Important Meeting for the Muslim Community.

 

The Police / Partnership Community Safety Team will be hosting another meeting for the Muslim community about their current concerns. This will take place on Wednesday 6th December, 6.30 - 8.30pm in the Hanover Room at Brighthelm Comunity Centre. All communities are welcome to attend.

I hope to see some of you at these interesting and important events.

Best wishes,

Nina Chohda
Hate Crime Officer - Race & Faith
Partnership Community Safety Team
162 North Street
Brighton BN1 1EA
01273 293597
07795 335877
 

You are Guilty until proven Innocent

 

"We would ask people to pause and think before making  any accusations and  labeling anyone. Our British justice system serves under an 'Innocent until proven guilty' motto and we should all make sure we wait for any hard evidence before drawing any rash conclusions."
 

The British justice system may well serve under an innocent until proven guilty' motto, but as far as the media is concerned, a Muslim is guilty until proven innocent.

The same goes for the police in the botched East London 'terrorism raid'. Although the two brothers were released without charge, a newspaper report said that one of the brothers was now under investigation for downloading child pornography, saying that this had been found on the hard disc of his computer. "If we can't get you for one thing, we'll get you for something else", without even thinking that if it was a second-hand computer, that stuff could have already been there.

Or as a Muslim, you could be locked up without trial on suspicion that you might be thinking about possibly doing something.

"Innocent until proven guilty" may well be the motto, but it should also have, "unless you're a Muslim" added to it.

And as for the massive headlines about "Terrorist Training School" etc, where are the massive headlines saying "We were wrong - it's just a school". That doesn't sell as much copy as the dramatic Muslims as terrorists stories.

There should be a general circulation newspaper that tells the truth - the real truth rather than just what happens to be convenient in fabricating falsehoods.

Nabil
 

A conversion unveiled

Why a Western journalist who set out to expose Islam on women's issues now loves the 'hijab'
 

By YVONNE RIDLEY

 

 I used to look at veiled women as quiet, oppressed creatures — until I was captured by the Taliban.

In September 2001, just 15 days after the terrorist attacks on the United States, I snuck into Afghanistan, clad in a head-to-toe blue burqa, intending to write a newspaper account of life under the repressive regime. Instead, I was discovered, arrested and detained for 10 days. I spat and swore at my captors; they called me a "bad" woman but let me go after I promised to read the Koran and study Islam. (Frankly, I'm not sure who was happier when I was freed — they or I.)

Back home in London, I kept my word about studying Islam — and was amazed by what I discovered. I'd been expecting Koran chapters on how to beat your wife and oppress your daughters; instead, I found passages promoting the liberation of women. Two-and-a-half years after my capture, I converted to Islam, provoking a mixture of astonishment, disappointment and encouragement among friends and relatives.

Now, it is with disgust and dismay that I watch here in Britain as former foreign secretary Jack Straw describes the Muslim nikab — a face veil that reveals only the eyes — as an unwelcome barrier to integration, with Prime Minister Tony Blair, writer Salman Rushdie

and even Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi leaping to his defense.

Having been on both sides of the veil, I can tell you that most Western male politicians and journalists who lament the oppression of women in the Islamic world have no idea what they are talking about. They go on about veils, child brides, female circumcision, honor killings and forced marriages, and they wrongly blame Islam for all this — their arrogance surpassed only by their ignorance.

These cultural issues and customs have nothing to do with Islam. A careful reading of the Koran shows that just about everything that Western feminists fought for in the 1970s was available to Muslim women 1,400 years ago. Women in Islam are considered equal to men in spirituality, education and worth, and a woman's gift for childbirth and child-rearing is regarded as a positive attribute.

When Islam offers women so much, why are Western men so obsessed with Muslim women's attire? Even British government ministers Gordon Brown and John Reid have made disparaging remarks about the niqab — and they hail from across the Scottish border, where men wear skirts.

When I converted to Islam and began wearing a headscarf, the repercussions were enormous. All I did was cover my head and hair — but I instantly became a second-class citizen. I knew I'd hear from the odd Islamophobe, but I didn't expect so much open hostility from strangers. Cabs passed me by at night, their "for hire" lights glowing. One cabbie, after dropping off a white passenger right in front of me, glared at me when I rapped on his window, then drove off. Another said, "Don't leave a bomb in the back seat" and asked, "Where's bin Laden hiding?"

Yes, it is a religious obligation for Muslim women to dress modestly, but the majority of Muslim women I know like wearing the hijab, which leaves the face uncovered, though a few prefer the niqab. It is a personal statement: My dress tells you that I am a Muslim and that I expect to be treated respectfully, much as a Wall Street banker would say that a business suit defines him as an executive to be taken seriously. And, especially among converts to the faith like me, the attention of men who confront women with inappropriate, leering behavior is not tolerable.

I was a Western feminist for many years, but I've discovered that Muslim feminists are more radical than their secular counterparts. We hate those ghastly beauty pageants, and tried to stop laughing in 2003 when judges of the Miss Earth competition hailed the emergence of a bikini-clad Miss Afghanistan, Vida Samadzai, as a giant leap for women's liberation. They even gave Samadzai an award for "representing the victory of women's rights."

Some young Muslim feminists consider the hijab and the niqab political symbols, too, a way of rejecting Western excesses such as binge drinking, casual sex and drug use. What is more liberating: being judged on the length of your skirt and the size of your surgically enhanced breasts, or being judged on your character and intelligence? In Islam, superiority is achieved through piety — not beauty, wealth, power, position or sex.

I didn't know whether to scream or laugh when Italy's Prodi joined the debate two weeks ago by declaring that it is "common sense" not to wear the niqab because it makes social relations "more difficult." Nonsense. If this were the case, why are cellphones, landlines, e-mail, text messaging and fax machines in daily use? And no one switches off the radio because they can't see the presenter's face.

Under Islam, I am respected. It tells me that I have a right to an education and that it is my duty to seek out knowledge, regardless of whether I am single or married. Nowhere in the framework of Islam are we told that women must wash, clean or cook for men. As for how Muslim men are allowed to beat their wives — it's simply not true. Critics of Islam will quote random Koranic verses or hadith , but usually out of context. If a man does raise a finger against his wife, he is not allowed to leave a mark on her body, which is the Koran's way of saying, "Don't beat your wife, stupid."

It is not just Muslim men who must reevaluate the place and treatment of women. According to a recent National Domestic Violence Hotline survey, 4 million American women experience a serious assault by a partner during an average 12-month period. More than three women are killed by their husbands and boyfriends every day — that is nearly 5,500 since 9/11.

Violent men don't come from any particular religious or cultural category; one in three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, according to the hotline survey. This is a global problem that transcends religion, wealth, class, race and culture.

But it is also true that in the West, men still believe that they are superior to women, despite protests to the contrary. They still receive better pay for equal work — whether in the mailroom or the boardroom — and are still treated as sexualized commodities whose power and influence flow directly from their appearance.

And for those who are still trying to claim that Islam oppresses women, recall this 1992 statement from the Rev. Pat Robertson, offering his views on empowered women: Feminism is a "socialist, anti-family political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." Now you tell me who is civilized and who is not.

Yvonne Ridley is political editor of Islam Channel TV in London and coauthor of "In the Hands of the Taliban: Her Extraordinary Story" (Robson Books). Author email: Readers may e-mail her at hermosh@aol.com. This article originally appeared in The Washington Post.

 

British Muslim scholars reply regarding the Veil 

 

 

In light of the ongoing debate over the veil and the comments made by Jack Straw and others, we the undersigned would like to present the following important advice to the Muslim community here in the UK, irrespective of school of thought, sect or organisation.


1. The Muslim community should remain united regardless of its differences and opinions about the veil. This request is in response
to the countless number of Quranic and Prophetic traditions that command Muslims to be united. Among these is the Quranic verse that
says, 'Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah and do not be disunited.

 Hold fast, all together, to the rope of Allah and do not be disunited. ' [translation of 3:103]


2. We strongly condemn any attempt by any individual or organisation to create disunity in the Muslim community. We see such a move as an attempt to create friction and disruption in the whole society through indirect discrimination. It is the nature of modern pluralistic societies to be constituted from different communities coexisting peacefully as a single political entity. It is completely irrational,
when trying to achieve community cohesion, to instigate disunity and racial tension.


3. The veil, irrespective of its specific juristic rulings, is an Islamic practice and not a cultural or a customary one as is agreed by the consensus of Muslim scholars; it is not open to debate.


"The veil, irrespective of its specific juristic rulings, is an Islamic practice and not a cultural or a customary one as is agreed by the consensus of Muslim scholars; it is not open to debate."


We advise all Muslims to exercise extreme caution in this issue, since denying any part of Islam may lead to disbelief. Not practicing something enjoined by Allah and His Messenger (Salla-Allahu alaihi wa sallam) - regardless its legal status ( i.e., whether obligatory, recommended or praiseworthy) - is a shortcoming; denying it is much more serious. Allah says in the Qur'an: 'It is not for a believer, man or woman, that they should have any option in their decision when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed strayed in a plain error.' [translation of 33:36]


4. We recognise the fact that Muslims hold different views regarding the veil, but we urge all members of the Muslim community to keep this debate within the realms of scholarly discussion amongst the people of knowledge and authority in the Muslim community. Allah says in the Qur'an,

 

'When there comes to them news of some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they spread it (among the people); if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly).' [translation of 4:83] In another Quranic verse, we read the following instruction, 'So ask those who know if you know not.' [translation of 16:43 and 21:7]


5. Furthermore, we warn Muslim individuals and organisations to avoid seeking to capitalise on this debate in order to further political or personal interests. Such despicable tactics are judged by Islam as working against the interests of our faith and the Muslim community, and are, accordingly, a matter condemned in the strongest possible terms. Allah says in the Qur'an,

 

'The believers, men and women, are Awliya' (allies, helpers, friends, protectors) of one another.' [translation of 9:71]

 

The Prophet (Salla-Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, 'A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim; he does not oppress him, betray him, mislead or fail him.'

 

6. We would like to call upon all members of the Muslim community to show solidarity against criticising the veil or any other Islamic
practice as this might prove to be a stepping-stone towards further restrictions. Today the veil, tomorrow it could be the beard, jilbab
and thereafter the head-scarf!


 Today the veil, tomorrow it could be the beard, jilbab and thereafter the head-scarf!
 

Such a strategy, unfortunately, has been widely used by many European countries. Similarly, we feel that this campaign may be employed to gauge the response of the Muslim community. Therefore, our reply should be firm, sending a clear and powerful message to those who are trying to promote the banning of the veil or any other common Islamic practice. We, the Muslim community, will not tolerate such attitudes nor will we compromise on our values and common customs. All Muslim women, especially those who wear the veil, should play a major role in this response since their voice will be the most effective.


7. We understand the viewpoint of those who may find the veil a barrier to communication. However, we believe that the level of discomfort caused is insignificant, particularly when compared to the discomfort and problems that result from other common and less widely condemned practices such as sexual promiscuity, nudity and alcohol  consumption by other segments of society. Moreover, we feel that it is against the interests of the whole society to single out a significant part of it, such as the Muslim community, or to put them under the spotlight and abuse them for their practices, as is now an oft-recurring theme in the media.


8. The unexpected and ruthless reaction of the media over the past few weeks on this issue gives an indication that there is a political agenda behind this campaign. It is very disappointing that the media and many politicians dealt with this issue as if it is the greatest national concern. This becomes more apparent when observing the already tense climate facing Muslims, which is contributing towards creating hostility in the wider society against the Muslim community.
Therefore, Muslims should take this matter seriously and defend the veil with all their ability. This could be a battle of 'to be or not to be' for Muslims in the UK. We urge all brothers and sisters to strive in countering these attacks by utilising the various avenues open to them.


We urge all brothers and sisters to strive in countering these attacks by utilising the various avenues open to them including sending letters to the relevant authorities, their MPs, human rights activists, and so on. The most important guideline to observe is to react in a wise, sensible and responsible manner and avoid any action that might be used as an excuse for furthering any unfavourable agenda.

9. We would like to advise the sisters who observe the veil/ niqab in the work-place or in educational premises to avoid making it a matter of dispute between them and their employers or school authority. Such disputes will attract more unnecessary media attention, and thus may cause various negative consequences including the imposition of certain dress codes in work places, and in turn, used as justification to legislate further restrictions on wearing it in other areas.


10. Finally, let it be noted that we appreciate the noticeable level of understanding and tolerance shown by considerable parts of the wider society towards many Islamic practices. However, we ask all society to deal with the Muslim community without prejudice, and to exercise genuine openness and tolerance towards Islamic practices, even those they may not like, as this is the real test of tolerance to
others.


We appreciate the noticeable level of understanding and tolerance shown by considerable parts of the wider society towards many Islamic practices. However, we ask all society to deal with the Muslim community without prejudice, and to exercise genuine openness and tolerance towards Islamic practices, even those they may not like, as this is the real test of tolerance to others.


Furthermore, we urge people to be supportive for a woman's right to wear the veil as on one hand, this complies with the values upon which western civilization was founded - the protection of human and religious rights; and on the other hand, these practices aim to promote values of modesty, decency and good-manners all of which should be the aspiration of any peaceful society.


We conclude by asking Almighty Allah to guide us to that which is better and to make truth and justice prevail in British society as a whole.


25th Ramadan 1427 / 17Th October 2006


Signed (in alphabetical order):
1. Dr Daud Abdullah
Deputy Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)

2. Khurram Bashir Amin
Trustee and Editor, Monthly Dawn, Central Mosque, Birmingham

3. Munir Ashi
Chairman, Dar ul-Isra Islamic Centre, Cardiff

4. Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari
Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)

5. Shakeel Begg
Imam, Lewisham Mosque, London

6. Mufti Mohammed Zubair Butt
Sharia Adviser, Institute of Islamic Jurisprudence, Bradford

7. Moulana Ilyas Dalal
Head teacher, Ilaahi Masjid, Dewsbury

8. Dr. Khalid Fekry
Imam, al-Taqwa Organization, London

9. Sulaiman Gani
Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Tooting Islamic Centre, London

10. Moosa Gora
Islamic Scholar, Jame Mosque Batley, West Yorkshire

11. Shaykh Haitham Al-Haddad
Director of Muslim Research and Development Foundation (MRDF), London

12. Dr. Suhaib Hasan
Secretary, Islamic Sharia Council U.K. & Ireland; Chairman, Masjid and
Madrasa Al-Tawhid Trust, London

13. Muhammad ibn Ismail
Imam, Al-Medinah Masjid, Brighton

14. Hafeezullah Khan
Editor-in-chief, Sirat-e-Mustaqeem, Monthly Magazine, Birmingham

15. Dr Khalid Khan
Imam, Lambeth Islamic Cultural Centre, London

16. Wakkas Khan
President, Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS)

17. Shaykh Amjad Mohammed
Head Teacher of Olive Secondary School, Bradford

18. Shaykh Ashraf Osmani
Imam, Markazi Masjid Northampton (MMN), Northampton

19. Ismail Patel
Chairman, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Leicester

20. S. M. Abdul Qayum
Head Imam and Khateeb, East London Mosque, London

21. Abdul Fattah Saad
Director of al-Muntada al-Islami Trust, London

22. Qari Zakaullah Saleem
Imam, Green Lane Mosque, Birmingham.

23. Massoud Shadjareh
Chair, Islamic Human Rights Commission

24. Mohammad Sawalha
President, British Muslim Initiative (BMI), London

25. Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Chairman of Utrujj Foundation, Educational, Training and Research
Institute, London

26. Mawlana Abdul Hadi Umri
President - Islamic Judiciary Board, Birmingham

27. Dr Imran Waheed
Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, London
 

Muslims see intolerance growing in Europe

By Tom Heneghan   PARIS: Britain's heated debate about Islamic veils reflects a growing frustration with Muslims in Europe that risks further isolating these minorities rather than integrating them, leading European Muslim activists say.   The new tone in Britain, which Muslims on the continent long saw as a model of tolerance where criticising minorities was politically incorrect, marks a watershed in the way Europeans talk about Islam, they feel.   Radicalism, ethnic segregation and clashes of values must be discussed openly, they agree, but the increasingly polarised debate squeezes out moderates on both sides. Former foreign secretary Jack Straw sparked off the British debate this month by saying the full facial veils some Muslim women wear hindered integration. Some Muslim leaders called his remarks offensive and accused him of whipping up Islamophobia.   "Intolerance is growing in Europe," says Dalil Boubakeur, president of France's Muslim Council, who sees the new mood as a response to security fears and the radicalisation of a small group of Muslims.   "There is a sense we are living in a different time," says Dilwar Hussain, head of policy research at the Islamic Foundation in Britain. "With all the security concerns, people feel they can be more frank," Hussain says. "The reaction from Muslims is to recede further and further into a sense of victimhood." The activists say politicians and the media blame religion for problems that are really economic and social, such as unemployment and discrimination. "Before, we were just immigrants from Turkey or Morocco or other places, but then they found something to combine us," says Famile Arslan from the Dutch group Islam and Citizenship. "All immigrant problems have been Islamised. All Muslims have been criminalised," she feels.   European policies towards Muslim minorities have ranged from the tolerant British and Dutch 'multicultural' path to France's strict ban on Muslim headscarves in state schools.   But the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh and the bombings in Madrid and London have deepened concerns about whether Europe's 15mn Muslims all accept European values. "Europeans were stunned to see that even people who were quite integrated could do these things," Boubakeur says. Ali Kizilkaya, head of Germany's Muslim Council, says Muslims are now seen "as a kind of security problem".   Yazid Sabeg, France's most successful Muslim businessman, accuses the media of tarring all Muslims with the terrorist brush. – Reuters

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Drop your veil case, urges Britain's head of race relations

 

By Paul Robinson

THE HEAD of Britain's race relations watchdog has urged veil row teaching assistant Aishah Azmi to drop her discrimination fight against council bosses in Kirklees.

Trevor Phillips said Mrs Azmi would be "doing the nation a favour" by abandoning the case she launched after being suspended for refusing to remove her veil during lessons.

Mr Phillips also admitted he fears the debate sparked by the case could eventually turn ugly – and might even lead to race riots of the kind which rocked towns and cities across the North in 2001. His comments came amid reports that Bradford Council is preparing to draw up guidelines advising Muslim women not to wear veils in the city's schools because of potential communication problems.

Mr Phillips spoke out after Mrs Azmi announced that she would be appealing against an employment tribunal ruling that her suspension from Dewsbury's Headfield C of E Junior School did not amount to discrimination.

He said: "Most people would say, honestly, this is not one where we need to pursue it.
"She (Mrs Azmi] would be doing everybody, including herself, a great favour were she to decide either that she were to comply with the requirements for teaching in the classroom or to decide she didn't want to do that job.

"It's up to her, but I think she would be doing the nation a favour if she were to say I understand the issue here."

 

Leeds today - evening post - 23 October 2006