Brighton & Hove Muslim Forum

The Islamic Climate Declaration released today calls on 1.6 billion Muslims to work towards phasing out fossil fuel use, as a religious duty to fight climate change. It also calls on all leaders and politicians to do their part for a better future for all.

In common with all the Abrahamic faiths, Islam considers mankind to be stewards of resources endowed by Allah. This implies responsible stewardship of these resources. In particular this leads to the avoidance of asraf (abuse) of God-given resources.

In this context Islamic investments and activities have to have a moral and ethical framework. This clearly lays the foundation of protection of the environment as a key requirement.

Given Islam’s emphasis on equality and justice the present order of predatory capture of global ecological capital would be challenged.

Although climate impacts in the UK dwarf those of countries on the front lines, greater heat wave related mortality, flood induced pauperisation and drought are realities for which we will all be preparing.

British Muslims can respond to climate change in a countless number of ways. We would urge caution over public relations-orientated work in this sector, as it is seldom sustainable and recommend genuine grass roots dialogue, creativity and negotiation. Citizens might be moved to become supporters of the community energy agenda and neighbourhood led climate safeguarding activity.

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the MCB said, “We are encouraged by the Pope’s recent encyclical on climate justice and look forward to joining hands and hearts with our sisters and brothers in different faiths to explore each other’s ecological traditions and challenge the systems of  inequality that endanger humans and non-humans on our common home.

We are pleased that some of our key affiliates are playing a significant role to raise awareness and are in Istanbul to officially launch the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change.

The MCB believe it is our role as Muslims to be caretakers of the earth and we will be looking to play a supportive role in ensuring that all natural resources are protected and that our future generations continue this legacy”.

For further information please contact:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 57330
London
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk

This course offers and excellent opportunity to ask any questions in a friendly & comfortable environment.

The course is specifically designed for Non-Muslim public, private and voluntary sector professionals who work with Muslims from diverse backgrounds, but is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Islam & the Muslim culture.

Venue: The Camden Centre, Market Square, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2SW
Date: Monday 9 March 2015 or Tuesday 10 March 2015
Time: 9:30am to 4:00pm

Please see attached documents for more details on the event and to download the booking form.

Introduction to Islam course – Click here to download
Introduction-to-Islam-course

Introduction to Islam course booking form – Click here to download

As PCC I have a statutory obligation to set the police precept – the amount Sussex residents pay for policing in their Council Tax.

I need to consider the case to secure additional funding for policing in Sussex next year and I welcome residents’ views on whether or not I should seek a precept increase in 2015/16.

In my first year in office I fulfilled my election pledge to freeze the precept meaning residents paid the same amount for policing in Sussex for four years.

Last year local taxpayers told me they would support a precept increase of 3.6%, which equates to an additional £4.95 per year per household (for a Band D property). This investment was required to fund additional resources to enable Sussex Police to respond to emerging crime threats including serious sexual offending and cybercrime as well as increasing the efficiency of officers on the frontline.

67% of those who responded to the consultation supported an increase in the precept. The Police and Crime Panel – who hold the important role of scrutinising my decisions – also endorsed the proposed rise. However, due to a limit, set nationally, on the amount that the precept could rise before triggering a costly referendum, I was only able to increase the precept in Sussex by 1.95% (£2.70 per household per year).

Despite this, good progress has been achieved in those areas of operational policing that required additional investment. However, the Chief Constable has set out a business case for additional funds in 2015/16 to meet the shortfall from last year.

A precept increase in 2015/16 of up to 1.98% would provide additional funding in order to deliver the operational investments Sussex Police need to make. In particular, investigating serious sexual offences and protecting the most vulnerable victims, especially children, remains a key priority for me and the Chief Constable.

This means that a local household living in a Band D property would pay an extra £2.79 per year for policing. However, at £143.91 per year, Sussex would still have the 4th lowest precept level in England and Wales.

As a voice for local people on policing and crime it’s very important that I know if Sussex residents are willing to pay more towards policing in their county.

The online survey can be accessed on the following link: http://www.sussex-pcc.gov.uk/public-consultations/. Printed copies are also available from my office. Telephone: 01273 481561 or email: spcc@sussex-pcc.gov.uk.

The consultation will close on Friday 9 January and the results will help inform a decision in January 2015, which will be reviewed by the Police & Crime Panel.

Best wishes

Katy Bourne
Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner

Find out about adoption from a Muslim perspective.

In the UK today there are children of all faiths, including Islam, who need families. Brothers and Sisters are welcome to come and hear a personal perspective on adopting from a mother
who is Muslim, and hear about why adoption is an important issue for our community.

For more information, please call 020 7520 0427 or email: events@coram.org.uk

A5 FLYER V5 (no crops)

Solidarity between the Christian minority and Muslim majority is growing in Gaza as both suffer under the Israeli offensive, with churches sheltering all religions and prayers being offered up on all sides
Mourners gather at the funeral of Palestinian Christian Jalila Ayyad.

GAZA CITY – Without prior warning, an Israeli missile hit the house of the Ayyad family last Saturday. The Ayyads, who are Christian, were the first family among the tiny minority in Gaza to be targeted since the offensive began three weeks ago.

The Ayyad’s home was severely damaged. Furniture was ruined and family belongings such as children’s toys were strewn everywhere as a result of the missile’s impact. But naturally the human cost was much greater.

Jalila Ayyad was known among the people of Gaza as a woman that had nothing to do with any militia groups.  “We are a Christian minority and have no links to Hamas or Fatah – we keep to ourselves and avoid problems,” says Fouad Ayyad, Jalila’s nephew.

Fouad is also the name of the bereaved husband of Jalila Ayyad. Standing in a white T-shirt stained with the blood of his wife and son – who was also seriously injured in the attack – he watches on as the nephew is interviewed.

Many tears were shed among the Christian minority at the service (AA)

A memorial service was held on Sunday for Ayyad at Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church on Sunday. The church has become a haven not just for Christian but also hundreds of Muslim families seeking shelter there as the offensive drags on.

“The church has been our hosts for the past two weeks, offering food, clothes and whatever we needed, their loss is our loss, their pain is our pain,” says 45-year-old Abu Khaled.

At the memorial service for Jalila, Archbishop Alexios said: “Another human being, an innocent one, has lost her life.” In the pews, crowds of Palestinian Christians sobbed as first from their tiny minority to be killed in the conflict was laid to rest.

In something that surprised local journalists, Jalila’s body was carried by both Muslims and Christians to the grave. It seems the shared wounds, mourning and rage are bridging past divides in war-ravaged Gaza.

Last week, Gaza’s Greek Orthodox Church also sustained damage by Israeli artillery shelling. Fifteen graves were damaged and damage was also caused to the Church’s sole hearse, says Kamel Ayyad, a parish member.

“The world must realise that Israel’s missiles don’t differentiate between Christians and Muslims,” said Abu.

At the memorial service a sad young man surrounded by attendees dressed in black gave a speech on behalf of the Greek Orthodox community and questioned the position of the international community in dealing with Israel’s crimes.

“Here is a Palestinian, an Arab, a Christian woman, martyred by Israeli shelling,” he said. “Bombs slammed into us and killed without differentiating between civilians and combatants,” he adds.

Christians and Muslims both helped to carry the coffin to the grave (AA)

Father Manuel Musallam, a former priest of the Latin Church, has always been an advocate for Palestinian unity.

“When they destroy your mosques, call your prayers from our churches”.

There are approximately 1,500 Christians in Gaza. Mosques stand next to churches along the thin coastal enclave. George Ayyad, a relative of Jalila, rejects the idea that Christians will leave Gaza after this incident.

“This is exactly what the Israelis want, but where should we go?” he questions, before he continues “This is my homeland and we are Christians here in Gaza for more than 1,000 years and we will remain.”

During the memorial, bible scriptures were recited before Ayyad’s body was carried out and placed in a simple white coffin that had been decorated with a black cross.

Homeless Christians and Muslims brought out her remains together in the same community where Jalila will be buried, in the town she was born: in Gaza.

A Virgin Mary icon was placed in Jalila’s coffin while her relatives sang “Hallelujah.”

Taken From – http://www.middleeasteye.net/node/5007