Following consultation with over 350 Muslim institutions and scholars across the UK earlier this month, the MCB issued on 18th May re-opening discussion guidelines with the aim of helping leaders of mosques, madrasas and community centres plan carefully for a safe and phased re-opening in-line with public health regulations from July.
Between 2nd and 4th June, you are invited to join a regional feedback webinar on how we can help mosques, madrasas and community centres in your region re-open inline with COVID-19 secure guidelines from as early as July.
Panellists from a range of regional associations/ Council of Mosques will share their updates. Register here:
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland regional planning are progressing separately due to regional variations, email [email protected] for more information. Click here to read more.
Highlights this month
Eid Al-Fitr Mubarak
"This Ramadan, with the doors of the masajid closed, we have seen community members work hard to take their services online, from khutbahs and dua recitation to Qur’an classes and activities for children."
"We have also seen masajid come up with new ways of helping people and providing food. Many have used their space to set up food banks to help those in the local area who are struggling as a result of the pandemic, and others have been able to deliver iftar to the houses of their congregants." - Harun Khan, Secretary General
The MCB participated in Launchgood's £1 24 hour Ramadan Challenge on 17 May, and due to raising the most funds out of all participants, we were rewarded an additional $5,000!
To everyone that donated, shared our appeal & championed the cause: JazakhAllah khayran and thank you for your generosity. Individuals can can still donate online at www.launchGood.com/MCB
To keep the community informed with the latest updates during the COVID-19, we held 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.
COVID-19: Submission to PHE on disproportionate deaths in the BAME community
Public Health England announced it would conduct a review into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities
MCB was invited by Public Health England to submit evidence on this issue and share its unique insight into Muslim communities and how they are impacted.
As the outbreak of COVID-19 impacts our lives, the Muslim Women’s Council (MWC) are keen to understand the thoughts and experiences of Muslim women in the UK through these unprecedented times.
Please note this survey is only open to Muslim women in the UK. MWC will be publishing a report with key findings and recommendations based on your experiences at this time.
#SupportOurMosques: Over £400,000 raised
The #SupportOurMosques campaign launched just before the start of the Ramadan and has so far raised over £400,000 for over 130 UK mosques.
Via LaunchGood.com partners, the campaign offers a free online fundraising page, training webinars and 1-to-1 fundraising advice for mosques nationwide that are struggling to cover their overheads during the COVID-19 lockdown. Find out more at www.supportourmosques.com.
Eco-Iftars 2020
This year we hosted 4 online Eco-Iftars every Thursday during the Month of Ramadan with a wide range of speakers. The objective was to bring people together while highlighting Islamic perspectives on sustainability and climate change.
In his letter, Keir Starmer confirms the position of the Labour Party has not changed and the party continues to support the previous UN resolutions on the rights of the Kashmiri people. He also confirmed his commitment to promoting peace and human rights first in his approach to international relations. A follow-up meeting was held with the Shadow FCO team to discuss Labour's foreign policy.
Statement on Conservative Party inquiry into prejudice and discrimination
Following publication of the Conservative Party’s terms of reference into it's inquiry into prejudice and discrimination, Harun Khan, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said:
“We have previously described the Conservative Party’s attitude to Islamophobia as one of denial, dismissal and deceit. The publication of the terms of reference for its inquiry reflects that regrettable attitude. They are a façade to hide the hundreds of incidences of Islamophobic bigotry we have identified in its ranks. In sum, it seems even today, the Conservative Party refuses to acknowledge that there can be bigotry and prejudice directed at Muslims.”
Conservative Party Islamophobia inquiry dropped by EHRC:
Newsweek - Harun Khan, secretary general of the MCB, said: “We have previously described the Conservative party’s attitude to Islamophobia as one of denial, dismissal and deceit. The publication of the terms of reference for its inquiry reflects that regrettable attitude. They are a facade to hide the hundreds of incidences of Islamophobic bigotry we have identified in its ranks.”
The Guardian - Harun Khan, secretary general of the MCB, said: “It [the inquiry] should not seek advice from those who propagate racist stereotypes or cast aspersions on minorities - issues of direct relevance in the inquiry. The grave concerns already voiced widely across BAME communities cannot be ignored, and we - alongside all those who have raised concerns - urge Public Health England to rethink these appointments, and focus on the evidence.”
Remembering UK coronavirus victims
The Tablet - Harun Khan, secretary-general of the MCB, said: “From God we come and to Him we return. This is a profound statement in the Quran that Muslims are asked to recite upon hearing news of a death. It is a testament that has been made far too many times in recent weeks. The coronavirus has shaken our lives and reminded us of the frailty of life itself. It affirms how we humans must overcome our differences as we rely on each other.”
The Guardian - Harun Khan, the secretary general of the MCB, also backed the idea of a national event to remember Covid victims. “The pandemic has proven itself to be an unprecedented experience, one that has shaken all our lives. Every day, we have been reminded of the fragility of life itself,” he said.
Leadership Activities
Summary of MCB's leadership activities this month:
COVID-19 Community Response groups weekly meetings, liaising with dozens of national, regional and specialist Muslim community organisations to co-ordinate community response efforts and guidance. Click here for more information.
Meeting with APPG on British Muslims to discuss MCB's COVID-19 work
Weekly meetings with Met Police community reference group on COVID-19
Meeting with Church of England representatives regarding the reopening of places of worship. Further conference calls held with representatives from Catholic Church, United Reform Church and Methodist Church.
Coordination meeting with Greater Manchester Councils of Mosques.
Meeting with Labour's Shadow FCO team discussing the importance of an ethical, human rights-led foreign policy and specifically the Labour parties policies on Kashmir and Palestine. (Miqdaad Versi, Harun Khan, Zainab Gulamali, Ifath Nawaz and Salma from Legal Affairs Committee)
Fortnightly meetings with Greater London Authority faith and belief advisory panel
Community News
Muslims in Rail (MIR) Consultation Submission:
Muslims in Rail (MIR) submitted a response for consideration into the NIC (National Infrastructure Commission) call for evidence on options for High Speed Two, Connectivity and Capacity.
Lewisham Islamic Centre Reveals Plans for New Community Hub:
Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) has launched plans for its new community hub development. The project is currently progressing through a formal planning proposal with the local council planning department who have expressed their support for the scheme subject to clarification of further technical information. You can see LIC's full animated video of the new development here.
Councillors Seminar:
MCB Research & Documentation (ReDoc) committee held an online seminar on 30th April 2020 attended by councillors from Newham, Tower Hamlets, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham to explore Covid 19 and disproportionate death amongst BAME community.
ReDoc Chair Dr Shuja Shafi shared his perspective as a former microbiologist and as a specialist in mass gathering and global health. The councillors commended the MCB’s leadership in providing guidance to the community during this crisis and appealed for more collaboration to address long-standing issues like structural inequality, deprivation, unemployment, and health inequality that characterises the lives of BAME communities in the UK which aided a disproportionate loss of lives in BAME communities.
Muslim Professional Forum presentation:
MCB Research & Documentation (ReDoc) committee member Ehtasham Haque presented in Muslim Professional Forum’s online meeting on 16 May 2020 highlighting MCB’s recent work on elderly & end-of-life care. Also discussed was evidence links between Covid-19 BAME mortality and socio-economic realities of BAME communities and the need for a Covid-19 race equality strategy. The meeting was attended by MPs, journalists, councillors, and activists from around the UK.
MCB Leadership Team 2018-20
The MCB is an independent, cross-sectarian and democratic membership-based organisation and our mission is empowering Muslim communities to achieving a just, cohesive and successful British society. The MCB leadership team above are democratically elected, serve for 2-year terms and perform their duties in a voluntary capacity.
Muslims in Rail (MIR) submitted a response for consideration into the NIC (National Infrastructure Commission) call for evidence on options for High Speed Two, Connectivity and Capacity. 
Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) has launched plans for its new community hub development. The project is currently progressing through a formal planning proposal with the local council planning department who have expressed their support for the scheme subject to clarification of further technical information. You can see LIC's full animated video of the new development 
