British Muslims Monthly Survey for August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8 |
British Muslims Monthly Survey for August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8 |
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Community Education Racism |
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Following the publication of the report A Choice by Right by the government working group on forced marriage, Q News (No322, 01.08.00) has printed an article by Humera Khan, one of the members of the working group (See British Muslims Monthly Survey for June and July 2000). She tells of the difficulties faced in the task of finding common ground on the debate and engaging in the lengthy consultation process, in which statutory, non-statutory and community organisations were consulted and asked to respond on their experiences of dealing with forced marriages. One of the greatest difficulties Ms Khan faced was interviewing victims of forced marriage. But she feels that the report "gives a comprehensive synopsis of the issues relating to forced marriages, challenges categorically misconceptions and stereotypes and suggests ways of moving forwards. The Report is a consultation document that will now go to the Government and they will have to respond to it."
Q News also carries an interview with Baroness Pola Uddin, who was co-chair of the working group. She says that although the issue of forced marriage may have been blown out of proportion, there is a need for a service to be provided for those who find themselves facing this problem. She said: "Now that the report is out I think there is a positive consensus that the report is a good starting point for a discussion of eradicating the forced marriage practice because it is condemned by all constitutions and all legal frameworks, both in the subcontinent and here. It is also the first time the other issues of stereotypes, myths, and lack of care and attention to the needs of Muslim and Asian women has been at the forefront of the government agenda and I think that’s a very positive thing." She also commented on the fact that the report does not recommend change in legislation and does not provide a comprehensive strategy for solving the problem. She said: "All marriages, by all law - international law, human rights law, Islamic law, all religious laws - say that consent is critical in marriage. So there is no need to provide protection…we wanted to find out how much of a problem it was and what the responses of the community, organisations and individuals would be. So I think we’ve fulfilled that. Our aim was never to say that A, B and C must be done in A, B and C cases because if you look at all the cases they’re incredibly different and specific to that person’s experience. So you simply cannot be prescriptive." She added: "As far as policy changes are concerned we look forward to a collection of data and an action plan in terms of responses becoming more cohesive, as well as general awareness. I think funding will become available to more organisations because a number of organisations said they were working in a vacuum." The full interview can be read in Q News.
Following the publication of the report, the government has pledged £250,000 for resources to tackle the problems of forced marriages. The money, mainly coming from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is to be used to strengthen consular support for victims and also to provide international links between police forces to help combat the problem. Home Office Minister, Mike O’Brien, said that more resources would also be committed, particularly in the area of working in partnership with voluntary and community groups. The Action Plan also puts ideas forward of providing women facing forced marriage with a wallet containing emergency numbers, as well as the possibility of a 24hour helpline. However, the minister said that this issue would not be used as an excuse to curb immigration, and rejected suggestions that all newly-wed couples from the sub-continent should be formally interviewed on suspicion that their marriage was forced. Baroness Scotland, also present at the Action Plan launch, said: "Couples are interviewed when we receive information that there is a reason to be concerned. We want to hear from people on how we can tighten procedures and spot interviews are a possibility." Mr O’Brien admitted that there was no base line on how the success of this initiative would be rated in a year’s time, but said that there was a "need to pull reliable data together." However, he said that the fact that forced marriage was being discussed openly, despite being such a secretive and taboo subject, was a success in itself. Baroness Uddin added that agencies concerned, around the country, were being asked to collate information on forced marriage so that concrete evidence could be provided on the extent of the problem (Muslim News, 25.08.00).
Since the report was made public, more stories have appeared in local and national newspapers telling ‘real-life’ tales of women caught in forced marriage situations. The Times (07.08.00) highlights some of the issues that have come to light in recent months regarding forced marriage, including examples of women who have been forced into marriage and have either been killed or have run away from their homes. The Derby Evening Telegraph (08.08.00) speaks to a woman who says she is about to be forced into a marriage which she does not want or feel she will be happy with. The paper also reports on the recent working group report. [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 1/2]
According to a report to be published in August, imams visiting Muslim inmates in HM Prisons face institutional racism. Author of the report entitled An ethno-graphic study of the experiences of Imams who visit prisons in England and Wales, Professor David Wilson, argues that the experience of imams "amount to institutional racism." This is similar to the conclusion reached by NACRO earlier in the year, when they reported that "racist incidents are as commonplace as they ever were and just as rarely reported or acted upon." However, even though the imams face racism and Islamophobia in prisons from the prison officers and prisoners, many of the imams interviewed by Prof. Wilson said they were "not the passive victims of institutional racism but rather struggled against their material conditions in order to force the prisons in which they work to respond to their own needs and those of the prisoners they serve." But the report says the opportunities for change are limited by the structural imbalance between Christian and non-Christian faiths within the prison system and hindrance by the Church of England. In a forthcoming report, Prof. Wilson will say that the Anglican Chaplaincy "has probably worked to the advantage of other faith communities in so far as chaplains have been in a strong position to negotiate access, accommodation and resources on their behalf." The report will suggest that "recent improvements in how imams have been received in the work that they do in prison is as much a result of their own determination and skill not to be the passive victims of racism, than the facilitating and brokering undertaken by Anglican Chaplains." The report concludes that despite the improvements in the Prison Service, "the experiences of the imams amount to institutional racism" and urges the Prison Service to take action. The report goes on to say that the imams are allowed very little time to counsel inmates, and that the Muslim inmates suffer as they do not have a voice, and prison officers are often insensitive to Muslim prisoners’ needs.
Meanwhile, an imam who worked at a high security prison on the Isle of Wight has resigned after complaining of prison officers’ disregard of Muslim concerns. Imam Hussein used to visit all three prisons on the Isle of Wight, holding around 180 prisoners. Prisoners had also complained as they were only visited by the imam once every three weeks. The prison authorities had opened up a multi-faith library following a visit from the Muslim Advisor, Maqsood Ahmed, and members of the National Council for the Welfare of Muslim Prisoners (NCWMP). However, the inmates say they do not have access to the library as it is kept locked and they do not have access to the key. Imam Hussein said the reason for this was that only the imam is allowed to open the library, and he is not there during three weeks of the month. Even when he is there he does not have time to go to the library. He related one of the problems he faced as an imam at the prisons: "In January, after the Jum’a khutba [sermon], an officer told me to stop the prayer. He didn’t give me time to finish the prayers. I requested an extra few minutes to enable us to finish the prayers but he declined. So the prisoners had to return to their cells without saying their prayers. I was very angry. I complained to the Governor, but he did not want to listen." Mr Ahmed said he has sent copies of the Qur’an and prayer mats to the prisons, but it is difficult to recruit imams. He said: "The reason why we find difficulty in getting imams is because the Prison Service does not have an employment contract for non-Christian ‘chaplains’." The imams are employed on a sessional basis and are therefore only employed on a fixed day for three to four hours, and therefore there is no contractual obligation for the imams to turn up for work. Mr Ahmed added: "The imams are treated the same way as ‘visitors’ (to prison). They should be treated with respect and as equal as they treat the chaplains" (Muslim News, 25.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 2]
A report published in July, entitled Adoption, requested by the Prime Minister Tony Blair as part of a major review of adoption of children in Local Authority care, recommended many areas of consultation. However, as Muslim News (25.08.00) reports, the document does not give reference to ethnic and cultural issues, even though it is known that a disproportionately large number of children from ethnic minorities are in the care system. And according to Saleha Islam, Unit Manager of West London Family Services Unit, Asian and Muslim child- ren are strongly represented. Ms Islam says that many of the Muslim children in care are abandoned as a result of illicit relationships involving young Muslim women, and the children are often of mixed race. Others are abandoned as a result of health breakdowns and divorce. There has been criticism in the past that local authorities, or private and voluntary agencies working in the field, do not make enough effort to attract Muslim parents as foster and adoptive parents. Ms Islam said that this trend will probably continue considering the lack of reference to racial, cultural and religious aspects in this report.
She added that the trend would also continue because the Muslim community would not feel the impact of the report because of the complexities involved. She said: "Many of the young Muslims who bring unwanted babies into the world try to expiate their sin by stipulating that the child abandoned to social services be brought up in a Muslim home even though there is a strong perception in the mainstream Muslim community that adoption is not allowed." She added that this view of adoption is well known to the social services, hence their reluctance to engage with the Muslim community. She said that there is a strong need for the Muslim community to be better educated and guided in these matters by Islamic scholars and for there to be a dialogue with the statutory authorities on the aspects of current adoption law which are the opposite to Islamic law, e.g., giving the child the new family’s name. There is also a need to prepare prospective adoptive families for the process of approval. Ms Islam said: "Families have been regarded as ‘complacent’ by social workers because they kept saying ‘insha Allah’ when asked to comment on future plans they have, and other families have been very embarrassed by the intimacy of the questions asked of wives and husbands." She also said that from her experience, "although women tend to be more sympathetic to the idea of adoption, Muslim men resist the idea of adopting a child who ‘is not my blood’ and there is a lack of a global consciousness in our community which makes people only concerned for their own nuclear families and not for the future of all our Muslim young people." However, she also added: "You cannot expect a community that is one of the most deprived and excluded to adopt when there are absolutely no resources provided to support the family, unlike in the case of fostering where there has been improving Muslim participation." [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 2/3]
Community
HSBC investment scheme
Business leaders in Bradford recently attended a meeting at which the HSBC Amanah Global Equity Fund was presented to Muslims in the city (See BMMS for May and July 2000). Keith Madeley, chairman of Bradford-based Manor Financial Management Ltd, said: "Knowing our track record over 25 years, HSBC contacted us to promote the scheme in Bradford. Although it was actually launched in April, it is the first time it has been publicised like this anywhere in the country." The company organised a pilot presentation to 15 Muslim business men, and Mr Madeley added: "There was a great deal of interest in the fund and we will be organising a larger-scale event for around 50 people shortly." A team of Islamic financial and ethical advisors have ensured that all investments are consistent with Shari’ah laws, and this information will be available at the forthcoming conference. Mr Madeley said: "I think it is going to have a big impact. We all realise that Asian businesses are playing a very important part in the Bradford economy and so this is great news for the city as a whole" (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 21.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 3]Sufiah’s family reply to reports
Following the disappearance of ‘child prodigy’ Sufiah Yusof, her cousin Nadeem Khan has written an article for Q News explaining what the Yusof family think is really going on (See BMMS for July 2000). He writes that "The only consistency over the past month is the inconsistency of the details of Sufiah’s disappearance and her alleged position after she was discovered. A further pattern that emerges is the distance at which Sufiah has been kept from her family. From anonymous e-mails and phone calls that cannot be verified as being from herself, to the present farce where every attempt to confirm her physical and mental well- being has been blocked by the Social Services. She is being used as a pawn by people who have motives other than her future happiness and success." He tells of how the family believe she was recruited by the Socialist Workers Party, who "recognising the latent potential in her, would accordingly wish to ensure her incorporation into the Party at any cost." Since Sufiah has been found by the police, the family has been told she requested she had no contact with the family, even with her siblings which the family cannot explain. He adds that a conversation Sufiah is alleged to have had with a Muslim internet café owner, in which she told him she was homesick and wanted to go home, is in direct contrast to the picture painted of her by the Social Services. Mr Khan adds that the family is extremely concerned that all members of the family have been denied any contact with her, and urges the Muslim community to help and exert pressure on the establishment to find out what is really going on (Q News, No322, 01.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 3]Imam to be deported
An imam who was recently sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for indecently assaulting two young girls he was teaching, has been told he will be deported once he has served his prison sentence (See BMMS for February, June and July 2000). Mohammed Mukit, 29, was sentenced by Judge Shaun Lyons who said that the most serious aspect of the case was the abuse of trust by a man who was highly respected in the community. He also said that Mukit had abused the trust of the parents and children he had cared for. Fiona Elder, representing Mukit, argued against deportation, saying Mukit’s wife and children were British citizens and would suffer if he was to be deported. Ms Elder said that his wife wanted their children to remain in this country to enjoy the benefits of the British education system, and that before he was convicted Mukit was of good character. She added that if he were to be deported his wife would be left with split loyalties between life with her husband and her children’s future interests. However, Judge Lyons said he had taken all arguments put to him before recommending deportation, and was in no doubt that it would be the innocent who would suffer from the recommendation. But he added that as Mukit was unprepared to accept his guilt, there was a high risk he could offend again (Western Daily Press, 12.08.00, Bristol Evening Post, 12.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 3/4]Awareness week in Skipton
An exhibition at Skipton Town Hall gave members of the local community a chance to learn more about Islam. Organisers of the event said they were amazed that so many people had taken away free copies of the Qur’an, and that they had to order more copies half way through the week. The exhibition was also opened an hour early on the Wednesday as so many people were waiting to take a look around. The exhibit explored the meaning of Islam, the purpose of creation and life after death. Many Islamic artefacts were also on show, as was free literature to be taken away. Many visitors commented that they were surprised to learn how many similarities there were between Christianity and Islam (Craven Herald & Pioneer, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 4]Needs of community looked at
A report has been launched in Kirklees which looks into the health, housing and social needs of Muslims in Heckmond- wike. The idea for The Ashrafi Report came after the council noticed that the number of Muslims using their services was low. Waseem Riaz who worked on the project, said: "Certain departments of the council such as social services and education had become quite worried at the lack of service take up from the Muslim community in Heckmondwike. I decided to undertake grass roots research by contacting people in the community to look at their problems with regard to things like health, housing and education. Hopefully the report will help the council by providing them with evidence of our needs, but it should be beneficial for both sides." MP Ann Taylor stressed how invaluable the report would be to the community. Councillor Crowther said: "I do not know of any other community in Kirklees or any other area who have assessed their own needs in such a way. The report is testament to Waseem without whom we would not have this information. It is a shame there are not many other people throughout Heck- mondwike and beyond who are dedicated to doing so much for their communities" (Heckmondwike Herald, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 4]International conference in Birmingham
More than 10,000 Muslims are said to have attended a major conference at the Central Jamia Mosque in Small Heath, Birmingham. Delegates arrived from the United States, Pakistan and the Middle East for the fourth International Sunni Conference, where they discussed issues and problems affecting Muslims in Britain. Senior scholars, religious leaders and members of the general public participated in discussions including the problems facing Muslim children trying to preserve their faith in this society. Mohammed Saleem Akhtar, chairman of the mosque, said that a massive operation had been put in place to organise the event and ensure it ran smoothly. He said: "Our mosque is the ideal venue for such conferences because of its size and the fact it is situated close to local road and rail links and on the main road from Birmingham International Airport making it accessible to everyone" (Birmingham Evening Mail, 02.08.00, Black Country Evening Mail, 02.08.00). Before the conference, Mr Saleem had said: "We plan to discuss issues affecting young people in today’s society. Unemployment and lack of education are the main problems. We hope to get as many youngsters together as possible, and try to put them on the right track. We hope to start up advice and community centres in the area to offer information and someone to talk to in their own language who is of similar age" (Birmingham Evening Mail, 29.07.00, Black Country Evening Mail, 29.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 4]Q News’ new editor
Q News (No322, 01.08.00) reports that the Muslim magazine has a new editor, Shagufta Yaqub. Ms Yaqub has been working at the magazine for two years, and Fuad Nahdi, former editor, writes; "The standards she has set herself are way above average. The rigor with which she pursues them are almost abnormal. And the ease she has attained some of her goals have gobsmacked a lot of people, including myself." He added that: "A change is only natural - a necessary metamorphosis." He goes on to say that the timing of her arrival is crucial as Q News is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary. He says: "The task facing Ms Shagufta is awesome: she doesn’t only have to edit a great issue next month but she also has to do an even better one the following month. And the next. It is a task that I am the least envious of. But if anyone can take the challenge then she is the most qualified person to do so. How she is going to do the job perhaps she will one day discuss with us." He ends by writing: "One recurring situation, however, has always remained a nightmare. "What does the Q-stand for?" numerous friends and total strangers have asked me over the years. My answers have ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. But I have felt that no one has ever been fully satisfied. Now I am happy. Ask me "what does Q-stand for" and I will answer: "Ask the editor!" Good luck Shagufta." [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 4]Nazi leader embraces Islam
The former leader of the National Socialist Movement, one of Britain’s most notorious neo-Nazi groups, has converted to Islam. David Myatt, now known as Abdul Aziz, is alleged to have been a mentor of the nail-bomber David Copeland. He resigned from his position in 1998 and went into hiding after a number of articles about him were published in an anti-fascist magazine. As former leader of the NSM David Myatt is thought to have been the man who shaped the minds of at least 80 young men like Copeland, who was convicted of three nail bomb attacks in Brixton, Brick Lane and Soho in which three people died and over a hundred were injured. Myatt has been at the fore-front of extreme right-wing activity in Britain since the 1960s, and is also said to be a founding member of the satanist Order of Nine Angels in 1990. Before discovering Islam, Myatt is said to have experimented with Buddhism and then returned to his Christian roots. However, Nick Lowles from Searchlight, an anti-fascist magazine, said that during his religious quests Myatt was still writing about his love for Hitler and finalising his own ideological theories. He said: "Rather than treating Nazism as a purely political ideology he saw its religious, philosophical and spiritual dimensions which he believed had been overlooked." However, since converting to Islam Abdul Aziz is now known as a friendly gardener in Worcestershire where he lives. Speaking to his local newspaper, he said; "I do not wish to comment on my past and former views. When you become a Muslim you start with a clean slate. My past and present belief are a personal matter between me and God" (Q News, No322, 01.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 4/5]Ahmadiyya convention in Surrey
More than 20,000 people from the Ahmadiyya movement are said to have gathered in Tilford recently for their annual ‘Jalsa Salana’ convention (See BMMS for July 2000). Followers from all over the UK attended and the event was broadcast to 150 different countries and translated into twelve languages, through the movement’s own satellite channel. The event was held on the site of an old school, which has been used by the movement since 1983. Khurshid Ahmed Syed, president of the Tilford region, said: "Ahmadi Muslims come from a spectrum of cultures around the world to meet at the Jalsa Salana in a spirit of fraternity. We feel it is important to demonstrate the true spirit of Islam - that is, a message of international peace and love. Jalsa Salana is a spiritual occasion that reminds us of a Muslim’s duty to perform good deeds, to be charitable and integrate within the society in which we live while practising an Islamic way of life" (Farnham Herald, 04.08.00, Surrey Advertiser, 28.07.00). The Times (31.07.00) reports on the event and mentions that their views about the founder of the sect, Ghulam Ahmed, who they say is the messiah awaited by members of most religions, has put them at odds with the rest of the Muslim community. Iqbal Sacranie, of the Muslim Council of Britain, which does not allow membership to Ahmadiyyas, said that the Muslim world saw this group as "a cult operating outside the fold of Islam. The most serious point is that this cult does not recognise the finality of the Prophet Muhammad as the last and final messenger." [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 5]‘Racist’ firm looks after refugees
A company which has been branded as "racist" by MPs and whose Islamophobic behaviour has been described as "horrendous" by activists has been giving medical care to Muslim asylum seekers. Nestor Health Care, which will be providing doctors and treatment for up to 400 refugees at the Oakington detention centre in Cambridge, was criticised by government watchdogs for its work with disability benefits claimants. MPs heard how the doctors perceived Irish applicants to have drink problems even if they were teetotal; and how they refused to take off their shoes when visiting Muslim households, leading to medical examinations in the hallway. When one Muslim man claimed he had difficulty kneeling, it was dismissed because the firm assumed that he kneeled to pray at the mosque, which he did not. Under cost-cutting measures, Nestor also scrapped interpreters, particularly for Muslim claimants, and children were often left to translate. The Commons’ Social Security Select Committee investigating the firm, said Nestor was "laying itself open to the charge of institutional racism" and questioned whether standards were "coming second to profitability" (Q News, No322, 01.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 5]Call to fight EU directive
British Muslims are being urged to fight a government backed European directive which will force Muslim charities and schools to employ non-believers and homosexuals. The Islamic Human Rights Commission say the directive - aimed at "promoting equality" - will kill religious freedom and expose faith-based organisations to infiltration by hostile campaign groups. Under the proposals, all schools run by religious organisations will have to be willing to employ atheists and homosexuals on their teaching staff. Masoud Shadjareh, Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, said: "Muslim schools like grant-maintained Islamia will no longer be able to recruit only Muslim teachers. Under the directive, atheists or practising bisexuals will have as much legal right to teach there as a Muslim. It is clear that the new directive will be a disaster for freedom of religion. No religious organisation can maintain its ethos if it is forced to employ staff who profoundly disagree with the whole basis of the organisation. That is why the Labour Party employs only card-carrying party members. It is hypocritical for the Government to stop religious organisations from acting in a similar way." The directive states that all employees or prospective employees should be given equal treatment "irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, or disability, or age, or sexual orientation." According to a prominent Muslim lawyer, "unless the Government vetoes the directive and removes religion, belief and sexual orientation from its remit, the secular courts will be given legal teeth to wreak havoc with the ethos of churches and the non-Christian denominations, especially Muslims. Because it is an EU directive, the UK courts will have no choice but to implement it, even if this means ignoring our new human rights laws" (Q News, No322, 01.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 5]Taxi driver in bid to keep number
A Muslim taxi driver in Bristol has said he will take the city council to court after being prevented from displaying the lucky number 786 on his cab. Nasir Ahmed says the number has special significance for Muslims and is associated with good luck. Last year, he requested a hackney carriage plate from the council with the number 786 on it, and it was granted to him. He adds that he has been blessed with good luck over the past 12 months, but now the council is refusing to renew the number. They have offered him the number 527, but the 31-year-old has refused. He said:"Some people might say it is only a number but to me it is all to do with beliefs. The number 786 is mentioned in the Koran and brings you luck. That is why I am not prepared to drive using a different number." He added: "I had no problems getting the number because no-one else had applied before. But once I had it people seemed to be jealous because they had not thought of doing the same. The council wanted to give me a new number but I refused." His 786 plate expired on August 3, but it was extended until September 21 for discussion at the next licensing meeting, and Mr Ahmed will not be able to work as a taxi driver without a number. His case has won the backing of the group SARI (Support Against Racist Incidents). The Director of SARI said: "The number 786 is revered in the Muslim religion. Any person who has it feels as though they have been blessed. In Pakistan people will write the number on the back of buses and taxis to bring good luck. For Bristol City Council 786 is only a number, but to this man it is much more." The Council said it took the decision to replace Mr Ahmed’s number after other drivers asked for the same number. A spokesman also said that 786 was out of sequence with the other numbers and Mr Ahmed was offered the next available to bring them into line. He said: "The licence and plate are ready for him to collect. He has been given the next sequential number, which is 527." Mr Ahmed said he feels very strongly about this and is prepared to go to court over the decision (Bristol Evening Post, 08.08.00, Western Daily Press, 10.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 5/6]
Swansea cultural fair
A Muslim Cultural Fair was to be held in Swansea on August 20 at Bishop Gore School. The activities on offer were to include a youth five-a-side football tournament, cultural animation screenings, henna painting, a bouncy castle and circus workshop. Around 50 stalls were also expected to display arts and crafts, books and videos and ethnic clothing. Also, everyone was invited to sample traditional ethnic foods (South Wales Evening Post, 09.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 6]Islam in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Evening News (10.08.00) carries an article looking at ‘the Scottish face of Islam.’ It speaks to the trustee of Edinburgh’s Central Mosque, Yasin Mohammed, after giving a description of the community gathering for Friday prayers. Mr Mohammed, originally from Pakistan, moved to Scotland in 1976. He said: "Fifty years ago there weren’t any Muslims in Edinburgh. Now people have friends who are Muslims, and they can see what they are doing in daily life. It’s come closer to a lot of people’s lives." Non-Muslims are welcomed to the mosque to find out more about the faith, and will be given a guided tour of the new building. He said: "Years ago, people didn’t have the facilities and it’s not surprising that they didn’t know what Islam was. Now it’s so easily accessible. It just so happened one woman embraced Islam this morning. She was studying in one of the colleges. Of course, you can’t make anyone embrace Islam. It just all comes naturally." Nadia Yasmin, a convert to Islam, also talks of her experiences of being a Muslim in Scotland. She converted to Islam 14 years ago after meeting her husband and said the transition was easy for her from day one. She said that the hardest part was learning the prayers in Arabic, adding; "Everything is different now. I don’t drink or go out. Now I pray five times a day and my whole life is devoted to Islam." Despite staying covered and wearing the hijab, she has not faced bad experiences. She said: "In the last couple of years people are starting to learn a lot more about Islam. It helps now that it is taught in school...If I take the children to the park, I’m often asked by people why I cover up and it’s nice when they ask you. They want to know why I made that final decision and how it was for me." The article acknowledges the difficulties some Muslims may face, for example when applying for jobs. Shami Khan, secretary of the Edinburgh and Lothian Racial equality council, said: "We know that when people apply for jobs, if they have a Muslim name there’s a barrier put in front of them. Muslims can’t drink or go into pubs and clubs. That’s the only major way we are different. Too many Muslims operate in isolation from the rest of the community and it’s not always by choice." Both Mr Khan and Mr Mohammed are hoping for improved cultural education to break the barriers. [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 6]Independence Day celebrations
The Walsall Observer (11.08.00) carries an eight-page supplement for Pakistan’s 53rd Independence Day celebrations. It gives an account of Muslims living in Britain who came from Pakistan and the activities and events they have set up. Nasim Ajaz, who teaches at Walsall’s largest mosque in Rutter Street, told how the mosque was first established in a small house 25 years ago, and the various courses the mosque offers. In partnership with Walsall College of Arts and Technology, the mosque is able to offer recognised qualifications in Urdu, such as GCSE. Mr Ajaz, who has been helping out at the mosque since the 1970s said their work gives them a sense of belonging and contributes to the wider society. He said: "Nobody should forget their own identity because whatever else they may be they are Muslims and it is enriching the community at large to have these different groups. Sometimes there is a very negative media portrayal of our religion and if we did not have education like this our children would grow up not wanting to be Muslim." The supplement also has a historical article about the 200 years that the British ruled India, before Pakistan was granted independence, as well as carrying an article on ‘the founding father of Pakistan’ Muhammad Ali Jinnah. There is also a short article on the poet Dr Muhammad Allama Iqbal, as well as a brief summary of three areas of Pakistan: the Punjab, Karachi and Islamabad.In Halifax, Muslims prayed for prosperity and progress for Pakistan, as well as for the welfare of the Pakistani community. Imam Prof. Syed Ahmed Shah, of the Madni Mosque in Halifax, said they also prayed for the freedom of Kashmiri Muslims. Elsewhere in the city, Pakistani foodstores celebrated by flying the national flag outside their stores (Halifax Evening Courier, 15.08.00). In Barnsley, Education Secretary David Blunkett was given a history lesson as youngsters staged a production on the creation of Pakistan. In total, 25 children had attended the two-week school for gifted and talented youngsters held at the Pakistan Muslim Centre. University students helped as mentors for the children and there is to be follow-up work at their schools, community centres and homes. Teaching the children about their history was the key objective of the school, and they were encouraged to research events leading up to the independence of Pakistan by using the Internet (Barnsley Star, 24.08.00). Celebration events were also held in Dundee (Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 15.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 6/7]
First at festival
The Cropredy Festival, now in its 26th year, which has always been a popular venue for couples to get married, has this year seen its first Muslim wedding. Peter Richards, who has been a member of the festival crew since 1982, and nurse Berny Liverpool, were married by an imam from Birmingham, Shouaib Ahmed, in a back-stage marquee. Mr Richards’ witness was musician Danny Thompson, and 200 guests were invited. Talking about their ceremony, Mr Richards said: "We decided to do it here because we wanted a simple ceremony. All my friends were coming down for the festival so it seemed a good idea" (Oxford Mail, 14.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 7]‘Mehfil’ in Scunthorpe
The Bangladeshi Sunni Jamia Mosque and Madrassa in Scunthorpe organised a ‘waaz mehfil’, where Bangladesh Government Religion Minister, Moulana Nurul Islam Chowdory, and Moulana Shofiqur Rahman were invited. A spokesman said; "We would be most grateful if all Muslim brethren would attend this waaz to make this a memorable point for our mosque and all the Muslim community" (Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 14.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 7]Islamic Relief in Birmingham
Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, recently visited Islamic Relief’s headquarters in Birmingham where she praised the organisation for the work it was doing. She said: "I’m enormously impressed by the scale of this centre. When you step in, you can feel this sort of flair of good ness and dignity in the people and in the work that they are doing." She added that the centre’s presence in the city added to the multi-ethnic and multi-religious tapestry that made up the city: "There are now mosques, synagogues, black and white churches here, and a Buddhist temple has just opened. When I visit countries torn apart by national or religious hatred, I often point out Birmingham as an example of a city, where communities live side by side, not only tolerating each other, but actually enriching it…It’s also a good way to counteract the prejudice people have of Muslims." The reception was the first of its kind hosted by Islamic Relief, and was an attempt to introduce the inter national relief and aid organisation to government officials and the media. Ayesha Ball, who has been working at Islamic Relief since 1995, introduced the organisation as a "bridge between them selves and others with greater needs." She also said there was a need to deve lop Muslim communities within the UK as well as abroad. The organisation was established by Hani El Banna sixteen years ago, and has regularly received assistance from the government’s Inter national Development Department (Muslim News, 25.08.00). The Birming ham Evening Mail (15.08.00) also carries a message from Islamic Relief, where information is given about the organisation and the kind of relief work they have done. It ends by saying: "Islamic Relief still has a big task ahead of it and hopes the West Midlands’ community will continue to lend its support. Islamic Relief would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated and assisted its work during the last 16 years." [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 7]Meeting in Crawley
Muslims in Crawley organised a conference to be held at the Civic Hall on September 17. The meeting was to be based on the theme of evolution, Christ ianity and Islam. Waheed Mahmood, one of the organisers, said: "We want to make the rest of the community and the surrounding areas aware of Islamic culture, beliefs and ideas. We have been living here for such a long time but people’s understanding of Islam is limited to what is portrayed through the television. We want to clarify some misconceptions." An open invitation was given to people wanting to attend and watch the slide show and see the exhibition. Refreshments and free literature were also to be available (Crawley Observer, 16.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 7]Muslims locked out of prayer room
Muslim traders at Leeds market have been angered after being locked out of their prayer room for a fortnight. Stall holders began to use counters and stalls as makeshift worship areas since the electric lock on the door of the room jammed. They say they have made countless requests to the market bosses to have the door repaired, but no action has been taken. Muslims who use the room said they had to fight for six months to get the prayer room and they are now disappointed it is not in use. One trader said: "The room has to be locked for security reasons and we all have keys but none of them work. We’ve complained lots and lots of times but we never seem to get through to the managers. It’s been nearly two weeks and we’re getting quite annoyed. There is nowhere for us to pray so we’re having to do it behind our stalls." He added: "It’s disrupting to the business. People don’t want to stop and buy things because they feel they are interrupting you. We fought for ages to get the prayer room in the first place and now it is useless." Leeds City Council said they were alerted to the problem a few days earlier and repair work had been scheduled. A spokesman said: "It does appear that the door lock has developed some sort of fault. It has been logged on the repairs schedule and will be done as soon as possible." The multi-faith prayer room sparked controversy when it opened last year, as it was also a room used as a coach drivers rest room. The council were criticised for installing it without consulting all users (Yorkshire Evening Post, 19.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 7]Ban on poster
A billboard poster deemed offensive to Muslims has been removed after the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) received a flood of complaints. The advert, for a hair colour product, shows a woman looking into her bikini bottoms, and was put up outside the Central Mosque in Glasgow. Councillor Bashir Maan, spokesman for the Islamic Centre in the city’s Gorbals area, said: "This is a disgraceful advert in any location. But people on their way to the Mosque should not be subjected to something which causes them great offence. We have an agreement that no advertise ments of a sexual or alcoholic nature be put up outside this most important building." A spokeswoman for the ASA said a preliminary investigation was under way to see if the complainers’ main claim, that the advert is indecent, is justified. The maker of the product, Elida Faberge, said it was sorry that the advert had been posted outside a mosque. A spokeswoman said: "This is a most unfortunate location for the advert, but we cannot account for people’s beliefs. It was never our inten tion to cause offence. The advert was designed to communicate the colour care benefits of the product. We tested it among women of varying ages and it was all extremely well-received. After all, the whole concept is light-hearted and a bit of fun" (Glasgow Herald, 21.08.00, Daily Sport, 21.08.00, Birmingham Post, 22.08.00, Wolver hampton Express & Star, 22.08.00, Stoke-on-Trent Sentinel, 22.08.00, York shire Evening Post, 22.08.00, Aberdeen Press & Journal, 22.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 8]Saudi imam visits Blackburn
Around 4,000 men gathered at a mosque in Lancashire to welcome the imam of the holy mosque in Makkah. Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Sudaysee was in the country on business in Birmingham and Bradford, and agreed to visit Blackburn for prayers and to talk to local Muslims. The Jamia Mosque in Cumberland Street is still being built, but the shell of the building was still crowded, as was the community centre next door. The Sheikh’s words were relayed to people on loud speakers, and hundreds of women listened to the event through intercom links in their homes. Zamir Khan, secretary of the community-based Qaaf Centre, said: "The Sheikh is the equivalent of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is a very important man for Muslims all over the world and it was his first-ever visit to this part of the country. We were very privileged that he agreed to come here. There was a large police presence for security for the Sheikh’s visit and we are very grateful to Lancashire Constabulary and the dozens of volunteers who made the event go smoothly" (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 22.08.00, Blackburn Citizen, 25.08.00).The imam also made a visit to Birmingham, where 4,000 Muslims are said to have attended the 24th Annual Dawah Conference. Also present at the three-day event in Small Heath, was Saleh bin Abdul Aziz Aale-Sheikh, the Minister of Islamic Affairs in Saudi Arabia. Ajaib Khan, secretary of the Markazi Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith who helped organise the event, said: "The conference went really well. We had a really good turnout (Solihull Evening Mail, 11.08.00, Birmingham Evening Mail, 11.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 8]
FOSIS camp
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies in the UK and Eire, held its annual camp this year at Jamia Al-Hudaa’a Residential College in Nottingham. Over one hundred and fifty stu dents from across the country attended. The theme of the camp was "Dimen sions of a Muslim Student", and pro vided an opportunity for Muslim students, male and female, to learn essential skills needed to run Islamic societies and contribute to the wider Muslim community. Various Muslim celebrities attended the event, giving talks and leading workshops. Dr Kemal Helbawi gave a lecture on ‘Leadership and Obe dience’, highlighting the characteristics of leaders and citing examples of great leaders from Islamic history. Shaykh Sohaibgave a lecture on ‘The Muslim Personality in the Qur’an and Sunnah’, one of the lectures students found to be of most benefit. Dr Azzam Tamimi emphasised ‘Our Role towards other Muslims’ in this country and abroad. Among the guests invited to conduct the workshops were: Batool Toma; Ruquaiyya Waris Maqsood; Dr Zahid Parvez, Nurodin Miladi, Dr Ma’amoon Mobayed, Usama Hasan and Muti UrRahman. Activities organised in cluded football for the men and badmin ton and table-tennis for the women (Muslim News, 25.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 8]New guidance for passport photos
The Home Office has sent out new guidelines on passport photos of women wearing the hijab [headscarf]. This action follows the case of a Muslim woman who was refused a renewal of her passport by the Singapore British High Commission because she was wearing a hijab. The matter was event ually resolved and the High Commission agreed that Fareena Alam could submit a photo for her passport wearing a hijab. The Home Office looked into the matter and said that on August 3, they sent out instructions to all the embassies saying that "provided that photographs show the full face of the holder, photographs should not be rejected where a religious head covering is worn." Previous guid ance indicated that photographs had to be "full face without a hat, which may have been what the Singapore Embassy were following when they refused Ms Alam’s application (Muslim News, 25.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 8]Centre plan for factory
City councillors in Nottingham were due to decide on whether to grant permission for a disused factory to be converted into a community centre for Muslim families. The centre would be run by the educa tion and youth trust, the Karimia Insti tute, whose present centre needs to be expanded to provide enough activities. The Institute, run by Dr Musharaf Hussain, runs classes teaching young Muslims about their faith, and provides activities for Asian families. The new centre would feature a gymnasium, a day nursery, three classrooms, a prayer room, homework room and three small offices. A garden and four car parking spaces would also be created. Five nearby residents have so far complained, fearing noise and parking problems. A council report said: "Neighbouring resi dential occupiers can be protected by hours and other conditions" (Notting ham Evening Post, 29.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 8/9]
Education
Summer school helps learning
A summer school in Bradford, run by the Muslim Association of Bradford, is helping to raise education standards in one of the city’s most deprived areas. With the help of government money, the school for children between the ages of five and 13, has been run four mornings a week in the summer to help with their maths, English and science skills. Based at Feversham College, the summer school was run as a pilot last year with financial support from a government-funded regeneration scheme. The New Deal for Communities has now agreed to fund the school, attended by 70 boys and girls, for the next three years. Chief Executive of the local New Deal for Communities scheme, Steve Hartley, visited the school, and extra money was promised to take the children on a trip later in the year. Mr Hartley said im proving results at schools is the corner stone of their strategy: "People with no qualifications have poor employment prospects and jobs are crucial to a better quality of life" (Yorkshire Post, 16.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 9]
Politics
Yusuf Islam deported
Former British pop star Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, was recently refused entry into Israel and deported after detention at the airport. Islam was flying from Bosnia via Frankfurt to Jerusalem with a crew from VH1, as they were filming in these various locations to "document the path to his spiritual discovery". The trip was arranged weeks in advance by VH1 for a documentary about the former star’s personal life. Islam was separated from the crew and questioned, and then told he would be sent back to Frankfurt on the next flight. He was led to a small cell with four other detainees with no water and no other facilities for two hours. He said; "I don’t see any reason for this to happen in a time of peace." No reason was given at the time except that he was a ‘threat to national security’.The crew had to go on and film in Jerusalem without him. VH1’s Editorial Director Bill Flanagan said: "We feel bad that we got Yusuf into hot water. We’ve been talking with him for months about making a documentary about his whole life and his amazing journey. We’ve already shot footage and inter views in New York, LA, London, and Bosnia where Yusuf is very involved in charity work with war orphans. We wanted to conclude our journey in Jeru salem, to talk about Islam and its con nections to Christianity and Judaism. The whole goal of this enterprise was to build bridges and give Yusuf a chance to speak about the connections between all God’s people. It is just bad luck that the date that we had agreed on weeks ago turned out to be a time of heightened security in Israel, because of the Middle East peace talks. The suggestion in some newspapers that Yusuf was in the Middle East as part of some sort of pro test or plan to disrupt the peace process is nonsense. He was there to make a TV show for VH1." According to Yusuf Islam: "Upon my return to London, reports were already circulating that the Israeli authorities were trying to excuse their actions by linking me to terrorist groups. Whereas, at present I am actually supporting orphans in Hebron and all my donations in the past were given to humanitarian causes. I want to make sure that people are aware that I’ve never ever knowingly supported any terrorist groups - past, present or future. It’s simply an attempt to cast doubt again on my character and good intentions." He added: "But you can’t sue the Israeli authorities for misinformation otherwise it means that they might be forced to re-write history." Islam has written to the Foreign and Common wealth Office to request the British Government to seek an explanation for his dentition and deportation. Recently, another prominent Muslim was refused entry to Jerusalem. Ismail Patel, chair man of the Leicester-based Friends of Al-Aqsa, was going to Jerusalem to attend a conference organised by LAW exploring strategies for the protection and promotion of human rights, but was turned back at Tel Aviv airport (Q News, No322, 01.08.00, Asian Times, 25.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 9]
MP will continue campaign
Keighley MP Ann Cryer has vowed to continue her campaign against forced marriages in the Asian community, des pite fears she may lose her seat over the issue (See BMMS for September 1999, June and July 2000). She said: "I do not need this issue, it won’t do me any good and if I was only worried about votes at the next election I would steer clear of it as a lot of my colleagues in the House of Commons do. This year in Keighley alone, police have helped 12 Muslim girls in this situation, and that is just the tip of the iceberg." However, Ms Cryer came under attack from one couple who fled Bradford due to death threats. Jack and Zena Briggs, whose plight has been published in a book, were used as an example by the government who wanted their case history for a Home Office report. But the couple say that the government have failed to help them with accommodation and jobs. They said they were grateful when they were invited to talks with Ms Cryer and Home Office Minister Mike O’Brien last year, but now say their story was used for the report while their immediate plight was ignored. Although they were give new passports and medical cards in their new names, they have never received ‘work histories’ which would have helped them apply for jobs. They now are unem ployed and in danger of losing their home, seven years after leaving Bradford. Ms Cryer said she was hurt by the attack, saying she did not have to help them as they are not her constituents, but agreed to do so because she "felt so sorry for them" (Keighley News, 18.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 9]Bangladeshi minister visits Suffolk
The Bangladeshi community in Felix stowe was honoured when the Bangla deshi Minister of Religious Affairs stopped by on his tour of England. On his first visit to Suffolk, the Honourable Moulana Mohammed Nurul Islam said he had enjoyed his visit to Felixstowe. He said: "I like this area. I like the sea and the coast is very nice. It is my first time here, but you have a very good country. It is very neat and tidy and your people are nice." The minister was in vited by a former Bangladeshi politician now living in the town, Mohammed Zhuru. Mr Zhuru said: "I am very honoured that the minister took the time to come and see me and visit us" (East Anglian Daily Times, 18.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 9/10]No-go for Section 28
Moves for a repeal of Section 28 have been thrown out of the House of Lords for a second time this year (See BMMS for January, February, March and April 2000). The motion to repeal was out-voted 270 to 228, with a 42-vote majority, similar to the majority gained after the first vote in February. In the previous vote, three Muslim Labour peers ab stained from voting, while Lord Alli, who is openly homosexual, voted for the repeal. This time, Lord Nazir Ahmed and Lord Patel voted against their party, and Baroness Uddin abstained again. When asked about her abstention, she said: "You have to do what is right. I don’t agree with the policy of the Government, that’s why I did not vote with them. If you look at the Sections regarding Muslims not being considered ‘an entity’, you’ll see that I simply cannot vote with something like that and the outrageous activities that surround such Sections…I could not possibly have taken part in the debate." She felt the Muslim community should continue to lobby the government into keeping Section 28 as its repeal would be "to the detriment of our Party." Lord Patel, asked why he voted against his party, said; "It’s quite simple - I disagree with the Government and I want Section 28 retained…I did not take part in the de bate because there were many speakers and names had to be forwarded in advance." Lord Ahmed added; "It is a question of religion, beliefs and morality. I have supported our Government on other important issues, but have also disagreed on other issues like terror ism…I believe it is our collective res ponsibility to do what is right and on this issue I could not vote any other way. The great majority of Muslims are totally opposed to this" (Muslim News, 25.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 10]
Racism
Worshippers attacked outside mosque
Snaresbrook Crown Court has heard how Muslim worshippers leaving a mosque at the end of afternoon prayers in January were bombarded with racist abuse and then attacked. David Pearman, 23, shouted abuse before swinging a car-jack at one man and punching another. His 18-year old girlfriend, Sarah Richardson, and her brother Mark Richardson, 19, joined in the abuse. Prosecutor Richard Burrington told the court that Pearman was living with Ms Richardson near the mosque in Plaistow. He said: "Harif Mallu was coming back home from afternoon prayers. As he reached his front door, he heard verbal abuse from behind him. He turned round and saw David Pearman." Pearman appeared drunk, and accused Mr Mallu of damaging his car which was parked nearby. He shouted racist insults and then threatened Mr Mallu with the car jack: "He was swinging it at Mr Mallu but, being drunk, he fell over. He then continued swinging it until someone restrained him." Pearman later returned with the Richardsons and they shouted racist insults at a group of 20 worship pers. Mr Burrington said: "Pearman was searching for Mr Mallu among the crowd. He came across another man, Zakir Ahmed, and hit him on the head with a piece of wood." As others tried to calm the situation, Richardson punched another Asian man. He added: "Sarah Richardson was waving a large knife and making threats to the group." It was taken from her and thrown into a garden. When police arrived they initially arrested the two male defendants, who both denied committing any offence, claiming they had been the victims of abuse and violence. Sarah Richardson was later arrested, although she also denies any involvement. The case continues (City of London Recorder, 04.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 10]
Women
Community centre funding suspended
The Muslim Women’s Centre in Nottingham has had its funding sus pended following allegations of mismanagement. City council grants of £43,000 which go to the group each year, have been temporarily withdrawn. Michael Williams, director of leisure and community services, said: "There are concerns about the inadequacy of the financial record keeping." The centre helps Asian women with education, training and health issues, and also addresses cultural needs. It has con tinued to be open during the inquiry and the council has promised a quick investi gation to ensure that the centre is able to continue its work. The council will not be able to order a change in the centre’s directors as it is run by the Muslim Women’s organisation, which is regis tered as a limited company. In April, Asian women protested at the way the directors were running the centre, and a 400-name petition was signed in support of former staff’s claims that they were unfairly treated. The Centre declined to comment about the investigation (Nottingham Evening Post, 05.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 10]
Youth
Interfaith youth trip
A project aimed to increase tolerance between different faiths, will see Muslim, Christian and Jewish youths take part in an exchange trip to Israel. Last August 12 youths visited Israel and now youths from the Middle East will make the return journey this year to take part in a variety of activities and renew friendships that were forged 12 months ago. The ten-day visit will see the 24 students living, eating and worshipping together. They will visit local places of worship including a mosque in Whitechapel. They are also expected to go to Cambridge, take a boat ride along the River Thames, and visit the London Eye (City of London Recorder, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 10]Young Muslims event a success
A conference organised by the Young Muslim Organisation on August 6 attracted an audience of around 2,000 people. The conference was entitled ‘Is the Soul Compliant?’ , and was intro duced by Hussein Shefaar of the YMO who outlined the roots of the organisa tion and how it has encouraged youths to "foster a better understanding of Islam" in this society. He said that for too long Muslims have been living with an "inferiority complex", and added that Muslims’ efforts have been hampered by the lack of unity among the community and their inability to act as one body. Since the organisation began in 1978, it has been active in organising study circles, training sessions, camps and night vigils as well as undertaking pro jects to tackle drug abuse and racism. They also have an active media and publications unit and have recently launched a magazine aimed at Muslim students in Britain entitled The Reality. Habibur Rahman, a lecturer at London Guildhall University and President of the Islamic Forum Europe, described the society surrounding Muslims, and answered on how the community should respond to issues such as sexual pro miscuity among youths and drug addiction. Also giving a lecture was Abdullah Hakim Quick, from America, who talked about the hypocrisy of the west and the false ideas they are implanting into the minds of people (Muslim News, 25.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 10/11]
Interfaith
Event in Aberdeen to help homeless
Christians and Muslims in Aberdeen opened the doors to their spiritual centres to host a sponsored event for a homeless charity. Teams were to put together a jigsaw puzzle using clues given to them by hosts at the 14 churches and mosque. Homelessness is of increasing concern to religious com munities in the city and this event aimed to raise money for Aberdeen Cyrenians, as well as raising awareness in the various religious communities about the issue (Aberdeen Herald & Post, 02.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 11]
Halal
Rotting chicken smell sparks health fears
The smell of rotting chickens around a halal meat factory has sparked health fears among nearby workers. Complaints have been made over the smell coming from Bolton Poultry Products, which are being investigated by the town’s envi ronmental health officers. Local traders are concerned that the smell, combined with puddles of blood-tainted water and pieces of discarded birds’ guts on the street outside the factory, could begin to drive away customers of other busi nesses in the area. Nigel Lang, who runs a car-repair garage opposite the factory, said: "They mostly work at night now. It causes them less aggravation, I think. The smell is still terrible and, when people bring their cars here, it’s the first thing they comment on. It wasn’t that bad when we moved to the area 12 years ago but their business has grown considerably since and the problem has got worse. Even the exhaust fumes in the garage are better than the smell outside." A spokesman for Bolton’s envi ronmental health department, said: "They are in the process of discussing an abatement notice which means they will be given a period of time to sort out the problem. The hygiene service has been asked to look at the actual property too and check the problem on a day-to-day basis" (Bolton Evening News, 10.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 11]
Health
NHS circumcision in Lancashire
East Lancashire’s Muslim community has put in a request for circumcision on religious grounds to be provided for baby boys on the NHS. The Lancashire Council of Mosques asked East Lanca shire Health Authority to consider set ting up a proper service because many people at present do not know where to go. The authority has said it will investi gate the issue further, and Director of public health, Dr Stephen Morton, has questioned other health authorities about their approach to circumcision. He told members at a board meeting that the approach between authorities was "extremely variable" and added that there were a range of ethical and health issues to be considered, such as support ing religious freedom; the rights of the individual who would not be old enough to make an informed decision; and male hygiene. The meeting was told that the area needed a properly-structured ser vice as there was uncertainty as to what extent the operation was carried out on a private basis. It was agreed that authori ties such as Bradford, Bolton and Leicester should be approached to find out how they went about introducing the service (Colne Times, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 11]Plea for hospital prayer room
Muslims in Warrington have launched a campaign to pressure health chiefs into providing a prayer room at Warrington Hospital. Members of the town’s Islamic Association claim that the Muslim patients at the hospital cannot pray because the chapel on-site is for people of Christian faith. They have also requested that washing facilities be made available. Campaigner Bob Stewart, an honorary member of the association, said: "I have many Moslem friends and there is a need for a small Mosque room at Warrington Hospital. This is some- thing they should be definitely looking at providing. When I was in hospital I was put in a wheelchair and taken to mass. That is not possible for Moslems at the moment and that is wrong." Safdar Sultan, 65, spent three days in Warrington Hospital earlier in the year and said he was forced to pray by his bedside behind a curtain because there were no facilities for him to use. He said: "The staff were very good and brought me clean sheets to kneel on but I think it is very essential that if other communities are provided with proper facilities to pray, we should also be provided with a place. Many of the doctors who work at the hospital are Moslem and this would be something that they could use as well. Praying facilities for Moslems have already been provided in places like Manchester Airport. We are a growing community. The Association claims it approached hospital chiefs two years ago but still no-one has looked into it. But a Warrington Hospital NHS Trust spokesman said that the hospital provided support for people of all faiths. He added: "As part of a regular review of patient facilities, the hospital is looking at enhancing the ways in which it provides that support" (Warrington Guardian, 10.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 11/12]
Mosques & Burials
Accrington burials
Police are investigating a racist attack at Accrington Cemetery, where the head stones of three children’s graves were knocked over and one of them broken in half (See BMMS for February 2000). Detective Inspector Bob Eastwood said: "This was clearly a racially-motivated attack aimed specifically at the local Muslim community. We are taking it very seriously. The act of desecrating a grave is particularly heartlesss and undignified and we will do everything we can to catch the people involved as soon as possible." Sardar Ali, chairman of the Lower Antley Street Mosque, said: "It’s a disgusting attack, which should never have been allowed to happen. There needs to be more security there. At the moment it’s fairly easy for people to jump over parts of the wall to get in. They don’t even lock the gates until late at night, which is an open invitation for people to commit these kinds of crime." John Davey, the assistant head of health at Hyndburn Council, said the cemetery was regularly patrolled by a security firm. He said: "We have employed security guards on the site since May last year. They carry out patrols on a regular basis but unfortunately they can’t be there all the time. Now this has happened, the num ber of patrols has been increased, but we may need to consider additional measures." A similar incident occurred in the cemetery in February when 15 gravestones in the same area were toppled (Accrington Observer, 04.08.00, Blackburn Citizen, 04.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 12]Coventry, Stoney Stanton Rd
Councillors in Coventry have postponed a decision on whether maple trees, which may be damaged during a mosque extension, should be protected. Wood Frampton Chartered Town Planning Consultants, acting on behalf of Ahmed Khalifa, has objected to the order to preserve eight maple trees near the mosque on Stoney Stanton Road. Mr Khalifa, of the Anjuman-E-Gujarati Muslim Society, claims, in a report to the planning committee, that the trees do not add greatly to the area. He said: "Stoney Stanton Road is not a boulevard for which the maple trees make a valid contribution, but a busy highway into the city centre." He said maple trees should not be allowed to compromise the safety of the highway, and added that 33 varieties of trees and shrubs were proposed to landscape the area as part of the extension. The planning committee have been told that the tree preservation order had been withdrawn, pending further details to be submitted by Wood Frampton (Coventry Evening Telegraph, 15.08.00, Rugby Evening Telegraph, 15.08.00, Coventry Evening Telegraph, 17.08.00, Rugby Evening Telegraph, 17.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 12]Edinburgh, Annandale Street Lane
A mosque in Edinburgh has been told it could be closed because it is too popular. Edinburgh City Council’s planning chiefs have recommended that the Shah Jalal Mosque and Islamic Centre on Annandale Street Lane should not be allowed to stay open because of the high number of visitors arriving by car. The three-year old mosque was given provi sional consent for conversion a year ago in order to allow the council to monitor the traffic build-up in the area, but com plaints have been lodged from local businesses that there is a lack of parking spaces. Council planning chief Alan Henderson said in a report to the plan ning committee: "During the course of the monitoring period, the number of people visiting the centre by car and parking in a manner which is obstructive has caused problems and local busi nesses have written to object to the proposals. Despite assurances from the applicant that the mosque would not result in increased traffic to the detri ment of road safety and the amenity of surrounding occupiers, the monitoring period has established that this is not the case." However, mosque secretary Anus Choudhury said he did not think traffic had been a problem in the area. He said:"We’ve been using the mosque for the past three years and there has never been any problem with traffic. On any week day we have about 15 to 20 children coming to the education centre and, of their parents, only one or two come by car as everyone lives nearby. I would be surprised if the council refused permission. Everybody would have to move and that would be very difficult for us" (Edinburgh Evening News, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 12]
London, Kentish Town, Weedington Rd
Planners have given permission for the ground-floor of a house to be used as a mosque, provided the worshippers can keep the noise of their prayers quiet (See BMMS for June 2000). The Bangladeshi cultural and community centre has been operating from 8am to 10pm, but to meet their religious needs they want to extend the use of the centre to allow them to pray from 4am in the summer. The council was told that numbers at tending the mosque would vary between 15 to 100 people, and because no singing, chanting or music was involved the sessions were unlikely to disturb local residents. Permission was granted on a 12-month trial basis to allow the council to assess the mosque’s impact on the local neighbourhood (Ham & High, 28.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 12]Luton burials
A woman whose father died was angered after the funeral directors left his coffin in the front garden as it would not fit through the front door. Farida McGann also claims they are threatening to exhume the body because they will not wait for payment. Ms McGann’s father, Zill ur-Rehman Siddique, died of a heart attack in March and was taken to the family home so his family and friends could pay their respects. But Ms McGann said the funeral process, orga nised by Ruhani Muslim Funeral Services, was a ‘farce’. The first shock was when Mr Siddique’s body was brought home from the hospital before the funeral. She said: "They hadn’t mea sured the front door and he wouldn’t fit through it. So they decided to put him in the garage. But they wouldn’t wait for my brother to move the car out of the driveway, so they dumped my dad’s body in the front garden. It was in an open casket. They were in a rush to collect another body." Then, on the day of the funeral the family found that another ceremony had been planned by the company at the same time. Both coffins were carried in the same hearse, but the two families were billed separately. Ms McGann’s family was deeply traumatised but she said the funeral directors demanded money from the grieving rela tives on the day. Staff from Ruhani wanted £335 straight away, which the family managed to gather, and then sent a bill for £795 a fortnight later. Ms McGann now says Ghulam Kadir from the company is hounding her for the money. She said: "I told him there’s money there and you will get your money - but you have to wait for it. Then Mr Kadir said ‘I do hope you realise we are quite within our rights to exhume your father’s body’." Mr Kadir denies making the threat, and said he left the body in the garden because he was told to do so. He said: "We are waiting pay ment on the funeral we have done. With Muslim funerals you normally pay straight away. We are a small company - we can’t have money outstanding. She [Ms McGann] was very rude in saying we have to wait, that we have no choice and it’s our tough luck for doing the funeral - which we are very upset about" (Luton Herald & Post, 20.07.00, London Metro, 25.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 12/13]Newmarket, Bury Rd
A private mosque could be built in Suffolk by racehorse owners, the Maktoum brothers. The mosque is planned for Sheikh Mohammed’s Stanley House Stables where the brothers’ racing organisation, Godolphin, is due to base its training operation next year. Plans submitted to Forest Heath District Council do not show a minaret as part of the mosque, indicating that it will be a single-storey building measuring 65-ft square with parking for around 45 cars (Cambridge Evening News, 27.07.00, East Anglian Daily Times, 29.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]Peterborough, Cromwell Rd/Gladstone St
Muslims using two mosques in Peter borough are hoping they will be able to get permission for an extension as well as being able to build a new one (See BMMS for January and February 2000). They have proposed that one mosque in Cromwell Road will move to a new site on Gladstone Street, so there is more space for worshippers and better parking facilities. And at the second mosque, also on Cromwell Road, they plan to build an extension as the current space has become so crowded that some people have to take part in services from another room. Planning permission for both schemes will be decided by Peterborough City Council (Peter borough Evening Telegraph, 29.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]Preston burials
Around thirty headstones were smashed at a Muslim cemetery in Preston, and the police are treating it as a racist attack. DS David Jakes from Preston police said: "We are treating this incident as a serious racially-motivated attack. Four youths were seen running from the scene around 5:20am and obviously we are very keen to speak to them." The Muslim community is outraged at this attack, which they believe to be "deli berately planned" and have called on the council and police to take action. Vali Patel, from the Preston Muslim Burial and Welfare Society, said: "This was targeted specifically at Muslim plots clearly to enrage the emotion of the community. There have been many similar attacks in the past, but this time it looks preplanned. A number of complaints have been made in the past to the police and Preston Borough Council." He added: "The Burial Society is trying to have a dedicated Muslim burial place on London Road away from public thoroughfare, but the powers that be, in particular some politicians, are dragging their feet over it." All four offenders have been described as male, white and aged between 16 and 20 years-old (Leyland Citizen, 03.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]Slough, Stoke Poges Lane
A controversial extension to a Slough mosque has been given the go-ahead, even though the council admits it has not properly consulted neighbours (See BMMS for June 2000). Members of Slough Borough Council’s planning committee approved the extension for two 65-ft minarets to be built on top of the Jamia Masjid and Islamic Centre. However, planning officers admitted that eight weeks after the application had been lodged they had still not completed the consultation process. A spokesman for Slough Borough Council said: "The decision of members on Monday was to dele gate the matter to Gerry Wyld, head of planning and strategic policy, pending the outcome of consultation. There is no right to appeal against this decision, and any allegation of maladministration by the council must be raised with the ombudsman" (Slough & Langley Observer, 04.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]Stepney, Shandy Park, Duckett St
Tower Hamlets councillors have given permission for a mosque to be built in Stepney on the site of an old cemetery. For the last 12-years the Stepney Shahjalal Masjid has occupied the land, but now the group wants to build a permanent three-storey mosque, which will have a copper dome and two minarets. However, the development will not begin until archaeo logical work and foundations designs have been approved (East London Advertiser, 03.08.00, East End Life, 31.07.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]Winchester
Muslims in Winchester are searching for a regular meeting place where they can worship and raise awareness of Islam and social and cultural issues. A permanent meeting place would end the 15-mile round trip which they have to make now to attend mosques in Southampton. The first action by the newly formed Winchester Muslim Cultural Association was organis ing a meeting for all interested people in the Guildhall. One of the organisers, Nural Islam said: "There are now about 100 Muslims in the Winchester area. We have to go to Southampton for prayers every Friday. We would like to fix a place of community prayer, salat. But it is at a very early stage. We need to sit down and talk about it." For the next three months, they will be holding Friday prayers in the Guildhall. Mr Islam said opening a mosque in the town was a very long-term goal, which would need a lot of fundraising (Southampton Daily Echo, 16.08.00). [BMMS August 2000 Vol. VIII, No. 8, p. 13]
