MCS Event; Consultation on Scottish Gov Civil Partnerships Bill
15 October 2011
Muslim Council of Scotland held a consultation event on the Scottish Government proposed Bill on Civil Partnerships at Madrassa Talim ul Islam. The event was well attended with representatives from almost all mosques in and around Glasgow.
For the benefit of those unable to attend the meeting, a sample response sheet has been produced including the answers provided by the majority of attendees at the event. Click for Document.
This should only be used as a guide to completing the actual full document, which you can download from this link.
The completed document can be submitted to the Scottish Gov by post or emailed to this address: sandra.jack@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
The closing date for responses is 9th Dec 2011.
MCB Responds to Channel 4 Dispatches Documentary: One Incident of Child-Abuse is One Incident Too Many
The Muslim Council of Britain regards it as a priority that the
professionalism and regard for the health and safety of children
that characterises mainstream schooling should operate without fail
in Islamic educational settings. We have asked Channel 4's
Commissioning Editor of Documentaries, Mr. Hamish Mykura, to ask if
Dispatches has reported the abuse recorded in this programme to
Bradford Social Services and we have yet to receive a
reply.
More generally, the Muslim Council of Britain has been active in
ensuring that madrasah and mosque-based education is universally
subject to regular Ofsted inspections and Criminal Records Bureau
checks and we have the full support of our affiliate organisations
in this matter.
The Muslim Council of Britain does not believe that the abuse of
children in madrasah and mosque-based education is a widespread
phenomenon in Britain and we believe that the vast majority of
British mosques hold the health and safety of children to be of
utmost importance, following true Islamic teaching and British
law.
However, as far as we are concerned, one incident of child-abuse
is one incident too many. Our community must work together to root
out any such behaviour in our precious institutions.
The Muslim Council of Britain also condemns without reservation
any bigotry towards members of other faiths that may exist within
the Muslim community, especially if this is promulgated in
educational settings. The MCB, along with the vast majority
of British Muslims, consider freedom of conscience in religion
without fear of harassment or ridicule to be a fundamental Islamic
value and a universal human right.
In the case of an institution referred to in this Dispatches
programme, we have been assured by the institution itself that it
has taken decisive and effective action with regards to removing
from any educational duty individuals involved in the preaching of
bigoted, un-Islamic attitudes.
END
Shared National Identity Should Not Be Seen Through the Lens of Security - MCB Responds to Prime Minister's Munich Speech
05 February 2011
The Muslim Council of Britain gives the following response to
the Prime Minister's speech on security and multiculturalism,
delivered today at the Munich Security Conference.
Farooq Murad, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain
said:
The Prime Minister gave an important speech today that affects all
of us, including British Muslims. There are many things that we
agree and we commend, such as the need to ensure we do speak out
against Islamophobia, and the need to foster a cohesive national
identity based on the values of democracy and equality of all
before law.
The Prime Minister today took aim at multiculturalism through the
lens of security, when in fact we need a discussion on our shared
values that includes all of us, not just Muslims. The Big Society
should be about how we can work together to solve our common
challenges; not to further isolate, sideline and demonise
particular communities.
The Prime Minister chose to deliver his speech on a day when the
extremists of the English Defence League will be marching on Luton
to sow discord amongst our communities. We find it very
disappointing that at a time when we should seek to stand together
to fight violence and extremism, Mr Cameron omits any reference to
this extremist group spreading hate and bigotry against British
Muslims in towns and cities up and down this country. Such a
flagrant omission by the Prime Minister adds fuel to fire for such
extremists to further stigmatise and alienate entire communities
based on their religion or ethnicity. We already see poisonous
anti-Muslim narrative emanating from some MP's, echoing the
discourse created in parts of our media.
We welcome Mr Cameron's resolve for institutions, including Muslim
organisations, to subscribe to universal human rights. There is no
British Muslim organisation that is in receipt of government
funding and does not subscribe to universal human rights. The
British Muslim community has stood firm against the scourge of
extremism and will continue to do so.
The MCB itself, though not in receipt of government funding, has
consistently spoken in favour of British values that acknowledge
universal human rights and pluralism. It has spoken in favour of a
stronger and successful British nation.
Furthermore, Muslim organisations have time and again demonstrated
their commitment to the common good. We have been asked to pass the
litmus test and prove our loyalty to this country. It is important
that our discourse acknowledges that British Muslims are very much
part of this country.
End
New Year Message from the MCB Secretary General
31st December 2010
The New Year is a momentous occasion for all of us. It is a time for reflection and provides an ideal opportunity to renew our faith, our hopes and our commitments. I wish everyone a happy, peaceful and fulfilling 2011. I pray that this turning of page helps all of us to discover and realise the potential within us to achieve and contribute to the wellbeing of our families, our societies and our world.
The British Muslim community can look ahead at the coming year positively and confidently. The New Year Honours List 2011 alone highlights the distinguished contributions made by a number of British Muslims to our country. Those honoured include the Armed Forces' highest-ranking Muslim, Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain who becomes a Companion of the Order of the Bath. We extend our warmest congratulations to all those named. They are great ambassadors for our country and illustrate the enormous contributions British Muslims make to our country, in all walks of life, day in day out. Their achievements provide an excellent foundation for us to build on for 2011.
Despite the community's massive contribution to British society,
we still face the scourge of Islamophobia and the rising
anti-Muslim hate crimes, often fuelled by ignorance, prejudice and
irresponsible association of the heinous crime of terrorism with
our community and faith, sometimes directly and at others subtly
and indirectly. We must counter this by playing a greater role in
engaging with wider society. MCB is committed to working together
with all our partners in the civil society, particularly the faith
communities.
The extensive contribution of our mosques, charities and numerous community institutions is a testimony to the Muslim community's commitment to the values of compassion, justice and service. I hope that as our institutions plan for the New Year they also think anew to deal with the new challenges.
Happy New Year!
Click the link below for New Year Honours List 2011: http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_193438.pdf
23rd November 2010
MCB Launches 'Celebrating Faith' Brochure
As part of the National Interfaith week 2010 celebration, The Muslim Council of Britain's inter faith relations committee will be holding a seminar on Inter faith dialogue and engagement on Wednesday 24th November at the House of Lords in Westminster. Young representatives from MCB affiliates, as well as some faith leaders will speak on inter faith work from their religious perspective. Professor Tariq Ramadan will give the keynote speech on "Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) Role in Inter faith Relations".
The MCB has played a proactive role in the development of inter faith work in various fields including healthcare chaplaincy since 1997 and has organised many events to work towards increasing inter faith understanding and co-operation. The Secretary General of MCB, Farooq Murad, states,"At the MCB, we value faith, all faiths, because faith provides the essential moorings to avoid drifting meaninglessly in the dark sea of doubt and disbelief. This is precisely why from its very inception the MCB has attached enormous importance to inter faith work."
To commemorate the
event, the MCB is also launching a special publication under the
title, 'Celebrating Faith', which highlights the MCB's continuous
work towards developing inter faith relations and also includes
narratives of MCB affiliates about their contribution towards inter
faith activities. Dr Manazir Ahsan, the chair of the inter faith
relations committee says, "Along
with a mutual tolerance and respect, efforts have to be made to
deepen our inter faith, and intra faith work in order to increase
understanding between our faiths and to strengthen our co-operation
in pursuit of social justice, human dignity and the common good of
all citizens."
Tuesday 23 November 2010
MCB Statement on Panorama Story - "British Schools, Islamic Rules"
In relation to the BBC Panorama programme on Muslim schools, the
Muslim Council of Britain issued the following statement: "The vast
majority of Muslim schools in this country offer a much-needed
service to British Muslims. Many full-time Muslim schools have
achieved impressive results in educational league tables, and
part-time schools inspire young Muslims to contribute to the common
good.
"The Muslim Council of Britain is heartened that the majority of
Muslim schools work towards established standards, striving to
promote an agenda that recognises Britain's cherished pluralism. We
hope that those few schools that fall short of such objectives, if
indeed they do, redouble their efforts for the benefit of their own
children".
Commenting on the programme itself, the Muslim Council of Britain
said: "The programme's incendiary title and commentary from the
programme's presenter has already contributed to the mood-music
that Muslims are somehow separate, foreign and un-British.
Responsible reporting would examine faith schools in its
totality."
John Ware had complete disregard for the value of Ofsted
inspection, a nationally recognised body governing schools, and
chose to seek something of a minority to cause contention. The
programme did not represent a fair documentation as it failed to
inform of the Muslim schools that have conveyed successful
achievements and pass rates and was inept to fully highlight the
findings from rigorous Ofsted inspection