Government shuns Muslim Council over link with Hamas

By Paul Bignell
Sunday, 22 March 2009

The Government has severed relations with the country's leading Muslim organisation, saying a senior member is a supporter of Hamas, the Palestinian military organisation.
A letter leaked to The Independent on Sunday shows that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Hazel Blears, wrote to the Muslim Council of Britain, calling for Dr Daud Abdullah to resign.
She alleges he was one of 90 Muslim leaders from around the world who signed a public declaration of support for Hamas, the elected government of the Gaza strip in Israel, and military action against Israel.
A spokeswoman for the department said: "We are concerned that the statement calls for direct support for acts of violence in the Middle East and beyond. We are also aware that a senior member of the MCB may have been a signatory to this statement. If it is proven that the individual concerned had been a signatory, we would expect the MCB to ask him to resign and to confirm its opposition to acts of violent extremism."
Members of the Muslim community reacted angrily to the letter at a conference in Birmingham where they met yesterday to discuss the issue.
An MCB spokesperson said: "We will make clear to the Government that as far as the MCB is concerned we utterly condemn the targeting or killing of soldiers anywhere in the world. But the MCB will not be dictated to by Hazel Blears. We do not take orders from Ms Blears. She is mistaken if she thinks the MCB will dismiss people at her say-so."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-shuns-muslim-council-over-link-with-hamas-1651323.html

MCB Calls for Consistency in New Anti-Terror Strategy

24 March 2009

The Muslim Council of Britain has made the following, initial response to the government's publication today of its revised CONTEST strategy.

"All of us have an important stake in ensuring that our country is properly safeguarded from those who want to launch indiscriminate attacks. As such, it is crucial that all of us - Muslim and non-Muslim - give the necessary help and support to those charged with responsibility of maintaining our security," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

At the same time the MCB urges the government to learn the necessary lessons from past strategies which have undermined the effort against violent extremism. The government's new strategy document rightly insists that the rule of law will be upheld at all times in the fight against terrorism. It also says that the new strategy will tackle the causes as well as symptoms of terrorism. However, earlier this year, for some reason the government could not bring itself to describe the barbaric Israeli bombardment of Gaza as actions constituting a war crime.

The government must be more consistent if we are to successfully counter the terror threat," added Dr Bari.

At the last public consultation meeting organised by the MCB last week (21 March 2009, Birmingham) which was attended by a large number of Islamic scholars and leaders of many Muslim organisations including some that are not affiliated to the MCB, there was unequivocal and unanimous commitment to fighting violent extremism and terrorism. At the same time there was widespread concern that the laws and policies on fighting the scourge of terrorism have had an adverse impact on the lives of many innocent Muslims.

[Ends]

The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella body of some 500 mosques, charities and schools. 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

Put People First Rally - Muslims Join Fellow Britons in Their Fight for Jobs, the Climate and A New Economy

27th March 2009

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and its affiliated bodies will be sending their members to join fellow citizens in this important rally prior to the G20 Summit in London. They have responded to calls made by the Muslim Council of Britain to engage with civil society and seek social justice and equity on local, national and international levels. The G20 represents an attempt to create more stakeholders in the global economic architecture, noted Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, MCB Secretary General.

As Prime Minister Gordon Brown observed, the Washington Consensus, designed to push the burden of adjustment disproportionately on developing countries, is no longer tenable. A new global order with a wider range of stakeholders is the only way to create the global response to overcome the crisis by flawed financial capitalism. The MCB welcomes this sentiment and believes this will lead to greater equity at a global level. It wants to participate fully in civil society efforts to ensure that the G20 Summit stays on course and does not get diverted to other agendas or mere window dressing, he added.

[ENDS]

Notes to Editors:
The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

Media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Media Office on 0845 26 26 786 or 07956 353 738. Email: media@mcb.org.uk.

Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Office at The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079

This press release and other MCB publications and information are available on the MCB website at www.mcb.org.uk

"GOOD BYE"

When the time has come
You've got to be strong.
You got to live on.
See that distant light?
It's shining so bright.
It will show you the way.

'Coz the world is for you my dear.
You can make it I know you will.

After saying goodbye,
Please don't ask me why.
When the love is gone,
True hearts are broken.
How can I help it?
My love's still alive.

As the day goes by
And the night closing in,
I can get no sleep,
I walk alone in the street.
I'm back on my feet,
It's breaking my heart
I feel the hearache.

"DREAMS"

When you get tired of the world
And how it seems

Just slip away into your dreams
Where no one is real
All in your mind in dream as will feel

This is the place where your fantasies come true
And the main charecter is always you

So when you fall fast asleep
Remember that when you close your eyes

You're entering in a world of nothing
but..
LIES!

MAN LAWS

We always hear "the rules" from the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side....

These are our rules! Please note... these are all numbered "1" On Purpose!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports. It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Shopping is NOT a sport. And no, we are never going to think of it that way.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. A headache that lasts for 17 months is a Problem. See a doctor.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you won't dress like the Victoria 's Secret girls, don't expect us to act like soap opera guys.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are. Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one.

1. You can either ask us to do something or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say "nothing," We will act like nothing is wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere in a hurry, absolutely anything you wear is fine. REALLY!

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight. But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can - to give them a laugh.

Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh!

DID YOU EVER

Did you ever imagine how the wind blow
How the flower's bloom
And how the rainbow got it's hue?

Did you ever think how the sun shine
And why the moon is bright.
Do you even wonder how the bird was made
And how the earth was made?

Did you ever think the importance of the raindrops
And the spark of shining stars above that brights

Why the water falls, fall
And why volcanoe's explodes with lava

Did you ever thank God for creating you and the whole universe
Did you ever thank God for giving us this world full of wonders

Did you ever try to asked yourself
who comes first between the chicken and the egg
Did you ever plant a seed here in our earth

Did you ever love living things - God's creation indeed!
Do you pause to hear the chirping of the bird
Have you gave importance to the air you breathe
Did you ever thank God for the food you eat

Did you ever thank God for your whole-being
Did you ever thank him for giving you a friend
Did you ever thank him for the water you drink
Did you ever thank him for the creations he made

Did you ever think why fish lives only to water
Did you adore butterflies flying in the meadow
Did you ever imagine to live without the air
Did you ever think what to drink when the water won't flow
Did you?
If so..
Take Care of our mother nature!

did you....?

British Muslims Mourn passing of Bashir Ahmad, the First Muslim Member of the Scottish Parliament

7 February 2009
The Muslim Council of Britain today joins British Muslims as they mourn the passing of Bashir Ahmad, Inna lillahi wa innaa ilaihi rajiun, from God we have come and to Him we return.

Affectionately known as 'Uncle Bashir', Mr Ahmad laid the foundations for the next generation of Scottish Muslims to play their part in the democratic process. Having arrived in the United Kingdom at the age of 21, he quickly became a Scottish success story, as an entrepreneur, hotelier, and restaurateur. This was coupled by his commitment to his civic duty, serving five terms as president of the Pakistan Welfare Association. He was elected councillor of Pollokshields East, Glasgow in 2003, and became the first Muslim member of the Scottish Parliament in 2007. His civic spirit, his dignity and his determination to work with all people won him respect and admiration across the political spectrum.

Leading the tributes from the MCB, Secretary General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said "Bashir Ahmad demonstrated the possibility and the need for British Muslims to be civic champions serving the people around him for the common good. Those who knew Mr. Ahmad speak fondly of his charismatic personality and how honoured he was to serve the people of Glasgow. The despondent reaction from across the political spectrum only serves as a reminder as to his standing in the community and politics as a whole. He will be greatly missed, but always remembered for his historic achievements.

[End]


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

JUSTICE

During Hadrat [1] Umar’s (radiy-Allahu ’anh) caliphate, Sa’d ibn Abu Waqqas (radiy Allahu ’anh), the commander of the eastern front, wanted to have a villa built in Kufa city. He had to buy a magian’s house which was next to his parcel. The magian did not want to sell his house. The magian went home and conferred with his wife who said: ‘They have the ‘Amir-ul-Mu’minin in Medina. Go to him and lodge a complaint with him.’ He went to Medina and asked about the Caliph’s palace. The people he asked answered that the Caliph did not have a palace or a villa and that he had gone outside the city. So he, too, left the city to look for him. There were no soldiers or guards around. He saw someone sleeping on the ground. He asked the man if he had seen the Caliph Umar. In fact, the man he asked was the Caliph Umar himself (radiy-Allahu ’anh). He asked the magian why he was looking for the Caliph Umar. The man answered: ‘His commander coerces me to sell him my house. I came here to lodge a complaint against him.’ Hadrat Umar (radiy-Allahu ’anh) went to his home, taking the magian along with him. He asked for some paper, but they could not find any paper in the house. He saw a shoulder blade and asked for it. He wrote as follows on the bone: ‘Bismillahirrahmanirrahim Lo, Sa’d! Do not hurt this magian’s heart! Otherwise, come to me at once.’ The magian took the bone and went back home. He said: ‘I went to all this lot of trouble for nothing. If I give this piece of bone to the commander he’ll think he is being teased and will become very angry.’ But when his wife insisted, he went to Sa’d. Sa’d was sitting and chatting cheerfully with his soldiers. No sooner had he caught sight of the handwriting on the bone in the magian’s hand, who was standing at some distance, than he turned pale, for he had recognized the Emir-ul-mu’minin Umar’s (radiy-Allahu ’anh) handwriting. The abrupt change surprised everybody. Sa’d (radiy-Allahu ’anh) approached the magian and said: ‘I’ll do whatever you want me to. But, please don’t do anything that will make me look guilty in Umar’s (radiy-Allahu ’anh) presence, for I cannot endure the punishment inflicted by him.’ Seeing the commander begging surprised the magian to the degree of madness. When he regained his senses, he immediately became a Muslim. When others asked him how he had become a Muslim, his answer was: ‘I saw their Amir (chief) sleeping on the soil with a patched coat. I saw how his commanders trembled with fear of him. I, therefore, came to the conclusion that they were in the right religion. Such justice for a fire worshipper like me could only have been done by believers of the right religion.’
________________________________________
GLOSSARY
[1] Hadrat: title of respect used before the names of great people like and Islamic scholars.

Luton Protestors do not Speak for Muslims

11th March 2009

The MCB is appalled at media reports of the scenes at a homecoming parade for British soldiers in Luton on 10th March 2009. This small minority do not speak for Muslims but instead provide fodder for Islamophobes keen to drive a wedge between Britons.

Secretary General Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari said, "Whilst we understand the deeply held and widespread opposition to the disastrous war in Iraq, the Muslim Council of Britain condemns any form of protest where individuals are harmed or threatened. The 'protestors' did not speak for the majority of people who opposed that war."

"British soldiers are simply carrying out orders on behalf of the government of the day. They have endured and sacrificed much, and we are glad they are back home", added Dr Abdul Bari.

[ENDS]

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

British Muslims Lobby for Foreign Investment to the UK at the World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta

12th March 2009

A twenty five strong delegation of professionals and entrepreneurs led by the Muslim Council of Britain attended the 5th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) in Jakarta, Indonesia from 1st to 4th March 2009.

The Muslim Council of Britains Business and Economic Committee has organised delegations to each World Islamic Economic Forum since its creation in 2004, which has in previous years been held in Malaysia, Pakistan and Kuwait. This years delegation included bankers, accountants, lawyers, academics, civil servants and business people.

One of the aims of the WIEF is to promote partnership between Muslim and non-Muslim business people by forging co-operation across borders among entrepreneurs in Muslim majority countries and those in other countries.

The theme of this years WIEF was Food and Energy Security and Stemming the Tide of the Global Financial Crisis.

The MCB Secretary-General, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari said:

"The theme of the recent WIEF highlights issues that are relevant to everyone, including the West. The delegations to the WIEF led by the MCB demonstrate our commitment to develop creative solutions and provide an alternative way of thinking.

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, who led the delegation and is a member of the WIEFs International Advisory Panel, said:

The declaration of the 5th WIEF is very relevant given the current crises experienced throughout the world. The UK in particular has an important role in the furtherance of the declaration, which included the promotion of Islamic finance as a viable alternative to the conventional financial system and the balance between food production and consumption as well as energy usage.

Other themes explored at 5th WIEF included women entrepreneurs as the driving force towards a stronger future and youth leadership.

[ENDS]

1. The Muslim Council of Britain is an umbrella body of some 500 mosques, charities and schools.

2. For further information on WIEF and the 5th WIEF Summit visit www.wief.org.my.
For further information please contact the MCB:

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