|
British Muslims Monthly Survey for November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11
Features
Reports Community Deaths of Princess Diana & Dodi Fayed Worcester Evening News article
Education
Politics
Racism
Women Muslim women under represented in workforce Female genital mutilation seminar
Youth
Interfaith Halal
Health
Mosques & Burials Halifax, Hanson Lane/Hopwood Lane
Features More than 250 Islamic organisations have joined together to form a new umbrella group to represent British Muslims, called the Muslim Council of Britain or MCB (Guardian, 19.11.97, Asian Age, 20.11.97, Daily Telegraph, Independent, 24.11.97). Iqbal Sacranie, whose UK Action committee on Islamic Affairs is an MCB member, said: 'This is the first umbrella group to have emerged in the Muslim community. One of its key functions will be to disseminate good practice within the community on education, health and community services. The council will also ensure the voice of the community is heard in the corridors of power" (Guardian, 19.11.97). Abdul Wahid Hamid, spokesperson for the MCB's preparatory committee, stressed the need for giving a positive image: The aim is to highlight the fact that we [Muslims] are an asset to the nation and to celebrate the contribution we have made to society" (Independent, 24.11.97). Both supporters and detractors of the newly-formed council are making their voices heard in the press (Leicester Mercury, 22.11.97, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 24.11.97, 26.11.97, East, 26.11.97, Daily Jang, 27.11.97, Awaaz, 01.12.97). Manzoor Moghul, chair of the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, welcomed the new body, saying: "After decades of hard work, it is time that different groups came together and share experiences and consolidate achievements" (Leicester Mercury, 22.11.97). Philip Lewis, interfaith adviser to the Bishop of Bradford, also approved of the formation of the MCB. He said: "Nationally, there hasn't been a body to which Government agencies could go so I think it will be very useful. Now there will be a respected group in which people can have confidence" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 26.11.97). At the launch of the MCB, reservations about the need for another Muslim organisation were expressed by Dr Syed Pasha, leader of the Union of Muslim Organisations. He was answered by Iqbal Sacranie, who said: "...we need to incorporate Muslims from all backgrounds and levels if we are to mobilise our causes towards favourable ends. We have emphasised that we are not making any leadership claims" (Daily Jang, 27.11.97). The spokesperson of the Muslim Parliament, Mohammed Jahangir, said: 'There is a plethora of Muslim organisations in this country and this one is setting out to be the umbrella of umbrellas. it is undeniable this will set back the advance in promoting Muslim issues because it does not represent all Muslim groups. The government needs an organisation like this to dilute the anger of the Muslim community "(Asian Age, 20.11.97). East (26.11.97) focussed on the opposition of Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament, to the MCB, who called it, an acceptable softer face to the establishment", but concluded with words of approval for the MCB from Fuad Nahdi, editor of Q-News. He said: "Any move that shows the diversity of current Muslim thought is a positive one". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 1]
Muslim News (31.10.97) and Q-News (01.11.97) both have extensive feature articles celebrating 100 years' anniversary of the Muslim community set up by Abdullah Quilliam in Liverpool. A plaque was recently unveiled at the Liverpool Registry Office, which was the site of the mosque which Shaykh Quilliam founded (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for October 1997). Somaia McTeer, who runs the Olive Tree, an Islamic bookshop in Liverpool, and who is one of the group which persuaded English Heritage to put up the plaque, explained the need for English Muslims to have a sense of their history: "When I was trying to find out about Islam there were no English people whatsoever. I remember being taken to the mosque and being terrified - just shaking like a leaf because the environment was SO unusual. This history has given us English Muslims a lot of confidence I because we feel we're not freaks. It's given us a sense of our own history. Shaykh Abdullah has helped me find my identity, my place" (Q-News, 01.11.97). His granddaughter, Patricia Gordon, said of her grandfather at the ceremony of unveiling the plaque: "At an early age, after spending a holiday in Morocco with his father, he identified with Islam and on his return to England, whole-heartedly embraced the religion. He was a devout Muslim and never deviated from the path to Makkah. He believed that multiculturalism adds to the richness in our community, rather than dividing it. He was tolerant of all denominations, providing they were sincere in their beliefs. He would personally call the faithful to prayer from the mosque in Arabic and one must remember, that all this happened in England, in an age when if you didn't conform, your picture was turned to the wall for all time.." Quilliam was born in Liverpool in 1856 and died in 1932 in Woking and is buried in Brookwood Cemetery near London (Muslim News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 1/2]
The Runnymede Trust's Islamophobia report continues to attract the interest of the press (see BMMS for February, March, April, May, July, September and October 1997). Paul Vallely, a journalist who writes for both the Tablet and the Independent, explains that: "The 'Islamophobia' of which last week's Runnymede Trust report complained is so often rooted in views which are mythical, outdated or simply ignorant. They centre around the notion that Muslims are a Trojan horse for fundamentalism or foreign powers which constitute a threat to Western values and security. This conception is mistaken in a number of ways. For a start, the term 'fundamentalism' is generally no more than a misleading synonym for 'extremist' or 'fanatic'. The word was first coined to refer to nineteenth-century right-wing American Christians who insisted that the Bible was the literal word of God. In this sense all Muslims are fundamentalists, because they believe the Koran to be the very words of God, dictated to the Prophet by an angel. And yet most hold those words to be open to interpretation. Those interpretations are changing more rapidly than is generally credited. In Britain, a new generation of Muslims are emerging who are in varying degrees departing from their parents' Asian culture and entering into a British one" (Tablet, 01.11.97). Writing in Third Way (01.11.97) he admits that "there are a number of prejudices which I do set out with. That many less educated women are oppressed by Islam. That some Sharia laws are barbaric. That Muslim tradition is anti-democratic and, as the Rushdie affair showed, a threat to Western liberal values. That there is something inherently violent about the notion of jihad ... and yet there is something that makes me suspect that these are the very myths of Islamophobia, planted in prejudice and nurtured by ignorance". In the article, he describes what he is doing to overcome this ignorance and prejudice. He attended the 'Islam in Europe' conference jointly organised by CSIC and the Islamic Foundation; studied the Runnymede Trust's Islamophobia report; and planned to go to Jordan as part of a Christian delegation of a conference of Jews, Christians and Muslims on 'Religion and Pluralism'. Another article in the same edition of Third Way concentrates specifically on the Runnymede's report. One criticism it makes is that there is a 'Failure to demonstrate explicitly that hostility and violence towards Muslims are primarily sectarian as opposed to ethnic. It could have examined the experience of white converts to Islam - especially men who do not dress distinctively - to determine whether they had been victims of discrimination. Professor Gordon Conway, who chaired the commission, admitted at the launch that he did not have strong statistics on the relationship between racial and religious components in 'hate crimes". The article in the New Humanist (01.11.97) challenges the idea that Muslim schools should receive state funding, as recommended in the Islamophobia report, preferring instead that no religious schools received any state funding. The comment column in the Methodist Recorder (27.11.97) deplores the anti-Muslim prejudice the Runnymede report catalogues and suggests that a practical step to combat this is for Christians to get to know their Muslim neighbours. As an introduction to such an activity, it recommends Kate Zebiri's book, Muslims and Christians Face to Face, published by One World, Oxford, price £14.99. East (26.11.97) and Muslim News (28.11.97) take up the question of legislation for mainland Britain to outlaw religious discrimination and incitement to religious hatred, as recommended in the Islamophobia report. They point out that, although a private member's bill, presented by John Austin, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, is to be considered by Parliament on the issue, it has very little chance of success. A separate article in Muslim News reviews the conference held on 19 October on Islamophobia in Europe, organised by the Muslim Parliament, and an editorial discusses the need for lobbying to support John Austin's initiative. Jack O'Sullivan, a writer in the Catholic Herald (31.10.97) is also sympathetic to the problems faced by Muslims as analysed in the Runnymede Trust's report. He draws parallels with the discrimination and prejudice Catholics, particularly those of Irish origin, have faced in the past and argues for legislation to protect Muslims: I feel aggrieved, given the history of Catholicism in this country, that those Muslims who have been physically attacked and discriminated against for wearing a headscarf or practising their faith cannot claim redress under a law outlawing religious violence. It is complacent of us not to see the parallels with our own past. We should be standing up for true liberal values and not allowing our Muslim brothers and sisters to be singled out by those secularists who are scared of religion and still pick on its weakest believers". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 2/3]
Lancashire Constabulary has become the first police force in Britain to specifically target young Muslims to inform them about the dangers of illegal drugs and to dissuade them from using such substances (Bolton Evening News, Lancashire Evening Post, 12.11.97, Blackpool Evening Gazette, Blackburn Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 13.11.97, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 14.11.97). The information produced has the approval of the Islamic Foundation and the Lancashire Council of Mosques (Blackpool Evening Gazette, 13.11.97). Chief Inspector Frank Harding of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime said: "We believe this to be the first scheme of its type in the country and as such we are looking to reap many benefits including enhanced community relationships and a better understanding of the subject especially for older members of the Islamic community who will be particularly reassured the force is acting in such a positive manner" (Lancashire Evening Post, 12.11.97). He also states "We know from our own experience that a lot of criminality revolves around drugs and that is related to use or supply. Substance abuse is totally prohibited in Islam. We needed to tap into Islamic law because it gives us a starting point we had not tried before. The response from the Islamic Foundation and the Lancashire Council of Mosques has been very positive and we have been supported by Asian businesses who have put their money where their philosophy is" (Blackburn Citizen, 14.11.97). As part of the campaign, a leaflet called ' Islamic Law and Drugs' is being distributed. Two leading regionally based Asian fashion companies, Pricewise and Gemini Fashions sponsoring the information leaflet and the SNAP (Say No And Phone) posters which accompany it (Lancashire Evening Post, 14.11.97). The Daily Jang (24.11.97) has an article about substance abuse amongst Scottish Asian youngsters which maintains that the boredom and other problems resulting from unemployment are the main causes of drug and alcohol abuse amongst young Asians. The article concludes: "Asian families have not yet developed a true understanding of the problem and thus are unable to come to terms with the issue 'My child is not like that' is the usual belief - or hope. By the same token, this unrealistic attitude is further encouraging youngsters thus inclined. Moreover, Asian people also experience cultural difficulties as well as isolation within the community if their children are branded as drug addicts. That is why, at present, there is an extremely low take up of the available help facilities to combat drugs". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
Reports Community Internal disputes, apparently linked to the acceptance of a grant of £350,000 from the National Lottery fund (see BMMS for April, May, June and July 1997), continue to disturb the running of Muslim community affairs in Keighley although the groups concerned are making efforts to overcome their differences. The Sangat Community Association (SCA) accepted lottery funding and now has new premises in Marlborough Street, although it continues to use share the Emily Street premises of the Keighley Muslim Association (KMA). The KMA has recently elected a new management committee, whose president, Mazhar Iqbal, is calling for better relations between the two organisations and with other Asian organisations in the area. The SCA has also elected an action committee whose purpose is to preserve the unity of the town's Muslims (Keighley News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
The photographer and researcher behind the touring exhibition on Mirpuri Muslims in Britain and Mirpur (see BMMS for June 1997), Tim Smith and Irna Imran, have produced a press release (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Museums press release, 01.11.97) about the book produced to accompany the exhibition. They write: "Photographs taken in Mirpur, such as those of the Sheffield Grammar School, Richmond Photo Studio, English Shoe Shop, Top Man Tailors and London Travels, are combined with peoples' stories, thoughts and reflections. They show how closely the links between Britain and Mirpur are maintained, and how suburbs of many British cities and towns now stretch beyond our shores to the foothills of the Himalayas". The book is entitled ‘Home from Home: British Pakistanis in Mirpur’, published by Bradford Heritage Recording Unit, price £7.50 and is available from 13HRU, Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Road, Bradford, BD2 3HP. More information and pictures are available from Tim Smith on 01274 631756. v[BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
Deaths of Princess Diana & Dodi Fayed Q-News (01.11.97) reports that not only did many Egyptian newspapers report the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed (see BMMS for August, September and October 1997) as the result of a royal conspiracy but also that now in Egypt books are being published which take up this theme. The motive for the alleged murders is supposedly because Princess Diana intended to marry Dodi Fayed, an Arab and a Muslim, and to convert to Islam and that this would have been unacceptable for the British royal family. Various theories have been put forward to explain exactly how the couple were murdered and by whom. Q-News asks: 'But why are some Egyptians willing to believe in such conspiracies without proof9 'We have to admit that there is a feeling and attitude in the Western world vis-à-vis Muslims and Arabs - a negative attitude that is very strong', says sociology professor Mediha Safty. Support for these theories, he adds, 'may be grounded on the basis of the media shown to the Western world"'. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3/4]
At the end of October the Altrincham Muslim Association hosted a talk by Dr Shaikh entitled '800 years of Islam in Spain - Source of the European Enlightenment'. Further details are available from Dr Butt on Altrincham 904-8797 or Dr Awan on 941-6680 (Sale & Altrincham Messenger, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Nine-year-old Anum Ahmad, a pupil at Hanging Heaton C of E Primary School in Yorkshire, has won a national public speaking competition. The competition was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association for its younger members (Batley News, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Muslim News (31.10.97) reports that on 13 October, General Sir Roger Wheeler, Chief of General Staff of the British Army, supported by Bob Purkiss of the CRE (Commission for Racial Equality), launched the Army's Equal Opportunity Action Plan, which aims to eradicate racism from the army and attract more recruits from ethnic and cultural minorities. There is one Muslim on the Army's new recruitment team linked to its Equal Opportunity Action Plan. He is Gunner Asif Mahmood of the Royal Artillery. Asif Mahmood joined the Army in 1994. He said: I have never experienced racism in the Army, neither during training nor in my regiment". His experience is in sharp contrast to that of three recruits from the north of England, Waheed Anwar, Quisar Akbar and Shazaad Ahmed who are taking the Army to court for racial discrimination. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
An Ahmadiyya Muslim from Stevenage, Arshad Ahmedi, has just had a book published which deals with the protests around Salman Rushdie's 7he Satanic Verses. Arshad Ahmedi's book examines views put forward by both non-Muslims and Muslims and: 1t highlights Islam's true teachings about blasphemy and proves the edict of the fatwa to kill Rushdie was illegal" (Hitchen Comet, 06.11.97). The book is called Rushdie Haunted by his Unholy Ghosts and is published by Avon Books (0171978 4825), price £6.95. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
The trial continues of Ahmed Halat, a mosque official in Preston accused of indecently assaulting two girls. One of the girls claims that she was kneeling at a bench reading from a holy book when Halat forced her to commit an indecent act (Lancashire Evening Post, 20.11.97). However, Mr Halat has denied that he touched them in any way which could be construed as assault. When questioned by defending barrister Clement Goldstone QC, he also denies that he ever begged a relative not to approach the police about the matter. The case is proceeding (Lancashire Evening Post, 22.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Q-News (01.11.97) publishes an interview with Khurshid Drabu, who was until recently head of the Legal and Litigation Department at the CRE (Commission for Racial Equality). He was the first Muslim to be an immigration appeals judge. Khurshid Drabu also helps to run the Kashmir Medical Relief Trust. In the interview, Khurshid Drabu was asked about his current post as an adjudicator deciding asylum appeals; his views on immigration and asylum legislation; his work at the CRE and reasons for leaving that organisation; the need for legislation on religious discrimination and amended blasphemy laws; and the struggle for an independent Kashmir. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
The Daily Jang (06.11.97,18.11.97) has conducted two surveys as part of the News International group of newspapers on attitudes towards marriage amongst British Asians, the first reviewed survey having been carried out in and around Glasgow and the second in West Yorkshire. The sample size for the Glasgow survey is not revealed in the article. The West Yorkshire research project interviewed 800 Asian people, presumably all from Muslim backgrounds, aged between 16 and 90, with forty per cent being between 16 and 20, and concentrated on attitudes to mixed marriages. A sizeable minority of all those interviewed, forty per cent, believed there should be no objections to mixed marriages, particularly if the non-Asian partner was willing to convert to Islam. This tolerant attitude was less apparent with older respondents. The article concludes with the words of Sitara Khan, 42, author of Glimpse of Purda: "People have always married outside their racial grouping. This is not a new idea. If you look at the history of the sub-continent, we know that all the people who invaded the sub-continent; they had inter marriages into the indigenous population and vice versa. Although those intermarriages were only on a small scale, that is the story of human beings all over the world. It is inevitable, where people live together, things don't remain the same" (Daily Jang, 18.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4/5]
Muslims in the Dallow area of Luton have formed an association to raise funds for a centre where children will be able to learn about Islam. The Dallow Muslim Welfare Association has had elections for officers and has fixed a monthly membership fee of £5 (Daily Jang, 11.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Twenty-one Mecklenburgh Square, off Grey's Inn Road, was the house where Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of the Aligarh Muslim University, lived for 18 months from 1869 to 1870, has been identified with an English Heritage blue plaque. During his time in the house in London, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan studied methods of education at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (Asian Age, 14.11.97). It was partly due to the research and the persistence of a retired medical consultant from Southend, Dr Mohammed Pasha, that English Heritage was persuaded to honour the Muslim educationalist in this way. Dr Pasha has written a biography of Sir Syed, which is about to be published in Pakistan. He said: I feel brilliant to be unveiling this plaque. It's the least service I could do to such a great man. When he was in England he went to Cambridge and Oxford and believed this was the secret of English success. So he built a role-model college about 80 miles from Delhi in 1875. It became a university in 1920 and this was the university I trained at to become a doctor" (Southend Echo, 13.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has a major retrospective exhibition of the work of Anwar Sheinza (1928 1985). Sheinza was born in India, displaced by Partition to Pakistan and then came to study at the Slade School of Art in the 1950's. From 1962 until his death he and his English wife lived in Stafford. Originally a commercial artist, his work shows many influences, including Western modernism, other artists such as Paul Klee and Victor Pasmore, Islamic architecture and calligraphy. The exhibition continues until 1st February (Birmingham Post, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Aabed Vazildar who works for Islamic Relief North-west is trying to raise money for a boy from Tanzania who has come to England for treatment for leukaemia. The treatment is not available in Tanzania and as 11 -year old Fahim Manji is not a British citizen he cannot be treated free on the National Health Service. So far, the organisation has raised £1,000 to help Fahim Manji. His family mortgaged their home in Dar es Salaam to pay for Fahim’s treatment which they originally thought would cost £10,000. They then discovered that their son would need two years treatment costing six times the amount they had raised, that is, £60,000. More details may be had from Islamic Relief on 01254 676318 (Bolton Evening News, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
A report from Bradford Council's Family Services Unit has concluded that the caring professions are failing to act when Asian children complain about sexual abuse. It appears that agencies are often reluctant to intervene and in any case, in the vast majority of cases involving Asian children, the allegations were withdrawn at an early stage, making further investigation impossible. The report also "acknowledged that there were particular pressures upon women who are married to a close who then perpetuates abuse against their children. To disclose the abuse, not just to turn against the husband but may lead to estrangement from the whole family and her whole support network" (Daily Jang, 26.11.97). In addition, 'to date there is no agency in the Bradford area specifically offering counselling services delivered and managed by the Asian community". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
An article in the Daily Jang (26.11.97) claims that: "Already, 25 mosques in England and Scotland have installed the wide-area paging service, and many more are linking. This new connectivity between mosques and homes is seen as a way forward to create a more religious atmosphere in a culturally hostile West". The author of the article explains that the paging service is used to transmit the azan five times a day to people's homes, as well as Islamic lectures. He further claims that: "People in Leicester, like in other areas having access to this technology, count its benefits for women and children. Traditionally women and children rely on men for religious education, but this technology is enabling them to have access to lectures and discussion without actually going to the mosque". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Articles have started to appear in the local newspapers about Ramadan, due to start at the end of December, and Eid, which will fall at the end of January 1998. In the Dewsbury Reporter (14.11.97), in an article written by Sofia Riaz, a student at Thornhill High School, Christmas and Eid are compared. She writes: I have a lot of friends who celebrate Christmas and for them it's a chance of a lifetime to get whatever they want. On Eid, which is like the Muslim Christmas, we get everything we want and we always look forward to Eid". In Batley, for the first time this Eid, there will be festive illuminations in the town centre to celebrate this Muslim festival. Twice before, the idea has been discussed but has failed to become a reality due to lack of funding. This year, thanks to cooperation between Batley Asian Forum, the Chamber of Trade and Batley Action, there will be some lights for seven days (Awaaz, 01.12.97). In Manchester, for the first time, broadcasters have been granted a temporary license to run a radio station for the month of Ramadan. Radio Ramadan Manchester hopes to broadcast 24 hours a day, beginning with the first day of Ramadan at the end of December. Its frequency will be 87.7FM (Asian Times, 25.11.97). In the Bradford area a discussion has started concerning whether or not specialised radio stations for Ramadan are Islamically permissible. In a statement issued to all mosques in Yorkshire, Mufti Ismail Kacholwi of the Darul-Iftaa wal-Arshaad of Bradford criticised radio stations operating last year as "unreliable" and "unprofessional". He said: `We should be grateful to the Government for allowing us to broadcast our programmes in the month of Ramadan but this should be utilised in the proper manner where people are educated regarding this blessed month and its laws, portraying the right message to even our non-Muslim brethren. Proper and qualified ulama should deliver the message of the Qur'an, Hadith and Fiqh. Then the broadcast from the radio would be within the context of reward and permissibility but unfortunately this has not happened" (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5/6]
The Daily Jang (28.11.97) reports that the Sri Lankan government has withdrawn its permission for the BBC to film a serialised dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children in Sri Lanka. Salman Rushdie was very disappointed about the about-face by the Sri Lankan government. He said: "What makes it so much worse for me is that the reason for these refusals [India had previously refused to have the filming take place there] has nothing to do with Midnight's Children, even the enemies of the project say that they have no objection to the novel itself ... the objections are personally against me". Muslim News (28.1197) reports that Salman Rushdie has declared that he has no regrets about having written his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses. Jahangir Mohammed, Deputy leader of the Muslim Parliament said: 1t shows how dishonest and totally self motivated this man is. He has at various times apologised, retracted his apologies, reconverted to Islam and then denied it. Now he is telling us what we knew all along". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Muslim News (28.11.97) has announced that it is launching a trial page on the internet. The web-site address is: www.webstar.co.uk~-musnews and letters to the newspaper can be sent via e-mail at musnews@webstar.co.uk [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Worcester Evening News Article An article in the Worcester Evening News (02.12.97) expresses concern that the number of practising Anglicans and Roman Catholics in Britain is apparently falling, whilst the number of practising Muslims appears tobe increasing. The author writes of: "...the world of Islam which is growing daily and has now become the globe's foremost religion [sic]. There is now a fairly large Muslim community here in Worcester, and even from a distant point of observation, it is interesting to note how similar are many faiths both in their positive and negative aspects, strengths and contradictions". He goes on to condemn what he views as Muslim silence on the situation in Algeria and the killing of foreign tourists in Luxor, Egypt (see report in this issue of BMMS), the fatwa on Salman Rushdie (see BMMS for October 1997), the case of the British nurses convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia (see BMMS for September 1997) and he denounces the need that some Muslim women feel to wear hijab. On this subject he writes: 'Then there is the relegation of women to second-class citizens, the insistence that their bodies must be covered so that the lustful eyes of men cannot behold them". Where he is approving of Islam is in what he sees as family solidarity, particularly amongst Asian Muslims in Britain. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Bradford City Council is to reverse its decision to make £5 million worth of cuts in the grants it gives to the voluntary sector. Bradford West MP Marsha Singh was angry about the original decision to cut funding, saying that the "council should be directing more funds to the area which was hit by riots two years ago". In particular, he cited the Manningham Project as having played a significant role in creating more harmonious relations in the area, particularly where Muslim youth were concerned. Ghulam Rasul of the Bradford Council of Mosques was of a similar opinion Before being aware of the council's change of heart he had said: 1t is very sad to see this happening in such a deprived area" (Asian Age, 29.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Education The Batley Environment Forum has raised objections to the 6ft high galvanised fencing around the Zakaria Muslim Girls' School on the grounds of its appearance (see BMMS for February and March 1997). They are suggesting that the security fence be moved back from the road with trees and bushes planted in front of it and that it should be painted green so that it merges with the environment. (Batley News, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6/7]
Muslim News (31.10.97) reports that at a meeting on 16 October, the latest in a series which has come to be a regular feature of relations between Muslim educationalists and the government, the Minister of State for Education, David Blunkett, failed to attend and instead was represented by Andrew Smith, Junior Minister for Welfare to Work. Those attending on the Muslim side included: Akram Khan-Cheema; Yusuf Islam; Syed Pasha; Zaki Badawi; Ibrahim Hewitt; and Khadijah Knight. Issues discussed included: funding for Muslim schools; underachievement and Section 11 funding; and guidelines for schools on RE and collective worship. Khadijah Knight expressed the approval of all the Muslim organisations represented at the meeting that the question of national guidelines for schools was to be reconsidered. After the meeting, Muhammad Usamah of the Muslim Educational Trust reinforced the point about the need for guidelines: "The Minister [for Education] said that standing orders to schools covering areas such as PE and Art etc. were flexible enough for local negotiation to take place between Muslim parents and schools and that there was no need for guidelines to be circulated as these cold be controversial. However, we pointed out that at the end of the day, Muslims do not have rights in these areas, unlike in the areas of RE, sex Education and Collective Worship where parents have the right to withdraw their children". Akram Khan-Cheema praised the unity of the Muslims at the meeting. He also mentioned "Yusuf Islam's criticisms of how information is gathered on the needs of minorities on an ethnic basis when the Muslim community is very heterogeneous". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Although planning officers had recommended approval for plans to convert a derelict factory into a Muslim boarding school and prayer hall in Guns Lane, Sandwell (see BMMS for September and October 1997), protests by local residents persuaded them to change their minds. The organiser of a petition against the Madinat-ul Uloom al-Islamiyya group's plans, Minnie Newell said before the latest decision was known: `We feel very unhappy about the plans and feel the councillors must have seen the scheme won't work when they visited the site for themselves" (Sandwell Express & Star, 22.11.97). Council officers had originally recommended that the Muslim groups plans be accepted because they felt that the alternatives could result in worse disruption to residents. A planning office spokesperson said: "The former factory already has permission for industrial use which dates back to before 1947 when planning regulations were not so strictly enforced. This means a firm could move in and simply start trading without needing permission in a residential area where it would not be appropriate and could be a worse option" (Birmingham Evening Mail, Black Country Evening Mail, 28.11.97). The school was planned to be called the Madinatul-Uloom-Al-Islamiyyah and would have initially have 40 pupils aged 11 to 16, of whom half will be boarders (Sandwell Express & Star, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Birmingham's commission on secondary school education in the city is to be headed by Sukhvinder Stubbs, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust. One of the issues the commission will have to tackle is the question of the provision of single-sex schools for girls, which has been a demand of Muslim parents in some areas of Birmingham (see BMMS for May 1997). Some Conservative councillors, amongst them James Hutchings (Edgbaston), have criticised Ms Stubbs' appointment, claiming it is indicative of left-wing bias. However, the chair of the education committee, Councillor Roy Pinney (Labour, Brandwood), defended the appointment in a written statement. He said: "The Runnymede Trust is a well-respected, independent organisation with a good record of research into public issues. I have every confidence Sukhvinder, along with the other members of the commission, will produce a well balanced report" (Birmingham Post, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Keighley's Ghosiyah Muslim Association wants to rent out the old Keighley Preparatory School Building which it bought earlier this year (see BMMS for April and May 1997). The main old school building is currently surplus to requirements as the association failed to gain planning permission for a completely new building and is continuing to use portable cabins in the school grounds as a madrasa instead (Keighley News, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Followers of an imam who was sacked by The Meadows Muslim Action Group in Nottingham, Karamat Ullah, claim that they were deliberately locked out of the centre following their leader's dismissal. A centre user, Naseem Mohammed said: "This Centre is supposed to be for the use of all Muslims in The Meadows, not just for one group. We use it to teach children Arabic and Urdu and for prayers - but have now been locked out of our own community centre". The secretary of the Action Group, Mohammed Ishaq defended his actions: "The building is not a council community centre and cannot be left open all day long for anyone to use. It is still open for other groups and we have only prevented followers of this imam from attending. At the end of the day the building is owned by the meadows Muslim Action group and we have the right to lock it and secure it (Nottingham Evening Post, 11.11.97). The following week the centre management announced that its sessions were now continuing uninterrupted. The secretary, Mohammed Ishaq said: " We have a lot going on here and we don't want people to think it's closed"(Nottingham Evening Post, 19.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7/8]
Pupils aged between 14 and 16 at The Warwick School, Redhill and Oxsted County School held a one-day conference entitled 'Images of Christianity and Islam in the Media' which was addressed by Robin Richardson of the Runnymede Trust and Dr Andy Wright from King's College London. Pius Gallagher, head of religious education at The Warwick School felt that the aims of the day had been achieved. He said: 'There were Muslims of different traditions and Christians as well. It was really useful challenging some of the stereotypes and the students got to meet people of different faiths face to face and ask them questions (Redhill, Reigate & Horley Mirror Extra, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
An exhibition organised by the QRA Trust on Islam has formed part of a project on Islam at Quainton School in Quainton village, Buckinghamshire. Over 30 schools in the area, many like Quainton which have no Muslim students, have joined in similar projects. Some of the schools in Aylesbury Vale have been exploring Islamic art and design, under the guidance of Maryam Jawed, who is artist-in-residence in nearby Quarrendon (Bucks Herald, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
The Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Reverend Mark Santer, asked a question in the House of Lords on 13 November concerning state funding for Muslim schools. He asked Baroness Blackstone, Minister of State at the DfEE: "Do the Government accept that if it is right that within the voluntary sector there should be provision for the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and the Jewish community to have schools for their children, it is, in principle, a matter of justice that there should also be the provision for schools of other faith communities? That is an acute question in particular for Moslems". Baroness Blackstone replied that it will: "...continue to be the case that there will be opportunities for voluntary bodies or groups of persons of any religious persuasion to seek to establish state-funded schools. The Secretary of State currently makes decisions on those proposals. In future we propose that decisions will be taken at local level" (Diocese of Birmingham Bulletin, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
An anonymous caller who said he belonged to the Islamic Society at Sheffield Hallam University threatened to bomb a Diwali party held at the university on 28 October. Ms Janhavi Aklitar of the National Hindu Students Forum said: "We are appalled that such an incident should happen and this has only heightened the atmosphere of tension at the university. The Islamic Society refused to disassociate itself from the call or condemn the incident. Had it not been an act by one of their members then there should have been an immediate condemnation by them. Although the bomb threats were not carried out, we as Hindu students feel that these unprovoked, unjustified threats are a form of persecution and harassment which should be forcefully condemned and we will take further action on this matter". West Yorkshire Police said: "We followed up the incident and were satisfied after investigation that the calls were hoaxes. The perpetrators of these calls would face stiff penalties if they are caught, including the wasting of police time" (Asian Age, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
Separate prayer rooms for up to 120 Muslim women and men have been created at a cost of £10,000 at Leeds Metropolitan University. The space for worship is on the second floor of the James Graham Building on the university's Beckett Park campus (Yorkshire Evening Post, 20.11.97).The university's student services manager, Carol Smith said: The University is committed to meet students' needs in areas like this which arise from the cultural diversity that enriches the University community generally. Similar facilities are already available at City Campus and we are delighted to be able to make the new prayer suite available at Beckett Park. The new facilities will allow us to meet the prayer needs of international and British Islamic students on both sites. Leeds Metropolitan University provides facilities for students of all creeds. In addition to a chaplaincy centre, students have access to full and part-time chaplains and religious advisers covering a wide variety of religions and denominations" (Eastern Eye, 28.11.97, Asian Times, 02.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
The leader of Glasgow's Liberal Democrat councillors, Dr Chris Mason, has attacked the new policy narrowly voted in by the controlling Labour group, that parents who want their children to go to Catholic secondary schools in the city will have to prove a religious attachment to the Church. Dr Mason believes that angry Hindu or Muslim parents whose children are to be excluded from these popular schools might sue the council. He said: "Does this city council want to be seen arguing in the Court of Session in favour of religious differentiation? This policy takes a risk with Glasgow's reputation in the interests of two schools, Holyrood and St Andrew's". Peter Mullen, the Church's representative on the education committee and former head teacher at Holyrood, supported the new selection criteria. He said that in the past he had to turn away children from Catholic homes who were applying for a place in a Church school because there had been an influx of non-Catholics. His view was: 1f we are going to have Catholic schools, surely to God, it is reasonable to have Catholics going to them. What is the raison d'etre of Catholic schools if it is not to provide a Catholic education for Catholic children who want it?" (TES Scotland, 21.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8/9]
Feversharn College, the Bradford based Muslim girls' school, is considering two new sites for relocation after being outbid for its first choice, the Cottingley Manor School site (see BMMS for March, April, May and June 1997). One is rumoured to be in Oxford Road, Underhill. Last year, the local residents' association believed the council was going to sell the land to Manningham Housing Association to build one hundred homes for rent. At that time, the residents' association complained about the proposals on the grounds of inadequate consultation. Now, James Peckover, deputy chair of the Oxford Road Residents' Association, said: 'Now we have heard a Muslim girls' school is going to be built there. We are not against a school being built, but why were we not told about it?" Bradford education department neither confirmed nor denied the rumours. A spokesperson for the department said: "Feversham College has expressed interest in two sites and has engaged consultants to carry out feasibility studies" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Walsall councillors have agreed that the building formerly occupied by the College of Continuing Education in Midland Road can be sold to a Muslim girls' school, the Palfrey School, to allow for its expansion (see BMMS for September 1997). The asking price is £40,000 and the council are anxious that the Palfrey School move into the premises as soon as possible to avoid vandalism. The Palfrey School is a Muslim foundation, but is open to anyone wanting single-sex education for their daughters (Walsall Express & Star, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Muslim News (28.11.97) and The Times (03.12.97) report that parents of children at the Islamia Primary School in Brent have warned the government that they may consider court proceedings because of the government's delays in considering the school's application for state funding (see BMMS for January, June, August, September and October 1997). Yusuf Islam, chair of the Islamia Schools Trust, wrote to the Education Secretary, David Blunkett saying, "all our submissions and responses to request by the DFEE have met with almost total silence" and this has led parents "to actively consider legal options, a course which we [the governors and trustees] would naturally wish to avert" (Muslim News, 28.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Awaaz (01.12.97), East (03.12.97) and the Batley News (27.11.97) have reported excellent results in GCSE and SATs tests at Zakaria Muslim Girls School, Batley, Feversham College, Bradford, Islamia School in Huddersfield, Madni School in Dewsbury, and the Islamia School in Brent. This is despite the fact that none of these schools receives any state funding. At the Zakaria School in Batley, this year 58 per cent of exam candidates gained five or more GCSE passes at grades A to C, compared to a 1Grklees education authority average of 39.5 per cent (Awaaz, 01.12.97, Batley News, 27.11.97). At Feversham College, 53 per cent gained at least three A to C passes, compared to the authority wide average of 28.9 per cent (4waaz, 01.12.97) and at the Islamia High School in Brent, 71 per cent of students gained at least three A to C passes. One of Islamia's students, Ursain Zumir, gained seven A stars in his GCSEs and is currently studying three sciences at A-level (East, 03.12.97). Batley News' (27.11.97) article is a feature article about the progress the school has made in recent years and how its sixth form has grown since it started four years ago. Girls can now take the GNVQ health and social science course and fashion, design and art both for A-levels and vocational qualifications. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is offering a five year Fellowship in Islamic Studies and a one year studentship to suitable candidates. The fellowship would start in October 1998 and the salary would start at an appropriate point on the lecturers' scale, presently £16,045£29,875 per annum. The closing date for applications is 7 February and they should be sent to the Director (from whom more information may be obtained), Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, George Street, Oxford OX1 2AR. The Easa Salah M-Gurg Scholarship is for study in any area of the arts, humanities or social sciences relevant to the study of Islam and the Islamic world. It is worth £8,000£11,000 with the possibility of a travel allowance and begins in October 1998. The closing date for applications is 7 February. Further information may be obtained from: The Awards Secretary, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AR (Oxford University Gazette, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9/10]
Politics Muslim News (31.10.97) has devoted several pages to the visit of Dr Mustafa Ceric, the Supreme head of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina to London in September (see BMMS for September and October 1997). Whilst in Britain, Dr Ceric visited Muslim organisations, such as Islamic Relief and the UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs; interfaith bodies, including the Calamus Foundation and the Maimonides Foundation; representatives of the Bosnian community in Britain; and met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
The election took place at the beginning of November of the president of the Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society (see BMMS for October 1997). The new president is Abdul Khokhar, a former town councillor. Mr Khokhar, who is 69, will serve as president for two years (Barking & Dagenham Post, 05.11.97). Mr Khokhar has just run in a sponsored 8,000 metre race to raise money for the society's community centre. He said: I don't drink or smoke and I've always kept fit so running comes easy to me. Lots of my friends were there to cheer me on. It was a good day". Mr Khokhar has raised over £200 from this sponsored run (Barking & Dagenham Post, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
The New Christian Herald (15.11.97) reports that the Home Secretary Jack Straw is considering lifting the ban on the leader of the Nation of Islam (Nol), Louis Farrakhan entering Britain (see BMMS for July and October 1997). The New Christian Herald says that the leader of the Nation of Islam "has been accused of being anti-Semitic, anti-white and homophobic". Jewish leaders remain convinced that to allow Louis Farrakhan, to visit Britain would have a negative effect on community relations. Councillor Joe Lobenstein, the Mayor of Hackney - a borough with substantial black and Jewish communities, as well as a base for Nol's activities, said: 1t is understood that Mr Farrakhan is scheduled to address a meeting in Hackney and this would be a grave insult, not only to the Jewish population but to other ethnic minorities and, indeed, all right thinking people. We don't need this in multicultural Hackney" (Time Out Magazine, 26.11.97). In the borough of Brent, Jewish community leaders, both Orthodox and Reform, and borough councillors joined together to make their concerns known to the Board of Deputies of British Jews. One of the Brent delegation to the Board, Councillor John Lebor, said that the ban on Farrakhan entering Britain should continue. "His remarks are inflammatory and would lead to violent clashes - not just with Jews but with all anti-racist activists" (Wembley Observer, 20.11.97). Wembley Orthodox Jewish spokesperson Spencer Nathan said: "Farrakhan would harm race relations here - he has made outwardly racist remarks against Jews and is outspokenly anti-Semitic in speeches he's made in America" (Wembley Observer, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
Several newspapers (Observer, Express on Sunday, 23.11.97, The Times, 24.11.97) report on allegations by President Mubarak of Egypt that Britain is harbouring terrorist supporters of those who killed European tourists in Luxor. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office denied this was the case, saying: "We are strongly committed to taking action against anyone who uses the UK as a base for terrorist activities" (7he Times, 24.11.97). Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, did not seem so confident that existing legislation was sufficient, as, according to the Observer (23.11.97): "Evidence of large sums of money being sent from Britain to Muslim extremists prompted Home Secretary Jack Straw to promise an imminent review of anti-terrorist legislation. 'There is a very serious problem of people from abroad, particularly the Middle East, seeking to use this country as a base, on the whole not for organising terrorism abroad but for financing it or for seeking support for it---. The same article quotes Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of the group Al-Muhajiroun who apparently organised an impromptu trial of president Mubarak and sentenced him to death in absentia: "As far as Islam is concerned, he [Mubarak] is now a legitimate target. If a Muslim kills Mubarak tomorrow he is performing a legitimate act because he is responding to the court's verdict". On 23 November President Mubarak once more condemned the support which he claims Britain gives to Islamist militants. Referring to the massacre of 58 foreign tourists in Luxor, he said: 1f you do not want your sons killed, why do you protect killers? There are people, who carried out crimes and were sentenced in Egypt, who live on British land and in other states such as Afghanistan ... Foreign militants draw their plans abroad and pay money to criminals here [in Egypt]. By money you can carry out a criminal operation anywhere in the world. Violence is encouraged by countries which offer shelter to terrorists who were sentenced in Egypt for killing Egyptians or foreigners" (Birmingham Post, 24.11.97). On 27 November, Egypt published a wanted list of 14 Islamists, two of whom allegedly live in London. The Guardian (28.11.97) reports that the London-based supposed terrorists are Yasser Tawfiq Ali el-Serri, reportedly the founder of the Islamic Observation Centre and Adel Abdel-Meguid Abdel-Bari, who the Egyptian State Information Service booklet claims formed the International Office for the Defence of the Egyptian People. The Muslim Directory of Islamic groups and businesses in Britain, which was contacted by the Guardian, said it had no record of the Islamic Observation Centre or the International Office. The Weekly Telegraph (26.11.97) has an article discussing the dilemmas facing the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, concerning the demands by countries like Egypt that Britain should not allow any support to be given to dissident groups. Jack Straw said, relating to the question of potential new legislation aimed at restricting the activities of exiles in Britain: `You have got to be fair but also extremely firm in a free society to ensure the right approach". John Wadham, the director of the civil rights group Liberty, commented, "We need to look carefully at how we can uphold Britain's place as a safe haven for the persecuted of the world while promoting non-violence. Locking up dissidents is not the solution" (Weekly Telegraph, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10/11]
Muslim News (31.10.97) claims that now the Labour Party is the party of government, it is ignoring Muslim concerns. It cites various recent incidents as evidence. For instance, the newspaper recounts that when the Union of Muslim Organisations held a lunch fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton on 2 October, no Labour MPs attended. In contrast, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown recently lunched with and addressed a meeting of the Labour Friends of Israel. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Mohammed Sarwar, the suspended Govan MP has announced that, in spite of his suspension pending Labour Party investigations into allegations of bribery, he intends to make his maiden speech soon (see BMMS for March, April, May, June, August, September and October 1997). He said: I have been working very hard for my constituents in Govan by holding surgeries and meeting groups representing the elderly and other organisations. But I also want to speak out on the issues that affect my constituents unemployment, housing, pensions and so on". It is believed that Mr Sarwar will refer to his position as Britain's first Muslim MP; the problems facing the elderly; housing issues; and the conflict in Kashmir, arguing that a negotiated settlement between India and Pakistan, facilitated by Britain, is urgently necessary (Scotsman 03.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
'Me City of London Post (13.11.97) reports that Bayswater police have drafted in five extra officers in case large gatherings of A]-Muhajiroun supporters are the cause of public disorder. Recently, on Friday and Saturday nights, it is reported that around 500 people have been gathering at the junction of Kendal Street and Edgware Road. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
The Smethwick Pakistani Muslim Association is concerned that there is a significant under-registration to vote amongst Asians in the local area. The association has conducted research on the question, which showed that at least 17 per cent of Asian people in the Soho Victoria ward are not on the electoral register. The association has called for the council to make extra help available for people who have difficulty filling out the form (Sandwell Express & Star, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Muslim News (28.11.97) has published a tribute to the life of Kaleem Alleyne, a Muslim and socialist activist who dies recently. Kaleem Alleyne was born in Bridge Town, Barbados in 1931. Before coming to Britain in 1959, he was chair of the Barbados Democratic labour Party. He embraced Islam in 1978 and was one of the founders of the Islamic Party of Britain. He also held office as the secretary of the Black Section of the Labour Party in Hackney, as chair of the Barbados League of Friends, and as a trustee of the Barbados Overseas Association. In addition, he was legal advisor and administrator for Black Rights UK and a journalist with the Caribbean Times. Kaleem Alleyne leaves a wife, three children and grandchildren. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Racism Q-News (01.11.97) reports that a Muslim family in Swansea were forced to leave their home after racial harassment which culminated in a pig's head being left on their doorstep. Other ethnic minority Muslim families have been forced to relocate because of verbal and physical racially motivated abuse suffered by their children. The director of Swansea Bay Race Equality Council, Elisan Haq, said that at least three local families had moved because of racial abuse. He said:---17he incident where the pig's head was left on a family's doorstep was particularly horrific and offensive to their religion. We have a multi-agency approach to racial harassment which involves the council, police, probation service and housing associations. We work closely with the Minorities and Racial Incidents unit at south Wales police but these incidents do happen". A campaign had been started to target the group responsible for most of the attacks youngsters. Inspector Jeff Farrat at the Minorities and Racial incidents Unit of the local police said: 1n the case of racially motivated incidents police will take positive action and work with relevant agencies. Victims should not be hounded out of their homes". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11/12]
Women Farida Khanum, the electrical engineer who claims she was dismissed from her job at IBC in Luton for wearing hijab (see BMMS for December 1996), is now having her case for unfair dismissal head at an industrial tribunal. However, she told Muslim News (31.10.97):"This is in the hands of Allah. I am not relying on this kufr system and its judges for justice. This case I have initiated is a tool to show what is happening to some British women in the workplace and as such, whether I win or lose ' I feel I will have demonstrated something to the community". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Q-News (01.11.97) has an article which is a chronology of the development of the An-Nisa Society, a Muslim women's group in the Brent area of London. The society was founded in May 1985 as a women's organisation working for the community. Over the past eight years much of their efforts have been directed at persuading the local authority to recognise Muslims as a distinct group with particular needs. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Muslim women under represented in workforce Recent research by the Equal Opportunities Commission has shown that the economic activity rate for women of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin who have dependent children is only 12%, compared to indices of 59% for Indian women, 65% for black women and 67% for white women. The report is entitled Work and Parenting and shows that as more women with young children are in paid employment, so they are increasingly expecting that their husbands will correspondingly take a more active role in child-care and household tasks. Although the review of this research in Q-News (01.11.97) quotes the journalist Sarah Sheriff who appears to condemn mothers working outside the home, it also says that some Muslim organisations support the report's findings and recommendations for future improvements. For instance, As-Salaam of east London identified other factors [other than a worry that they might be neglecting their children by so doing] which prevent Muslim women going out to work including pressure to conform to traditional norms, the lack of suitable environments for Muslim women to work in, and the wider social prejudices causing a high level of unemployment in general among Muslims". Another London Muslim women's group, the Southwark Muslim Women's Association (SMWA), supported the report's recommendations concerning more working hours for mothers and fewer for fathers, because "many Muslim women, including those whose husbands have come from abroad and are on low wages, have no choice but to return to work after having children and therefore welcome more flexible working conditions. Furthermore, they [the SMWA] do not see the report's emphasis on fathers spending more quality time with their children as contrary to the Islamic ideal" (Q-News, 01.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
The Walsall Observer (07.11.97) has a feature article on girls' widening participation in careers in which they have previously been underrepresented, such as engineering, and in new sports and leisure activities. One interviewee was the president of the women's section of Young Muslims Walsall, Somiah Siddiq. She commented: "Speaking on behalf of Muslim women, girl power has been about since the 1400s [sic] when we found our rights for marriage, property, work and life outside the family. Girl power can be achieved in many different ways. It shouldn't just be about image and clothes as the media portrays. It is about confidence and education". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
The Glasgow Herald (15.11.97) has a full-page interview with Alison Watt, a convert to Islam. She describes the experiences which brought her to Islam, why she thinks the faith is gaining adherents, her views on Islamic marriage and the relations between the sexes, and many other matters. Regarding hijab, she says: I wore it before I met Ahmed [her Egyptian husband] because, far from restricting me, I feel it liberates me. It instantly says something about who you are. It stops men looking at you as a commodity. If you are concealing parts of your body, men take you for the person you are, they do not see you as a sex object. It sets the boundaries for men, and I am sure a lot of men treat me with more respect because of my veil. I've never had rude comments about it - and anyway, I think I'd prefer sly remarks about my veil than sly remarks about my body". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Female genital mutilation seminar Muslim News (28.11.97) has published an article which is an account by one of the participants of a seminar she attended on female genital mutilation (so-called 'female circumcision'). Ms K Gazia, who works with children at risk, including girls potentially at risk of being abused in this way, was the only Muslim to attend the seminar, which was held in Wandsworth on 21 October. The main speaker was Felicity Cupit, Area Child Protection Committee, who Ms Gazia writes: "...was so sensitive in her handling of this matter and clearly disassociated the practice from Islamic teachings..." Ms Gazia explains exactly what female genital mutilation consists of and points out that, although it is against the law in Britain, there are still people, both doctors and unqualified personnel willing to carry out the operation (see BMMS for September 1997). Ms Gazia goes on to say: I learned for the first time from this seminar that men also ,suffer in silence' because of this practice because they are unable to have a normal relationship with their wives - resulting in a high proportion of them turning to uncircumcised women which results in high divorce rates, polygamy or adulterous relationships ... And it was the health and fertility implications of FGM which was identified as one of the many ways in which the practice could be challenged by communities without them feeling that their culture was under siege". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12/13]
The group 'Women against Torture in Tunisia' held a protest outside the Tunisian Embassy in London on 5 and 7 November. 'Women against Torture' (WA71) told Muslim News (28.11.97) that there were 3,000 prisoners of conscience in Tunisia, a country of only nine million population, and many of these prisoners are women. Many have died under torture in prisons. WAT claims that in Tunisia there are "continuous violations of human rights and a monopoly [by the regime] of political and civil life". The British Muslims supporting their Tunisian sisters and brothers by holding this protest called on the Tunisian government to "respect its commitment to women's rights and grant them their fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: to work, to physical integrity, to a stable family life, freedom of movement, freedom of association and expression, and to be regarded as individuals in their own right". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
A considerable number of newspapers (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 02.12.97, Cambridge Evening News, Daily Telegraph, Eastern Daily Press, Birmingham Post, Aberdeen Press & Journal, Yorkshire Post, Hull Daily Mail, 03.12.97) carry reports of an incident where a bus driver in Bradford demanded that a Muslim woman remove her veil in order to prove that she was indeed the owner of the bus pass she was showing him. The incident occurred on the number 251 bus, which Ms Umm Abdur Rahman takes every day to go to the school in Batley where she teaches economics. The bus driver held up the bus for 20 minutes while the arguments continued and Ms Rahman refused to get off the bus. She said that when she refused to take off her face veil as he demanded: "He said 'I don't know that this is you' and he asked if I had any other form of identification. I showed him a credit card. Living in Bradford, of all places, I expected them to be more tolerant. It's crazy, I was in tears". Bradford Traveller's traffic manager, Khadim Hussain, said the firm's policy was to accept the pass and address any problems afterwards. He said: 'We would expect our drivers to be very courteous. We would not have put anyone in a situation where they are deprived of a bus ride" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 02.12.97). Subsequently, Brian Field, general manager of Yorkshire Buses, said that he had spoken to the driver concerned and: 'I have issued a notice to all drivers that they are to accept passes" (Hull Daily Mail, 03.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Youth An article in the Independent (29.11.97) by Fuad Nahdi, the editor of Q-News, expresses concern that the voice of Muslim youth in Britain is not being heard. He describes a 'tide of young people turning to criminality and extremism. Platoons of angry young Muslims are mushrooming all over the country. Twisted and disfigured by the twin evils of racism and Islamophobia, they are bitter and resentful - potential fifth-column guerrillas for the numerous causes in the Muslim world. Idle hands and beads are also vulnerable to simplistic and demagogic slogans". He concludes: 'The building of a British Islam will have to be founded upon a new realisation - that in the UK Muslims cannot operate as if they are a majority: they have to rediscover a theology and Islamic jurisprudence suited to a minority living in a multi-faith and multicultural society. But they also need the help of the rest of society in combating Islamophobia, particularly at the point where it prevents Muslims and non Muslims co-operating on the joint diagnosis and solution of major shared problems relating to urban poverty and deprivation. The alternative may be too frightening to contemplate". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Interfaith The Three Faiths Forum (see BMMS for January, February and March 1997), which works for greater understanding and dialogue between Jews, Christians and Muslims, has recently had a relaunch. Its governors include Sir Sigmund Stemberg, who is also chair of the International Council of Jews and Christians, and Dr Zaki Badawi, chair of the Council of Imams and Mosques of Great Britain. The forum has appointed Sidney Shipton as its co-ordinator. He is a solicitor by profession who is a member of the executive of the Council of Christians and Jews and is the vice president of the B'nai Writh Lodge (Q-News, 01.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Helping Harry, a former tramp, has united Christians and Muslims of Nelson in Lancashire. Members of the Brierfield Pentecostal Church had originally saved the old age pensioner from living on the streets and Alma Hodkinson, a devout Christian, has organised help to permanently house Harry and to get him his benefit entitlements. Amongst those who have offered material and moral support are many Muslims, including Harry's new landlords, Mr and Mrs Aklitar. In the morning, Mrs Aklitar makes Harry's breakfast and looks after him until Alma takes over. However, Harry still needs things to make his new home more comfortable and Alina is asking for the support of local people. Her phone number is Nelson 698678 (Nelson Leader, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Roy Williamson, recently visited the Balham Mosque and Nightingale House, a Jewish residential home. He said: 1t is a happy coincidence that I am visiting the Balham Mosque at this time as well as a Jewish establishment. In my years of ministry in areas with a high mixture of faiths and cultures - first in Nottingham, then in Bradford and more recently in Southwark - I have met great goodwill on all sides. The vast majority of British Muslims - and those of other faiths too, wish to be fully part of this society and to live in peace and mutual respect with everyone else" (Wandsworth Borough News, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The Calamus Foundation, an interfaith body, recently held its ninth annual Distinguished Lecture. The guest speaker was Dr Noel Malcolm, whose subject was 'Religion, War and Civil Society: the case of Bosnia'. Dr Malcolm, the author of Bosnia: a Short History stressed that: 'The most important thing about the war in Bosnia was that it was not a religious war. Despite the popular western media notion that it bubbled up from below, from 'deep rooted causes: ethnic, religious and national differences' is a false interpretation. It was a political project, not a war of villagers against their fellow men". The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Britain, Mian Riaz Samee presented the Calamus award to Dr Malcolm (Daily Jang, 04.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The birthday of the great Sikh teacher and leader, Guru Nanak, was recently celebrated in Southall. The procession attracted over 10,000 people, and not only Sikhs but also Muslims, Hindus and others. One of the procession's organisers, Sohan Singh Summ, said: 9t was a beautiful, peaceful procession and I want to pay tribute to the police for giving us 101 per cent co-operation. Guru Nanak was popular with Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims because he said the human race is one, and that no religion was better than another. That approach brought people together then and still does now" (Southall Gazette, 14.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Halal Q-News (01.11.97) has carried out its own investigation into the case of the disappearing goats from the Valley of the Rocks near Lynton on Exmoor (see BMMS for October 1997). There had been allegations that the wild goats who form part of a herd of a rare breed, had been captured and killed for the halal meat trade. The journalist interviewed those who believed such allegations to be true and those who thought that, on the contrary, the goats' disappearance was a complete mystery. In the latter category of local residents was Joyce Salter of Friends of the Goats. She said: 'The contention that these goats have gone to Muslim shops is almost certainly a rumour. I am very sorry that these suggestions have upset people in the Muslim community. I don’t even know whether they have been poached or not". On the other hand, Colin Bolton, whom Q-News describes as "a local man at whom the finger has been pointed" apparently believed that Muslims had been responsible for the animals' disappearance, although he regarded the animals as a pest. He said: "I am 90 per cent sure that is where the goats went although I don’t expect too many people will miss them. I can't understand why anybody would want to eat the stinking things anyway they're wild, they're a bag of bones, they eat moss and they destroy people's gardens". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Q-News (01.11.97) reports that Muslims on low incomes in Preston are to be the recipients of more than 80,000 cans of halal beef. The meat is part of supplies from the EU Surplus Food Scheme and is administered locally by the environmental health department. A spokesperson for that department said: "Past experience shows a disproportionately low number of people from ethnic minorities take advantage of this scheme. It could be assumed the fact that no halal meat is available is the main reason for this". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Masood Khawaja of the Halal Food Authority is concerned that pork may be mixed with minced lamb to make kebabs in restaurants with unscrupulous owners and furthermore, that meat which is sold as halal has often not be slaughtered in the correct way. He is looking at the possibility of encouraging local environmental health officers to bring prosecutions under the food description laws (East, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
A supporter of foxhunting has drawn a parallel between ritual slaughter and foxhunting. The East Midlands regional secretary of the Country Landowners Association, Peter Geldart was speaking against MP Michael Foster's bill, which seeks to outlaw hunting with hounds. He said: "The question must be asked whether the benefits to the public are so clear as to justify such steamrollering tactics. The answer must be 'No'. Protection of minority rights is central to our democracy. There is no more justification for a ban on hunting than on, for example, the ritual slaughter of animals by Jews and Muslims. In that case specific exemptions from laws applied to the majority are granted to a minority even though the majority does not approve the practices" (Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
AI-Madina Publications of Batley, in conjunction with the Institute of Islamic Jurisprudence, have just produced an updated version of The Muslim Food Guide. The guide tells readers which ingredients of processed foods are halal and which are haram. The book explains that a new version is necessary because "...the food industry is constantly changing, different or new ingredients and cost effective measures are always being introduced". Orders for the guide can be placed by phoning Al-Madina Publications on 01924 444666 (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Health Muslim News (31.10.97) carries a review of a recent conference involving health policy makers and practitioners from Britain and the United States. The main theme of the article is that: "...due to the way services are developed and organised, little or no account of religious needs is addressed. No acknowledgement of l; this was made at the conference". The author was critical at the lack of Muslim participation in the conference, adding that: "Community participation is essential to community empowerment to express their views and to take control. Muslims need to express their health needs and lobby for what is truly their right. Muslim researchers need to come forward and fill the gap, providing good quality research in the field". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
A young women's group at the Tipton Muslim Community Centre has produced a banner using traditional Asian textile techniques on the theme of healthy food. The banner is the third in a series commissioned by Tipton Mobile Community Health Team as part of the Arts in Health Initiative. The community artist who worked on the project is Ranbir Kaur (see BMMS for October 1997), (Birmingham Express & Star, 22.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
The Muslim Women's Helpline organised two information stalls at London's Central Mosque to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The Helpline received a grant of £500 from the Health Education Authority to stage the event. Amongst other material available on the stalls was a video about mental health featuring a Muslim family (Muslim News, 28.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Mosques & Burials About 300 people have signed a petition asking the council not to renew the temporary permission to enable the mosque/madrasa in Bromley Street, Hanging Heaton, Batley to continue to operate. The Habib Welfare Trust of Wakefield was granted permission last December to convert the former Methodist chapel into a mosque and madrasa (see BMMS for April 1997). The application for renewal of permission is expected to be heard by the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee early in January (Batley News, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Progress is being made in the construction of the Anjuman-E-Zinatul-Islam Mosque in Taylor Street, Batley. The local MP, Mike Wood, visited the site recently. The mosque committee's general secretary, Mohammed Amin Pandor told Awaaz (01.12.97):"We are very pleased that Mr Wood came here to offer his support in our fundraising effort. The Masjid will eventually be finished and we urge your Muslim readers to donate generously to this worthy cause. Once completed the Masjid will be an impressive addition to Batley's skyline". In spite of unemployment in the area being high, all the funds so far have been raised locally. Each member of the mosque's association has paid £300 towards the cost of building the new mosque but more donations would still be appreciated. The contact phone number for the Mosque's secretary is 01924 445456 (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Fighting recently broke out amongst some members of the Parker Street Khizra Mosque and the police had to be called to restore the peace. The dispute was apparently connected to management problems. Now, a police officer is to act as a peace mediator. The officer appointed is Inspector Peter Fitzpatrick, Bury's community affairs officer. He gave his explanation of the immediate cause of the fighting: "Apparently, the meeting was to decide whether there was to be an election, and if so, when it was to be held. But there were heated arguments which spilled out into the street and a number of people were assaulted" (Bolton Evening News, ~ 25.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15/16]
A ceremony was held on the site bordered by Brown Street, Miln Street and Blinshall Street upon which a new mosque is to be built (see BMMS for March 1997), to bless the site prior to construction starting. Bashir Daud, a member of the Dundee Islamic Society, which owns the land said: "We are hoping to have all the tenders for the construction in by January and building should begin shortly afterwards. The mosque is going to be very traditional and will be very traditional and will be very pleasing to the eye with its beautiful dome" (Dundee Courier, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Controversy has arisen over the offer by Gillingham Council in Dorset to investigate whether it could help Bournemouth Council regarding burial space for Muslims (see BMMS for October 1997). Bournemouth Council approached over fifteen local councils in Dorset explaining the problem and asking if there was a possibility of co-operation. Gillingham was one of several who sent an initial positive response. Now Gillingham's Civic Society has sent a letter of protest to the town council. Their chairperson, Manly Bicumshaw said: "I do not believe Bournemouth should send their dead to Gillingham. It is a macabre idea and quite unacceptable, particularly when Gillingham is already short of burial ground. As it does not appear that nearer towns like Wimbourne and Ferndown have been approached we feel it is symptomatic of Gillingham',s development problems and presumably the low regard we earn in the county" (Western Gazette, 06.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Ha1ifax, Hanson Lane/Hopwood Lone An application by the Jamait Ahl-E-Hadith, currently based in Hanson Lane, to move to a site in Hopwood Lane and develop it as a new mosque, will be considered by Halifax's planning committee on 23 December. A spokesperson for the mosque, Mohammed Iqbal, said: "We have applied for planning permission because our present building is very small and we need more space. We have been in Hanson Lane for 20 years and never had a complaint from our neighbours, so we do not anticipate any problems". The site the mosque committee want to develop is a former ink factory, which closed down six months ago (Halifax Evening Courier, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The Bangladeshi Muslim Community Association has asked Ipswich Borough Council for planning permission for alterations to its mosque in Bond Street, Ipswich. These include making separate meeting rooms for men and women, each with its own entrance, as well as improvements for disabled access and some other extensions (East Anglian Daily Times, 24.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Some local residents in Shadwell, Leeds are complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman that the city council has not followed the proper consultation procedures regarding its approval of the application by the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim group to convert a house into a mosque and community centre (see BMMS for April 1997). A spokesperson for Leeds planning department confirmed that Ombudsman inspectors had visited the planning offices. She said: "They will now decide whether any further action is necessary. We can confirm that we have received a second planning application to extend the development. Planning officers have requested further information before submitting a report for consideration by members of the planning committee" (Yorkshire Evening Post, 25.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The Tawheed Mosque in Leyton High Road recently held an open day (see BMMS for January 1997). Members of local churches have been specially invited in order to build on the positive links already made (Leytonstone Guardian, 13.11.97). The Leyton Guardian (20.11.97) has an attractive photo on its front page of the interior of the mosque. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The East London Mosque, supported by local synagogues and the Newham Anglican church, has gained a reprieve from Tower Hamlets Council which was going to give permission for a block of flats to be built next to the mosque (see BMMS for October 1997). Abu Hasan, a trustee of the mosque said that councillors "agreed to defer their granting of planning permission for 36 months to allow for proper consultation with the communities most affected by the proposed development: worshippers at East London Mosque and the local synagogue and also to look at community needs. Planning Aid, an organisation which helps voluntary groups and TELCO [The East London Communities Association] have provided us with invaluable help and advice in our campaign". Mr Hasan also explained that a video letter, featuring local people opposed to the development, had been very effective in demonstrating to councillors the strength of feeling on the matter (Muslim News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
An application for improvements to the Ghausia Jamia Mosque at Lye is to go before Dudley councillors at the next planning meeting. The proposals include building a new porch, removing two stone memorials and external refurbishment (Stourbridge News & County Express, 13.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16/17]
Newcastle City Council has agreed to providing burials at weekends and in the evenings in order to conform to Islamic tradition. Councillor Sajawal Khan said: 1slamic law decrees that when someone has died they must be buried as soon as possible. A few weeks ago a baby died at 6pm on Friday night and the city council made special arrangements to bury the baby on Saturday. We welcome this latest move"(Newcastle- upon-Tyne Journal, 14.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
The Muslim Community Education Centre, who are the owners of the Oakthorpe Sports Ground and are proposing to build a mosque and community facilities there have promised that if permission is granted, then they will hand over the three to four acres not built on to Enfield Council as playing fields for the nearby St Anne's Catholic High School (see BMMS for April and May 1997). The application is currently open for public consultation and a decision is on the agenda of the environment planning committee to be held on 26th November (Enfield Advertiser, 05.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
Q-News (01.11.97) reports that construction work on the Markazi Masjid in Rochdale is going according to plan and the mosque should be completed in time for Eid ul-Fitr (see BMMS for February and September 1997). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
An application has been made by the local Muslim community for permission to convert a working men's club, the St Arin's WMC, into a mosque and a children's nursery. Although about 100 local residents have protested about the plans on the grounds of noise and traffic disturbance, planning officials are recommending approval subject to certain conditions. A spokesperson for Rotherham's planning department said: 1t is not considered that the mosque would generate significantly more noise than the existing workingmen's club" (Barnsley Star, 11.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
Problems concerning the cost of the land for Swindon's proposed first purpose-built mosque continue. The Swindon Islamic Association is running out of time to purchase the land, for which Wiltshire County Council are asking £267,500. Richard Lander, Wiltshire's director of environmental services, is calling on the council to set a deadline of the end of February for a legally binding deal to be signed, or the 1.5 acres to be put back on the market. Abdul Sheikh, secretary of the Swindon Islamic Association, is confident that several wealthy businessmen will come forward with the necessary funds in the next few weeks. Anyone who can offer any help is asked to contact the Swindon Islamic Association at 133 Broad Street, Swindon (Swindon Evening Advertiser, 02.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
The Wolverhampton Express & Star (10.11.97) has a feature article in its industrial and commercial property section on the town's new purpose built mosque, situated between Waterloo and Dunstall Roads (see BMMS for May 1997). The builders are Ballast Wiltshire and the architects are Derek Evans and Partners. The first phase of construction, costing £588,000 has just been completed and the next two phases are estimated to cost about £500,000 each, bringing the total cost on completion to around £1.6 million. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
British Muslims Monthly Survey for November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11
Features
Reports Community Deaths of Princess Diana & Dodi Fayed Worcester Evening News article
Education
Politics
Racism
Women Muslim women under represented in workforce Female genital mutilation seminar
Youth
Interfaith Halal
Health
Mosques & Burials Halifax, Hanson Lane/Hopwood Lane
Features More than 250 Islamic organisations have joined together to form a new umbrella group to represent British Muslims, called the Muslim Council of Britain or MCB (Guardian, 19.11.97, Asian Age, 20.11.97, Daily Telegraph, Independent, 24.11.97). Iqbal Sacranie, whose UK Action committee on Islamic Affairs is an MCB member, said: 'This is the first umbrella group to have emerged in the Muslim community. One of its key functions will be to disseminate good practice within the community on education, health and community services. The council will also ensure the voice of the community is heard in the corridors of power" (Guardian, 19.11.97). Abdul Wahid Hamid, spokesperson for the MCB's preparatory committee, stressed the need for giving a positive image: The aim is to highlight the fact that we [Muslims] are an asset to the nation and to celebrate the contribution we have made to society" (Independent, 24.11.97). Both supporters and detractors of the newly-formed council are making their voices heard in the press (Leicester Mercury, 22.11.97, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 24.11.97, 26.11.97, East, 26.11.97, Daily Jang, 27.11.97, Awaaz, 01.12.97). Manzoor Moghul, chair of the Leicestershire Federation of Muslim Organisations, welcomed the new body, saying: "After decades of hard work, it is time that different groups came together and share experiences and consolidate achievements" (Leicester Mercury, 22.11.97). Philip Lewis, interfaith adviser to the Bishop of Bradford, also approved of the formation of the MCB. He said: "Nationally, there hasn't been a body to which Government agencies could go so I think it will be very useful. Now there will be a respected group in which people can have confidence" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 26.11.97). At the launch of the MCB, reservations about the need for another Muslim organisation were expressed by Dr Syed Pasha, leader of the Union of Muslim Organisations. He was answered by Iqbal Sacranie, who said: "...we need to incorporate Muslims from all backgrounds and levels if we are to mobilise our causes towards favourable ends. We have emphasised that we are not making any leadership claims" (Daily Jang, 27.11.97). The spokesperson of the Muslim Parliament, Mohammed Jahangir, said: 'There is a plethora of Muslim organisations in this country and this one is setting out to be the umbrella of umbrellas. it is undeniable this will set back the advance in promoting Muslim issues because it does not represent all Muslim groups. The government needs an organisation like this to dilute the anger of the Muslim community "(Asian Age, 20.11.97). East (26.11.97) focussed on the opposition of Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament, to the MCB, who called it, an acceptable softer face to the establishment", but concluded with words of approval for the MCB from Fuad Nahdi, editor of Q-News. He said: "Any move that shows the diversity of current Muslim thought is a positive one". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 1]
Muslim News (31.10.97) and Q-News (01.11.97) both have extensive feature articles celebrating 100 years' anniversary of the Muslim community set up by Abdullah Quilliam in Liverpool. A plaque was recently unveiled at the Liverpool Registry Office, which was the site of the mosque which Shaykh Quilliam founded (see British Muslims Monthly Survey for October 1997). Somaia McTeer, who runs the Olive Tree, an Islamic bookshop in Liverpool, and who is one of the group which persuaded English Heritage to put up the plaque, explained the need for English Muslims to have a sense of their history: "When I was trying to find out about Islam there were no English people whatsoever. I remember being taken to the mosque and being terrified - just shaking like a leaf because the environment was SO unusual. This history has given us English Muslims a lot of confidence I because we feel we're not freaks. It's given us a sense of our own history. Shaykh Abdullah has helped me find my identity, my place" (Q-News, 01.11.97). His granddaughter, Patricia Gordon, said of her grandfather at the ceremony of unveiling the plaque: "At an early age, after spending a holiday in Morocco with his father, he identified with Islam and on his return to England, whole-heartedly embraced the religion. He was a devout Muslim and never deviated from the path to Makkah. He believed that multiculturalism adds to the richness in our community, rather than dividing it. He was tolerant of all denominations, providing they were sincere in their beliefs. He would personally call the faithful to prayer from the mosque in Arabic and one must remember, that all this happened in England, in an age when if you didn't conform, your picture was turned to the wall for all time.." Quilliam was born in Liverpool in 1856 and died in 1932 in Woking and is buried in Brookwood Cemetery near London (Muslim News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 1/2]
The Runnymede Trust's Islamophobia report continues to attract the interest of the press (see BMMS for February, March, April, May, July, September and October 1997). Paul Vallely, a journalist who writes for both the Tablet and the Independent, explains that: "The 'Islamophobia' of which last week's Runnymede Trust report complained is so often rooted in views which are mythical, outdated or simply ignorant. They centre around the notion that Muslims are a Trojan horse for fundamentalism or foreign powers which constitute a threat to Western values and security. This conception is mistaken in a number of ways. For a start, the term 'fundamentalism' is generally no more than a misleading synonym for 'extremist' or 'fanatic'. The word was first coined to refer to nineteenth-century right-wing American Christians who insisted that the Bible was the literal word of God. In this sense all Muslims are fundamentalists, because they believe the Koran to be the very words of God, dictated to the Prophet by an angel. And yet most hold those words to be open to interpretation. Those interpretations are changing more rapidly than is generally credited. In Britain, a new generation of Muslims are emerging who are in varying degrees departing from their parents' Asian culture and entering into a British one" (Tablet, 01.11.97). Writing in Third Way (01.11.97) he admits that "there are a number of prejudices which I do set out with. That many less educated women are oppressed by Islam. That some Sharia laws are barbaric. That Muslim tradition is anti-democratic and, as the Rushdie affair showed, a threat to Western liberal values. That there is something inherently violent about the notion of jihad ... and yet there is something that makes me suspect that these are the very myths of Islamophobia, planted in prejudice and nurtured by ignorance". In the article, he describes what he is doing to overcome this ignorance and prejudice. He attended the 'Islam in Europe' conference jointly organised by CSIC and the Islamic Foundation; studied the Runnymede Trust's Islamophobia report; and planned to go to Jordan as part of a Christian delegation of a conference of Jews, Christians and Muslims on 'Religion and Pluralism'. Another article in the same edition of Third Way concentrates specifically on the Runnymede's report. One criticism it makes is that there is a 'Failure to demonstrate explicitly that hostility and violence towards Muslims are primarily sectarian as opposed to ethnic. It could have examined the experience of white converts to Islam - especially men who do not dress distinctively - to determine whether they had been victims of discrimination. Professor Gordon Conway, who chaired the commission, admitted at the launch that he did not have strong statistics on the relationship between racial and religious components in 'hate crimes". The article in the New Humanist (01.11.97) challenges the idea that Muslim schools should receive state funding, as recommended in the Islamophobia report, preferring instead that no religious schools received any state funding. The comment column in the Methodist Recorder (27.11.97) deplores the anti-Muslim prejudice the Runnymede report catalogues and suggests that a practical step to combat this is for Christians to get to know their Muslim neighbours. As an introduction to such an activity, it recommends Kate Zebiri's book, Muslims and Christians Face to Face, published by One World, Oxford, price £14.99. East (26.11.97) and Muslim News (28.11.97) take up the question of legislation for mainland Britain to outlaw religious discrimination and incitement to religious hatred, as recommended in the Islamophobia report. They point out that, although a private member's bill, presented by John Austin, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, is to be considered by Parliament on the issue, it has very little chance of success. A separate article in Muslim News reviews the conference held on 19 October on Islamophobia in Europe, organised by the Muslim Parliament, and an editorial discusses the need for lobbying to support John Austin's initiative. Jack O'Sullivan, a writer in the Catholic Herald (31.10.97) is also sympathetic to the problems faced by Muslims as analysed in the Runnymede Trust's report. He draws parallels with the discrimination and prejudice Catholics, particularly those of Irish origin, have faced in the past and argues for legislation to protect Muslims: I feel aggrieved, given the history of Catholicism in this country, that those Muslims who have been physically attacked and discriminated against for wearing a headscarf or practising their faith cannot claim redress under a law outlawing religious violence. It is complacent of us not to see the parallels with our own past. We should be standing up for true liberal values and not allowing our Muslim brothers and sisters to be singled out by those secularists who are scared of religion and still pick on its weakest believers". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 2/3]
Lancashire Constabulary has become the first police force in Britain to specifically target young Muslims to inform them about the dangers of illegal drugs and to dissuade them from using such substances (Bolton Evening News, Lancashire Evening Post, 12.11.97, Blackpool Evening Gazette, Blackburn Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 13.11.97, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 14.11.97). The information produced has the approval of the Islamic Foundation and the Lancashire Council of Mosques (Blackpool Evening Gazette, 13.11.97). Chief Inspector Frank Harding of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime said: "We believe this to be the first scheme of its type in the country and as such we are looking to reap many benefits including enhanced community relationships and a better understanding of the subject especially for older members of the Islamic community who will be particularly reassured the force is acting in such a positive manner" (Lancashire Evening Post, 12.11.97). He also states "We know from our own experience that a lot of criminality revolves around drugs and that is related to use or supply. Substance abuse is totally prohibited in Islam. We needed to tap into Islamic law because it gives us a starting point we had not tried before. The response from the Islamic Foundation and the Lancashire Council of Mosques has been very positive and we have been supported by Asian businesses who have put their money where their philosophy is" (Blackburn Citizen, 14.11.97). As part of the campaign, a leaflet called ' Islamic Law and Drugs' is being distributed. Two leading regionally based Asian fashion companies, Pricewise and Gemini Fashions sponsoring the information leaflet and the SNAP (Say No And Phone) posters which accompany it (Lancashire Evening Post, 14.11.97). The Daily Jang (24.11.97) has an article about substance abuse amongst Scottish Asian youngsters which maintains that the boredom and other problems resulting from unemployment are the main causes of drug and alcohol abuse amongst young Asians. The article concludes: "Asian families have not yet developed a true understanding of the problem and thus are unable to come to terms with the issue 'My child is not like that' is the usual belief - or hope. By the same token, this unrealistic attitude is further encouraging youngsters thus inclined. Moreover, Asian people also experience cultural difficulties as well as isolation within the community if their children are branded as drug addicts. That is why, at present, there is an extremely low take up of the available help facilities to combat drugs". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
Reports Community Internal disputes, apparently linked to the acceptance of a grant of £350,000 from the National Lottery fund (see BMMS for April, May, June and July 1997), continue to disturb the running of Muslim community affairs in Keighley although the groups concerned are making efforts to overcome their differences. The Sangat Community Association (SCA) accepted lottery funding and now has new premises in Marlborough Street, although it continues to use share the Emily Street premises of the Keighley Muslim Association (KMA). The KMA has recently elected a new management committee, whose president, Mazhar Iqbal, is calling for better relations between the two organisations and with other Asian organisations in the area. The SCA has also elected an action committee whose purpose is to preserve the unity of the town's Muslims (Keighley News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
The photographer and researcher behind the touring exhibition on Mirpuri Muslims in Britain and Mirpur (see BMMS for June 1997), Tim Smith and Irna Imran, have produced a press release (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Museums press release, 01.11.97) about the book produced to accompany the exhibition. They write: "Photographs taken in Mirpur, such as those of the Sheffield Grammar School, Richmond Photo Studio, English Shoe Shop, Top Man Tailors and London Travels, are combined with peoples' stories, thoughts and reflections. They show how closely the links between Britain and Mirpur are maintained, and how suburbs of many British cities and towns now stretch beyond our shores to the foothills of the Himalayas". The book is entitled ‘Home from Home: British Pakistanis in Mirpur’, published by Bradford Heritage Recording Unit, price £7.50 and is available from 13HRU, Bradford Industrial Museum, Moorside Road, Bradford, BD2 3HP. More information and pictures are available from Tim Smith on 01274 631756. v[BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3]
Deaths of Princess Diana & Dodi Fayed Q-News (01.11.97) reports that not only did many Egyptian newspapers report the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed (see BMMS for August, September and October 1997) as the result of a royal conspiracy but also that now in Egypt books are being published which take up this theme. The motive for the alleged murders is supposedly because Princess Diana intended to marry Dodi Fayed, an Arab and a Muslim, and to convert to Islam and that this would have been unacceptable for the British royal family. Various theories have been put forward to explain exactly how the couple were murdered and by whom. Q-News asks: 'But why are some Egyptians willing to believe in such conspiracies without proof9 'We have to admit that there is a feeling and attitude in the Western world vis-à-vis Muslims and Arabs - a negative attitude that is very strong', says sociology professor Mediha Safty. Support for these theories, he adds, 'may be grounded on the basis of the media shown to the Western world"'. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 3/4]
At the end of October the Altrincham Muslim Association hosted a talk by Dr Shaikh entitled '800 years of Islam in Spain - Source of the European Enlightenment'. Further details are available from Dr Butt on Altrincham 904-8797 or Dr Awan on 941-6680 (Sale & Altrincham Messenger, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Nine-year-old Anum Ahmad, a pupil at Hanging Heaton C of E Primary School in Yorkshire, has won a national public speaking competition. The competition was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association for its younger members (Batley News, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Muslim News (31.10.97) reports that on 13 October, General Sir Roger Wheeler, Chief of General Staff of the British Army, supported by Bob Purkiss of the CRE (Commission for Racial Equality), launched the Army's Equal Opportunity Action Plan, which aims to eradicate racism from the army and attract more recruits from ethnic and cultural minorities. There is one Muslim on the Army's new recruitment team linked to its Equal Opportunity Action Plan. He is Gunner Asif Mahmood of the Royal Artillery. Asif Mahmood joined the Army in 1994. He said: I have never experienced racism in the Army, neither during training nor in my regiment". His experience is in sharp contrast to that of three recruits from the north of England, Waheed Anwar, Quisar Akbar and Shazaad Ahmed who are taking the Army to court for racial discrimination. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
An Ahmadiyya Muslim from Stevenage, Arshad Ahmedi, has just had a book published which deals with the protests around Salman Rushdie's 7he Satanic Verses. Arshad Ahmedi's book examines views put forward by both non-Muslims and Muslims and: 1t highlights Islam's true teachings about blasphemy and proves the edict of the fatwa to kill Rushdie was illegal" (Hitchen Comet, 06.11.97). The book is called Rushdie Haunted by his Unholy Ghosts and is published by Avon Books (0171978 4825), price £6.95. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
The trial continues of Ahmed Halat, a mosque official in Preston accused of indecently assaulting two girls. One of the girls claims that she was kneeling at a bench reading from a holy book when Halat forced her to commit an indecent act (Lancashire Evening Post, 20.11.97). However, Mr Halat has denied that he touched them in any way which could be construed as assault. When questioned by defending barrister Clement Goldstone QC, he also denies that he ever begged a relative not to approach the police about the matter. The case is proceeding (Lancashire Evening Post, 22.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
Q-News (01.11.97) publishes an interview with Khurshid Drabu, who was until recently head of the Legal and Litigation Department at the CRE (Commission for Racial Equality). He was the first Muslim to be an immigration appeals judge. Khurshid Drabu also helps to run the Kashmir Medical Relief Trust. In the interview, Khurshid Drabu was asked about his current post as an adjudicator deciding asylum appeals; his views on immigration and asylum legislation; his work at the CRE and reasons for leaving that organisation; the need for legislation on religious discrimination and amended blasphemy laws; and the struggle for an independent Kashmir. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4]
The Daily Jang (06.11.97,18.11.97) has conducted two surveys as part of the News International group of newspapers on attitudes towards marriage amongst British Asians, the first reviewed survey having been carried out in and around Glasgow and the second in West Yorkshire. The sample size for the Glasgow survey is not revealed in the article. The West Yorkshire research project interviewed 800 Asian people, presumably all from Muslim backgrounds, aged between 16 and 90, with forty per cent being between 16 and 20, and concentrated on attitudes to mixed marriages. A sizeable minority of all those interviewed, forty per cent, believed there should be no objections to mixed marriages, particularly if the non-Asian partner was willing to convert to Islam. This tolerant attitude was less apparent with older respondents. The article concludes with the words of Sitara Khan, 42, author of Glimpse of Purda: "People have always married outside their racial grouping. This is not a new idea. If you look at the history of the sub-continent, we know that all the people who invaded the sub-continent; they had inter marriages into the indigenous population and vice versa. Although those intermarriages were only on a small scale, that is the story of human beings all over the world. It is inevitable, where people live together, things don't remain the same" (Daily Jang, 18.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 4/5]
Muslims in the Dallow area of Luton have formed an association to raise funds for a centre where children will be able to learn about Islam. The Dallow Muslim Welfare Association has had elections for officers and has fixed a monthly membership fee of £5 (Daily Jang, 11.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Twenty-one Mecklenburgh Square, off Grey's Inn Road, was the house where Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of the Aligarh Muslim University, lived for 18 months from 1869 to 1870, has been identified with an English Heritage blue plaque. During his time in the house in London, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan studied methods of education at Oxford and Cambridge Universities (Asian Age, 14.11.97). It was partly due to the research and the persistence of a retired medical consultant from Southend, Dr Mohammed Pasha, that English Heritage was persuaded to honour the Muslim educationalist in this way. Dr Pasha has written a biography of Sir Syed, which is about to be published in Pakistan. He said: I feel brilliant to be unveiling this plaque. It's the least service I could do to such a great man. When he was in England he went to Cambridge and Oxford and believed this was the secret of English success. So he built a role-model college about 80 miles from Delhi in 1875. It became a university in 1920 and this was the university I trained at to become a doctor" (Southend Echo, 13.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has a major retrospective exhibition of the work of Anwar Sheinza (1928 1985). Sheinza was born in India, displaced by Partition to Pakistan and then came to study at the Slade School of Art in the 1950's. From 1962 until his death he and his English wife lived in Stafford. Originally a commercial artist, his work shows many influences, including Western modernism, other artists such as Paul Klee and Victor Pasmore, Islamic architecture and calligraphy. The exhibition continues until 1st February (Birmingham Post, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Aabed Vazildar who works for Islamic Relief North-west is trying to raise money for a boy from Tanzania who has come to England for treatment for leukaemia. The treatment is not available in Tanzania and as 11 -year old Fahim Manji is not a British citizen he cannot be treated free on the National Health Service. So far, the organisation has raised £1,000 to help Fahim Manji. His family mortgaged their home in Dar es Salaam to pay for Fahim’s treatment which they originally thought would cost £10,000. They then discovered that their son would need two years treatment costing six times the amount they had raised, that is, £60,000. More details may be had from Islamic Relief on 01254 676318 (Bolton Evening News, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
A report from Bradford Council's Family Services Unit has concluded that the caring professions are failing to act when Asian children complain about sexual abuse. It appears that agencies are often reluctant to intervene and in any case, in the vast majority of cases involving Asian children, the allegations were withdrawn at an early stage, making further investigation impossible. The report also "acknowledged that there were particular pressures upon women who are married to a close who then perpetuates abuse against their children. To disclose the abuse, not just to turn against the husband but may lead to estrangement from the whole family and her whole support network" (Daily Jang, 26.11.97). In addition, 'to date there is no agency in the Bradford area specifically offering counselling services delivered and managed by the Asian community". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
An article in the Daily Jang (26.11.97) claims that: "Already, 25 mosques in England and Scotland have installed the wide-area paging service, and many more are linking. This new connectivity between mosques and homes is seen as a way forward to create a more religious atmosphere in a culturally hostile West". The author of the article explains that the paging service is used to transmit the azan five times a day to people's homes, as well as Islamic lectures. He further claims that: "People in Leicester, like in other areas having access to this technology, count its benefits for women and children. Traditionally women and children rely on men for religious education, but this technology is enabling them to have access to lectures and discussion without actually going to the mosque". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5]
Articles have started to appear in the local newspapers about Ramadan, due to start at the end of December, and Eid, which will fall at the end of January 1998. In the Dewsbury Reporter (14.11.97), in an article written by Sofia Riaz, a student at Thornhill High School, Christmas and Eid are compared. She writes: I have a lot of friends who celebrate Christmas and for them it's a chance of a lifetime to get whatever they want. On Eid, which is like the Muslim Christmas, we get everything we want and we always look forward to Eid". In Batley, for the first time this Eid, there will be festive illuminations in the town centre to celebrate this Muslim festival. Twice before, the idea has been discussed but has failed to become a reality due to lack of funding. This year, thanks to cooperation between Batley Asian Forum, the Chamber of Trade and Batley Action, there will be some lights for seven days (Awaaz, 01.12.97). In Manchester, for the first time, broadcasters have been granted a temporary license to run a radio station for the month of Ramadan. Radio Ramadan Manchester hopes to broadcast 24 hours a day, beginning with the first day of Ramadan at the end of December. Its frequency will be 87.7FM (Asian Times, 25.11.97). In the Bradford area a discussion has started concerning whether or not specialised radio stations for Ramadan are Islamically permissible. In a statement issued to all mosques in Yorkshire, Mufti Ismail Kacholwi of the Darul-Iftaa wal-Arshaad of Bradford criticised radio stations operating last year as "unreliable" and "unprofessional". He said: `We should be grateful to the Government for allowing us to broadcast our programmes in the month of Ramadan but this should be utilised in the proper manner where people are educated regarding this blessed month and its laws, portraying the right message to even our non-Muslim brethren. Proper and qualified ulama should deliver the message of the Qur'an, Hadith and Fiqh. Then the broadcast from the radio would be within the context of reward and permissibility but unfortunately this has not happened" (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 5/6]
The Daily Jang (28.11.97) reports that the Sri Lankan government has withdrawn its permission for the BBC to film a serialised dramatisation of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children in Sri Lanka. Salman Rushdie was very disappointed about the about-face by the Sri Lankan government. He said: "What makes it so much worse for me is that the reason for these refusals [India had previously refused to have the filming take place there] has nothing to do with Midnight's Children, even the enemies of the project say that they have no objection to the novel itself ... the objections are personally against me". Muslim News (28.1197) reports that Salman Rushdie has declared that he has no regrets about having written his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses. Jahangir Mohammed, Deputy leader of the Muslim Parliament said: 1t shows how dishonest and totally self motivated this man is. He has at various times apologised, retracted his apologies, reconverted to Islam and then denied it. Now he is telling us what we knew all along". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Muslim News (28.11.97) has announced that it is launching a trial page on the internet. The web-site address is: www.webstar.co.uk~-musnews and letters to the newspaper can be sent via e-mail at musnews@webstar.co.uk [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Worcester Evening News Article An article in the Worcester Evening News (02.12.97) expresses concern that the number of practising Anglicans and Roman Catholics in Britain is apparently falling, whilst the number of practising Muslims appears tobe increasing. The author writes of: "...the world of Islam which is growing daily and has now become the globe's foremost religion [sic]. There is now a fairly large Muslim community here in Worcester, and even from a distant point of observation, it is interesting to note how similar are many faiths both in their positive and negative aspects, strengths and contradictions". He goes on to condemn what he views as Muslim silence on the situation in Algeria and the killing of foreign tourists in Luxor, Egypt (see report in this issue of BMMS), the fatwa on Salman Rushdie (see BMMS for October 1997), the case of the British nurses convicted of murder in Saudi Arabia (see BMMS for September 1997) and he denounces the need that some Muslim women feel to wear hijab. On this subject he writes: 'Then there is the relegation of women to second-class citizens, the insistence that their bodies must be covered so that the lustful eyes of men cannot behold them". Where he is approving of Islam is in what he sees as family solidarity, particularly amongst Asian Muslims in Britain. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Bradford City Council is to reverse its decision to make £5 million worth of cuts in the grants it gives to the voluntary sector. Bradford West MP Marsha Singh was angry about the original decision to cut funding, saying that the "council should be directing more funds to the area which was hit by riots two years ago". In particular, he cited the Manningham Project as having played a significant role in creating more harmonious relations in the area, particularly where Muslim youth were concerned. Ghulam Rasul of the Bradford Council of Mosques was of a similar opinion Before being aware of the council's change of heart he had said: 1t is very sad to see this happening in such a deprived area" (Asian Age, 29.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6]
Education The Batley Environment Forum has raised objections to the 6ft high galvanised fencing around the Zakaria Muslim Girls' School on the grounds of its appearance (see BMMS for February and March 1997). They are suggesting that the security fence be moved back from the road with trees and bushes planted in front of it and that it should be painted green so that it merges with the environment. (Batley News, 30.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 6/7]
Muslim News (31.10.97) reports that at a meeting on 16 October, the latest in a series which has come to be a regular feature of relations between Muslim educationalists and the government, the Minister of State for Education, David Blunkett, failed to attend and instead was represented by Andrew Smith, Junior Minister for Welfare to Work. Those attending on the Muslim side included: Akram Khan-Cheema; Yusuf Islam; Syed Pasha; Zaki Badawi; Ibrahim Hewitt; and Khadijah Knight. Issues discussed included: funding for Muslim schools; underachievement and Section 11 funding; and guidelines for schools on RE and collective worship. Khadijah Knight expressed the approval of all the Muslim organisations represented at the meeting that the question of national guidelines for schools was to be reconsidered. After the meeting, Muhammad Usamah of the Muslim Educational Trust reinforced the point about the need for guidelines: "The Minister [for Education] said that standing orders to schools covering areas such as PE and Art etc. were flexible enough for local negotiation to take place between Muslim parents and schools and that there was no need for guidelines to be circulated as these cold be controversial. However, we pointed out that at the end of the day, Muslims do not have rights in these areas, unlike in the areas of RE, sex Education and Collective Worship where parents have the right to withdraw their children". Akram Khan-Cheema praised the unity of the Muslims at the meeting. He also mentioned "Yusuf Islam's criticisms of how information is gathered on the needs of minorities on an ethnic basis when the Muslim community is very heterogeneous". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Although planning officers had recommended approval for plans to convert a derelict factory into a Muslim boarding school and prayer hall in Guns Lane, Sandwell (see BMMS for September and October 1997), protests by local residents persuaded them to change their minds. The organiser of a petition against the Madinat-ul Uloom al-Islamiyya group's plans, Minnie Newell said before the latest decision was known: `We feel very unhappy about the plans and feel the councillors must have seen the scheme won't work when they visited the site for themselves" (Sandwell Express & Star, 22.11.97). Council officers had originally recommended that the Muslim groups plans be accepted because they felt that the alternatives could result in worse disruption to residents. A planning office spokesperson said: "The former factory already has permission for industrial use which dates back to before 1947 when planning regulations were not so strictly enforced. This means a firm could move in and simply start trading without needing permission in a residential area where it would not be appropriate and could be a worse option" (Birmingham Evening Mail, Black Country Evening Mail, 28.11.97). The school was planned to be called the Madinatul-Uloom-Al-Islamiyyah and would have initially have 40 pupils aged 11 to 16, of whom half will be boarders (Sandwell Express & Star, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Birmingham's commission on secondary school education in the city is to be headed by Sukhvinder Stubbs, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust. One of the issues the commission will have to tackle is the question of the provision of single-sex schools for girls, which has been a demand of Muslim parents in some areas of Birmingham (see BMMS for May 1997). Some Conservative councillors, amongst them James Hutchings (Edgbaston), have criticised Ms Stubbs' appointment, claiming it is indicative of left-wing bias. However, the chair of the education committee, Councillor Roy Pinney (Labour, Brandwood), defended the appointment in a written statement. He said: "The Runnymede Trust is a well-respected, independent organisation with a good record of research into public issues. I have every confidence Sukhvinder, along with the other members of the commission, will produce a well balanced report" (Birmingham Post, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Keighley's Ghosiyah Muslim Association wants to rent out the old Keighley Preparatory School Building which it bought earlier this year (see BMMS for April and May 1997). The main old school building is currently surplus to requirements as the association failed to gain planning permission for a completely new building and is continuing to use portable cabins in the school grounds as a madrasa instead (Keighley News, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7]
Followers of an imam who was sacked by The Meadows Muslim Action Group in Nottingham, Karamat Ullah, claim that they were deliberately locked out of the centre following their leader's dismissal. A centre user, Naseem Mohammed said: "This Centre is supposed to be for the use of all Muslims in The Meadows, not just for one group. We use it to teach children Arabic and Urdu and for prayers - but have now been locked out of our own community centre". The secretary of the Action Group, Mohammed Ishaq defended his actions: "The building is not a council community centre and cannot be left open all day long for anyone to use. It is still open for other groups and we have only prevented followers of this imam from attending. At the end of the day the building is owned by the meadows Muslim Action group and we have the right to lock it and secure it (Nottingham Evening Post, 11.11.97). The following week the centre management announced that its sessions were now continuing uninterrupted. The secretary, Mohammed Ishaq said: " We have a lot going on here and we don't want people to think it's closed"(Nottingham Evening Post, 19.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 7/8]
Pupils aged between 14 and 16 at The Warwick School, Redhill and Oxsted County School held a one-day conference entitled 'Images of Christianity and Islam in the Media' which was addressed by Robin Richardson of the Runnymede Trust and Dr Andy Wright from King's College London. Pius Gallagher, head of religious education at The Warwick School felt that the aims of the day had been achieved. He said: 'There were Muslims of different traditions and Christians as well. It was really useful challenging some of the stereotypes and the students got to meet people of different faiths face to face and ask them questions (Redhill, Reigate & Horley Mirror Extra, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
An exhibition organised by the QRA Trust on Islam has formed part of a project on Islam at Quainton School in Quainton village, Buckinghamshire. Over 30 schools in the area, many like Quainton which have no Muslim students, have joined in similar projects. Some of the schools in Aylesbury Vale have been exploring Islamic art and design, under the guidance of Maryam Jawed, who is artist-in-residence in nearby Quarrendon (Bucks Herald, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
The Bishop of Birmingham, the Right Reverend Mark Santer, asked a question in the House of Lords on 13 November concerning state funding for Muslim schools. He asked Baroness Blackstone, Minister of State at the DfEE: "Do the Government accept that if it is right that within the voluntary sector there should be provision for the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and the Jewish community to have schools for their children, it is, in principle, a matter of justice that there should also be the provision for schools of other faith communities? That is an acute question in particular for Moslems". Baroness Blackstone replied that it will: "...continue to be the case that there will be opportunities for voluntary bodies or groups of persons of any religious persuasion to seek to establish state-funded schools. The Secretary of State currently makes decisions on those proposals. In future we propose that decisions will be taken at local level" (Diocese of Birmingham Bulletin, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
An anonymous caller who said he belonged to the Islamic Society at Sheffield Hallam University threatened to bomb a Diwali party held at the university on 28 October. Ms Janhavi Aklitar of the National Hindu Students Forum said: "We are appalled that such an incident should happen and this has only heightened the atmosphere of tension at the university. The Islamic Society refused to disassociate itself from the call or condemn the incident. Had it not been an act by one of their members then there should have been an immediate condemnation by them. Although the bomb threats were not carried out, we as Hindu students feel that these unprovoked, unjustified threats are a form of persecution and harassment which should be forcefully condemned and we will take further action on this matter". West Yorkshire Police said: "We followed up the incident and were satisfied after investigation that the calls were hoaxes. The perpetrators of these calls would face stiff penalties if they are caught, including the wasting of police time" (Asian Age, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
Separate prayer rooms for up to 120 Muslim women and men have been created at a cost of £10,000 at Leeds Metropolitan University. The space for worship is on the second floor of the James Graham Building on the university's Beckett Park campus (Yorkshire Evening Post, 20.11.97).The university's student services manager, Carol Smith said: The University is committed to meet students' needs in areas like this which arise from the cultural diversity that enriches the University community generally. Similar facilities are already available at City Campus and we are delighted to be able to make the new prayer suite available at Beckett Park. The new facilities will allow us to meet the prayer needs of international and British Islamic students on both sites. Leeds Metropolitan University provides facilities for students of all creeds. In addition to a chaplaincy centre, students have access to full and part-time chaplains and religious advisers covering a wide variety of religions and denominations" (Eastern Eye, 28.11.97, Asian Times, 02.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8]
The leader of Glasgow's Liberal Democrat councillors, Dr Chris Mason, has attacked the new policy narrowly voted in by the controlling Labour group, that parents who want their children to go to Catholic secondary schools in the city will have to prove a religious attachment to the Church. Dr Mason believes that angry Hindu or Muslim parents whose children are to be excluded from these popular schools might sue the council. He said: "Does this city council want to be seen arguing in the Court of Session in favour of religious differentiation? This policy takes a risk with Glasgow's reputation in the interests of two schools, Holyrood and St Andrew's". Peter Mullen, the Church's representative on the education committee and former head teacher at Holyrood, supported the new selection criteria. He said that in the past he had to turn away children from Catholic homes who were applying for a place in a Church school because there had been an influx of non-Catholics. His view was: 1f we are going to have Catholic schools, surely to God, it is reasonable to have Catholics going to them. What is the raison d'etre of Catholic schools if it is not to provide a Catholic education for Catholic children who want it?" (TES Scotland, 21.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 8/9]
Feversharn College, the Bradford based Muslim girls' school, is considering two new sites for relocation after being outbid for its first choice, the Cottingley Manor School site (see BMMS for March, April, May and June 1997). One is rumoured to be in Oxford Road, Underhill. Last year, the local residents' association believed the council was going to sell the land to Manningham Housing Association to build one hundred homes for rent. At that time, the residents' association complained about the proposals on the grounds of inadequate consultation. Now, James Peckover, deputy chair of the Oxford Road Residents' Association, said: 'Now we have heard a Muslim girls' school is going to be built there. We are not against a school being built, but why were we not told about it?" Bradford education department neither confirmed nor denied the rumours. A spokesperson for the department said: "Feversham College has expressed interest in two sites and has engaged consultants to carry out feasibility studies" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Walsall councillors have agreed that the building formerly occupied by the College of Continuing Education in Midland Road can be sold to a Muslim girls' school, the Palfrey School, to allow for its expansion (see BMMS for September 1997). The asking price is £40,000 and the council are anxious that the Palfrey School move into the premises as soon as possible to avoid vandalism. The Palfrey School is a Muslim foundation, but is open to anyone wanting single-sex education for their daughters (Walsall Express & Star, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Muslim News (28.11.97) and The Times (03.12.97) report that parents of children at the Islamia Primary School in Brent have warned the government that they may consider court proceedings because of the government's delays in considering the school's application for state funding (see BMMS for January, June, August, September and October 1997). Yusuf Islam, chair of the Islamia Schools Trust, wrote to the Education Secretary, David Blunkett saying, "all our submissions and responses to request by the DFEE have met with almost total silence" and this has led parents "to actively consider legal options, a course which we [the governors and trustees] would naturally wish to avert" (Muslim News, 28.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
Awaaz (01.12.97), East (03.12.97) and the Batley News (27.11.97) have reported excellent results in GCSE and SATs tests at Zakaria Muslim Girls School, Batley, Feversham College, Bradford, Islamia School in Huddersfield, Madni School in Dewsbury, and the Islamia School in Brent. This is despite the fact that none of these schools receives any state funding. At the Zakaria School in Batley, this year 58 per cent of exam candidates gained five or more GCSE passes at grades A to C, compared to a 1Grklees education authority average of 39.5 per cent (Awaaz, 01.12.97, Batley News, 27.11.97). At Feversham College, 53 per cent gained at least three A to C passes, compared to the authority wide average of 28.9 per cent (4waaz, 01.12.97) and at the Islamia High School in Brent, 71 per cent of students gained at least three A to C passes. One of Islamia's students, Ursain Zumir, gained seven A stars in his GCSEs and is currently studying three sciences at A-level (East, 03.12.97). Batley News' (27.11.97) article is a feature article about the progress the school has made in recent years and how its sixth form has grown since it started four years ago. Girls can now take the GNVQ health and social science course and fashion, design and art both for A-levels and vocational qualifications. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9]
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is offering a five year Fellowship in Islamic Studies and a one year studentship to suitable candidates. The fellowship would start in October 1998 and the salary would start at an appropriate point on the lecturers' scale, presently £16,045£29,875 per annum. The closing date for applications is 7 February and they should be sent to the Director (from whom more information may be obtained), Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, George Street, Oxford OX1 2AR. The Easa Salah M-Gurg Scholarship is for study in any area of the arts, humanities or social sciences relevant to the study of Islam and the Islamic world. It is worth £8,000£11,000 with the possibility of a travel allowance and begins in October 1998. The closing date for applications is 7 February. Further information may be obtained from: The Awards Secretary, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AR (Oxford University Gazette, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 9/10]
Politics Muslim News (31.10.97) has devoted several pages to the visit of Dr Mustafa Ceric, the Supreme head of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina to London in September (see BMMS for September and October 1997). Whilst in Britain, Dr Ceric visited Muslim organisations, such as Islamic Relief and the UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs; interfaith bodies, including the Calamus Foundation and the Maimonides Foundation; representatives of the Bosnian community in Britain; and met with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
The election took place at the beginning of November of the president of the Barking Muslim Social and Cultural Society (see BMMS for October 1997). The new president is Abdul Khokhar, a former town councillor. Mr Khokhar, who is 69, will serve as president for two years (Barking & Dagenham Post, 05.11.97). Mr Khokhar has just run in a sponsored 8,000 metre race to raise money for the society's community centre. He said: I don't drink or smoke and I've always kept fit so running comes easy to me. Lots of my friends were there to cheer me on. It was a good day". Mr Khokhar has raised over £200 from this sponsored run (Barking & Dagenham Post, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
The New Christian Herald (15.11.97) reports that the Home Secretary Jack Straw is considering lifting the ban on the leader of the Nation of Islam (Nol), Louis Farrakhan entering Britain (see BMMS for July and October 1997). The New Christian Herald says that the leader of the Nation of Islam "has been accused of being anti-Semitic, anti-white and homophobic". Jewish leaders remain convinced that to allow Louis Farrakhan, to visit Britain would have a negative effect on community relations. Councillor Joe Lobenstein, the Mayor of Hackney - a borough with substantial black and Jewish communities, as well as a base for Nol's activities, said: 1t is understood that Mr Farrakhan is scheduled to address a meeting in Hackney and this would be a grave insult, not only to the Jewish population but to other ethnic minorities and, indeed, all right thinking people. We don't need this in multicultural Hackney" (Time Out Magazine, 26.11.97). In the borough of Brent, Jewish community leaders, both Orthodox and Reform, and borough councillors joined together to make their concerns known to the Board of Deputies of British Jews. One of the Brent delegation to the Board, Councillor John Lebor, said that the ban on Farrakhan entering Britain should continue. "His remarks are inflammatory and would lead to violent clashes - not just with Jews but with all anti-racist activists" (Wembley Observer, 20.11.97). Wembley Orthodox Jewish spokesperson Spencer Nathan said: "Farrakhan would harm race relations here - he has made outwardly racist remarks against Jews and is outspokenly anti-Semitic in speeches he's made in America" (Wembley Observer, 20.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10]
Several newspapers (Observer, Express on Sunday, 23.11.97, The Times, 24.11.97) report on allegations by President Mubarak of Egypt that Britain is harbouring terrorist supporters of those who killed European tourists in Luxor. A spokesperson for the Foreign Office denied this was the case, saying: "We are strongly committed to taking action against anyone who uses the UK as a base for terrorist activities" (7he Times, 24.11.97). Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, did not seem so confident that existing legislation was sufficient, as, according to the Observer (23.11.97): "Evidence of large sums of money being sent from Britain to Muslim extremists prompted Home Secretary Jack Straw to promise an imminent review of anti-terrorist legislation. 'There is a very serious problem of people from abroad, particularly the Middle East, seeking to use this country as a base, on the whole not for organising terrorism abroad but for financing it or for seeking support for it---. The same article quotes Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of the group Al-Muhajiroun who apparently organised an impromptu trial of president Mubarak and sentenced him to death in absentia: "As far as Islam is concerned, he [Mubarak] is now a legitimate target. If a Muslim kills Mubarak tomorrow he is performing a legitimate act because he is responding to the court's verdict". On 23 November President Mubarak once more condemned the support which he claims Britain gives to Islamist militants. Referring to the massacre of 58 foreign tourists in Luxor, he said: 1f you do not want your sons killed, why do you protect killers? There are people, who carried out crimes and were sentenced in Egypt, who live on British land and in other states such as Afghanistan ... Foreign militants draw their plans abroad and pay money to criminals here [in Egypt]. By money you can carry out a criminal operation anywhere in the world. Violence is encouraged by countries which offer shelter to terrorists who were sentenced in Egypt for killing Egyptians or foreigners" (Birmingham Post, 24.11.97). On 27 November, Egypt published a wanted list of 14 Islamists, two of whom allegedly live in London. The Guardian (28.11.97) reports that the London-based supposed terrorists are Yasser Tawfiq Ali el-Serri, reportedly the founder of the Islamic Observation Centre and Adel Abdel-Meguid Abdel-Bari, who the Egyptian State Information Service booklet claims formed the International Office for the Defence of the Egyptian People. The Muslim Directory of Islamic groups and businesses in Britain, which was contacted by the Guardian, said it had no record of the Islamic Observation Centre or the International Office. The Weekly Telegraph (26.11.97) has an article discussing the dilemmas facing the Home Secretary, Jack Straw, concerning the demands by countries like Egypt that Britain should not allow any support to be given to dissident groups. Jack Straw said, relating to the question of potential new legislation aimed at restricting the activities of exiles in Britain: `You have got to be fair but also extremely firm in a free society to ensure the right approach". John Wadham, the director of the civil rights group Liberty, commented, "We need to look carefully at how we can uphold Britain's place as a safe haven for the persecuted of the world while promoting non-violence. Locking up dissidents is not the solution" (Weekly Telegraph, 26.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 10/11]
Muslim News (31.10.97) claims that now the Labour Party is the party of government, it is ignoring Muslim concerns. It cites various recent incidents as evidence. For instance, the newspaper recounts that when the Union of Muslim Organisations held a lunch fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton on 2 October, no Labour MPs attended. In contrast, the Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown recently lunched with and addressed a meeting of the Labour Friends of Israel. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Mohammed Sarwar, the suspended Govan MP has announced that, in spite of his suspension pending Labour Party investigations into allegations of bribery, he intends to make his maiden speech soon (see BMMS for March, April, May, June, August, September and October 1997). He said: I have been working very hard for my constituents in Govan by holding surgeries and meeting groups representing the elderly and other organisations. But I also want to speak out on the issues that affect my constituents unemployment, housing, pensions and so on". It is believed that Mr Sarwar will refer to his position as Britain's first Muslim MP; the problems facing the elderly; housing issues; and the conflict in Kashmir, arguing that a negotiated settlement between India and Pakistan, facilitated by Britain, is urgently necessary (Scotsman 03.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
'Me City of London Post (13.11.97) reports that Bayswater police have drafted in five extra officers in case large gatherings of A]-Muhajiroun supporters are the cause of public disorder. Recently, on Friday and Saturday nights, it is reported that around 500 people have been gathering at the junction of Kendal Street and Edgware Road. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
The Smethwick Pakistani Muslim Association is concerned that there is a significant under-registration to vote amongst Asians in the local area. The association has conducted research on the question, which showed that at least 17 per cent of Asian people in the Soho Victoria ward are not on the electoral register. The association has called for the council to make extra help available for people who have difficulty filling out the form (Sandwell Express & Star, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Muslim News (28.11.97) has published a tribute to the life of Kaleem Alleyne, a Muslim and socialist activist who dies recently. Kaleem Alleyne was born in Bridge Town, Barbados in 1931. Before coming to Britain in 1959, he was chair of the Barbados Democratic labour Party. He embraced Islam in 1978 and was one of the founders of the Islamic Party of Britain. He also held office as the secretary of the Black Section of the Labour Party in Hackney, as chair of the Barbados League of Friends, and as a trustee of the Barbados Overseas Association. In addition, he was legal advisor and administrator for Black Rights UK and a journalist with the Caribbean Times. Kaleem Alleyne leaves a wife, three children and grandchildren. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11]
Racism Q-News (01.11.97) reports that a Muslim family in Swansea were forced to leave their home after racial harassment which culminated in a pig's head being left on their doorstep. Other ethnic minority Muslim families have been forced to relocate because of verbal and physical racially motivated abuse suffered by their children. The director of Swansea Bay Race Equality Council, Elisan Haq, said that at least three local families had moved because of racial abuse. He said:---17he incident where the pig's head was left on a family's doorstep was particularly horrific and offensive to their religion. We have a multi-agency approach to racial harassment which involves the council, police, probation service and housing associations. We work closely with the Minorities and Racial Incidents unit at south Wales police but these incidents do happen". A campaign had been started to target the group responsible for most of the attacks youngsters. Inspector Jeff Farrat at the Minorities and Racial incidents Unit of the local police said: 1n the case of racially motivated incidents police will take positive action and work with relevant agencies. Victims should not be hounded out of their homes". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 11/12]
Women Farida Khanum, the electrical engineer who claims she was dismissed from her job at IBC in Luton for wearing hijab (see BMMS for December 1996), is now having her case for unfair dismissal head at an industrial tribunal. However, she told Muslim News (31.10.97):"This is in the hands of Allah. I am not relying on this kufr system and its judges for justice. This case I have initiated is a tool to show what is happening to some British women in the workplace and as such, whether I win or lose ' I feel I will have demonstrated something to the community". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Q-News (01.11.97) has an article which is a chronology of the development of the An-Nisa Society, a Muslim women's group in the Brent area of London. The society was founded in May 1985 as a women's organisation working for the community. Over the past eight years much of their efforts have been directed at persuading the local authority to recognise Muslims as a distinct group with particular needs. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Muslim women under represented in workforce Recent research by the Equal Opportunities Commission has shown that the economic activity rate for women of Pakistani and Bangladeshi origin who have dependent children is only 12%, compared to indices of 59% for Indian women, 65% for black women and 67% for white women. The report is entitled Work and Parenting and shows that as more women with young children are in paid employment, so they are increasingly expecting that their husbands will correspondingly take a more active role in child-care and household tasks. Although the review of this research in Q-News (01.11.97) quotes the journalist Sarah Sheriff who appears to condemn mothers working outside the home, it also says that some Muslim organisations support the report's findings and recommendations for future improvements. For instance, As-Salaam of east London identified other factors [other than a worry that they might be neglecting their children by so doing] which prevent Muslim women going out to work including pressure to conform to traditional norms, the lack of suitable environments for Muslim women to work in, and the wider social prejudices causing a high level of unemployment in general among Muslims". Another London Muslim women's group, the Southwark Muslim Women's Association (SMWA), supported the report's recommendations concerning more working hours for mothers and fewer for fathers, because "many Muslim women, including those whose husbands have come from abroad and are on low wages, have no choice but to return to work after having children and therefore welcome more flexible working conditions. Furthermore, they [the SMWA] do not see the report's emphasis on fathers spending more quality time with their children as contrary to the Islamic ideal" (Q-News, 01.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
The Walsall Observer (07.11.97) has a feature article on girls' widening participation in careers in which they have previously been underrepresented, such as engineering, and in new sports and leisure activities. One interviewee was the president of the women's section of Young Muslims Walsall, Somiah Siddiq. She commented: "Speaking on behalf of Muslim women, girl power has been about since the 1400s [sic] when we found our rights for marriage, property, work and life outside the family. Girl power can be achieved in many different ways. It shouldn't just be about image and clothes as the media portrays. It is about confidence and education". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
The Glasgow Herald (15.11.97) has a full-page interview with Alison Watt, a convert to Islam. She describes the experiences which brought her to Islam, why she thinks the faith is gaining adherents, her views on Islamic marriage and the relations between the sexes, and many other matters. Regarding hijab, she says: I wore it before I met Ahmed [her Egyptian husband] because, far from restricting me, I feel it liberates me. It instantly says something about who you are. It stops men looking at you as a commodity. If you are concealing parts of your body, men take you for the person you are, they do not see you as a sex object. It sets the boundaries for men, and I am sure a lot of men treat me with more respect because of my veil. I've never had rude comments about it - and anyway, I think I'd prefer sly remarks about my veil than sly remarks about my body". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12]
Female genital mutilation seminar Muslim News (28.11.97) has published an article which is an account by one of the participants of a seminar she attended on female genital mutilation (so-called 'female circumcision'). Ms K Gazia, who works with children at risk, including girls potentially at risk of being abused in this way, was the only Muslim to attend the seminar, which was held in Wandsworth on 21 October. The main speaker was Felicity Cupit, Area Child Protection Committee, who Ms Gazia writes: "...was so sensitive in her handling of this matter and clearly disassociated the practice from Islamic teachings..." Ms Gazia explains exactly what female genital mutilation consists of and points out that, although it is against the law in Britain, there are still people, both doctors and unqualified personnel willing to carry out the operation (see BMMS for September 1997). Ms Gazia goes on to say: I learned for the first time from this seminar that men also ,suffer in silence' because of this practice because they are unable to have a normal relationship with their wives - resulting in a high proportion of them turning to uncircumcised women which results in high divorce rates, polygamy or adulterous relationships ... And it was the health and fertility implications of FGM which was identified as one of the many ways in which the practice could be challenged by communities without them feeling that their culture was under siege". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 12/13]
The group 'Women against Torture in Tunisia' held a protest outside the Tunisian Embassy in London on 5 and 7 November. 'Women against Torture' (WA71) told Muslim News (28.11.97) that there were 3,000 prisoners of conscience in Tunisia, a country of only nine million population, and many of these prisoners are women. Many have died under torture in prisons. WAT claims that in Tunisia there are "continuous violations of human rights and a monopoly [by the regime] of political and civil life". The British Muslims supporting their Tunisian sisters and brothers by holding this protest called on the Tunisian government to "respect its commitment to women's rights and grant them their fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: to work, to physical integrity, to a stable family life, freedom of movement, freedom of association and expression, and to be regarded as individuals in their own right". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
A considerable number of newspapers (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 02.12.97, Cambridge Evening News, Daily Telegraph, Eastern Daily Press, Birmingham Post, Aberdeen Press & Journal, Yorkshire Post, Hull Daily Mail, 03.12.97) carry reports of an incident where a bus driver in Bradford demanded that a Muslim woman remove her veil in order to prove that she was indeed the owner of the bus pass she was showing him. The incident occurred on the number 251 bus, which Ms Umm Abdur Rahman takes every day to go to the school in Batley where she teaches economics. The bus driver held up the bus for 20 minutes while the arguments continued and Ms Rahman refused to get off the bus. She said that when she refused to take off her face veil as he demanded: "He said 'I don't know that this is you' and he asked if I had any other form of identification. I showed him a credit card. Living in Bradford, of all places, I expected them to be more tolerant. It's crazy, I was in tears". Bradford Traveller's traffic manager, Khadim Hussain, said the firm's policy was to accept the pass and address any problems afterwards. He said: 'We would expect our drivers to be very courteous. We would not have put anyone in a situation where they are deprived of a bus ride" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 02.12.97). Subsequently, Brian Field, general manager of Yorkshire Buses, said that he had spoken to the driver concerned and: 'I have issued a notice to all drivers that they are to accept passes" (Hull Daily Mail, 03.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Youth An article in the Independent (29.11.97) by Fuad Nahdi, the editor of Q-News, expresses concern that the voice of Muslim youth in Britain is not being heard. He describes a 'tide of young people turning to criminality and extremism. Platoons of angry young Muslims are mushrooming all over the country. Twisted and disfigured by the twin evils of racism and Islamophobia, they are bitter and resentful - potential fifth-column guerrillas for the numerous causes in the Muslim world. Idle hands and beads are also vulnerable to simplistic and demagogic slogans". He concludes: 'The building of a British Islam will have to be founded upon a new realisation - that in the UK Muslims cannot operate as if they are a majority: they have to rediscover a theology and Islamic jurisprudence suited to a minority living in a multi-faith and multicultural society. But they also need the help of the rest of society in combating Islamophobia, particularly at the point where it prevents Muslims and non Muslims co-operating on the joint diagnosis and solution of major shared problems relating to urban poverty and deprivation. The alternative may be too frightening to contemplate". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Interfaith The Three Faiths Forum (see BMMS for January, February and March 1997), which works for greater understanding and dialogue between Jews, Christians and Muslims, has recently had a relaunch. Its governors include Sir Sigmund Stemberg, who is also chair of the International Council of Jews and Christians, and Dr Zaki Badawi, chair of the Council of Imams and Mosques of Great Britain. The forum has appointed Sidney Shipton as its co-ordinator. He is a solicitor by profession who is a member of the executive of the Council of Christians and Jews and is the vice president of the B'nai Writh Lodge (Q-News, 01.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 13]
Helping Harry, a former tramp, has united Christians and Muslims of Nelson in Lancashire. Members of the Brierfield Pentecostal Church had originally saved the old age pensioner from living on the streets and Alma Hodkinson, a devout Christian, has organised help to permanently house Harry and to get him his benefit entitlements. Amongst those who have offered material and moral support are many Muslims, including Harry's new landlords, Mr and Mrs Aklitar. In the morning, Mrs Aklitar makes Harry's breakfast and looks after him until Alma takes over. However, Harry still needs things to make his new home more comfortable and Alina is asking for the support of local people. Her phone number is Nelson 698678 (Nelson Leader, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Rev Roy Williamson, recently visited the Balham Mosque and Nightingale House, a Jewish residential home. He said: 1t is a happy coincidence that I am visiting the Balham Mosque at this time as well as a Jewish establishment. In my years of ministry in areas with a high mixture of faiths and cultures - first in Nottingham, then in Bradford and more recently in Southwark - I have met great goodwill on all sides. The vast majority of British Muslims - and those of other faiths too, wish to be fully part of this society and to live in peace and mutual respect with everyone else" (Wandsworth Borough News, 07.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The Calamus Foundation, an interfaith body, recently held its ninth annual Distinguished Lecture. The guest speaker was Dr Noel Malcolm, whose subject was 'Religion, War and Civil Society: the case of Bosnia'. Dr Malcolm, the author of Bosnia: a Short History stressed that: 'The most important thing about the war in Bosnia was that it was not a religious war. Despite the popular western media notion that it bubbled up from below, from 'deep rooted causes: ethnic, religious and national differences' is a false interpretation. It was a political project, not a war of villagers against their fellow men". The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Britain, Mian Riaz Samee presented the Calamus award to Dr Malcolm (Daily Jang, 04.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
The birthday of the great Sikh teacher and leader, Guru Nanak, was recently celebrated in Southall. The procession attracted over 10,000 people, and not only Sikhs but also Muslims, Hindus and others. One of the procession's organisers, Sohan Singh Summ, said: 9t was a beautiful, peaceful procession and I want to pay tribute to the police for giving us 101 per cent co-operation. Guru Nanak was popular with Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims because he said the human race is one, and that no religion was better than another. That approach brought people together then and still does now" (Southall Gazette, 14.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Halal Q-News (01.11.97) has carried out its own investigation into the case of the disappearing goats from the Valley of the Rocks near Lynton on Exmoor (see BMMS for October 1997). There had been allegations that the wild goats who form part of a herd of a rare breed, had been captured and killed for the halal meat trade. The journalist interviewed those who believed such allegations to be true and those who thought that, on the contrary, the goats' disappearance was a complete mystery. In the latter category of local residents was Joyce Salter of Friends of the Goats. She said: 'The contention that these goats have gone to Muslim shops is almost certainly a rumour. I am very sorry that these suggestions have upset people in the Muslim community. I don’t even know whether they have been poached or not". On the other hand, Colin Bolton, whom Q-News describes as "a local man at whom the finger has been pointed" apparently believed that Muslims had been responsible for the animals' disappearance, although he regarded the animals as a pest. He said: "I am 90 per cent sure that is where the goats went although I don’t expect too many people will miss them. I can't understand why anybody would want to eat the stinking things anyway they're wild, they're a bag of bones, they eat moss and they destroy people's gardens". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Q-News (01.11.97) reports that Muslims on low incomes in Preston are to be the recipients of more than 80,000 cans of halal beef. The meat is part of supplies from the EU Surplus Food Scheme and is administered locally by the environmental health department. A spokesperson for that department said: "Past experience shows a disproportionately low number of people from ethnic minorities take advantage of this scheme. It could be assumed the fact that no halal meat is available is the main reason for this". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
Masood Khawaja of the Halal Food Authority is concerned that pork may be mixed with minced lamb to make kebabs in restaurants with unscrupulous owners and furthermore, that meat which is sold as halal has often not be slaughtered in the correct way. He is looking at the possibility of encouraging local environmental health officers to bring prosecutions under the food description laws (East, 12.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 14]
A supporter of foxhunting has drawn a parallel between ritual slaughter and foxhunting. The East Midlands regional secretary of the Country Landowners Association, Peter Geldart was speaking against MP Michael Foster's bill, which seeks to outlaw hunting with hounds. He said: "The question must be asked whether the benefits to the public are so clear as to justify such steamrollering tactics. The answer must be 'No'. Protection of minority rights is central to our democracy. There is no more justification for a ban on hunting than on, for example, the ritual slaughter of animals by Jews and Muslims. In that case specific exemptions from laws applied to the majority are granted to a minority even though the majority does not approve the practices" (Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
AI-Madina Publications of Batley, in conjunction with the Institute of Islamic Jurisprudence, have just produced an updated version of The Muslim Food Guide. The guide tells readers which ingredients of processed foods are halal and which are haram. The book explains that a new version is necessary because "...the food industry is constantly changing, different or new ingredients and cost effective measures are always being introduced". Orders for the guide can be placed by phoning Al-Madina Publications on 01924 444666 (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Health Muslim News (31.10.97) carries a review of a recent conference involving health policy makers and practitioners from Britain and the United States. The main theme of the article is that: "...due to the way services are developed and organised, little or no account of religious needs is addressed. No acknowledgement of l; this was made at the conference". The author was critical at the lack of Muslim participation in the conference, adding that: "Community participation is essential to community empowerment to express their views and to take control. Muslims need to express their health needs and lobby for what is truly their right. Muslim researchers need to come forward and fill the gap, providing good quality research in the field". [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
A young women's group at the Tipton Muslim Community Centre has produced a banner using traditional Asian textile techniques on the theme of healthy food. The banner is the third in a series commissioned by Tipton Mobile Community Health Team as part of the Arts in Health Initiative. The community artist who worked on the project is Ranbir Kaur (see BMMS for October 1997), (Birmingham Express & Star, 22.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
The Muslim Women's Helpline organised two information stalls at London's Central Mosque to mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October. The Helpline received a grant of £500 from the Health Education Authority to stage the event. Amongst other material available on the stalls was a video about mental health featuring a Muslim family (Muslim News, 28.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Mosques & Burials About 300 people have signed a petition asking the council not to renew the temporary permission to enable the mosque/madrasa in Bromley Street, Hanging Heaton, Batley to continue to operate. The Habib Welfare Trust of Wakefield was granted permission last December to convert the former Methodist chapel into a mosque and madrasa (see BMMS for April 1997). The application for renewal of permission is expected to be heard by the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee early in January (Batley News, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Progress is being made in the construction of the Anjuman-E-Zinatul-Islam Mosque in Taylor Street, Batley. The local MP, Mike Wood, visited the site recently. The mosque committee's general secretary, Mohammed Amin Pandor told Awaaz (01.12.97):"We are very pleased that Mr Wood came here to offer his support in our fundraising effort. The Masjid will eventually be finished and we urge your Muslim readers to donate generously to this worthy cause. Once completed the Masjid will be an impressive addition to Batley's skyline". In spite of unemployment in the area being high, all the funds so far have been raised locally. Each member of the mosque's association has paid £300 towards the cost of building the new mosque but more donations would still be appreciated. The contact phone number for the Mosque's secretary is 01924 445456 (Awaaz, 01.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15]
Fighting recently broke out amongst some members of the Parker Street Khizra Mosque and the police had to be called to restore the peace. The dispute was apparently connected to management problems. Now, a police officer is to act as a peace mediator. The officer appointed is Inspector Peter Fitzpatrick, Bury's community affairs officer. He gave his explanation of the immediate cause of the fighting: "Apparently, the meeting was to decide whether there was to be an election, and if so, when it was to be held. But there were heated arguments which spilled out into the street and a number of people were assaulted" (Bolton Evening News, ~ 25.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 15/16]
A ceremony was held on the site bordered by Brown Street, Miln Street and Blinshall Street upon which a new mosque is to be built (see BMMS for March 1997), to bless the site prior to construction starting. Bashir Daud, a member of the Dundee Islamic Society, which owns the land said: "We are hoping to have all the tenders for the construction in by January and building should begin shortly afterwards. The mosque is going to be very traditional and will be very traditional and will be very pleasing to the eye with its beautiful dome" (Dundee Courier, 15.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Controversy has arisen over the offer by Gillingham Council in Dorset to investigate whether it could help Bournemouth Council regarding burial space for Muslims (see BMMS for October 1997). Bournemouth Council approached over fifteen local councils in Dorset explaining the problem and asking if there was a possibility of co-operation. Gillingham was one of several who sent an initial positive response. Now Gillingham's Civic Society has sent a letter of protest to the town council. Their chairperson, Manly Bicumshaw said: "I do not believe Bournemouth should send their dead to Gillingham. It is a macabre idea and quite unacceptable, particularly when Gillingham is already short of burial ground. As it does not appear that nearer towns like Wimbourne and Ferndown have been approached we feel it is symptomatic of Gillingham',s development problems and presumably the low regard we earn in the county" (Western Gazette, 06.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Ha1ifax, Hanson Lane/Hopwood Lone An application by the Jamait Ahl-E-Hadith, currently based in Hanson Lane, to move to a site in Hopwood Lane and develop it as a new mosque, will be considered by Halifax's planning committee on 23 December. A spokesperson for the mosque, Mohammed Iqbal, said: "We have applied for planning permission because our present building is very small and we need more space. We have been in Hanson Lane for 20 years and never had a complaint from our neighbours, so we do not anticipate any problems". The site the mosque committee want to develop is a former ink factory, which closed down six months ago (Halifax Evening Courier, 27.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The Bangladeshi Muslim Community Association has asked Ipswich Borough Council for planning permission for alterations to its mosque in Bond Street, Ipswich. These include making separate meeting rooms for men and women, each with its own entrance, as well as improvements for disabled access and some other extensions (East Anglian Daily Times, 24.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
Some local residents in Shadwell, Leeds are complaining to the Local Government Ombudsman that the city council has not followed the proper consultation procedures regarding its approval of the application by the Khoja Shia Ithnaasheri Muslim group to convert a house into a mosque and community centre (see BMMS for April 1997). A spokesperson for Leeds planning department confirmed that Ombudsman inspectors had visited the planning offices. She said: "They will now decide whether any further action is necessary. We can confirm that we have received a second planning application to extend the development. Planning officers have requested further information before submitting a report for consideration by members of the planning committee" (Yorkshire Evening Post, 25.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The Tawheed Mosque in Leyton High Road recently held an open day (see BMMS for January 1997). Members of local churches have been specially invited in order to build on the positive links already made (Leytonstone Guardian, 13.11.97). The Leyton Guardian (20.11.97) has an attractive photo on its front page of the interior of the mosque. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
The East London Mosque, supported by local synagogues and the Newham Anglican church, has gained a reprieve from Tower Hamlets Council which was going to give permission for a block of flats to be built next to the mosque (see BMMS for October 1997). Abu Hasan, a trustee of the mosque said that councillors "agreed to defer their granting of planning permission for 36 months to allow for proper consultation with the communities most affected by the proposed development: worshippers at East London Mosque and the local synagogue and also to look at community needs. Planning Aid, an organisation which helps voluntary groups and TELCO [The East London Communities Association] have provided us with invaluable help and advice in our campaign". Mr Hasan also explained that a video letter, featuring local people opposed to the development, had been very effective in demonstrating to councillors the strength of feeling on the matter (Muslim News, 31.10.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16]
An application for improvements to the Ghausia Jamia Mosque at Lye is to go before Dudley councillors at the next planning meeting. The proposals include building a new porch, removing two stone memorials and external refurbishment (Stourbridge News & County Express, 13.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 16/17]
Newcastle City Council has agreed to providing burials at weekends and in the evenings in order to conform to Islamic tradition. Councillor Sajawal Khan said: 1slamic law decrees that when someone has died they must be buried as soon as possible. A few weeks ago a baby died at 6pm on Friday night and the city council made special arrangements to bury the baby on Saturday. We welcome this latest move"(Newcastle- upon-Tyne Journal, 14.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
The Muslim Community Education Centre, who are the owners of the Oakthorpe Sports Ground and are proposing to build a mosque and community facilities there have promised that if permission is granted, then they will hand over the three to four acres not built on to Enfield Council as playing fields for the nearby St Anne's Catholic High School (see BMMS for April and May 1997). The application is currently open for public consultation and a decision is on the agenda of the environment planning committee to be held on 26th November (Enfield Advertiser, 05.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
Q-News (01.11.97) reports that construction work on the Markazi Masjid in Rochdale is going according to plan and the mosque should be completed in time for Eid ul-Fitr (see BMMS for February and September 1997). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
An application has been made by the local Muslim community for permission to convert a working men's club, the St Arin's WMC, into a mosque and a children's nursery. Although about 100 local residents have protested about the plans on the grounds of noise and traffic disturbance, planning officials are recommending approval subject to certain conditions. A spokesperson for Rotherham's planning department said: 1t is not considered that the mosque would generate significantly more noise than the existing workingmen's club" (Barnsley Star, 11.11.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
Problems concerning the cost of the land for Swindon's proposed first purpose-built mosque continue. The Swindon Islamic Association is running out of time to purchase the land, for which Wiltshire County Council are asking £267,500. Richard Lander, Wiltshire's director of environmental services, is calling on the council to set a deadline of the end of February for a legally binding deal to be signed, or the 1.5 acres to be put back on the market. Abdul Sheikh, secretary of the Swindon Islamic Association, is confident that several wealthy businessmen will come forward with the necessary funds in the next few weeks. Anyone who can offer any help is asked to contact the Swindon Islamic Association at 133 Broad Street, Swindon (Swindon Evening Advertiser, 02.12.97). [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
The Wolverhampton Express & Star (10.11.97) has a feature article in its industrial and commercial property section on the town's new purpose built mosque, situated between Waterloo and Dunstall Roads (see BMMS for May 1997). The builders are Ballast Wiltshire and the architects are Derek Evans and Partners. The first phase of construction, costing £588,000 has just been completed and the next two phases are estimated to cost about £500,000 each, bringing the total cost on completion to around £1.6 million. [BMMS November 1997 Vol. V, No. 11, p. 17]
|