Brighton & Hove Muslim Forum

http://www.middleeastmonitor.com/news/middle-east/5329-israel-breaches-truce-820-times-in-three-months

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) aims to raise public awareness about the Israeli occupation and the struggle of the Palestinian people. PSC seeks to apply pressure on both the British and Israeli governments into bring their policies in line with international law. PSC is an independent, non-governmental and non-party political organisation with members from communities across the UK. Join PSC today!

Join: www.palestinecampaign.org/join
Donate: www.palestinecampaign.org/donate

Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Box BM PSA
London
WC1N 3XX

Tel: 020 7700 6192
Fax: 020 7609 7779

Email: info@palestinecampaign.org
Web: www.palestinecampaign.org

Parliament’s 2^nd reading this week of the Children & Families Bill is an open.

Please post a comment regarding your view on clause 2 which ‘removes the explicit legal wording requiring adoption agencies to give due consideration to religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background when matching children with prospective adopters’.

Your comment will help to inform decision making of select Committee of MPs responsible for examining the Bill.

Please state that your comment is regarding CLAUSE 2 of the C&F bill as there are many.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/bills-and-legislation/public-reading/children-and-families-bill/adoption/

Muslim children needing adoption in England:

• Medina
• Muhammed Abbass
• Amina, Akeel & Muhammed Tahir
• Hadar & Farhan
• Ayaan
• Faraaz & Suleyman
• Maruf
• Ibraheem & Shakra – part Muslim

Photos and some info can be viewed from the PUBLIC profiles of children at: http://www.bemyparent.org.uk/public-profiles.html

More detailed info on each child required individuals to pay a subscription to BeMyParent for either newspaper and/or online viewing. Some children have videos of themselves.

These are children that local authorities have not been able to find families for and therefore have been referred to ‘BeMyParent’ who assist with family finding.

SOCIAL WORKERS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WAIT INDEFINATELY FOR A MUSLIM FAMILY TO ADOPT THEM IF ANOTHER SUITABLE FAMILY ENQUIRES. THE NEED FOR LOVING, CARING ADOPTIVE PARENTS OVER-RIDES OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS RELIGION OF ADOPTERS, THOUGH EFFORTS ARE MADE TO FIND MUSLIM ADOPTERS.

Some of them are Pakistani, some African Muslim and others. Can not specify other details due to confidentiality. Some are siblings who would like to be adopted together.

Be aware, there is a chance birth parents of any of the children may end up receiving this information, hence the details are restricted. Please be sensitive.

May Allah protect these children in life and hereafter, Ameen.

The Islamic Diversity Centre (IDC) in Newcastle has called into action its self-titled ‘Muslim Snow Patrol’ to help clear residential roads and drives in Newcastle’s West End.

After Newcastle City Council was contacted about the plans, it provided the team with gloves, shovels and grit as well as directing the team to areas most in need.

IDC director Abu Tayeb said: “[Residents] have been really appreciative of the work that we’re doing.

“They’ve been a bit surprised at why loads of bearded men have come and tried to help them clear their drives.

“As Muslims we believe that it is our Islamic duty to look after our neighbours, especially in these very difficult conditions.

“We’re trying to remove some of those preconceptions people have about Islam and Muslims by showing that Muslims actually do good things and are trying to help our neighbours.”

Labour councillor for Wingrove, Nigel Todd added: “The residential streets are more of a problem for [the council] because we just don’t have the money to grit and clear them.

“This group is a tremendous example of what can be done and what can be achieved by everyone doing their bit.

“If every group just does a little bit then together we can do a huge amount.”

http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/article/53869

You may have heard about Shaker Aamer, the last British resident in Guantanamo Bay. In June 2001, Shaker went to Afghanistan with his family to do voluntary work for an Islamic charity. He stayed in Kabul, which was at peace at the time. But after September 11th, the bombing of Kabul began. He was abducted and sold to the US authorities. He remains imprisoned even though he is cleared for release. He is the last citizen from Britain held in Guantanamo for over 10 years without charge or trial.

Shaker Aamer is a permanent British resident, and is married to a British citizen. He has four children, the youngest; Faris, has never seen his father.

Pressure from the British government is vital in securing Shaker’s release. Help bring injustice to an end – Please sign the petition here

100 000 signatures are urgently needed. Please circulate the petition as widely as possible.

The Petition deadline is 20th April 2013.

You can read more about his incarceration here: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/shaker-aamer-guantanamos-last-british-detainee-1914791.html

BHMF were asked last year to assist in the appointment of a new Muslim Chaplin for the NHS Trust Hospitals for Brighton and Hove and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

This included helping to advertise the position and forwarding a very senior qualified person to join the panel that eventually chose the new Chaplin. The whole process from start to finish took just over three months.

Why chaplaincy is important

Chaplains play an essential role and provide pastoral care and a ‘listening ear’ to people who may be in distress or who may need counsel. They support people in making personal decisions. They can also be instrumental in supporting vulnerable individuals, people who may be emotionally and mentally incapable of making a rational judgment or who may have ‘malleable’ personalities. This means that chaplains have key roles in providing support on issues such as bereavement, trauma, radicalisation and extremism.

Whilst they do not necessarily have to be Imams or Muslim religious leaders steeped in Islamic theological knowledge, chaplains must have the ability to understand their faith, explain elements of the faith and more importantly work with people through issues that they bring up. The creation of Muslim community chaplaincy roles in hospitals, prisons, universities and elsewhere is a particularly significant development in recent years. Whilst community chaplaincy roles have been in existence in other faith communities, recent developments mean that it is starting to develop momentum within Muslim communities.

Faith Matters believes that today, this profession is largely ignored in its importance in a world in which people are affected by growing emotional, technological, spiritual, monetary and physical pressures. This report tries to address this and to promote a discussion around Muslim chaplaincy framed on the four key areas outlined above.

The genesis of this consultation was also based partly on encouraging Muslim communities to support the work of chaplaincy within sectors like Her Majesty’s Prison Service and universities. The work was also driven by consultations between DCLG and Muslim communities over the last four years and the objective to strengthen Muslim faith leadership.

This work takes a holistic approach to chaplaincy and in particular provisions 6

for this important role within Muslim communities. This profession should not only be seen through the lens of supporting vulnerable people who may be prone to extremism. Recent newspaper reports and the consistent flow of information about the radicalisation of young Muslims must not be projected onto all Muslims, particularly when the vast and overwhelming majority of the work of Muslim chaplains does not relate to radicalisation or extremism related matters.

The variety of activities undertaken by chaplains means that some of our most talented and able young people take up the challenge and they will need further community support in their work in the future. Chaplains can act as moderators, as mediators and as individuals who can place things into context for people who may have lost hope for the future of their lives.

Read more on – http://faith-matters.org/images/stories/fm-reports/faith_matters_chaplaincy_report.pdf

And – http://www.religionandsociety.org.uk/uploads/docs/2012_09/1348659246_Gilliat-Ray_Phase_1_Large_Grant_Block.pdf

Haj & Umra is delighted to announce the launch of the new website with user-friendly features and an exclusive look.

Please visit www.haj.co.uk

H2E

All Hotel

19th October – 9th November

Reyadah Misk (17 Nights FB)

Elaf Taibah (4 Nights BB)

Prices from: £2950

 

H2M

5 Star

19th October – 9th November

Reyadah Misk (6 Nights FB)

Makkah Movenpick (6 Nights BB) and

Madinah Hilton (4 Nights BB)

Prices from: £3950

 

H1A

5 Star

13th October – 30th October

Madinah Hilton (4 Nights FB)

Dar Al Ghufran (13 Nights HB)

Prices from: £5800

 

H1E  

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13th October – 30th October

Dar Al Hijra Intercontinental (4 Nights HB)

Al Reyadah Misk (13 Nights FB)

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Prices from: £3100

 

H1M

All Hotel

13th October – 30th October

Dar Al Hijra Intercontinental (4 Nights HB)

Swissotel (3 Nights HB)

Al Reyadah Misk (11 Nights FB)

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Prices from: £4000

 

*with access during 5 days of Hajj.

Limited number of places only. All prices are per person.