cases of criminal damage arising from feuds between gangs of Muslim and Sikh youths was heard in mid-July at Slough magistrates court (see BMMS for February, April, May and June 1997). Mahmood Khalid, 19, appeared for sentencing before the court after being found guilty of criminal damage to a Sikh youth’s car. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation and given a conditional discharge for one year. Tan Ikram, defending, said: "There are no tensions between communities and there never have been. What is happening is that a very few young men from one gang have a disagreement with members of another gang of young men and confrontations arise from this" (Burnham & Taplow Observer, 18.07.97). Southall police are offering a reward of £1,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for an assault on two Sikh teenagers. The attack, near Jubilee Park in June, resulted in the Sikh brother and sister, aged 14 and 17, having some of their hair cut off. Superintendent Michael Smythe, said he was "disgusted by the unprovoked attack". He added: "Many police officers have been involved in the investigations and leaders from both the Sikh and Muslim communities have also been holding talks to try and find out who was behind the assault". Superintendent Smythe said that he believed the assailants’ aim was to try and divide the communities in Southall, but that in fact, Muslims and Sikhs were united in condemning the attack (Asian Age, 24.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
More tomatoes which, when cut in half, appear to show the name of Allah in Arabic (see BMMS for June 1997) have been discovered in various parts of Britain. Some examples are Oxford (Oxford Star, 03.07.97), three separate cases in Oldham (Oldham Advertiser, 03.07.97, 17.07.97), Stoke-on-Trent (Lichfield Express & Star, 04.07.97), Accrington (Accrington Observer, 04.07.97), Cambridge (Cambridge Evening News, 14.07.97, 19.07.97) and Bedford (Bedfordshire Times & Citizen, 17.07.97). The Sunday Telegraph (20.07.97) has a humorous article on the subject of the name of Allah naturally occurring in produce, and controversies over the name on fashion products, such as the Nike trainers (see BMMS for April and June 1997). This article also has cartoons on the subject of messages within commonly consumed products. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
The Kingston Borough Surrey Comet (11.07.97) carries an article on the Sufi Music Village, held at Richmond Riverside and Regent’s Park in July (see BMMS for May and June 1997). This was a preview, rather than a review, with the information taken from the organisers’ publicity material. It has a photograph of Mehr and Sher Ali, qawaali singers from Pakistan. The Ham & High (04.07.97) also had a preview, with a photograph of Turkish whirling dervishes performing in London. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2]
The conflict between management committee members at the Coventry Muslim Community Centre in Red Lane (see BMMS for June 1997), has still not been definitively settled. Eastern Eye (11.07.97) reports that the parties involved have signed an undertaking to put all matters on hold until there is another court hearing. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 2/3]
A response to the Runnymede Trust’s Islamophobia - its features and dangers (see BMMS for July, August and December 1996; February, March, April and May 1997) from the London Bible College is reviewed in the New Christian Herald (19.07.97). The London Bible College calls for an "understanding of a sense of frustration by British Christians when on the one hand they see increasing accommodation of and sensitivity to Muslim aspirations in this country, but on the other hand they learn of the destruction of churches by Muslim mobs in Egypt, Pakistan and Indonesia". The college appears to oppose widening the scope of the blasphemy laws, arguing that criticism of Islam would be prevented and this "will only lead to resentment and increasing hostility towards the other side which will appear to have used the system to its advantage". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
The Government is looking at the possibility of creating a new blasphemy law (see BMMS for April and June 1997), Home Secretary Jack Straw said on 29 July. Giving evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Straw said: "We have at one and the same time to protect people’s right to practice religion and we have to protect the ability in a democratic society to voice dissent. Getting the balance right is going to be difficult". Government sources later confirmed that ministers were looking at the proposals as part of a wider package of measures put forward by the Commission for Racial Equality to protect against religious discrimination (Daily Jang, 30.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
Objections have been made by some local residents regarding planning permission to convert buildings into a hall for weddings and other functions. The Indian Muslim Welfare Society has applied to convert Hyrstlands, a listed building in Track Road, near Thorncliffe Road in Batley (see BMMS for June 1997). One of the main objectors, Mohammed Rafiq of Thorncliffe Road, who has lodged a formal objection with Kirklees Council. He said: "Any further development of the Hyrstlands site, I feel, would destroy the character of the area which is of considerable historic and amenity value to all residents. The development of a multi-purpose hall would also jeopardise highway safety". Another objector, Mohammed Zafar, expressed similar concerns about road safety and parking congestion (Batley News, 10.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
Celebrations of Prophet’s Birthday Celebrations of Milad al-Nabi, the birthday of the prophet Muhammad, have been reported in many parts of Britain during July. As well as worship, the birthday was celebrated in many places with a procession through the streets. This usually takes place on a Sunday near the Birthday, in order to minimise disruption to traffic. Some examples are: Blackburn (Blackburn Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 10.07.97, 14.07.97); Slough (Slough & Langley express, 10.07.97, 17.07.97), Barnsley (Barnsley Star, 15.07.97); High Wycombe (Bucks Free Press, 11.07.97, 22.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
The Muslim Parliament have condemned a recent meeting between the novelist Salman Rushdie and the Labour Government as "a slap in the face of all Muslims" (East, 09.07.97). At a reading from his anthology of Indian writing, organised by Dillon’s bookshop in Oxford, Mr Rushdie said: "Oxford has always been a very good place to do readings. Lots of people come. It’s a very appreciative audience". On the same occasion, when asked about the death sentence he is under, he said: "Oh, that. We’re trying not to let it get in the way" (Oxford Mail, 17.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
Closed circuit television is to be installed at a mosque in Newcastle in an attempt to protect worshippers from racist attacks. The camera, close to the mosque in Sceptre Street, will cover a wide area of the surrounding neighbourhood and will be monitored by the police. Newcastle council is paying for these security measures. Elswick councillor Sajawal Khan said: "Over the years there have been a lot of problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour near the sceptre Street mosque and the camera will make people feel safer. We’re all working together within the community to improve race relations and hopefully we will achieve our aims". The security system will cost £30,000 and will be paid for out of a council emergency fund set up to deal with local crises. Director of community services David Cobb said: "For many years Sceptre Street has been the scene of numerous racial incidents. Members of the ethnic communities have been intimidated from passing through this area on their way to and from shops and places of worship" (Newcastle-upon-Tyne Evening Chronicle, 01.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3]
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association planned to use satellite television for an initiation ceremony at the end of July, where thousands of followers will swear allegiance to the spiritual head of the movement, Hazrat Khalifa tul Masih, Mirza Tahir Ahmed. A spokesperson in London for the 24-hour channel MTA, which is the Ahmadiyya movement’s own television station, explained that people all over the world would congregate in Ahmadiyya mosques to watch the broadcast, and then "they hold out their hands to the Khalifa, whom they are watching on TV and repeat after him to swear allegiance from wherever they are". In Britain, the swearing of allegiance is planned to be part of a larger convention to be held at Tilford in Surrey. About 15,000 people are expected, including 5,000 from abroad, and all three days will be televised and broadcast internationally (Asian Age, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 3/4]
The Observer (06.07.97) has a feature article in-depth interview with Yusuf Islam, formerly the singer Cat Stevens and now director of the Islamia Schools. In the interview Yusuf Islam discussed his views of Islamically acceptable music; his support for Bosnia; the example of the Prophet concerning the creation of a just society; the position of women in Islam; the Rushdie Affair, and personal matters such as his conversion to Islam. In the arts section of the Daily Telegraph (26.07.97) there is a review of Yusuf Islam’s appearance on Wake up to Wogan’s "Thought for the Day" on BBC2. The reviewer is critical of the choice of Yusuf Islam for the radio broadcast, because of his support for the fatwa concerning Salman Rushdie. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
A Shi’ite Muslim family claimed that a hate campaign by neighbours had forced them out of their home in Blackburn. Neighbours claimed that the family had told them that one or more members of the household had become possessed by a spirit and that they had asked a priest to come and perform an exorcism by beating them. On hearing screams coming from the house in Whitewell Place, neighbours called the police. A spokesperson for the family, however, said: "Everything that has been said about us is nonsense. Our religion involves us beating our chests, it’s called Matham. We normally do it in a mosque but we wanted to do it as a family together. There were about 20 of us and we were at the house for five days. We performed this in sessions, sometimes late at night and maybe that’s why the neighbours heard screams. We were simply practising our religion". She denied that the house was possessed: "The family has decided not to go back because we all want to live in a bigger house together. We put the furniture out to make more room for ourselves. This is our faith and we have done nothing wrong". Sgt Tom Maudsley of Blackburn Police Ethnic Liaison Department said: "The incident is being put down to an internal family matter" (Blackburn Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 10.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
A large number of newspapers, both local and national, have reported on a gift by the Aga Khan to the Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, to celebrate is 40 years as the spiritual leader of Ismaili Muslims (Shropshire Star, Independent, Stoke-on--Trent Sentinel, Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Walsall Express & Star, Yorkshire Evening Post, Black Country Evening Mail, 12.07.97). The gift to the institute was £6 million and was part of a total of £31 million which the Aga Khan handed out. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
Wide coverage has been given to the boxing champion Prince Naseem Hamed’s breaking off his engagement with Eleasha Elphinstone because she has refused to convert to Islam (Daily Mirror, Sun, Sheffield Star, Wrexham Evening Leader, Barnsley Star, Scotsman, Yorkshire Post, 18.07.97, Barnsley Star, 23.07.97). The Daily Mirror reports that the couple have been living together for more than two years, and quotes Liz Crilley, Ms Elphinstone’s step-mother on the ending of the relationship: "Naz is a Muslim and she’s not and she won’t become one. He just said: ‘I won’t marry you. I want to marry a Muslim’. This is two years after they met, and Eleasha just decided to leave. It is quite amicable, but it looks permanent now. They will probably still be friends. Eleasha’s quite happy. She’s not upset". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
Justices of the Peace are to receive training to make them more sensitive regarding matters of race and religion. This will include advice on non-racially offensive language, and that Muslim witnesses may ask for facilities to wash their hands before swearing on the Qur’an (The Times, 26.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
The Sunday Telegraph (27.07.97) has an article describing what it believes to be the influence of the Deobandi movement on Islam in Britain. The authors, Julian West and Jo Knowsley, attribute this influence to the Deobandi schools, mosque-based madrasas and seminaries in Britain. The journalists link the Deobandi educational activities to Deobandi run but Saudi Arabian financed mosques in Britain and the Taliban movement in Afghanistan. They quote Ron Geaves, who teaches Islamic studies at Wolverhampton University, on the subject of these supposed international links and the Deobandi influence on British Islam: "The Deobandis are obsessed with fatwas. It’s how they control their members and how they would like to control the rest of the Islamic world. Deobandis see their way as the only correct route and are political in their teachings". Dr Geaves believes that the Deobandis may be attractive to young British Muslims: "If they are struggling to find an identity and remain isolated from British culture, they might find the more militant elements of the Deobandi sect the perfect form of rebellion". Dr Zaki Badawi is quoted as having a different opinion: "Second-generation Muslims want to shed their cultural baggage which often has no relation to living in modern Britain". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
The Daily Jang (23.07.97) has a feature article on the Birmingham Writers Festival, in which the writer argues for more, good quality translations of Pakistani and Indian writers, and increased support for translations into English from regional arts boards, publishers and distributors, and the academic establishment. The author points out that, at the Rolex Book Centre in Bradford, Britain’s largest Asian bookshop, copies of the Qur’an, religious literature, poetry and non-fiction sells well, but literature attracts fewer buyers. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 4]
Bradford University is about to launch a new multidisciplinary degree, called BSC Social Sciences (South Asian Area Studies). The course director, Dr Yunus Samad, said: "The launch of this degree could hardly come at a more auspicious moment. This year several celebrations coincide. The City’s [Bradford’s] centenary, the Golden Jubilee of the independence of India and Pakistan and the Silver Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence. Considering the large numbers of South Asians in the North of England particularly West Yorkshire and Lancashire it is surprising how little South Asia is understood by both South Asian minorities and mainstream society" (Daily Jang, 29.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Bradford police radio initiative Police in Bradford will be having a regular weekly programme on Sunrise Radio, aimed at the local Asian community. Inspector Martin Baines from Bradford Community Relations said: "The topics covered have been decided on in consultation with the radio station. As well as giving out information through the programmes there will be regular opportunities for listeners to come back to us with ideas of what they think and what they expect of us. The main reason the programme has been put together was to tell people what the police do and how they go about it. We are conscious that there is a need for the police to address ethnic issues. A lot of people have been asking for this information particularly the Asian communities and we hope that these programmes will help to provide some of the answers" (Daily Jang, 29.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Education Pupils at Stretford High School have won their campaign to have halal meat served at school dinners, although a request for Muslim dinner ladies to serve the food has been rejected. Staff at the school are to be trained in how to prepare the food and up to £4,000 is to be spent on new kitchen equipment. The scheme is to be expanded to three primary schools in the Old Trafford and Stretford areas. A governor at Stretford High School, Rasul Munaver, said of the education department’s decision: "This is excellent news". Regarding the rejection of the request for Muslim dinner ladies to serve the food, he added: "You cannot have everything in this world. This is a historic decision that bodes well for our community throughout Trafford". It will cost approximately £900 a year extra to provide the more expensive halal meat and also to pay for staff training (Manchester Metro News, 11.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Plans for an Islamic education centre in Holden Street, Clitheroe have met with opposition from some local residents. Approximately 40 people have signed a petition asking the planning committee to refuse permission for the school, on the grounds of increased noise, traffic and parking problems. The applicants for the education centre hope to open it for one-and-and-a-half hours a day, five days a week and that the children will receive help with their homework, as well as tuition in Arabic, Urdu and Islamic studies. Several non-Muslim local residents expressed their approval of the scheme. One, Brian Sims, of Walker Street, said: "If I lived in Pakistan, I would still want to learn my culture, so I have no objections to this centre" (Clitheroe Advertiser, 26.06.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Yusuf Islam, director of the Islamia Schools in London, was one of the speakers at an educational conference at Clarendon College, Nottingham (see BMMS for June 1997), (Nottingham Evening Post, 05.07.97). The aim of the conference was to discuss ways of tackling under achievement in inner city schools. The chair of the conference, Dr Musharaf Hussain, who is director of the Karimia Institute in Forest Fields, said children in such schools often lacked self-confidence (Nottingham Evening Post, 09.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Muslims in Luton are applying for permission to convert a row of shops and offices in Dunstable Road into a centre for religious instruction. This application for a change of use was due to be heard by the council’s planning committee on 9 July (Luton News, 09.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
The Jamiah Al Islamiyyah Darul Uloom School at Bromley Cross, Bolton, has been condemned by Ofsted inspectors (see BMMS for January 1997). The boarding school has 150 boys from all over the country and charges fees of £1,000 a year. The inspectors found that 57 per cent of lessons in English, maths and science were unsatisfactory, that there was no assessment of pupils’ work, rapid staff changes, no homework set, and no management plan for the school. There were also concerns about the safety and welfare of pupils. Principal Yakud Nanji said that a replacement head teacher had now been appointed and the school expected to meet the required standards before the next inspection, planned for 1 September (Manchester Evening News, 24.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Dialogue (01.07.97) carries an article by Ibrahim Hewitt, development officer of the Association of Muslim Schools. He argues in favour of Muslim schools, saying: "Self-esteem soars, as does achievement. Already, some Islamic schools in Britain have demonstrated that, academically, they are at the top of the league in their areas. Students are leaving Muslim schools as responsible young adults, confident in their Islam and comfortable in living as Muslims in a non-Muslim environment. They are happy to contribute to society on their own terms and no longer feel that they have to apologise for being Muslims". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5]
Politics The Daily Telegraph (23.07.97) reports that the Islamic group led by Omar Bakri Mohammed, Al-Muhajiroun, has been given permission to hold a rally in Trafalgar Square on 3 August. Al-Muhajiroun has invited Islamic scholars, jurists and activists to give evidence against 15 governments, which it maintains are guilty of oppression against Islam. Most of the 15 nations are ones which claim to be Islamic. Al-Muhajiroun planned a similar rally last year which was cancelled (see BMMS for August and September 1996; April 1997). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 5/6]
Councillor’s controversial comments Asian Age (24.07.97) reports that the Barking and Dagenham Muslim Community Association is upset with a local councillor, George Booker, for statements about the Muslim community which he allegedly made. The deputy chair of the Muslim Association, Abdul Majeed, issued a statement alleging that Mr Booker : "...claimed that the Muslims were ‘crying into their Coca-Cola cups’ and ‘pleading for services from the bad, bad council’". The remarks were apparently made at a dinner held in a local mosque to celebrate a new administration. Abdul Majeed remarked that he found the remarks typical of the council: "The 30-year-old Muslim community of Barking and Dagenham is all too aware that there has been no concrete or realistic commitments by the council to actually assist them...Dithering, non-committal and half-baked suggestions and side-stepping of the main issues of concern have been the order of the day". Local MP Margaret Hodge, who Mr Majeed claims tried to restore harmony at the dinner, said: "We need to find inventive ways to develop what you want and what we can afford". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 6]
Racism The Pakistani Muslim Welfare Society (PMWS) of Heckmondwicke has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting racism, following an attack on an eight-year-old boy by Asians. Jamie Jackson was playing with a 14-year-old friend when they were chased by three Asians who caught him and poured flammable liquid over him. They set him alight, causing burns to his head and face before throwing him in the air and kicking him. He needed hospital treatment but was not detained. The PMWS issued a statement saying: "Racism is a cancer which has to be destroyed. The tragic and horrific attack in the cemetery on Jamie shows that everyone is vulnerable to racism - it is not just a one-way street, but both black and even white people can suffer from its horrendous onslaught which can leave innocent people emotionally and even mentally scarred for months, maybe years to come or even for life". Speaking of the attackers, the PMWA said: "We hope they are now ridden with guilt for this immoral act and we ask them to have the courage to come forward and reveal their identities to the police otherwise they will be in even greater trouble with the law. These people are a disgrace to our community" (Spenborough Guardian, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 6]
Bury race equality appointment One of the founder members of Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC), Dr Mohammed Salim, has become its new chair. He takes over from Sam Cohen. He is a JP and works as an industrial chemist. Dr Salim is also chair of Bury’s Muslim Educational Trust, which is committed to building a girls’ school in the town. Outlining his aims for the BREC, Dr Salim said: "My objective is to expand the organisation to other ethnic communities, like the Ukrainians and other minorities, who should participate. The key thing is to aim to do everything efficiently and improve our accessibility to make people fully aware of the BREC" (Bury Times, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 6]
Threats to report Rochdale Council Mohammed Pasha, chair of the Pakistan Welfare Association, has threatened to report Rochdale Council, particularly the Social Services Department, to the Commission for Racial Equality for ignoring Muslim needs. Mr Pasha explained that the Community Care Act stressed that the council must provide services which are appropriate to the religions, cultures, languages and ethnicities of the users. He said: "Our attitude is not one of confrontation. We want to compromise with the authorities but if they are not prepared to do that we will stand up for our rights". Ian Davey, director of Social Services, said he had written to Mr Pasha offering to discuss his concerns. He said: "I want to respond positively to Mr Pasha and the needs of the Muslim community in Rochdale. As yet he has not responded to the offer" (Rochdale Observer, 16.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 6]
Anti-discrimination name change An Asian Muslim businessman from Birmingham has told the press how he changed his name, from Shahid Iqbal to Richard Brown, as he believed racism and prejudice in the British business environment would stop his progress (Birmingham Evening Post, Birmingham Evening Mail, 23.07.97, Cardiff Western Mail, Walsall Express & Star, Shropshire Star, Peterborough Evening Telegraph, Daily Jang, 24.07.97). Mr Brown, who is the owner of Aston Fittings Ltd, an engineering firm with a £1 million turnover, said: "It became clear from the moment I began my business career that my name would be a barrier to future success. I was already called Rikki as a nickname, so I thought about a suitable surname - and what could be more English than Brown?" (Birmingham Evening Mail, 23.07.97). Shahid Iqbal changed his name to Richard Brown by deed poll in 1982 and initially his family were disappointed that he had abandoned his Islamic name: "My family and Asian friends thought I was ashamed of my roots and gave me a hard time at first. But when I explained to them that my new name was only a tool to get on in the business world they accepted it. After all it was only a name and if changing it meant I could try and change attitudes from within rather than whingeing about racism then all the better. I thought that if I could get my foot in the door with an English name then I could impress English businessmen who would realise that it was beneficial for them to work with an Asian" (Daily Jang, 24.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 6/7]
Women The Asian Times (08.07.97) reports that Fuljan Bibi, the widow who was refused a widow’s pension because her late husband had a second wife in Bangladesh (see BMMS for June 1997) is now considering taking her case to the European Court of Human Rights. Jahangir Mohammed, deputy leader of the Muslim Parliament, condemned the appeal judge’s decision as unfair: "It is grossly unfair and unjust. Splitting the pension would be a lot fairer than not giving either anything...I would estimate that there are about 1,000 or so women who could be caught in Mrs Bibi’s position". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
The Newport South Wales Argus (09.07.97) carries an interview with Rahila Hamid, a member of the board of South East Wales Racial Equality Council, worker with Age Concern, and organiser of women’s activities at the Newport Festival, held on 19 July. Of her involvement with the festival, Mrs Hamid said: "I want to make other women - but not just Muslim - more aware of the opportunities and work available to them... Ideally I want to see lots of women coming to the festival, to learn about other cultures and to respect them. And some people are so isolated it gives them a chance to get out". At the festival, Mrs Hamid planned to give a speech on women and Islam. She said: "People are often very misinformed about the Muslim culture and my talk will give them a chance to hear what it is really about, especially for women". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
The Muslim Women’s Helpline is still looking for volunteers, particularly women who are interested in training as befrienders (see BMMS for May and June 1997). Sara Cerise, a co-founder of the Helpline, also said that the organisation is campaigning for a refuge specifically to respond to the needs of Muslim women facing domestic violence. The Helpline can be contacted on 0181 904 8193, or 0181 908 6715 and is open from 10.30 to 4.30, Mondays to Thursdays. Women who would like to volunteer should contact 0181 908 3025 for details (Harrow Times, 03.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Two embroidered panels made by the Tipton Muslim Women and Girls Arts and Crafts Group are on show at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The two works, entitled Beauty and The Bride, form part of the Shamiana, or Mughal Tent exhibition, which includes over 50 decorated panels from Asian women’s embroidery groups all over the country. The exhibition will be on show at the V&A until 14 September (Sandwell Chronicle, 11.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Recreational activities for Muslim girls during the school summer holidays have been planned at the Muslim Women’s Centre, Ilkeston Road, Radford, Nottinghamshire. For more details, contact Noama or Nasreen on Nottingham 942 0590 (Nottingham Evening Post, 14.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Youth The Ipswich Evening Star (21.07.97) reports that a year after its formation, the Bangladeshi Muslim Youth Forum (BMYF) organises activities for over 50 children and young people, and community activities for older Bangladeshi people. The activities for children include learning about their cultural heritage, English and Bengali lessons, sports and games. The BMYF has held celebrations for Bangladeshi Independence Day and Bengali Language Movement Day. The group has no outside funding and no premises of its own. The secretary of the BMYF explained: "We have no permanent place at the moment. Some weeks we go to the Caribbean Club, sometimes to St Margaret’s Primary School..we fund it ourselves. All the members got together and said ‘We will put in this, we will put in that’. I think we have proved ourselves". For further information about the BMYF, contact Ipswich 680635 or 257712. [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Raja Amir Dad, in his weekly column in the Bucks Free Press (27.06.97), highlights some shortfalls in youth provision for Asians and Muslims. He reports that Mohammed Atique Tausique, chair of the Muslim Youth Forum, "said that it was very important to have a training scheme for local Asians to become youth leaders". Amir Dad details what provision is available locally, but concludes: "There has not been any research done to find out the needs of the Asian youth". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Interfaith Muslims at Portsmouth festival Members of the Shia Muslim community of Wessex were due to attend Portsmouth Anglican cathedral’s patronal festival commemorating the martyrdom of Thomas à Becket on 6 July. A small group of Muslims will attend evensong and a larger number attending a reception in the cathedral nave afterwards. The initiative for the visit came from the Christian-Muslim Link which was set up three years ago (Portsmouth News, 05.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Woking’s Shah Jehan Mosque was the venue for an All Faiths meeting at the beginning of July. The organisers were Imam Professor Nisar Ahmad Salemanni of the Woking Mosque, Richard Cook, Vicar of St Andrew’s Church, Goldsworth Park and Councillor Mohammed Raja. The Imam stressed the similarities between all religions, and Richard Cook emphasised the importance of gatherings of Muslims and Christians in creating mutual understanding (Woking News, 10.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7]
Health Transplant co-ordinator Steve Bell and his team at St James’s Hospital, Leeds are launching a campaign to persuade Asians in the hospital’s area, which includes Bradford, to donate their kidneys and other organs when they die. Mr Bell explained that: "There is a bigger renal-failure population among Asians but here is not a proportional amount donating. There is a culture which says ‘We are not very keen on it’". Ishtiaq Ahmed, director of the Race Equality Council, stressed that: "There was an issue about two or three years ago. There was concern that their faith, particularly among Muslims, felt Islam did not allow them to do it [organ transplants]. That has been resolved. There is no Islamic objection to it but that needs to be publicised". Mr Bell pointed out that there was a shortage of donated organs in the area, since more bereaved families of all religious and cultural backgrounds were refusing requests. He said: "There are about a dozen patients on the waiting list for a transplant each year who don’t make it" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 7/8]
Time Out Magazine (09.07.97) carries a preview of a documentary, United Kingdom shown on BBC 2 on 10 July at 6.45pm, about a family in Bristol whose three sons all suffer from thalassaemia, a rare blood disorder, and about the treatment for this illness. The reviewer says: "The film doesn’t dwell on the condition, but rather takes a step back to show a wider picture of their family life as Muslims living in Britain. It seeks out the family’s perceptions of identity...". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
Mosques and Burials An application by the trustees of the Muslim Association in Blackburn has submitted an application to build a new mosque in Oak Street. The application is due to be heard at the council’s August planning meeting (Blackburn Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
A long standing dispute over who should run the Madni Mosque in Gibbet Street, Halifax (see BMMS for November 1996 and February 1997), has been resolved, following elections carried out under instructions of the High Court. Halifax Police were involved in overseeing the conduct of the elections, which were for committee members, officers, and trustees. Najabat Hussain, a member of the supervisory committee set up to conduct the election, said the result was accepted by everyone as being fair (Halifax Evening Courier, 18.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
Hounslow Council has refused an extension of the temporary permission to use the Jamia Masjid in Staines Road (see BMMS for June 1997) as a place of prayer. The mosque in Staines Road has been issued with temporary permission for the past ten years, whilst the Muslim community are building a new mosque nearby (Eastern Eye, 11.07.97, Asian Times, 15.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
The first ever Muslim funeral took place in Jersey at the beginning of July, at Surville Cemetery, in a part of the cemetery specially set aside. Haji Taslim, a funeral director from Whitechapel in London, came to the island to conduct the service. St Helier’s cemeteries director, Robin Clapham, said: "It was a lovely service and to my knowledge the first of its kind in Jersey" (Jersey Evening Post, 07.07.97, Jersey Weekly Post, 17.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
The Leeds Civic Trust and the Victorian Society claim that their views on the conservation of a listed building were ignored when the local council gave the Leeds Muslim Council permission to demolish the Christadelphian Church and Sunday School in Brudenell Road (see BMMS for May 1997). The wooden buildings on the site had fallen into disrepair, but a spokesperson for the Civic Trust said: "The nature of the buildings and their listed status should ensure their retention" (Eastern Eye, 11.07.97, Asian Times, 15.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
Leeds, Beeston Road/ Shadwell Lane Some residents in Beeston Road, Beeston have objected to the council about noise and other disturbance which they claim is caused by a house in the area being used as a mosque by the Khoja Shia Ithna’ashari community. A spokesman for the council said that several times officers had been to the site to investigate complaints. He admitted that the community was continuing to use the premises in a way which contravened an enforcement notice, but that officers had found no significant level of disturbance. He added: "Since the community is due to move to a purpose-built accommodation in Shadwell in 1998...it is unlikely that a magistrate would agree to further measures to limit their activities" (Yorkshire Evening Post, 16.07.97). In Shadwell, where the Khoja Shia Ithna’ashari group has been given planning permission to build their new mosque, over 400 residents are now objecting, claiming that the council did not follow the correct procedures. Iain Farquharson, a spokesperson for the objectors who lives next door to the proposed development on Shadwell Lane, said: "We should know within a month whether the ombudsman will investigate and if not, we shall take our case to the Secretary of State". The objectors claim to have discovered deeds drawn up in the 1920's which could prohibit a development such as the mosque (Yorkshire Evening Post, 22.0797). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8]
Muslims in the Leigh area, near Wigan, have made a request to their local council for space to be set aside in either Leigh or Howe Bridge cemeteries for Muslim burial (Wigan Evening Post, Leigh Reporter, Leigh Journal, 03.07.97). One of those leading the campaign for burial facilities, restaurant owner Mohammed Anwar, explained how the need had become more urgent: "We have made this country our home and our children will settle here. In the past, families have flown bodies to their home land for burial. I realised how much we needed somewhere when a grandchild died in hospital" (Leigh Journal, 03.07.97). Councillor Brian Jarvis, who is supporting the request, said: "Everyone has the right to be buried subject to their religious convictions. What the Muslim community is looking for is a small plot of land which can be incorporated into an existing cemetery, and a small room on site with washing facilities" (Wigan Evening Post, 03.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 8/9]
The East London Mosque planned to hold an open day with exhibitions, a tour of the building and discussions, on Saturday 2 August (see BMMS for June 1997). Further information may be obtained from Nazmul at the mosque on 0171 247 1357 (East London Advertiser, 24.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 9]
The Islington Gazette (03.07.97), quotes the governor of Pentonville Prison, John Ship, concerning the newly inaugurated mosque (see BMMS for June 1997): "We had about 40 people going to Christian services and about 60 going to Muslim prayers. So we got together and found a space where we could build a mosque. Inside it looks like a mosque and it faces Mecca. The Muslim community are concerned about the number of young Muslims in prison and they see this as a helping hand for them to be rehabilitated". [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 9]
The six-week trial of the externally broadcast call to prayer at the King Street Mosque (see BMMS for May and June 1997) is due to come to an end in mid-August. Robert Fisk, assistant director of environmental health services, said: "All those people who have raised issues with the council about the ‘Call to Prayer’ have had a response and at the end of the trial period we shall ensure comprehensive consultation is carried out" (Loughborough Echo, 11.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 9]
Two ward councillors, Len Moore and Fred Ledsam, have stated that they are supporting the Muslim Educational Trust of Wolverhampton in their planning application to enlarge their premises in Lime Street, Penn Fields (see BMMS for December 1996; January and March 1997). Councillor Moore said of group’s retrospective application for planning permission and possible appeal against the council’s enforcement notice: "It is important to say that the Trust is a vibrant part of the Graisely community. I have some sympathy for this group despite the fact that they have got themselves into this difficult position. I am sure this group will want to appeal against the decision" (Wolverhampton Chronicle, 04.07.97). [BMMS July 1997 Vol. V, No. 7, p. 9]
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