This month: The MCB AGM, Launch of the Centre for Media Monitoring, Places of Worship security, Our Mosques Our Future, MCB Vacancies... and more!

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Monthly Briefing

In this issue:

Latest news | Upcoming events | Vacancies | Leadership Activities | MCB in the media

The MCB Annual General Meeting 2019

MCB held its AGM at the Prince's Trust in Birmingham, on 13 July. There were speeches from the former Ambassador to Indonesia and many others, alongside accountability sessions where all Office Bearers took questions from MCB Affiliates.

Refreshingly, there was also a workshop on the Green agenda and "eco-mosques" delivered by York Mosque, Green Land Mosqe and the Bahu Trust. Sharing best practices for mosques on doing their bit for the environment.

>Read more here.

July 2019
Issue 59

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Launch of Centre for Media Monitoring

The MCB, at Parliament, launched its new Centre for Media Monitoring on 9 July. The launch was attended by editors of the Sun and the Express newspapers and coincided with the release of the CfMM's report into the state of media coverage around Muslims and Islam.

> Read more here

Women in Mosques Development Programme Residential

On 21 July, dozens of women on the MCB's Women in Mosques Programme came together as part of the flagship programme's first residential retreat to learn about leadership techniques, problem solving and discussing theological issues relating to the Programme. They were joined by a number of speakers including, Shaykh Akram Nadwi.

The programmes, started in 2018 it is designed to accelerate the development of upcoming female leaders to become the mosque trustees, committee members and centre managers of the future, via bespoke training sessions and mentoring opportunities.

> Read more here

Public Consultation on New Prime Minister

On 28 July the MCB facilitated a discussion between over 50 people in London regarding a collective response to the advent of the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

There was a panel discussion with Dr Usama Al Azami, Dr Khadija Elshayyal and Malia Bouattia, as well as speeches on the topic of government engagement by Sir Iqbal Sacrenie and Professor Baderin of SOAS University. Despite a number of different views, engagement with the topic was enthusiastic.

The MCB will look to carry out a number of consultations across the country on this issue, to bring together various views, and to move forward as a collective.

You can read the MCB statement on the new PM here.

Places of Worship Security

On Friday 5 July the Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme was re-launched, offering grants of up to £56,000 to pay for the cost of new or improved security alarms, door locks, windows, CCTV and lighting for eligible mosques and Muslim community centres (as well as places of worship of other faiths). The deadline to apply is 31 August, you can apply here.

Upcoming MCB Events

Elderly and End of Life Care for Muslims in the UK Report Launch
28 August, 6pm-8pm, London

The number of British Muslims aged over 65 years old is expected to reach 190,000 by 2021, almost double the figure ten years earlier. Are Muslims communities ready to cater for their growing needs? How can we avoid our elderly becoming socially isolated? What good practice can be learned from other faith communities?

In a follow-up to MCB’s landmark “British Muslims in Numbers” report, this new 2019 report on the growing demands of Elderly Care in British Muslim communities has been produced in collaboration with the Centre of Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge

Our Mosques Our Future conference 2019
#OurYouthOurFuture
12 October 2019, Leicester

The national conference for mosque leaders and volunteers is back for 2019! This time we're in the Midlands on 12 October 2019, exploring the theme #OurYouthOurFuture!

Are our mosques investing in young people?
Do they have a say in what activities take place inside the mosque?
Do they feel a sense of belonging at the mosque?

For more information and to book early bird tickets (available until 4 August), visit www.ourmosquesourfuture.org.uk.

Save 50% - Book your early bird tickets now!

MCB Vacancies

The MCB is currently recruiting for the following roles. Join our growing team today!

Operations Manager
Research Assistant
Community Engagement Officer
Mosque Support Officer
Project Co-ordinator
Office Administration Volunteer

For more details or to apply, visit: www.mcb.org.uk/careers

Leadership Activities

1 July 2019
Harun Khan, MCB Secretary General, attended the Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations' Eid Dinner.

4 July 2019
Miqdaad Versi, represented the MCB at the IPSO roundtable on reporting on Muslims and Islam.

6 July 2019
Samayya Afzal , MCB Community Engagement Manager gave a presentation at the Pal Expo.

Miqdaad Versi, MCB Head of Public Affairs spoke at the Bradford Literature Festival on Islamophobia: Street to State.

15 July 2019
Harun Khan attended the Mayor of London's event on reducing violent crime at the Salmon Youth Centre in Bermondsey.

17 July 2019
Miqdaad Versi attended the Christian Muslim Forum meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

27 July 2019
Hassan Joudi MCB Deputy Secretary General ran a workshop for young people in Balham Mosque in preparation for the next OMOF Conference.

Funding Opportunities

The following are funding and grant opportunities for your mosque or centre:

Inter Faith Projects for Young People.
http://www.ifyouthtrust.org.uk/
(Deadline: 24 August)

Places of Worship Protective Security Grant
https://mailchi.mp/mcb/improve-security-at-your-mosque-help-with-your-application-available?e=fba5f02bf4
(Deadline: 31 August)

BCBN Grants for Community Initiative
http://bcbn.org.uk/grant-initiative/
(Deadline: 6 September)

MCB in the Media

OPINION PIECES

MCB Mosque Affairs Co-ordinator, Hassan Joudi, writes about leadership and governance issues for voluntary associations in this month's The Muslim News newspaper: Founder’s syndrome or power vacuums? Tales of Muslim-led organisations

IN THE NEWS

Launch of Centre for Media Monitoring

BBC - MCB Campaigns for Fairer Media Coverage The Muslim Council of Great Britain is to launch a campaign in Parliament for fairer media coverage later. The council said there was "a serious problem" with the way the UK media reported on Islam and Muslims.
Guardian - Most UK News Coverage of Muslims is Negative Most coverage of Muslims in British news outlets has a negative slant, according to a major analysis by the Muslim Council of Britain, which concludes that news stories in the mainstream media are contributing to Islamophobia.

Flu Vaccine

HuffPost - Muslim Council of Britain Slams Telegraph for Inaccurate Story The Muslim Council of Britain has denied issuing a “ruling” that parents should not vaccinate their children against flu, following an “inaccurate” frontpage story in The Daily Telegraph.

Boris Johnson Essay on Islam

Independent - Boris Johnson said Islam left Muslims World "Literally Centuries Behind" The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said people would want to know if the likely next prime minister still believed “Islam inherently inhibits the path to progress and freedom”
Daily Mail - Boris Johnson said Muslim World Centuries Behind The Muslim Council of Britain said in a statement to the Guardian, who uncovered the essay: 'We, of course, are of the view that Islam has a role to play in progress and prosperity, be that in the Muslim world or here at our home in the west.

Conservative Party Islamophobia

BBC- Conservative Members See Islam as Threat to British Life More than half of Conservative members questioned for a new poll believe Islam is a threat to British life.

Welcoming Refugees

Guardian - Faith Leaders Urge Boris to Provide Refugee Sanctuary The signatories to the open letter include more than 20 Church of England bishops, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, 33 rabbis, the director of the Hindu Council, the founder of City Sikhs, the archbishop of Wales, the primus of the Scottish Episcopal church, and leaders from the Quakers, Methodists, United Reformed church, the Salvation Army, Buddhists and Zoroastrians.

MCB Leadership Team 2018-20

All MCB Office Bearers perform their duties in a voluntary capacity. For further information, please visit: www.mcb.org.uk/about/team/office-bearers

Have a question for one of our Office Bearers? Don't hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]

How to get involved with MCB:

For organisations:

Is your organisation an MCB affiliate? If not, join online today and take advantage of the membership benefits! Visit: www.mcb.org.uk/join-us
Can you host an MCB event or meeting at your mosque or organisation? Get in touch here.

For individuals:

Not part of an organisation? Become a Friend and support our work: www.mcb.org.uk/friends
Want to get more involved? Volunteer your time or professional skills here.

Keep in touch!

We always welcome feedback on this monthly briefing. Please share your feedback to [email protected]

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