Brighton & Hove Muslim Forum

Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

The Muslim Council of Britain has today written to Conservative Party Chair, Rt Hon Brandon Lewis MP, requesting an inquiry into Islamophobia within his party, including a full audit to ensure racists and bigots have no place in the party. This comes after the latest in a consistent stream of Islamophobic incidents from Bob Blackman MP was revealed today, without any action being taken.

The letter, written by the Secretary General of the MCB, Harun Khan states,

Upon becoming Chair of the Conservative Party, you admirably launched the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament and local election candidates, which includes the requirement to “encourage and foster respect and tolerance”, and you have since called on people to email you if they hear of bigotry within the party.

“Yet no action has been taken against Bob Blackman MP who has now shown a consistent record of endorsing Islamophobia… Mr Blackman is not the only one who has fostered Islamophobia in your party. Just last month, there were more than weekly occurrences of Islamophobia from candidates and representatives of the Conservative Party.

Highlighting nine incidents of Islamophobia from Tory candidates and representatives of the party over the last two months alone, he continued,

Furthermore, the inaction taken in high-profile cases, sends a signal that Islamophobia is to be tolerated in the Conservative party.

The MCB urged Mr Lewis to consider four steps, including the launch of a genuine independent inquiry, publishing a list of incidents of Islamophobia within the party where action has been taken, as well as adopting a programme of education and training on Islamophobia.

Harun Khan concluded,

Our democracy should not be overshadowed by a divisive culture within political parties that scapegoats minorities and alienates some who share similar political positions. Instead, fellow Britons should feel enthused to vote for and indeed aspire for office in whichever party that they feel makes the best political argument.

See full letter here.

BHMF wishes all our brothers and sisters around the world a very happy Ramadan.

We pray that Allah tala allows this to be our best ever Ramadan for all of our brothers and sisters. May we all excel in our worship and may all our fasting, Quran reading, ziker, salah and charity be accepted by Allah tala. ameen, ameeen, ameen.

We ask Allah tala to remove the difficulties of our brothers and sisters around the world and spread guidance to all of humanity. Ameen, ameen, ameen.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to put forward more prayer than is customary.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the Islam religion, and one of the main types of Islamic worship. Restraint from everyday enjoyment and curbing wicked intentions and cravings are considered as an act of compliance and obedience to God, as well as amends for sins, faults, and mistakes. Ramadan is also called Ramazan. During Ramadan, Muslims request forgiveness for sins in the past, pray for direction and assistance in abstaining from everyday troubles, and endeavor to cleanse themselves through self-control and great acts of faith.

In comparison to the solar calendar, the Ramadan dates differ, moving forward approximately ten days every year due to the fact that it is a moving holiday which is dependent on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the initial verses of the Qur’an were said to be shown to Muhammad, the Islamic Prophet.

The name “Ramadan” had been the name of the ninth month in Arabian tradition prior to the onset of Islam; the word itself originated from an Arabic root “rmd”, in words like “ramida” or “ar-ramad” which means severe heat, burnt ground as well as shortness of provisions. Individuals say it is named Ramadan because it burns out the sins with good deeds, as the sun scorches the ground. In the Qu’ran, God declares that “fasting has been written down upon you, as it was upon those before you”. In accordance with the first hadith, this is in reference to the Jewish custom of fasting on Yom Kippur.

The lunar cycle determines the Islamic calendar, therefore the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month commences with a mixture of the sighting of the new moon as well as astronomical calculations. The precise time of Ramadan will at times vary from place to place because some depend a great deal on moon sightings, while others rely on science. An Imam which is a Muslim holy man will make known the correct time of Ramadan right before it begins. The fasting phase finishes upon the sighting of the next new moon, which take place after 29 or 30 days.

Ramadan conveys an extraordinary sense of emotional enthusiasm and religious eagerness among Muslims of all ages. Even though fasting is compulsory for adults alone, children as young as eight readily watch fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the thrill of the moon sighting and eating unique meals with their relatives. Adults are grateful for the chance to double their rewards from God and ask for pardon for their past sins. Ramadan highlights Muslim brotherhood and customs and brings about a special feeling of closeness.

The Muslim Council of Britain today condemned the massacre of Palestinian civilians protesting the move of the United States embassy to Jerusalem, and the expulsion of Palestnians from their homes 70 years ago.

Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said

Civilians took to the streets to protest against the move by the US government of their embassy to Jerusalem. 55 were picked off by Israeli snipers, with 2700 injured. I hope our government condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms. That this massacre took place on the anniversary of the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their homes 70 years ago only underscores the realities of this new Apartheid.

Photo: Agence Presse-France

We got together to pray for those who gave their lives to protect our land.

They fought for our values of honesty, equally, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and justice.

They gave their lives so today We, our children and our grandchildren can have a life .

We must remember them, they must not be forgotten.

The Muslims of Brighton and Hove had arranged a peaceful march on Sunday, 22nd October 2017 in solidarity with the Rohingya Muslims.

The march began at 12pm midday from the Peace statue and ended at the Level.

Marchers were aware of the huge genocide problem the Rohingya people are facing. Much of the atrocities have been recorded and these include having parts of their bodies hacked off, babies being thrown unto a fire and being buried alive.

Many groups brought their own banners.

It was agreed to march quietly as a mark of respect for those who have lost their home and others who have been murdered in brutal ways.

The route was agreed with the police and tried to limit any disturbance to the local community or those who are visiting our city.

Caroline Lucas MP was unable to attend but sent a message that was readout.

Speakers were:

• Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP, Linda Beanlands (previous Commissioner of Community Safety Team)
• Arran Evans (Sussex Interpreting Services),
• Asmat Roe (Brighton and Hove Muslims Women’s Group)

 

The event was held on 26th September at the Brighthelm Centre from 6.45pm to 10.30pm.

It was by invitation only.

This conference was conceived of and promoted as an event looking to address, specifically, the rise in Islamophobia and radicalisation in the UK.

It comes at this critical time in British history where we are witnessing an unprecedented level of violent crimes being committed against civilians by those claiming to represent Islam as well by far-right groups.

Those who attended were: Mrs. Bourne (the police commissioner), Lisa Bell (Brighton Police commander)and her team, Geoff Raw (CEO of Brighton council) and his team, number of councillors from Brighton, councillors from Eastbourne,  Peter Castleton (head of safety community team), prevent officers, Mahir Chawdry ( chair of Racial harassment forum) and his team, One Voice members, Vice chancellors or their representatives from our two universities, principals of Metropolitan college and BHASVIC college, Imams from (Brighton, Eastbourne, Worthing, Hastings, Seaford and Newhaven), other Muslims from Sussex area, interfaith members, and some others including invited press. A total of 102 people attended.

We received messages from Diane Abbott, Sadiq Khan, Sir Iqbal Sacranie and John McDonnell.

All three Brighton MPs spoke as well as Stephen Lloyd from Eastbourne.

Other speakers were:

• Imam Uthman – What Islam say about murder of innocent lives and role of British Muslims
• Saiqa Ali (ghrf.org.uk) – The effects of Islamophobia on a family
• Hanif Qadir (activechangefoundation.org) – Radicalisation – new approach is needed
• Aisha Gallagher (Humanitarian Activist) – Human rights and rights offered by Islam
• Tariq Jung – Brighton Muslim response to Radicalisation and Islamophobia

https://youtu.be/ord4Ky0bA-Y

https://youtu.be/2Sxr630B_68