Vol.X No.V May 2002

Newspapers, both national and local, have been carrying articles about the conflict between Pakistan and India (See British Muslims Monthly Survey for March 2002). Asian communities all across the UK are reported to be concerned about the effect of these developments. They have their concerns as to how and when the conflict between Pakistan and India over Kashmir will be resolved, but they are also worried about the effect on the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities in the UK, particularly those who are living in close proximity to one another. The last twelve months have witnessed various events creating tension between these communities, for example the disturbances last year in northern England. The Observer (26.05.02) recalled these events from last year when, according to the newspaper, “rioting youths attacked Hindu-owned businesses”. In response to these disturbances, the British National Party (BNP) ran an “anti-Islamic campaign, linking up with some Sikh and Hindu extremists”. In consequence some Hindu and Sikh leaders wanted to distance themselves from Muslims and have a distinction made between them rather than grouping them all together under the term ‘Asian’. They are said to have pressurised the radio station Sunrise Radio to stop using the term and to refer to the individual communities by their specific identity.

The focus for the communities has now turned to the conflict in the sub-continent, where the situation has become so serious that there is fear of war breaking out between the two countries. Politicians from around the world, including the UK, have been involved in attempts at reconciliation. The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, made a visit to both countries while the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, is dealing with matters arising at home in relation to this conflict. According to an extensive article carried by the Sunday Express (26.05.02), to prevent similar disturbances to those of last year, Mr Blunkett is said to have called leaders of the Muslim and Hindu communities in the UK for “secret talks”. Foreign Minister, Peter Hain, is also said to have held meetings with Asian religious leaders and MPs representing large Asian communities. According to the Sunday Express up to half a million Muslims living in this country have close links with Kashmir and the majority of British Pakistanis have Kashmiri roots, whereas only a small minority of British Indians living in the UK are from Kashmir. In Bradford, of the 94,000 south Asian residents, around 80 per cent are Pakistani Kashmiris and Kashmiris are also said to constitute the majority in the Pakistani communities in Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield and certain parts of London. A Labour source is reported to have revealed to the newspaper that ministers have given a significant number of briefings to Muslim MPs and peers and community leaders. The source went on to say that in order to avoid further escalation of the problem, they have been urging ministers to be cautious about the language they use. There are also reported to be fears that the British National Party (BNP) may utilise these events to stir up hatred within the Asian communities. There is concern that the BNP may have worked to forge links with extreme Sikhs and Hindus telling them to denounce Islam which the BNP has described as the “biggest danger to the British people” (Sunday Express, 26.05.02). National organiser of the Anti-Nazi League, Julie Waterson, said: “They’re [BNP] a racist party. If there is violence here they will use it to portray Asians as troublemakers. They can capitalise on it politically” (Sunday Express, 26.05.02).

A meeting was to have taken place in London between members of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the National Council of Hindu Temples (NCHT) and other Asian elders. The secretary general of the MCB, Iqbal Sacranie, said: “Occasionally there have been tensions over recent atrocities in Gudjarat, but this is more serious. It is incumbent on us to ensure that the relationship between Moslem and Hindu communities remains good.” The president of the NCHT, Om Prakash Sharma, said as part of his statement: “…We will continue to ask Hindu leaders to ensure their communities are calm” (Sunday Express, 26.05.02). At an interfaith meeting held in Birmingham where community leaders urged people to keep away from discussing the rights and wrongs of the situation in Kashmir, the chairman of the Birmingham Central Mosque, Dr Mohammed Naseem, said they had a duty to keep order and that no matter what their personal feelings were, they could not be a part of what was happening abroad. Nevertheless, despite all these efforts, the police are said to fear that if “bloody conflict” breaks out between angry Muslim and Hindu youths, the community leaders will not be able to control them and last year’s disturbances in Burnley and Oldham are being cited as examples of this.

However, Khalid Mahmood, a Kashmiri-born Birmingham MP for Perry Barr, which is home to a large Sikh community, is optimistic, and hopes that nothing will happen. This is not the case in relation to the communities’ feelings towards the government. According to Oldham East MP, Phil Woolas, who represents a large Kashmiri population: “There is a strong feeling that the full story is not being told, the British politicians and the BBC side with the Indians against the Moslems” (Sunday Express, 26.05.02). The chairman for the Commission for Racial Equality, Gurbux Singh, stated that they should do all they could to ensure that relations were good between the Pakistani and Indian community and that they remained confident that the Asian communities in the UK were well established and would not let the events abroad damage race relations.

The Sunday Express (26.05.02) ended this section of the article with a comment of Shams Rehman of the Oldham Kashmiri Association, who said: “The effect on people in Britain is very significant. When these things happen in Kashmir there are people living here whose lives are torn apart”

Some newspapers concentrated on ordinary members of some Asian communities looking at the relationship between Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs living closely together and their attitudes to one another. The Times:T2 (27.05.02) carried an extensive article on the Birmingham community which has the world’s largest Kashmiri population outside of Kashmir. Certain areas in Birmingham are home to Muslims originating from Kashmir, as well as people from Hindu and Sikh backgrounds, and so the article asked whether members of the same community but different faiths could live with one another. The reporter asked an “elderly Indian man” if she could talk to him about Kashmir. He replied: “Leave it alone…We live in peace here, but it will become a problem if the media makes one. The young people will start fighting each other - is that what you want?” The article went on to say that it would be “naïve” to believe that there was no extremism in the area, citing the example of 22-year-old Hasan Butt from Wolverhampton (see BMMS for January 2002), and stated that many Muslims privately admitted to feeling angry, for example, about Pakistan spending money on military hardware which it cannot afford to do. However, according to the article, the conflict has united many Pakistanis and Indians who are adamant about not playing into the hands of racists. They say they would rather talk about something else and are privately praying for a peaceful outcome. The article was full of reasons why, and examples of how, the various communities in Birmingham have managed to, and are still managing to, live side by side.

An example of comments given by various people about Indians and Pakistanis living side by side is one by Salah Mohammed, 66, who came to the UK in 1961 at the age of 25. HHHHe said: “At the end of the day we are brothers…We eat the same food, live the same sort of lives. Before the partition [in 1947 of Pakistan and India], the only difference between us was marriage” (The Times:T2, 27.05.02). The chairman of the Council of British Muslims, Qayyum Chaudhary, said that Birmingham “is a place where people seem to live in better harmony than other places…We all make our arguments but it isn’t bad-tempered… People here are wise enough to know that those living here have nothing to do with the policies of India or Pakistan. They want a peaceful solution” (The Times:T2, 27.05.02), (Sunday Express, 26.05.02, Halifax Evening Courier, 23.05.02, The Observer, 26.05.02, The Times:T2, 27.05.02, Daily Mail, 29.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 1]

The Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies has been formally opened in Dundee by its founder Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, the deputy ruler of Dubai and the finance and industry minister of the United Arab Emirates (See BMMS for April 2002). The institute is a part of the University of Abertay and was originally formed eight years ago as the Islamic Research Academy (Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 06.05.02, Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 07.05.02).

After the opening, however, the Dundee based MSP, Shona Robison accused the BBC of showing an “anti-Dundee bias” for failing to cover the event. A camera crew from Dubai was present, but the BBC did not send a reporter. She said: “The failure of the BBC to cover the event was ridiculous. This was made all the more incredible given the event was being opened by both the deputy ruler of Dubai and by the Minister of State George Foulkes. Had this event been held in any other city, I believe it would have guaranteed coverage. It is shameful that Dundee is treated so differently.” A spokesperson for BBC Scotland explained that because it was a holiday Monday, the news bulletin was shortened to just three minutes and that it would have been assured coverage had it taken place on a regular news day (Dundee Evening Telegraph, 07.05.02, Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 08.05.02).

Meanwhile, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid has offered to fund five postgraduate scholarships worth £100,000 for students from Dundee to study at the institute (Dundee Courier & Advertiser, 10.05.02). Also, an agreement has been made between the local education authority in Dundee and the institute, to give access to the institute for Dundee schools. The hope is that the partnership will provide a wide range of information and resources to the schools in the teaching and learning of Arab and Islamic cultures for both teachers and pupils. Councillor George de Gernier, the city’s education convener, said: “We live in a multi-cultural society and the opportunity to work together to promote better understanding in the future is something that we are keen to extend.” Professor Abd al-Fattah El-Awaisi, the principal and vice-chancellor of the institute, said: “One of our aims is to serve the community, and the education department in Dundee and their teachers are at the top of our priorities” (Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 04.05.02).

A link has also been set up between the institute and the NHS on Tayside. Both organisations have signed an agreement to work together to develop enhanced care for the Muslim community in the area. The agreement outlines proposals to develop training programmes for health care staff, designed to instil a greater awareness of Islamic tradition and culture. Professor Tony Wells, chief executive for the NHS Tayside, said: “The NHS in Tayside is delighted to welcome the Al-Maktoum Institute to Dundee, and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship” (Central Press & Journal, 14.05.02, Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 14.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 1]

Celebrations to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad took place all over the country and some of these were reported by various newspapers. In Birmingham more than 20,000 people were expected to attend the thirtieth annual procession. The celebrations were to begin with prayers at the Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif on Golden Hillock Road starting at 3.00pm and ending around midnight the following day. The procession was to begin at midday passing through Coventry Road, Wordsworth Road and Golden Hillock Road to the mosque and then afternoon prayers were to be followed by guest speakers who were coming from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Canada, US, Germany and the UK. The speeches were to be given in Urdu, Arabic and English. The chairman of the mosque, Raja Mohammed Saleem, said: “This procession has been held for 30 years now and it has got better every year. In Birmingham, this is the biggest event in the Muslim calendar and the celebrations will go on all month” (Birmingham Evening Mail, 17.05.02).

Telegraph & Argus (25.05.02) carried an article in their Point of View section about certain attributes of the Prophet Muhammad and his teachings of love and care for all. The article also spoke of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who was the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community as the article was written by Naseem Ahmad Bajwa, regional missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association.

Blackburn witnessed 10,000 people marching through the rain in order to celebrate. This march is reported to have been taking place for 35 years. Originally only a few hundred people used to take part, but now the organisers are inviting people from all cultures to take part next year. Masood Iqbal of the Naqshbandiya Aslamia Spiritual Centre in Pringle Street in Blackburn, said: “We welcome everyone of any religion. We are a peaceful organisation and we want to show this is the good of Islam that people aren’t aware of” (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 27.05.02). People from across the UK are reported to have taken part in the hour long walk through Oak Street, Whalley Range, Barbara Castle Way, Chester Street, Audley Range and Newton Street. The marchers waved flags, chanted religious songs and the it all ended at Amina Hall in Newton Street where refreshments were available. The police who had kept the roads clear for the marchers also sat down to eat with them. Sergeant John Rigby said: “Year on year it is getting bigger and it is one of the most organised marches we have to police. Apart from the weather, everything went without incident and I look forward to next year” (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 27.05.02). The event is also reported to have commemorated the birthday of Khwaja Sufi Mohammed Aslam, founder of the Naqshbandiya Aslamia in England, who died three years ago.

Over 200 people marched through the streets of Dundee to both celebrate the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday and to call for world peace. The march, which was organised by the Scottish Islamic and Culture Centre in Dura Street for the second year running, was attended by Muslims from Glasgow and Edinburgh and local politicians, all of whom marched from the mosque to the City Square. Marchers sang out slogans and held placards relating to Islam and peace. Speeches were given by Rafiique Habib from the centre who spoke of the true nature of Islam, and the Lord Provost John Letford who said the occasion displayed “the great sense of an inclusive community in Dundee” (Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 27.05.02). The police said that the march had caused no major problems and praised both the patience shown by drivers and the behaviour of the participants (Walsall Advertiser, 02.05.02, Dundee Evening Telegraph & Post, 16.05.02, Birmingham Evening Mail, 17.05.02, Telegraph & Argus, 25.05.02, Halifax Courier, 25.05.02, Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 27.05.02, Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 27.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 4]

The mayor of Ballymena met with Muslim representatives following the controversy concerning the presentation of a gift to the council (See BMMS for April 2002). The mayor, Tommy Nicholl, said that at least three or four members of the local Muslim community had been invited to the Town Hall to “stretch out the hand of friendship”. The council had agreed unanimously to accept the gift, but an Independent Unionist councillor said that he hoped that the local Jewish community would also now take the opportunity to present a gift to the council (Ballymena Guardian, 17.04.02, Ballymena Times, 17.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 4]

Orthodox Jews have joined Muslims in supporting protests against the state of Israel. Police estimate that approximately 150 protesters attended a demonstration outside Wembley Conference Centre (See BMMS for March 2002). The 30 Orthodox Jews were part of the protest, which also attracted 30 pro-Israel demonstrators, jointly organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Islamic Rights Commission. Yakov Konig, an Orthodox Jew from Stamford Hill, said: “I’m here because it’s a just cause. The state of Israel was set up without talking to the people or Rabbis, and it’s wrong. They have built it up into a hate situation and now evil is running away” (Wembley & Brent Times, 24.04.02).

Jewish Chronicle (24.05.02) carried an article about the response of the Community Security Trust (CST) to allegations made by Muslims about the behaviour of CST volunteers at a recent Israel Solidarity Rally. The CST have rejected these allegations. The Muslim Lawyers Committee (MLC) have criticised the policing of the pro-Palestinian counter demonstration which took place on 6 May. In a statement the MLC have “‘threatened’ individual (legal) actions” over the “unacceptable” conduct of the police. There is said to be a list of ten unconfirmed complaints, two of which involve the CST. One is that the police failed “to prevent assaults against Muslims by the Community Services (sic) Trust officials” and the other is that CST officials intimidated Muslim women. In addition the police have been accused of biased conduct for keeping Muslims away from the main rally, while allowing Jewish activists free access to the counter demonstration.

CST spokesman, Mike Whine, said: “Other than an assault on a rabbi near or at the counter-demonstration, following which police made arrests, we are not aware of any assaults - or of incidents of intimidation against Muslim women. We doubt the veracity of the allegations.” A police spokesperson is reported to have told the Jewish Chronicle that, “The Met is aware of allegations on the Internet, though no official complaint has been made to the police. Any complaint will be fully investigated…” (Jewish Chronicle, 24.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

A Birmingham psychiatrist, Dr. Imran Waheed, has claimed that four Britons arrested in Egypt are being tortured. Dr Waheed is, according to newspaper reports, the spokesman for the Islamic Liberation Party, also known as Hizb ut-Tahrir; three out of the four arrested are members of the group. The Foreign Office has confirmed that Reza Pankhurst, Ian Malcolm Nisbett, Maajid Nawaz and Hassan Rifzi were arrested on 1 April. The Islamic Liberation Party is accused of being associated with terrorism, an accusation denied by Dr Waheed (Birmingham Post, 19.04.02, Birmingham Evening Mail, 18.04.02, Wolverhampton Express & Star, 18.04.02, The Times, 19.04.02
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

Missionaries are being sent to Muslim countries in a covert operation by Frontiers, whose headquarters in the UK is in Buckinghamshire. The missionaries are working as teachers or aid workers. The organisation was founded in 1983 in the US and has approximately 600 missionaries in 40 Muslim countries. Its mission statement states: “Our passion is to glorify God by planting, reproducing churches among unreached Muslim peoples.” There are approximately 70 Britons working for the organisation in North Africa, West Asia, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent (Asian Age, 06.05.02, The Universe, 12.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

Muslim students at the University of Hull have organised their second Islam awareness week. Every day during the week lectures and exhibitions have taken place with the aim of countering Islamophobia and increasing awareness about Islam. The Islamic Society of Hull president, Mohammed Mustaqeem Shah, said: “Sadly, Islam and Muslims are often portrayed and seen as unreasonable, fanatical, intolerant, violators of human rights and anti-women. These misunderstandings breed suspicion, discrimination, racism and even violence … Islam commands followers to respect, preserve and strengthen all that is good in British society.” Lectures included subjects such as women in Islam, the role of Jesus in Islam, Islam and terrorism and conversion. (Hull Daily Mail, 11.04.02, 15.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

A teacher at a mosque school in Birmingham has been given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay £125 costs plus £75 compensation to his victim, after being found guilty of assaulting an 11-year-old pupil. The accused had dragged the boy by his ear into a classroom, picked him up by his legs and dropped him on the floor; the boy was also sat on, smacked and kicked in the face (Evening Mail, 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

There have been a number of anti-Jewish attacks in the UK in recent months which is causing concern to the UK’s 300,000 Jews. The Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks, has blamed Muslim extremists for encouraging the attacks, saying: “If you talk long enough about killing Jews, one day it will happen, God forbid.” However, Yousuf Bhailok, secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said in response: “Britain’s two million Muslims are alarmed at the intimidatory and scaremongering tactics from the pro-Israel lobby. We find it strange that just when the Israeli Army’s murderous rampage in the West Bank and its defiance of the United Nations is causing consternation through the world, the Chief Rabbi uses this moment to try and deflect attention away from Israel.” Synagogues and Jewish businesses have nevertheless increased their security and the police have increased their presence in Jewish areas (The Times, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 5]

Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, has a new musical release called In Praise of the Last Prophet, which is made up of 14 tracks, four of them sung by him and the others by artists from Algeria, Malaysia, South Africa and Turkey. About the songs, he said: “If you travel the Muslim world you hear these songs everywhere. Some are new, some are traditional. They have a hymn-like quality. We use no instruments because we’re trying to please the mainstream market - in Saudi Arabia they wouldn’t use stringed instruments. Our aim is to fill a need which exists in the musical world for an Islamically acceptable alternative to hip hop.” The album is available on Jamal Records (Evening Standard, 19.04.02, Sunday Herald: Seven Days, 28.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 6]

Twenty members of the Muslim Swimming Club in Leicester have raised £1,000 for cancer research, swimming up to 75 lengths of the pool at Cossington Street Sports Centre (Leicester Mercury, 23.04.02)
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 6]

Radical Muslim Abu Hamza al-Masri has been banned by the Charity Commission from preaching at the North London Central Mosque in Finsbury Park. The commission said that an investigation had shown that Mr Hamza had been making politically inflammatory statements which were inconsistent with the mosque’s status as a registered charity. The ban comes just after the Government authorised the freezing of his bank accounts as part of action against suspected Muslim terrorists. Followers of Abu Hamza are said to have included the so-called twentieth hijacker, Zacharias Moussaoui and Richard Reid, the alleged airline shoe bomber. It is expected that his British citizenship may now also be revoked. He said: “They are trying to shut me up any way they can but they shall not succeed. I will not be silenced.” Abu Hamza was included in a list of terrorist suspects published earlier in the year by G7 finance ministers (Financial Times, 25.04.02, The Times, 25.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 6]

The Queen is scheduled to make her first ever visit to a British mosque in July. The visit is a part of a goodwill gesture to non-Christian groups to celebrate the Golden Jubilee, and is organised with the help of the Inter Faith Network for the UK. The mosque to be visited is the Islamic Centre on Parkinson Avenue in Scunthorpe. Mohammed Afzal Khan, secretary of the Islamic Centre, said: “We are very honoured to have the privilege of the Queen’s visit as the Muslim community in Scunthorpe is only small” (Scunthorpe Evening Telegraph, 22.04.02, The Sunday Telegraph, 21.04.02, The Times, 24.04.02)
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A conference has been held at the Grange Interlink Centre in Bradford to discuss the future of Islam. The event featured a presentation by Professor Muhammad Nawaz of the University of Punjab, Pakistan, entitled “Will Islam ever rise again?” followed by a question and answer session (Asian Eye, 01.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Three hundred Muslims from around the UK joined the Toller Youth Association in the annual procession through Girlington, chanting passages from the Qur’an. The event has been held for the past three years and took on particular significance this year with the disturbances and the recent death of Shaikh Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Aslam Sahib. Naveed Ahmed, a youth worker with the association, said: “Our objective is to create an atmosphere of self-respect and integrity to help reduce crime and deviance within the community. We also wished to remember our Holy Sheikh and to spread a message of love, peace and purity” (Asian Eye, 01.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Bradford Neighbourhood Renewal Fund has given £15,000 towards a community facility for the elderly. The centre is being set up by the Bradford Sunni Muslim Khalifa Society and the chairman of the society, Maksud Ahmed Khalifa, said: “There are no facilities in the area for the elderly Gujerati community which we hope to put right, although it will also be open to the whole community. This money will pay for a feasibility study of the land which will be done right away.” It is hoped that the centre will provide meals, health monitoring and information, day trips and leisure facilities (Asian Eye, 01.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A celebration of Pakistan Day has been held in Lye, near Stourbridge. The event was attended by councillors, community members and leaders of other faith communities in the area. The two-hour event was held at the Jamia Islamic Anwarul Quran Education Centre and attracted 150 people (Stourbridge News & County Express, 11.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Dewsbury councillor, Karam Hussain, has pledged to start a clean up campaign in the Westtown area of the town, to clear away litter and dumped items. He said: “There are a number of hotspots which seem to be the favoured dumping ground, such as behind the old Scarborough pub and behind the Mosque in High Street” (The Dewsbury Reporter, 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A restaurant in Dunfermline’s Bridge Street has been condemned for banning guide dogs on religious grounds. Gary Keay was angry when he discovered that he wasn’t allowed in the restaurant because of his guide dog. The restaurant stated that the dog was not allowed in for reasons of hygiene and because it put off other customers. A demonstration was organised by the Dunfermline branch of the Scottish Socialist Party. The demonstration was attended by only six people, but the demonstrators claimed that they had successfully persuaded a number of people to boycott the restaurant. A spokesperson for the restaurant stated: “It’s against our religion - Islam - to go near dogs. Other customers also object to having dogs in the restaurant … we do not wish to offend Mr Keay or be disrespectful to anyone who’s blind. When a blind person or disabled person comes in we attend to their every need so there’s no need for a guide dog on the premises. We’ve told Mr Keay that we’d even send a driver to pick him up at his house and bring him to the restaurant and take him home again” (Dunfermline Press & West of Fife Ad., 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

An inquest has been opened on 24-year-old Qadir Ahmed who was stabbed and beaten to death on 14 February 2002. Three men have been charged with his murder. Meanwhile, approximately 1,000 people attended a funeral service for Mr Ahmed at Keighley’s Emily Street Mosque prior to his body being flown to Pakistan for burial. Mr Ahmed ran his own business and was the fourth young Keighley man to be killed in a violent incident since September (Keighley News, 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Keighley’s Sangat Centre held a retirement event for the head of Greenhead High School, Miles Mizon, the principal of Keighley College, Doug Hardaker, and the Bishop of Bradford, the Revd. David Smith, which raised almost £900 for Afghan relief work. The money was raised when well wishers were asked to donate money during the recitation of religious poetry by eight year old Hamad Hussain. The money raised will be shared between Islamic Relief, the Catholic charity Cafod and Christian Aid (Keighley News, 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A conference has been held in Winchester entitled ‘Islam: Myths and Realities’ organised by the Winchester Council for Justice and Peace and Southampton Al Nisaa association, and held at the United Church, Jewry Street. The keynote speaker was Iqbal Asaria who said: “We have so much in common and share so many things. If we could bridge the gaps, stemming from ignorance and historic events, we would know each other better. We have a lot of common prophets and history. There is a great deal of richness and so much to share in our traditions.” The conference was opened by MP Mark Oaten and attended by the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Revd Michael Scott-Joynt, who said: “If our society gets radically more secular, it will become less tolerant of people of faith. There is substantial misunderstanding and prejudice against Islam. It is most important that Christians and churches should be in the forefront, standing alongside those in Muslim countries, defending minorities and other faith groups” (Hampshire Chronicle, 19.04.02, Hampshire Chronicle, 12.04.02, Eastleigh News Extra, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

An event has been held at the Guild Hall, Preston, aimed at attracting young police recruits from ethnic minority backgrounds; members of Lancashire Council of Mosques attended (Morecombe Visitor, 10.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Chris Dunham, an energy consultancy director, has been honoured for bravery by members of the Greenwich Muslim community. Mr Dunham was injured while attempting to deliver food to Palestinians trapped in their homes in the besieged city of Beit Jala. The Greenwich Islamic Association gave him a plaque during a presentation on 28 April (Eltham News Shopper, 17.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Gravesend Muslim Cultural Centre was host to an activities project organised by Groundwork’s Earthworm project, which aims to allow children to experience the environment in ways which are not normally available to them. The children made bird boxes during the activity to be taken home to place in their own gardens (Bexleyheath & Welling News Shopper, 17.04.02, Gravesend Messenger, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Ruislip Golf Centre in Harefield was host to the Comedy Bunker where female Muslim stand up comic, Shazia Mirza performed (Harefield Gazette, 17.04.02 Dudley Express & Star, 10.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A Tooting mosque is to house an office for special police constables in a pioneering initiative. The scheme was unveiled by Home Office minister John Denham at the Tooting Islamic Centre. The idea came from special officer, Fred Ahmed, who said: “We hope this will add even more to the growing relationship between the police and the mosque here in Tooting. By working together in this way we can only produce a better understanding and confidence in policing and the services we can provide to everyone in our community.” A spokesman for the Balham and Tooting Mosque and the Muslim Council of Great Britain, Iqbal Sacranie, said: “We must work for the community and in partnership with the borough of Wandsworth, and are now in the final stage of establishing a unique link between our community and the police in Wandsworth.” It is hoped that if the scheme is successful, it will be used elsewhere in the UK (Wandsworth Borough Guardian, 18.04.02, Steatham & Clapham Post, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Muslim community in Truro has been given nine months to shut down a social and educational centre that was set up in a house without planning permission. The centre was established to provide education facilities for teaching children about Islam and has been used by approximately ten families. In November a retrospective planning application was turned down. Carrick District Council has now approved an enforcement action to ensure that the centre closes down but has given the community nine months to locate alternative accommodation (The West Briton Truro & Mid Cornwall, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Members of the Stoke on Trent Muslim community have raised £1,831 from voluntary donations at the Islamic Centre in Shelton for the Donna Louise Hospice Trust (Stoke Sentinel, 26.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Aga Khan plans to build the biggest Islamic academic centre in the English-speaking world in the centre of London. Under the proposal, the site, which is opposite to the Houses of Parliament and next to Lambeth Palace, is to house various academic and cultural facilities. However, there has been opposition from Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, which is adjacent to the site, as they wish to expand but cannot compete with the Aga Khan’s bid of £24m. The hospital originally owned the land until 1998 when it passed to King’s College, whose council must now make a decision about its future (Asian Age, 27.04.02, Daily Mail, 27.04.02, Daily Telegraph, 27.04.02, The Times, 30.04.02, Asian Times, 07.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The only Muslim in the Royal Marines, Ghazanfar Hussain, has said that fighting ‘Islamic extremists’ in Afghanistan does not contradict his own beliefs. He said: “It made me very angry when al-Qaeda used my religion on September 11 to justify what they did. There is no suicide bombing in the Koran. They are simply terrorists. Their faith is false. They need to be stopped and brought to justice and that is in the Koran. The bottom line is that I’m a British citizen, so I fight for Britain.” Mr Hussain is of Pakistani heritage and comes from Yorkshire (Asian Times, 30.04.02, The Times Register, 27.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Sunday Business has provided a survey of Islamic banking which outlines all the products currently available. This follows the recent announcement that the Bank of England has set up a working party of senior bankers to examine Islamic banking and the sudden growth of halal financing. Andrew Buxton of the British Bankers Association said: “We are trying to identify the barriers, whether it is cost or social legislation or whatever it is, and seeing whether the government would be willing to remove those barriers by changing the law.” The sector is now worth between $150bn and $200bn globally (Sunday Business, 28.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Basildon Crown Court has jailed a mosque volunteer for nine months after he admitted indecently assaulting a nine-year-old boy. The man taught Qur’an to children at a local mosque, although the incident did not take place at the mosque but at a private house (Southend Evening Echo, 29.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Lee Dobson, who converted to Islam eight years ago, was barred from boarding a plane to the US and told by the airline that he could not have a refund for his ticket. He said: “When I booked … I was worried that my long beard and traditional Islamic clothes might single me out and cause suspicion, given world events. I asked staff about it and they said I’d be fine. But when I got to the airport I was searched and questioned by airline staff and told I could not board the flight because I was classed as a security risk.” Mr Dobson went on to say that the police and airport security staff were involved and had tried to persuade the airline security staff to allow him on the flight, but he was still refused permission to board. A spokeswoman for British Midland said: “A person was refused boarding on one of our flights. But I cannot discuss any of the facts because of passenger confidentiality” (Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 29.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Walkers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association have tackled an 18 mile walk at Rutland water, to help raise £20,000 for charity. The money raised is to go to Save the Children, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Cancer Research UK and Humanity First (Leicester Mercury, 30.04.02, Birmingham Evening Mail, 02.05.02, Rugby Evening Telegraph, 08.05.02, Wolverhampton Evening Telegraph, 11.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Midland branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has held a meeting about Islam at the Dar ul Barakaat mosque in Tilton Road, Birmingham. The meeting was part of a celebration of the life of the Prophet Muhammad and was attended by members of the local Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities (Birmingham Post, 01.05.02, Birmingham Evening Mail 01.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

BBC Bristol have won a bronze award in the Sony Awards for a programme which was a portrayal of Bristol’s Muslim community. The producer, Vicki Klein, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled with the award, the programme itself would never have been made without the full cooperation of the Muslim community in Bristol, they allowed us into their community and lives providing a fantastic insight in their own words” (Bristol Evening Post, 06.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Tributes have been made to two community leaders in Bolton who have recently left their posts at the Bolton Council of Mosques. The chairman, Tariq Mahmood, is leaving the UK to manage a business in Dubai, and the general secretary, Faruq Mangera, is also moving to Dubai to become a company director. The Council also paid tribute to Bolton Council’s Deputy Director of Education and Culture, John Shepley, who recently retired from his post, for all the support he had given to the community. Ismail Adam is to be the new chairman and Maulana Mohammed Adam is to be the new general secretary (Bolton Evening News, 06.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Smethwick Pakistani Muslim Association has been given £54,000 by the Government’s New Opportunities Fund to provide education and fun activities for youngsters aged seven to 16. The youngsters will be able to take part in play schemes, homework projects, reading clubs and other cultural activities. A spokesperson for the association, Nazreen Suleman, said: “The children are so excited. They have been looking forward to this initiative for some time and now we’ve been told we’ve got the funding they can’t wait for the schemes to being” (Sandwell Express & Star, 09.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Four people have been arrested following an arson attack on a home in Huddersfield which left seven dead, including five young sisters. The house was owned by a local retired imam Abdul Aziz Chishti, who survived the fire. At a news conference he said: “My family and I have been the victims of a murderous attack on my house. We have suffered an enormous tragedy in which I have lost my daughter and five young grand-daughters aged from six months to 13 years. I have also lost a son. I hope the community will join me in praying to Allah for those who have left us. May they all go to heaven.” All those arrested are Asian and aged 19-25 (Gloucestershire Echo, 14.05.02, News Letter, 13.05.02, The Times, 13.05.02, Daily Mirror, 15.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The East England Small Business Centre which specialises in working with ethnic minorities and the disadvantaged has made a successful bid to manage a scheme established by the government under the Phoenix Fund (See BMMS for November 2001). The scheme is said to be unique as it recognises the religious beliefs of the Muslim community, who have not been able to utilise the standard commercial schemes already on offer because they are forbidden to take or receive interest. The scheme is said to cover the whole of Tower Hamlets and Newham and is able to make loans of up to £10,000 to new and existing businesses. The successful applicants will make a donation £200 on loans of up to £5,000 and a donation of £500 for loans between £5,001 to £10,000. These donations are to be paid directly back into the loan fund for continued growth.

The scheme has already attracted a good deal of interest and four loans to three applicants in Newham and one in Tower Hamlets totalling £35,000 have been agreed. The applicants are reported to be a convenience store, a clothing manufacturer, a book publisher and a clothing wholesaler. Applicants also have the benefit of free business advice and counselling, which the business centre provides to all its clients (Docklands Recorder, 01.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Yasser Al-Siri, an Egyptian, who has been living in the UK for eight years was arrested and accused of being part of a plot to assassinate the leader of Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance, General Ahmed Shah Massoud (See BMMS for April 2002). Mr Al-Siri, who runs the Islamic Observation Centre in Paddington, London, was approached by Karim Touzani and Kacem Bakkali to write a letter of recommendation. Mr Al-Siri did not deny writing these letters but said he thought they were to be used as letters of introduction to Taliban leaders. Instead the two men used the letters as templates to forge a letter which helped them gain access to General Massoud, where they set off a bomb while interviewing him. Mr Al-Siri was implicated in the plot by the letters but it was claimed that Mr Al-Siri had not destroyed any evidence, had not covered his tracks and had remained at his home, which all served as factors towards proving his innocence. Mr Al-Siri is also reported to have maintained his innocence and said that he runs a legitimate communications and human rights centre. He had told the police that he had written letters of accreditation believing them to be used for a genuine production for television. The letters were found in the assassins’ room with Mr Al-Siri’s phone number.

Judge Peter Beaumont QC at the Old Bailey said that Mr Al-Siri was the victim of a “sophisticated forgery in which they had used his draft letter as a template to create a series of documents by which they could gain access to Massoud…thus using the applicant as an innocent fall guy” (The Guardian, 17.05.02). After a four-day hearing, Mr Al-Siri was cleared of the murder plot and three other charges against him, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, were also dropped. One more charge of inciting racial hatred remains because of a book he published; his defence is applying for it to be dismissed.

Mr Al-Siri, who had been detained at Belmarsh high security prison since his arrest on 23 October last year, was granted bail but as he left the dock he was re-arrested on an indictment from the US government. They are looking to extradite him on the charges that he had received and published messages from Sheikh Ahmed Abdel Rahman, who was convicted in 1995 of being part of the 1993 plot to bomb the World Trade Centre. He was taken to Charing Cross Police Station under the extradition warrant and Scotland Yard were reported to have said that Mr Al-Siri would be appearing at Bow Street Magistrates on the day of the report in Dundee’s The Courier and Advertiser (17.05.02). The warrant alleges that between 6 and 14 May 2001 he had provided money for Sheikh Rahman and al-Qaeda “knowing or having reasonable cause to suspect that the money would or may be used for the purpose of terrorism within the jurisdiction of the Government of the USA” (Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 17.05.02). Mr Al-Siri was reported to have been devastated that he would not be reunited with his family (Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 17.05.02, The Guardian, 17.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

South Manchester Reporter (19.05.02) carried an article on the possible approval of a “controversial development” that will allow a student hall of residence in Whalley Range to be used as a Muslim prayer centre (See BMMS for April 2002). It was reported that despite local protest and worries about parking, the planners intended to approve the retrospective application. To allay these worries, Minhaj-Ul-Quran Ltd, who had applied for the change of use, are now reported to be extending the car park to accommodate 44 vehicles and the main entrance is also to be moved from the busy corner junction to the quieter side of the building on May Road. The Madina Hall Centre on Withington Road is expected to attract approximately 100 local worshippers in the afternoon and evening prayer times and the busiest times are expected to be Friday afternoons and commemorative days, usually held at weekends. Also between 5.00 and 6.30pm there will be teaching classes in Arabic, Urdu and English for five-year-old to 16-year-old children. In order to combat complaints of noise coming from the centre, the hall users are said to have stopped using any amplification equipment and have also agreed to the planners’ conditions that all noise should cease. In addition, with the help of the council, a scheme is to be put in place to reduce the noise that emanates from the ground floor and the centre will be vacated at midnight (South Manchester Reporter, 19.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Sandwell mosque on Wellington Road in Tipton became the centre of controversy when three men from the area were detained at Camp X Ray in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba (See BMMS for February 2002). The families of the three men have strenuously denied any links with any terror groups. However the mosque was alleged to have been the meeting place for Muslims with extremist views. Prior to this the mosque had been running without any problems for 20 years. It has had several temporary planning approvals, the last in 1998, which was approved until 9 October 2002 or until a new mosque that has been approved on another site on Wellington Road begins to operate. Sandwell’s head of planning, Tony Rice, stated in a report to the planning committee: “Given that the use of the property as an impoverished mosque has given rise to no complaints for nearly 20 years there is clear proof the use is acceptable…” (Sandwell Express & Star, 23.05.02). At a meeting on 29 May, the committee gave the applicant, Tipton Muslim Trust Association, permission to keep the mosque running. However, the planning committee refused permanent permission, opting instead for five years temporary permission for it to continue as a mosque. A spokesperson for the council said: “This application was dealt with purely on planning grounds” (Birmingham Post, 30.05.02). The police were also reported to be satisfied and had no objection. Birmingham Post (30.05.02) reported that the West Midland Police “had indicated no objections, they had no disorder problems and no evidence of involvement with the al Qaida movement” (Sandwell Express & Star, 23.05.02, 29.05.02, City Express & Star, 24.05.02, Walsall Express & Star, 25.05.02, Birmingham Evening Mail, 29.05.02, Birmingham Post, 30.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

A Muslim source is reported to have revealed that there is widespread anger towards the government. It is reported that a significant number of the Watford Muslim community are not supporting Labour’s Vince Muspratt for mayor because of Labour’s plans to attack Iraq, the bombing of Afghanistan and failure to help the Palestinians. The source is reported to have said that they are “appalled” at the governments’ actions. However, during a visit to Watford, Labour Party chairman, Charles Clarke, rejected these suggestions and said that attacking Iraq was not an issue right now.

However, because of a message from Muslims printed in Vince Muspratt’s campaign leaflets, the issue of Muslim support is said to have been highlighted. The statement, attributed to Mohammed Yaqub and the mosque committee, read: “The Muslim community strongly support Vince Muspratt as mayoral candidate. His support for the Central Mosque and North Watford Mosque is well known” (The Watford Observer, 26.04.02). The Muslim source, who is involved in community projects, rejects this support. He said: “As far as Mr Yaqub’s comment is concerned it is incorrect. It is true to say that Labour is just using the Mosque elders for their gain, it’s disgusting”. Councillor Muspratt is reported to have dismissed these suggestions and said that the minority communities must know that they will not be treated badly. In relation to Muslims he is reported to have said that Labour had shown its commitment and that they were “the only party to treat them properly” (The Watford Observer, 26.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Scotland’s Robert Wisemen Dairies had printed the flag of Saudi Arabia on their milk cartons as part of a World Cup promotion. It is said that they were inundated with complaints because the flag contains text from the Qur’an, which disturbed many Muslims because, once empty, the cartons would be disposed of in the rubbish bins. The vice-president of Glasgow’s Islamic Centre, Ghulam Rabbani, said: “We have had many complaints. I contacted Wiseman’s straight away and they were very sympathetic. They didn’t realise the symbolism” (The Sun, 27.05.02). Wiseman Dairies also stated: “It’s not our intention to cause offence or in any way to disrespect the Saudi Arabian flag” (The Sun, 27.05.02). They are now said to be reprinting 12,000 cartons with the text blanked out, and to stop the cartons from ending up in dustbins, a Glasgow shopkeeper, Ijaz Mohammed, is reported to be offering 20p for empty cartons (The Sun, 27.05.02, The Scotsman, 27.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, from Sussex, was to offer special prayers in order to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Dr Sajid, who chairs the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony UK, was to attend Chichester Cathedral and St Peter’s Church in Brighton on 30 June. He was also to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace on 10 June (Brighton Argus, 28.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

The Times (31.05.02) made a correction at the request of the Hizb ut-Tahrir group. The correction stated that the group had asked the newspaper to clarify that it was not involved in recruiting young Muslims for terrorist training camps, a report The Times had carried on 27 December 2001. It went on to state that the group also denied that their “supporters are paid cash for the numbers brought to the meetings, which are not clandestine or closely guarded” (The Times, 31.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Barrister Kadim Thathall was reported to have been unanimously elected as the new chairman of the Burton Mosque in Princess Street, which has undergone £400,000 worth of refurbishments in the last few years. New members were also elected to join him on the management team. Mr Thathall promised the community that they would be both consulted and more informed, which is something that had been missing in the past. He said that this was not a criticism but just how it was. He said: “We are looking forward to making a positive impact on the Moslem community in Burton with a greater level of accountability and consultation…We would like to express thanks to the former committee for the hard work, endeavour and commitment in rebuilding the mosque over the last two to three years” (Burton Mail, 23.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 7]

Scotland’s first Muslim school for girls is celebrating its success. The school is confident that it will be able to recruit its target of 25 new pupils in August to add to the 30 already attending. As it is an independent school, funding is made up of contributions from the Muslim community and fees paid by the families of the pupils (Dundee Evening Telegraph & Post, 23.04.02, Dundee Courier and Advertiser, 24.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 8]

A conference is being planned in Bradford to help improve the educational standards of Muslim children in the city. The aim is to try to identify the barriers that prevent Muslim children from achieving their full potential. The guest speakers at the conference are to be Mark Pattison, managing director of Education Bradford and Yasmin Hussein, education consultant for Diversity and Achievement. The conference is being organised by the Islamic Society of Britain (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 01.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 9]

Reading Muslim Council has advertised for Muslim volunteers in order to supplement religious education in schools. They are looking to train ten people who would provide information and share their own experiences of being Muslim with pupils in mainstream schools. Dr Mohamed Ahmed, community development worker, said: “Our plan is to work with the National Curriculum at every key stage, not to propagate. We have often been invited into schools through personal contacts, but we want this to be more organised” (Reading Evening Post, 22.04.02). Another ten volunteers are also required for an Islamic Experience Exhibition to be held in July at Leighton Park. Interested people are asked to contact: 0118 950 4048 (Woodley Chronicle, 02.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 9]

Six female students from Beardwood High School were reported to have taken part in a first of its kind educational project, where they were joined by 20 other young Muslim women on a residential weekend for ethnic minorities. The pupils travelled to the Lake District for the weekend and for their participation they received certificates from the Ethnic Association Development Project. Beardwood school community officer, Nazmun Usman, said: “This was the perfect opportunity for these pupils to take part in activities and workshops in and around Ambleside” (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 18.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 9]

The Observer (26.05.02) carried an article reporting that under the new rules that have been brought in to “stamp out segregation”, which is seen as one if the main contributing factors in the disturbances last year in the north of England, all-white schools in inner cities will be forced to take ethnic minority pupils. This has the aim of preventing “‘ghetto’ lifestyles where children never mix with other cultures breeding mutual hatred and suspicion”. Schools are also reported as having to deal with higher exclusion rates or lower exam pass rates among ethnic minority pupils. The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) are for the first time taking enforcement powers in order to stop “indirect discrimination”. The CRE are said to be publishing a report on the integration of immigrants in which they are reported to have warned that “Muslim attitudes to women endanger mingling of communities.” Sonja Hall, chief policy officer for the CRE, said that the school needed to find out why parents from particular cultures do not want to send their children there. Schools and LEAs are also told to ensure that their curriculum reflects different cultures and that both black and white pupils are punished in the same way.

This move is reported to have followed on from the findings of the Cantle Report which was commissioned by the government. It concluded that the white and Asian communities lived completely separate lives and suggested that schools should change their catchment area in order to ensure a wider mix of pupils. However, regional director for the CRE and author of the CRE report A Place For Us All, Eric Seward, said that it was economic factors rather than cultural factors that had contributed to the segregation. The report states that the priority should be the preservation of multicultural schools rather than rescuing failing schools that had one predominant ethnic group. Mr Seward is also reported to have said that, “…Muslim girls were not encouraged to be high achievers, trapping families in impoverished inner city ‘ghettos’”. He said: “There needs to be a more aspirational role model in Pakistani communities for the younger generation not only for the boys but also for the women…We have seen in some of the other minority communities higher aspirations set for young women then we sometimes see in Muslim communities” (The Observer, 26.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 9]

Muslims from Banbury visited the House of Commons to celebrate Eid at the invitation of MP Tony Baldry. The party went on a sightseeing tour of London and then had afternoon tea at the Commons (Banbury Cake, 11.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Muslim candidates were representing different sides of the political spectrum during council elections in Sheffield, recently. Both first-time candidates and both standing in Darnall, Shaffaq Mohammed represented the Liberal Democrats and Mohammad Altaf represented Labour. With regard to the election, Mohammad Altaf, aged 59, said: “Religion won’t play a part in this election. It has nothing to do with it. We are British citizens, this is our city and we are working for the community, looking after our own wards and our own neighbours. Religion does not come into it, whether you are Muslim, Hindu or Christian. This election is about voting Labour because we have good policies and have been working for people at a national level.” Shaffaq Mohammed likewise stated: “I have never brought race or religion into my politics and it’s not a big thing. When I work alongside people it’s because we are all concerned about the same issues, which affect everybody” (Barnsley Star, 29.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

The Rector of Birmingham has set off a row by arranging a Civic Service for the new mayor before the appointment has been confirmed. Councillor Mahmood Hussain has been lined up as the new mayor by Labour colleagues, but the appointment has not been confirmed pending the results of local council elections. Canon Adrian Newman had already arranged a special service in honour of the prospective mayor at St Martin’s in the Bull Ring. The Tory spokesman, Peter Douglas Osborn, said: “Sending out invitations before an appointment is even made and before the results of the elections are known is unwarranted interference in the democratic process.” The invitations that had been sent out stated: “This year marks the first Muslim Lord Mayor for Birmingham, an important acknowledgement of the multicultural nature of the city” (Birmingham Post, 01.05.02, Birmingham Evening Mail, 30.04.02)
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

A radical Muslim who is believed to be Osama bin Laden’s ‘European ambassador’, Abu Qatada, is understood by the police to be still hiding in Britain. He has been accused by German investigators of being a key figure in a terrorist gang which was planning attacks in Germany, including the blowing up of the British embassy in Berlin. The Labour MP, Andrew Dismore, has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett asking for explanations concerning Abu Qatada’s presence in the UK. He said: “This man has been accused as the mastermind of several terrorist groups around Europe linked to al-Qaeda. One day he is living happily in west London, the next he has disappeared. We now are being told he is living freely in Britain. Why hasn’t he been arrested?” Abu Qatada was given asylum in Britain in 1994 and in Jordan has been tried twice in his absence on terrorist charges (Observer, 05.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

The National Union of Students have withdrawn from a seminar to be held at the London School of Economics, because it refuses to share a platform with a speaker from Al-Muhajiroun. The seminar, organised by Inform which researches into new religious and spiritual movements, was to examine new religious movements and cults on campuses. The only other group which the NUS will not share a platform with is the British National Party (Times Higher Education Supplement, 10.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Peter Hain, the minister for Europe, has warned that Muslim immigration and the resultant backlash, pose a greater threat than tensions arising from racial differences. In an interview with the Sunday Times, he said that he was concerned about the increase in numbers of asylum seekers arriving in the UK and the reluctance of Muslims, who make up a significant number of the asylum seekers, to adapt to British culture. Hain emphasised that his comments were not a general criticism of Muslims. However, Muslim leaders in the UK took issue with his comments. Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament of Britain, said: “It is very sad. As a political activist, Peter Hain should know better. It shows how cut-off Labour ministers have become from the reality of life in Britain.” Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, said: “Islam has now almost become interchangeable with terrorism, which has no [basis in] reality. It does not help to make Islam out to be an isolationist religion” (The Sunday Times, 12.05.02). Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman, said: “Identifying Muslims as the group most guilty of separatism in the UK is simplistic and dangerous. There are many national, racial and faith communities where lack of good English and different religious traditions keep them away from too much of British culture and participation” (The Times, 13.05.02, The Guardian, 13.05.02, Daily Telegraph, 13.05.02, Daily Mail, 13.05.02, The Independent, 13.05.02, The Times, 15.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Muslim News (26.04.02) carried an article on the only Muslim member of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Shahid Malik from Burnley, who believes he has been victimised by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett. This is because he has not been reappointed as a member of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). He told Muslim News that, “The Home Secretary issues warrants of appointments to every CRE commissioner wanting to renew their four-year term…But I am the first person when it hasn’t happened. He has set a new precedent”. Mr Malik was also reported to have been challenged by UK’s largest trade union, the AEEU, who are said to have blocked his re-nomination to the NEC. Mr Malik believes that there were “racist undertones” in this attempt, which had failed as he succeeded in winning the nomination in Burnley. He is now reported to be “imploring” Muslim members of the Labour Party to use their vote in the hope that he may retain his seat.

The Home Office are reported to have rejected his accusations. A spokesperson is reported to have told Muslim News, “The application process is a fair one and in accordance with the guidelines of the Commission for Public Appointments.” Mr Malik believes that the reason for his not being re-nominated is that he has been outspoken about his views, which have included criticism of the chair of the CRE, Gurbux Singh. Mr Malik is reported to have been critical of the disturbances that took place in the northern towns and cities of England last year. Mr Malik said: “Such conclusion like forced integration, which appears to be supported by Singh, would not help to promote social cohesion or racial harmony…We need to address the underlying discrimination and its economic and social consequences…We must be creative about integration and building mutual understanding and respect.” He also warned of the growing support for the British National Party and said, 13 BNP candidates were standing in Burnley alone. He said that the government had to accept that there was a real problem with race and that “it was no good keeping their heads in the sand” (Muslim News, 26.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

After past allegation that the British National Party had plans to intimidate Muslim voters not to vote in the local council elections (See BMMS for October 2001), the party has handed out anti-Islam leaflets around the country in which the word Islam is spelled out as: Intolerance, Slaughter, Looting, Arson, Molestation of women. A spokesperson at the anti-fascist publication, Searchlight, said: “They could cause chaos. It could even lead to a riot kicking off if BNP people get too heavy” (The Mirror, 25.04.02, North Yorkshire Post, 08.04.02, West Riding Yorkshire Post, 15.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

The Vienna-based European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) launched a report in Brussels covering the period from 11 September 2001 to the end of that year (See BMMS for February 2002). According to The Guardian (24.05.02) the report identifies an increase in prejudice against Muslims across the continent and both the media and British politicians have been warned to “avoid demonising immigrants and asylum seekers”. The British media are blamed in the report for portraying asylum seekers as “terrorists” and the “enemy within” ever since 11 September, as well as using negative stereotypes of Muslims. The report states that “less sensationalist voices were mainly overlooked”, and, according to the article in The Guardian, the British media were singled out for “disproportionate” coverage of extremist Muslims and extremist groups willing to join an Islamic war against the west.

In their survey, the EUMC found that there was a rise in physical assaults in some northern EU states, most notably in the UK. There had been a “significant” increase in abuse, violent assault and attacks on Muslim property, some “very serious” (The Guardian, 24.05.02). According to the Financial Times (24.05.02), the “prime victims of this increase in hostility” were women wearing headscarves - hijab, and school children. Many attacks on mosques were also reported and Sikh men wearing turbans were also reported to have been victims of this hostility.

The chairman of EUMC, Bob Purkis, said in Brussels: “By demonising refugees and asylum seekers you legitimise racism and xenophobia. There are mixed messages coming from the prime minister, from the Foreign Office. In the discussion about asylum seekers we have to make sure we are not operating in ways that legitimise the debate that racists are having…If it is right for Europe to give a lead where there is ethnic tension elsewhere in the world, then it is imperative that it puts its own house in order if it is to be listened to” (The Guardian, 24.05.02). Mr Purkis was also reported to have said: “September 11 has acted as a detonator of feelings which haven’t been properly addressed” (Financial Times, 24.05.02). Inayat Bunglawala from the Muslim Council of Britain is reported to have said that the report from EUMC had confirmed their findings. The director of EUMC, Beate Winkler, said: “An atmosphere has been created in which Muslims have to justify themselves that they’re not terrorists” (Financial Times, 24.05.02), (The Guardian, 24.05.02, Financial Times, 24.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

According to figures just released, race hatred is reported to have doubled in north Derbyshire (See BMMS for February 2002). The number of attacks last year has gone up to 130, with the most significant rise in the days following 11 September. This is particularly noticeable when compared to police figures for the year 2000 which stood at 64. One of the main groups said to be targeted are Muslims, who are reported to have said that due to a certain minority of troublemakers they are living in daily fear. Chesterfield, where over 40 per cent of the offences took place, is said to be one of the main problem areas. Offences ranged from attacks on black pupils in the playground to serious violent assaults. These figures are said to have been published in the same week as Chesterfield’s Multi-Agency Racial Harassment Task Group obtaining a £2,000 portable digital CCTV camera with the aim of catching race offenders in the act as well as locating trouble spots.

A police spokesperson attributed the rise in figures to a seminar given last April where victims were encouraged to report incidents, but added that it was a combination of this and 11 September. Ishtaq Sharif, spokesman for Chesterfield Muslim Association, said: “Many Muslims in the town live in fear on a daily basis. I think my members’ reaction to the figures will be their fears have been put onto paper and cemented. People are now encouraged to report incidents, so it will lead to a rise, but if there is a rise next year that will be very worrying” (Derbyshire Times Chesterfield/Clay Cross, 25.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Following attacks on the Muslim community in Watford, linked with the events of 11 September, a hotline for victims of racial attacks has been set up in a joint initiative between police, Watford Council and Watford Football Club. They have provided £4,500 to set it up and run the scheme for the first year. Since September, a number of initiatives have been put in place to tackle Islamophobia in conjunction with the Muslim Action Forum (The Watford Observer, 12.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

A Muslim traffic warden has lost a legal claim which asserted that wearing a Christian cross on his uniform discriminated against his Muslim faith. Muhammad Azzaoui, who is Moroccan, took exception to the cross which appears on the uniform badge, inside the Queen’s crown, measuring 5mm. Mr Azzaoui dropped his claim just before it was due to be heard and the police, in return, agreed to ask the tribunal at Croydon, for nominal costs of £200 against him. It emerged that, after he resigned in protest about the cross, Mr Azzaoui had been given the option to resume his training without having to wear the badge, but he refused (The Times, 14.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Iftikhar Ali, 33, a London Underground worker, was convicted of stirring up racial hatred by distributing leaflets in the Whitechapel area of London. One hundred and thirty leaflets were seized, which contained an invitation to a public meeting of Al-Muhajiroun at a community centre in Whitechapel. The leaflets read: “The Holy land, Palestine, crying for Jihad. The hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them”. (East London Advertiser, 25.04.02). These are said to have been distributed close to a mosque and a synagogue in Whitechapel.

After a four-day trial at Southwark Crown Court, a jury of nine men and three women found him guilty of distributing material that was “‘threatening, abusive or insulting’ with the intent to stir up racial hatred” (East London Advertiser, 25.04.02). Judge Jeremy McMullen QC issued a 200 hour community punishment order, fined Mr Ali £3,000 and ordered him to pay costs of £1,200. Passing sentence, Judge McMullen said that Whitechapel High Street was the heart of a multi-cultural community where people of many faiths including Muslims, Jews and Christians, worked and lived side by side. It had traditionally been the heart of Jewish immigration and recently it had been the heart of the Bengali community. He said: “…It has a rich history of multi-culturalism. It also has a dark history of racial hatred with attacks on Jews. In the middle of the day you handed out leaflets advertising a talk by the organisation Al-Muhajiroun. You will no doubt understand if firm punishment is meted out to you” (East London Advertiser, 09.05.02).

Outside the court Mr Ali spoke and said: “I was just doing some activity in support of Muslims in Palestine that have been targeted by the Israeli Army and oppressed” (East London Advertiser, 09.05.02). He said that he thought that, though he had been found guilty of inciting racial hatred, it was Islam and not him on trial. He said that the fine of £3,000 was unfair but that it was a pleasure to pay in order to practise Islam. He maintained that he would go on supporting Muslims in Palestine and anywhere else in the world, “…verbally, physically and financially”. When asked whether he had been inciting racial hatred, he replied: “I think that question would be better put to the prosecution. This is what the British justice system found” (East London Advertiser, 09.05.02), (East London Advertiser, 25.04.02, East London Advertiser, 09.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

Women who have attended the art classes at Bradford Council for Mosques in Great Horton Street, have created a display of artwork celebrating the district’s Capital of Culture bid. The display draws on both Asian and British art influences. The centre’s manager, Mohammed Saleem Khan, said: “We believe in a multi-faith society where people can live and work together. The women wanted to do something to celebrate Bradford’s culture and to show what they have achieved here. Many of these women don’t leave the house very often and can feel very isolated. They don’t realise they have any creative skills until they come here and start to paint. These classes give them a chance to get out, socialise, and develop new skills.” The artwork is on display in the main meeting room at the Council of Mosques (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 16.04.02, Asian Eye, 01.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 10]

A peace vigil has been held in Bradford’s Centenary Square to raise awareness of the thousands of children caught up in the conflict in Israel. The vigil was organised by Muslim women and they invited people from all religions and beliefs to join them (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 04.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 11]

The Agency for Culture and Change Management in Sheffield has been working to eradicate the practice of female circumcision amongst Somalis in the city (See BMMS for September 2001). The aim of the agency is to educate people about the health risks and to explain to people that it is illegal and not a religious requirement for Muslims. The chairman, Ahmed Hussein, said: “Female genital mutilation is a taboo subject. I don’t know anyone who is doing this, but there is an understanding that the community is still practising this. Many people still believe it is something to do with religion, but it is not. Anything that harms the person is wrong. We are here to act in the interests of the community and to support them. What we are saying is that there is a problem and we are trying to help our community to learn and understand” (Barnsley Star, 02.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 11]

Shama Ahmad, 51, a prospective councillor and former mayor for Newham, was the first Asian woman to hold the title of Newham’s top citizen in 1996 to 1997. She is now reported to have been presented with an MBE at Buckingham Palace for her services to the borough. She is said to have previously attended a garden party at the palace and had met Prince Charles on several occasions. It is reported that despite there being a 150 New Honours recipients, Prince Charles recognised her. Mrs Ahmad said: “He came up and asked about my mayoral year and said that he was very happy that I was doing good work for the community and will continue that” (Docklands Recorder, 24.04.02). Fifteen years after arriving in the UK, Mrs Ahmad joined the Labour Party in 1986. She has helped women with literacy problems, helped the homeless and she is the founder of the National Muslim Citizens Association. Mrs Ahmad was accompanied by her husband Mahmood Ahmad, a prospective Newham councillor. They were later joined by family, friends and colleagues at a celebratory reception at East Ham Town Hall (Docklands Recorder, 24.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 11]

The College Link Project (CLP), which is a project of the Young Muslims Organisation UK (YMO UK) organised their annual “Big Link Dinner” at London’s York Hall. The project enables Muslim students to take part in activities both in and outside their institutions. The aim of the event was not only to interact but also to provide an opportunity for Muslim students from different universities and colleges to be reminded of their responsibilities. The evening was also used for the inauguration of the Muslim Student’s Awards (MSA), prior to which the guests of honour, Dr Aziz Tamimi from the UK and Dr Jamal Badawi from Canada, addressed the gathering. Dr Tamimi is said to have spoken about the role of the Muslim students and injustices taking place around the world and Dr Badawi’s topic was “To be a Muslim Student”.

The event took place on 22 March and was attended by 700 people. The joint secretary of YMO UK, Mohammad Abdul Kalam, said that the aim of the initiative set up by CLP was to acknowledge, encourage and reward the efforts made by young Muslims. The MSA, which is reported to have become an annual event, contained four categories, which were Excellence in Education, Contribution to College Life, Excellence in Sports and Recreation and Extra-curricular Activities, with an overall award for Muslim Student of the Year (Muslim News, 26.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 12]

A national event called “Children Helping Children” is the subject of an appeal by the Times Educational Supplement/Unicef Afghanistan and is supported by Islamic Relief and Oxfam. Colne Times (10.05.02) carried an article about young people from Pendle who were to walk from Brierfield to Barnoldswick, in order to raise money to help children in Afghanistan. The sponsored walk was to take place on 26 May, starting at 10am with adults stewarding it from the Brierfield Youth and Community Centre along the canal and country roads to Barnoldswick Youth Centre and back. The newspaper reported that nearly half of children in Afghanistan are malnourished and infant mortality there is among the highest in world. It is said to claim one in four children. Also only 31 per cent of children can read and write, and the majority of these are said to be boys. Youth leader, Mohammed Riaz, from Brierfield, said: “Our young people are keen to raise as much money as they can to give the Afghan children hope” (Colne Times, 10.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 12]

Muslims, Jews and Christians have met together to launch a new interfaith group which covers four East London boroughs. More than 60 religious and community leaders met at Ilford Town Hall to inaugurate the East London Three Faiths Forum. Redbridge’s Jewish mayor, Alan Weinberg, said: “We are not here to discuss what is happening in any other part of the world, tragic as it is. We are here to see what we can do to bring the major Abrahamic faiths closer together.” It is planned to have a regular exchange programme between Israeli and Palestinian young people and sixth-formers in East London (Jewish Chronicle, 19.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 12]

Children at Whetley primary school in Bradford have contributed a Muslim prayer to the Churches’ Campaign for Racial Justice, for a resource pack for use on Racial Justice Sunday which is on 8 September (Church Times, 03.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 12]

A peace conference was held at the end of April to help develop young people’s understanding of different faiths and examine long-term resolutions to inter-cultural conflict. Twelve young Muslims and Christians have taken part in the four day conference. Philip Lewis, the Bishop of Bradford’s Interfaith adviser, said: “We talked about the need for young leaders to emerge across the communities to develop confidence and to give them skills to work outside the comfort zone of their cultures. The people, who are all in the 20s, already have roots in their local communities. This gives them exposure to each other and lectures on shared values and citizenship.” The conference has been initiated by the Bradford Inner Ring Group of Churches, the Bradford Council of Mosques, the peace studies department at the University of Bradford and the Asian Women’s Centre (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 29.04.02, Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 08.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 12]

A Living with Islam event has been held in Blackburn, in which Muslim leaders explained more about Islam to Christian leaders. The secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, Abdul Hamid Qureshi, was the main speaker. The views of a group of young Muslims were also heard on such matters as education, prayer, family life, and the role of women in Islam (Lancashire Evening Telegraph, 29.04.02)
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

High Wycombe’s Islamic Mission were reported to have led talks both at its mosque in Jubilee Road and then later at the Green Street Community Centre. Faith leaders had gathered to learn as well as to improve relations between Muslims and Christians. The organisers said that the meeting was the first major event to be held between the communities. Dr Pasha from the Union of Muslim Organisations and Dr Martin Conway, representing the Oxford Diocese, spoke for 15 minutes after which they invited questions. The secretary of Wycombe’s Islamic Mission, Kulzar Khan, was said to have been very happy with the 70 people that had attended and that they had all taken advantage of the opportunity in order to learn more about one another. He also hoped that they would have more opportunities in the future. He said: “It really was a very friendly atmosphere. We all intermingled and had a chance to speak freely. It was certainly successful and we all learnt a lot” (South Bucks Star, 09.05.02), (South Bucks Star, 09.05.02, Bucks Free Press, 10.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Muslim and Christian communities in Nuneaton are reported to have come together to protest against the number of sex shops in the area. They feel that they are being flooded by such shops and are urging Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to take action. The two communities have started a petition against the renewal of two such shops in Queens Road, as well as any further shops opening. They are also hoping for public support. Queen Street already has three sex shops and so the assistant minister of Manor Court Baptist Church, Rev Nigel Halliwell, is helping to organise a campaign. He is particularly concerned about the effect of pornography on the value of women. Conservative councillor, Tom Wilson, who is also a member of the Manor Court Baptist Church, said: “I have got to express concerns because this kind of shop is not to everyone’s taste. The Muslim and Christian communities are upset by obscene and explicit material in all its forms.” It was reported that no one from the shops was available for comment (Nuneaton Weekly Tribune, 09.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

In aid of the Bradford Afghan Appeal, a charity fair and meal was to take place on 1 June at the Carlisle Business Centre in Manningham. There were to be stalls and entertainment for children. This was organised by the Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) and St Mary’s Church Burley in Wharfedale. The vicar from the church, Reverend Peter Sutcliffe, said that they were very happy to be working with their “Muslim friends” on the interfaith project. Nuzhat Ali from the ISB, said: “We should do whatever we can, as a combined community, to help those in need. Events like this also help us to build bridges in Bradford - we know we can achieve so much more by working together” (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 21.05.02). The money raised was planned to be used to contribute towards a water project and to rebuild a school in Afghanistan. The work is to be carried out via Islamic Relief, Christian Aid and CAFOD (Bradford Telegraph & Argus, 21.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

The Bradford and District Stop Smoking Service (BRASS), together with Leeds Road Hospital, is reported to be working on a health scheme that has helped members of the Bradford Council for Mosques to give up smoking. The scheme has been helping those people who have been finding it difficult to get to the hospital. Development Worker and Advisor, Mohammed Idrees is reported to have been holding regular sessions at the Council for Mosques on Great Horton Road. He said that he had been offering support and advice for those people who wanted to give up smoking but either could not get to the hospital or had problems with speaking English. He said that though they had been holding advice sessions across the district, the sessions at the Council for Mosques were launched after 13 March No Smoking Day. These, he said, had proved to be a “great success”. Approximately ten people are said to have attended the sessions and at least three have given up smoking.

The Council for Mosques is also reported to provide other services for the surrounding Asian communities. These include gardening, art and health education classes. More information on this is available from Mohammed Saleem Khan, who can be contacted on 01274 521792 (Asian Eye, 01.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Councillors are to visit the site of a proposed mosque in Blean. Council officers have recommended that the plans for the property in Giles Lane be rejected because of lack of parking spaces and the proximity of the building to nearby homes. The final decision is to be made in May when members of Canterbury City Council’s development control sub-committee have made their visit (Kentish Gazette, 11.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

A planning application for a Muslim community centre on Wantz Road Industrial estate in Dagenham has been withdrawn. The original application requested permission to convert a two-storey office building into a centre which would include a prayer hall and education facilities. Council officers had previously acknowledged the need for such a centre but had recommended that permission be refused as it would have been in conflict with its industrial neighbours (Post Barking and Dagenham, 17.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Jamia Masjid and Islamic School has applied to Dudley Council to convert a derelict factory in Queen’s Cross into a mosque. More than 30 residents are reported to have objected to the proposal, a 32-name petition and three letters are said to have been sent to the council objecting to the plans and claiming that the new development will create both parking and litter problems. A similar proposal was made in 2000 to turn the factory into a community centre but this was turned down by the Development Control Committee. However, this time the plans have been recommended for approval at the next Development Committee meeting. According to the article, a report for the meeting stated that the factory had been empty for several years and that it could be used as a warehouse. This, however, would require on-street deliveries, services, and parking for staff where access deemed to be dangerous may be used. From a highway safety point of view, the change of use to a mosque and community centre would be preferable to a change to industrial premises (Dudley Express & Star, 23.05.02, Sandwell Express & Star, 24.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Muslim burial provision is to be opened at Hinkley following the granting of planning permission by the borough council. The burial area is to be at Hijaz College on its 62 acre site. The official opening was due to take place on 10 May and be attended by council dignitaries and college members (Nuneaton Evening Telegraph, 03.05.02, Heartland Evening News, 09.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Leaders of a mosque in Tyneside which has been illegally set up in a flat, have been told by the local council to shut it down or face court action following complaints about the noise. Problems first arose in connection with the ground floor flat several years ago. Enforcement action was agreed in 1999, but was delayed while plans were drawn up for a new mosque on Sutherland Road, which were approved but not implemented. An enforcement notice has now been served, although action will be delayed for six months. The head of the council’s planning department, John Miller, said: “From discussions with the mosque committee, it is clear there is no certain prospect of the new mosque being completed in the immediate future. The coordinator of the new mosque project, Mubashar Khwaja, has said that the delay was due to a dispute over the construction of a wall and should be resolved in the next few weeks (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 02.05.02).

Meanwhile, members of the National Front have been leafleting homes in the vicinity of the proposed new mosque in a bid to halt its construction. The leaflet claims that if the mosque is built house prices will fall because of the expected influx of Muslims into the area. The ward councillor, John Marshall, said, in response: “There is no support for the National Front around here. There are no racial tensions. The National Front is not welcome around here. They are obviously trying to create problems where there are none. The new mosque should be built in six months’ time and that will remove the concerns over the temporary mosque” (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 06.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

There has been unanimous agreement by members of Pendle Council’s Brierfield and Reedley Committee, to give permission for the building of a new mosque on Carlton Street, Nelson. The project will require the demolition of a terrace of houses in Oxford Street. Secretary of the Sultania Mosque, Mr Mohammed Arif, said: “We hope to build a mosque for the Muslim community of the town and for all other faiths who want to visit our mosque. It will be one of the most expensive buildings built in Brierfield for years. It will be the pride of Brierfield for years to come.” The proposed mosque will replace the present Bridge Street mosque (Nelson Leader, 19.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

The framework of the new mosque in Gladstone Street, Peterborough, is now complete. The steel outline is 100 feet tall and the finished mosque will have a golden dome. The new mosque is to be called Fezane Madina and will replace the existing mosque in Cromwell Road. The new building will have space for 800 people in two prayer halls. The chairman of the Peterborough Inter Faith Council, Zia-ul Hassan, said: “This mosque is important for the Muslim community, but it also has a role to play in bringing people of different faiths in Peterborough together” (Peterborough Evening Telegraph, 09.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

The Muslim community of Redditch are reported to be moving closer and closer to making the planned mosque a reality. The Central Mosque Redditch is estimated to cost £1.5 million and is expected to take the next two years to build. It is to be modelled on the Masjid Umar mosque in Leicester. The secretary of Redditch Pakistan Community Forum and chairman of the Redditch New Mosque Project Team, Perwaiz Khawaja, said that Redditch’s environmental officer had given him the clearance and said that the land was safe. He said that they could look forward to the construction stage in autumn of next year after they buy the land and exchange contracts. The Muslim community have been raising money and in the past eight months they have nearly raised £300,000 which is needed to purchase the land.

The new mosque is to have both modern and traditional facilities and features. It is to have two floors with washing areas for men and women, a ladies’ prayer hall, a small prayer hall, classrooms and a lift for people with disabilities. Amongst other features the first floor is to have the main prayer hall with an observatory gallery for Muslims and non-Muslims, a balcony, an information centre, a library and a silent reading room. The current mosque on Easemore Road is lacking in parking and funeral facilities which the new mosque is to resolve. At present Muslims have to go elsewhere to worship and due to the lack of facilities it is difficult for women to attend (Redditch Standard, 10.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

Plans for a prayer centre in Stafford have been approved by borough councillors. The development control committee agreed to proposals for 21 Browning Street, which include a halal food shop and an ancillary kitchen, on the recommendation of officers, but the new owners were asked to ensure that noise was kept to a minimum. There was concern about parking but it was decided that the provision was adequate for the number of people likely to attend the centre (Stafford Post, 11.04.02, Stafford & Stone Chronicle, 11.04.02, Stafford Post, 18.04.02, Stafford & Stone Chronicle, 18.04.02, Staffordshire Newsletter, 18.04.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

A site in Vardon Road was given permission to be used for building a mosque. Despite 254 letters of protest and three petitions, Stevenage Borough Council gave the applicants permission in 1994. However, due to lack of funding nothing happened for five years and then in 1999 the planning application was renewed on land leased from the council for 999 years at a cost of £43,000. The following winter the area next to Lytton Players Theatre was cleared. Problems arose related to building regulations but these were overcome six weeks ago.

The mosque co-ordinator, Dr Sarfraz Awan, said that the building contractors were ready to put up a fence prior to digging the foundations and starting the brick work. The first phase, which is said to be a two-storey building where prayers will take place, is expected to take five to six months and cost £250,000. There will be a car park for 100 vehicles and a further £250,000 is needed for the second phase, which is to be a community centre with classrooms for teaching religious education to children. Dr Awan explained that there are to be no speakers outside the mosque and that it will be well insulated inside. He also stated that most people will be attending on Fridays, which is probably the time when the car park will be used to its capacity. Otherwise there are likely to be no more than ten cars during the rest of week and no more than four to five people attending the dawn prayer. At present they hire Springfield House Community Centre every Friday and pray at home the rest of the time.

The charity is raising money from donations from Muslims and other mosques and by organising fundraising dinners. One of these was to take place on 25 May at John Henry Newman Leisure Centre, where the cost was to be £50 for a family of two adults and children or £20 per person (Stevenage Herald, 08.05.02).
[BMMS March 2002 Vol. X, No. 3, p. 13]

British Muslims Monthly Survey for May 2002 Vol. X, No. V

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