Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the MCB has developed this year's Ramadan Guidance with the #StayAtHome message in mind. The guide includes topics such as:
The MCB has partnered with the online crowdfunding platform LaunchGood to launch a national #SupportOurMosques Campaign.
With reduced donations from worshippers physically attending the mosque since the COVID-19 restrictions started, it’s now more important than ever that communities donate online to help their local mosque cover their running costs at a minimum.
The MCB has been frequently updating our Coronavirus Guidance on our website, and keeping up to date and in line with government and health official advice. In line with this guidance we have coined RamadanAtHome, in the effort to encourage a positive outlook on the current circumstances, despite the difficulties. For our full COVID-19 guidance and further information, please visit here.
COVID-19 Weekly Community Briefings: Listen Online
To keep the community informed with the latest updates during the COVID-19, we are continuing a weekly Community Briefing Call every Sunday 12-1pm, with key speakers on medical, burial, mental health and other topics, followed by Q&A. Throughout the month of Ramadan we are also covering spiritual topics with guest scholars every week.
Previous calls recordings can also be streamed here.
All calls are recorded and can be listened to afterwards. To register for the next call on Sunday 3rd May, 12-1pm, click here. For suggestions on topics to cover, email [email protected]
COVID-19: National Solidarity Campaign
Through the Campaign for National Solidarity organised by the Muslim Charities Forum, the MCB is supporting this crowdfunding campaign to provide vulnerable individuals and families in Muslim communities with hardship grants, in order to help those most in need during these difficult times. #TogetherWeCan:
With so much information being spread about the Coronavirus and other topics during this pandemic, it’s difficult to tell what is real and what is fake.
Before forwarding, make sure what you’re sharing is true!
Statement on appointment of Trevor Phillips to Public Health England BAME inquiry
On Friday 24th April, Public Health England announced the appointment of Trevor Phillips to provide expert support to the review into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME people.
This review is urgently needed to understand the reasons behind the huge impact on BAME communities, but the appointment of Trevor Phillips is controversial. Phillips was recently suspended from the Labour Party over allegations of Islamophobia, and has a history of making controversial remarks about Muslims.
Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia’s Hajj Minister requested all prospective Hajj pilgrims to “wait before concluding contracts”, citing concerns about the safety of pilgrims amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Hajj is due to take place this year from 28th July - 2nd August 2020, with many prospective pilgrims looking to book their trips soon.
This deadline for the consultation, following requests from the MCB and other faith institutions, has now been extended from 10 May to 28 June 2020. Read MCB's full letter to the Home Office here (PDF).
Any individual, place of worship or other faith institution in England and Wales can submit a response to this consultation on how places of worship can better be protected in future. Find out more about the consultation here or email [email protected]
As part of bringing a much needed eco-conscious element to this years Ramadan, we are hosting weekly virtual Iftars on Thursdays at 7.30pm covering topics ranging from animal agriculture, sustainable living, zero waste, and our impacts on the environment as Muslims. Click the link below to sign up for our next sessions:
30th April Islamic Environmental Ethics and Our Relationship with Nature - Dr. Lutfi Radwan (Willowbrook Farms) - Click to Register
7th May Waste Not, Want Not: Making Small Changes this Ramadan - Julian Kirby (Friends of the Earth) - Click to Register
14th May Stewards of the Earth: the Prophetic Tradition - Rabia Mali (Green Deen Tribe) - Click to Register
The MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) is working to change how Muslim communities engage with the media, so we are better equipped to deal with the effects resulting from inaccurate and sometimes biased reporting.
In order to empower Muslim communities, we offer several training workshops delivered by an experienced professional trainer, at a fraction of the cost of other training providers. Sign up to an online training workshop below:
The 2020 MCB Annual General Meeting (AGM) was originally scheduled for 28th June 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it has become challenging under the current circumstances to hold the event and a rescheduling has been recommended.
This situation will be kept under continuous review, and in any case reviewed every three weeks in light of the latest public heath advice. MCB Members will be informed of the new plans to hold the AGM – including a new timetable for election proceedings – as soon as those details are available. In the meantime, if you have any queries, please email [email protected]. Read full notice here.
MCB in the Media
Summary of MCB's media activities, interviews and appearances this month:
The Muslim News - Going Digital in Ramadan 2020 by Hassan Joudi, Deputy Secretary General.
Delaying bookings for Hajj 2020
Muslims should delay making Hajj plans due to coronavirus fears, says Saudi Arabia, Evening Standard Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "Going for Hajj is one of the biggest events in a Muslim’s life, and there is no doubt that many will have been making plans to go this year. "In these unprecedented times, it is imperative that public health is put first, and with millions of people from across the world coming to one place to perform the pilgrimage in close proximity to one another, it is sensible that we exercise a degree of caution and wait and see what the situation is closer to the time."
Public Health England appointment of Trevor Phillips:
Trevor Phillips role ‘undermines Covid-19 BAME inquiry’, The Guardian Harun Khan, the secretary general of the MCB, said it was “wholly inappropriate to give that responsibility to someone being investigated … The decision is particularly insensitive given that British Muslims overwhelmingly come from BAME communities and so many Muslim doctors have died at the front line of this pandemic”.
The MCB has an ongoing partnership with Ramadan Tent Projectthis Ramadan, supporting their My Open Iftar initiative. My Open Iftar will be hosting virtual iftars every night.
The National Zakat Foundation (NZF) is running a Hardship Relief Fund which gives grants of up to £400 per individual for basic costs and help with small debts to vulnerable Muslims in the UK who are unable to pay for basic living costs. Click here to find out more.
Research into Gendered Effects of COVID-19 by LSE:
A working group of academic researchers from across the globe, are conducting a study into the gendered effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impact of the government response on women and marginalised groups. They are looking to interview women and men who have been affected by COVID-19 or the associated response, to understand the impact that the outbreak is having on their lives, in particular: healthcare workers and carers/care workers; domestic workers; migrant workers; people caring for children (parents, childcare workers, grandparents); those working industries particularly affected by COVID-19 (service industries, tourism industries etc); pregnant women and new mothers.
"Welwyn Islamic Society, first established in 1977 when there were only 10 Muslim families in the area. We appreciate MCB is doing a great job uniting Muslim organisations around UK and we joined MCB to be part of the bigger initiative." - Welwyn Islamic Society
"The National Huffadh Association UK recently became an affiliate of MCB because we value and appreciate the instrumental role that they are playing for the British Muslim community at large. We look forward to collaborating and maintaining a long-term relationship with MCB." - National Huffadh Association UK
The MCB leadership team are democratically elected, serve for two-year terms and 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 the Office Bearers? Don't hesitate to get in touch at [email protected]
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