UK mosques watchdog launches
By Dominic Casciani
BBC News community affairs reporter
A potentially influential body to tackle extremism is being launched a year after the London bombings.
The mosques standards body was a key proposal from a government-backed extremism taskforce.
In a unique move, leaders of four major British Muslim groups have agreed the body is essential to modernise and open up religious institutions.
The body's launch document speaks about the failings of some mosques, including the exclusion of women and youth.
The proposal for a Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (Minab) was one of more than 100 recommendations to emerge from a Home Office-organised taskforce on extremism in the wake of the 7/7 London bombings.
But the plan has been mired in controversy with many mosques resistant to the idea of a watchdog, believing that they would be ultimately controlled by the government.
But the four groups backing its creation said that it was a major step forward in modernising a key institution.
Community leadership
Many younger Muslims, particularly women, have long complained mosques are run by small cliques of men from distinct clans or families, rather than by the wider community.
I think we are winning the moral high ground - the people who do not want the name of their faith tarnished are really getting their house in order and organising themselves as never has happened before
Dr Daoud Abdullah
In an unprecedented move for a major policy publication from Muslim organisations, that complaint is accepted in the document setting out Minab's aims.
Crucially, it accepts many imams are not up to the job of giving guidance to alienated young people. It sets a priority of developing the careers of British-born or educated preachers who can relate to young Muslims in English and understand western culture.
The founders of Minab say it will also champion more access for women and ask mosque elders to bring on board highly-educated Muslims in professional positions, such as lawyers and teachers, to help run the institutions.
Khurshid Ahmed, of the British Muslim Forum, one of the key national bodies behind the reforms, said they would now start work on ensuring that Minab would be a properly constituted, professional organisation.
While Muslims did not believe mosques were the source of extremism, said Mr Ahmed, communities had an unprecedented opportunity to achieve much-needed change.
"There are problems of governance within mosques and we need to build their capacity and make sure they are properly resourced.
"We need to be very realistic and honest with ourselves. The vast majority of our imams lack the capacity to intellectually engage with our young people. We need to help them build that capacity."
Yusuf Al-Khoei of the Al-Khoei Foundation, which represents Shia Muslims in the UK, said the launch of Minab was a major step forward for British Muslims, not least because the different strands of the faith had united.
"Four organisations have come together for the first time and reached a consensus. It's a very positive move because the voice of moderation is coming up loud and clear. We are trying to decouple Islam from images and allegations of violence.
"We need more involvement of the youth, of our women - and more involvement in our neighbourhoods.
"We need our mosques to be more than places of worship, they need to be proper community centres.
"For too long there has really been no structure. I have seen people claim to be imams in mosques who could not even read or write."
At the present it looks like we are still badly misunderstood by the people, people are acting out of fear and will probably take a generation before the fear is shown to be unfounded. We are walking a delicate tightrope. It is essential to let the world know that we will not be bullied, but we also must refrain from being aggressive.
Our best action is to live in peace, abide by the laws of whatever country we live in and let people see first hand that we are not aggressors and that we are not out to conquer any country. We can only spread the message that are a religion of Peace, by helping to spread the seeds of Peace.
Our best action is to live in peace, abide by the laws of whatever country we live in and let people see first hand that we are not aggressors and that we are not out to conquer any country. We can only spread the message that are a religion of Peace, by helping to spread the seeds of Peace.
Salaam o alaikum wa rahmatullah,
It is said that actions speak louder than words.
Today, our actions often contradict our words.
May we act upon our claims and may Allah(SWT) guide our ummah and forgive us. Aameen.
Alaikum Salaam wa rahmatullah
"Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (To practise it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?" [2:44]
At the present it looks like we are still badly misunderstood by the people, people are acting out of fear and will probably take a generation before the fear is shown to be unfounded. We are walking a delicate tightrope. It is essential to let the world know that we will not be bullied, but we also must refrain from being aggressive.
Our best action is to live in peace, abide by the laws of whatever country we live in and let people see first hand that we are not aggressors and that we are not out to conquer any country. We can only spread the message that are a religion of Peace, by helping to spread the seeds of Peace.
ASALAMA ALAIKUM..........
Well..u know that our Prophet Mohamed didn't only use Peaceful tactics to spread the word of Islam....there was also conquering countries and giving the people two choices...either to accept Islam or Pay money and live under Islamic rule... :sister: We don't just have to sit and let them bully us and act like it don't bother us :X
You have got to get up every morning with determination if you want to go to bed with satisfaction
Well..u know that our Prophet Mohamed didn't only use Peaceful tactics to spread the word of Islam....there was also conquering countries and giving the people two choices...either to accept Islam or Pay money and live under Islamic rule... :sister: We don't just have to sit and let them bully us and act like it don't bother us :X
No, we do not have to sit still and be bullied. But, we have to be cautious that we do not become the agressor. Being Peacefull is not the same as being timid. We can express our disatifaction and we can protest. But, we must not react in kind. We have to remember and be sensitive of the reasons for the fear and do our best to prove that they are unfounded fears. We can protest peacefully, we can use the power of voting we can act in accordance with our beliefs. We can defend ourselves without being abusive.
If people can see that a Muslim neighborhood is a safe place for a Non-Muslim to walk without fear, show that a Muslim store owner is fair, honest and courteous, show that a Muslim household is law abiding and has no hidden agenda, then people will begin to see us in a better light. Demands often fall on deaf ears and breed distrust. Asking is often met with tolerance and understanding. We have rights and we have a reason to expect to have access to those rights, but we have to try to be gentle in pointing out we do not always get to excercise our rights. Remember, we are not in just a religious struggle, Islam is our life and we are viewed upon as being culturaly different. People fear cultures that are different from their own. We will have a hard time making any gains until those fears are alleviated. We are seen as being the agressors, we need to show and vocalise we are victems not aggressors.
Also sister, all that you have mentioned was done after a just muslim ummah had been founded. Today, we as muslims, are not faring too well. We are far from what we should be. So, first and foremost, we struggle to become closer to what is required of us. As brother Woodrow said.
AllahuAlim.
May Allah(SWT) guide us. Aameen.
Alaikum Salaam
"Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (To practise it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?" [2:44]
'Muslim' council of Britain = Munafiqeen Council of Britain.
they side with the kuffar when they make their laws against muslims and then they released a press release telling muslims that was best to vote labour at the last election.
best for whom? the muslims of iraq? afghanistan or good for the muslims of bradford and birmingham?
or best for those who want their knighthood, OBE, MBE and pat on the head for stabbing their brothers and sisters in the back?
we are one ummah, these people would split us all along lines drawn by colonial powers in the dirt, each of us looking after our own narrow tribal or national interest and forgetting the suffering of our brothers and sisters.
Well..u know that our Prophet Mohamed didn't only use Peaceful tactics to spread the word of Islam....there was also conquering countries and giving the people two choices...either to accept Islam or Pay money and live under Islamic rule... :sister: We don't just have to sit and let them bully us and act like it don't bother us :X
I won't say too much on this, because Woodrow has already replied brilliantly.
Just wanted to say that this is exactly the kind of comment that makes Westerners be fearful and suspicious ...
Nobody should impose their beliefs/way of life onto others. Isn't that what Islam teaches?
Be in peace. :thankyou:
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
At the present it looks like we are still badly misunderstood by the people, people are acting out of fear and will probably take a generation before the fear is shown to be unfounded. We are walking a delicate tightrope. It is essential to let the world know that we will not be bullied, but we also must refrain from being aggressive.
Our best action is to live in peace, abide by the laws of whatever country we live in and let people see first hand that we are not aggressors and that we are not out to conquer any country. We can only spread the message that are a religion of Peace, by helping to spread the seeds of Peace.
I agree. Little kids walking around with imaamas covering their heads screaming takbeer doesn't help much (i wonder who they're hiding from?).
But there is something that can be done. Da'wah is the first step.
W'salaam
Woodrow and glo have pretty much said all that I would.
I too dislike this BS muslims keep recieving, however, as woodrow pointed out, we have to try hard to not appear as the aggressors - it takes time and is difficult, but that's why it's a test.
Someone said to the Prophet, "Pray to God against the idolaters and curse them." The Prophet replied, "I have been sent to show mercy and have not been sent to curse." (Muslim)
Last time I checked The US and Britian were the one's invading countries so how can muslims seem like oppressers were being oppressed.
When someone attacked the prophet (SAW) would walk away. In these times it's important to portray islamic characteristics, as people seem to think Muslims completely represent the teachings of Islam.
I'm not saying we should not condemn the wrong actions of the British and USA gov.
W'salaam
I agree but some muslims hold the view that even when your attacked you shouldn't do anything islam is peace but it's also common sense someone gets in your face or intends harm on you you got a duty to protect yourself.
I agree but some muslims hold the view that even when your attacked you shouldn't do anything islam is peace but it's also common sense someone gets in your face or intends harm on you you got a duty to protect yourself.
yep exactly, we are peaceful with those who are peaceful with us.
Yeah I know. I am talking about if someone wrongs you.
But the prophet (SAW) did teach us to protect and defend those who are oppressed, and also help the oppressor (by stopping him from oppressing others).
That's all I meant.
Yeah I know. I am talking about if someone wrongs you.
But the prophet (SAW) did teach us to protect and defend those who are oppressed, and also help the oppressor (by stopping him from oppressing others).
That's all I meant.
True you need to 50/50 with your personality able to dish out mercy to those who are peaceful towards you and also be able to be harsh with the enemies of islam cause if you posses one without the other your in trouble.
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