British buses to get slogans proclaiming Allah

[strivingobserver98]

:sl:

"The Muslim son of a bus driver has already taken over the buses in London!" Hehe :D.

Anyway I think this is good, Muslims will look at it and if they say it, the reward for dhikr awaits :).

Abu Dharr reported that the Prophet (sws) said, “Shall I tell you the words that Allah loves the most?” I said: “Yes, tell me, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “The words dearest to Allah are: subhanAllah wa bihamdihi.

A palm tree is planted for the reciter [of the above] in Paradise. [at-Tirmidhi; 5:511, al-Hakim]

Buses will carry adverts by Britain's biggest Muslim cause Islamic Relief Campaign will feature the line 'Subhan Allah', meaning 'Glory be to God'

The adverts will run during Ramada in an attempt to 'break down barriers'

Charity wants Muslims to donate money to victims of the Syrian Civil War

Adverts proclaiming glory to Allah will be branded on hundreds of buses around the country to raise money for victims of the Syrian Civil War and portray Islam in a positive light.

Islamic Relief, Britain's biggest Muslim charity, came up with the advertisements with the line 'Subhan Allah' - meaning 'Glory be to God'.

The government-backed organisation wants to 'break down barriers' and portray Islam in a positive light.

Muslims will be asked to donate to the cause to 'gather the rewards of Ramadan'.

Cities with the largest Muslim communities will be targeted. London has 50% of Britain's three million Muslims.

Practising Christians may ask questions about the campaign after cinemas banned an advert featured the Archbishop of Canterbury reciting the Lord's Prayer in the run-up to Christmas.

The advert was to be shown before screenings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens but was banned by Odeon, Cineworld and Vue.

They said the Christian film could have 'upset audiences' because it was about religion.

Imran Madden, the UK director of Islamic Relief told The Sunday Times: 'There is a lot of negativity around Muslims at the moment involving things such as counterterrorism issues.

'We want to change for the better the perception of Islam. The bus campaign is about breaking down barriers and challenging misconceptions.'

England cricketer Moeen Ali is supporting the initiative. He wants the adverts to encourage debate and increase understanding.

The adverts will start running in the capital from May 23.

June 6 is the expected date when Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar, will begin.

The month is commonly used by Muslims to fast and think about being generous towards others as it is meant to promote greater spiritual rewards.

Islamic Relief has helped more than 100 million people across the world since it was established in Birmingham in 1984.

More than £140 million has been sent in aid to Syria - supporting around 6.5 million people.

The charity works with 33 countries and supports people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Source

[noraina]

This is quite nice actually, an opportunity to gain a tree in paradise when on the commute. I hope I see that bus around my area, I'll be boarding it ;).

[Pygoscelis]

I wonder if the Christian right will raise a stink over this the way that they rose a stink over the one sponsored by Dawkins' group of atheists that said "There is probably no God"

[Bhabha]

I wonder if the Christian right will raise a stink over this the way that they rose a stink over the one sponsored by Dawkins' group of atheists that said "There is probably no God"

That's because the Dawkins group made an effort to offend Christians with this kind of message.

If a group made something that was directly offending someone else, like for example... Something that said "Children should be shot" then of course people who defend children and humanity would find it offensive and ask for it to be taken down.

If Christians post something like "We love Jesus" no one finds that offensive, because they are not attacking anyone, denying anyone their belief and many people and faiths love Jesus.

If groups make something to antagonize the belief of another group, that should be banned. Like the cartoons being offensive to our Prophet, these are made to antagonize.

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[Serinity]

This would offend none, except one who hates Allah SWT, audhu billah. May Allah SWT protect us. Ameen.

[anatolian]

SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah/God) doesnt technically have a meaning challenging the Christian faith. Maybe atheist brits stand against this.

[~ Sabr ~]

:wasalamex

I guess the only problem with this is that the charity will probably be using money donated for poor people to do advertising.

If they are not, then I take it back and it's a brilliant idea.

[strivingobserver98]

Interesting perspective here. Article by The Independent:

If you think the 'Allah is Great' London buses are a problem, you've proven why we need them

In this current climate of animosity and fear, when would you expect to see or hear the phrase “God is great” in Arabic? For many, the answer would be at the time of an imminent terrorist attack. In reality, however, acknowledging the greatness of God is what reminds the vast majority of Muslims to live lives of peace and unity in accordance with the authentic teachings of the Islamic faith.

Once again, a Muslim charity has come under scrutiny for its recent campaign which will see posters on the sides of red London buses with the words “Subhan Allah” (or “Glory be to God”) written across them. Islamic Relief hopes the campaign across five major cities will help to “change the negative climate” around the religion. Islamic Relief, being the largest Muslim charity in the world, has an extensive support base and is recognised far beyond the Muslim community, which makes it one of the most qualified organisations to foster understanding and tolerance between different communities.

Having been exposed first-hand to the dismal refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East, I have seen and heard time and again the hope that religion brings to the beleaguered, especially to Syrian refugees who often receive the aid of Islamic Relief. Why is it, then, that this phrase that brings strength and optimism to so many can instil irrational fear in others? Why are so many calling for it to be removed from the side of London buses, as if that were an inappropriate place for it to be?

Britain has evolved in manifold ways since the formation of Islamic Relief in 1984. Just days ago, London chose to ignore the campaign tactics of Zac Goldsmith and elect its first Muslim Mayor. British Muslim baker Nadia Hussain was given the honourable task of baking Queen Elizabeth II a cake celebrating her 90th birthday - and last month saw the election of Malia Bouattia as the first Muslim and black NUS president in its history.

It looks like we’re living in times of inclusivity and growth. But society is full of paradoxes, and many have become fearful of the use of a word which is supposed to denote the greatest giver of peace to those of faith.

Campaigns such as the “Allah is great bus”, and the subsequent unnecessary outrage, signify the need to challenge deleterious stereotypes and make the unfamiliar a common phenomenon that everyone can recognise and appreciate. Social media has seen hysterical outbursts of distaste towards Islamic Relief today. We need to combat this blind fear with education and openness.

Instead of loathing a charitable initiative, our time would be much better spent trying to comprehend the lives of those Muslims who we still view with so much suspicion and distaste: refugees fleeing terrible conflict. It is an opportunity for us to show solidarity with them, with each other and with the many British Muslims living harmoniously alongside us.

With the holy month of Ramadan approaching, these advertisements provide Muslims the opportunity to open discussions with others about the tenets of their faith which can help to derail rising Islamophobic sentiment. The social media reaction to the “Allah is great bus” has proven that we need to have that conversation more than ever.

Source

[Pygoscelis]

That's because the Dawkins group made an effort to offend Christians with this kind of message.

Only if you find atheists and atheism itself insulting... which in itself is rather insulting. When you live in a society where everybody is pushing religion on you, it becomes downright important to show there are others who are not buying any of it, else we wind up living in the closet. And if we want to be super sensitive about it, Jesus represents vicarious redemption and the idea that we all deserve to go to hell unless we repent and believe as the Christians do.... which is quite insulting if you think about it.

[Glac09]

Islamic Relief, Britain’s biggest Muslim charity, is running “Subhan Allah” adverts on the side of buses across the country in a bid to change negative views on international aid and the Muslim community.

The campaign is running across London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester and Bradford in time for Ramadan.

It has been picked up by a wide range of major media outlets and has created major talking points on local radio and social media, and was even the top trending topic on Facebook.

England cricket star Moeen Ali gave the campaign his backing. “This is a great way to get people talking about the meaning of Ramadan, a special month that’s not only about fasting but also about spiritual reflection and giving to those less fortunate. I hope it will encourage debate and increase understanding.”

Islamic Relief says its primary aim is to raise funds for its work in 33 countries around the world, to lift families out of poverty and assist millions of people affected by conflict and natural disasters. But it also hopes to highlight the huge and often unappreciated generosity of British Muslims.

Imran Madden, Islamic Relief’s UK Director, said: “This is a fundraising campaign first and foremost but I’d also like us to challenge the negative climate around international aid and the Muslim community in this country.

“How many people appreciate that international aid has helped halve the number of people living in extreme poverty in the past 15 years? Who realises that British Muslims donate over £100 million to international aid charities in Ramadan alone?

“Our advertising will heavily feature the word ‘SubhanAllah’, which means ‘Glory to God’. We want to celebrate and give thanks for the progress made in the fight against poverty, and the opportunity that Ramadan provides to give generously in support of people in need.”

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