View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** Message from the Secretary General
------------------------------------------------------------

From Saviours to Systems: It is time

Asalaam alaikum,

Napoleon rebuked his marshals who were mocking the quick collapse of the once feared Ottoman-Mamlukes in Egypt with the phrase, “The East awaits, but a man.”

No one believes this great-man theory of history more than the Muslims themselves. We tend to see our past as a series of great men who were able to pick up a fallen nation and lead it to victory.

The problem is, we see our future this way too. We look for saviours, and if they arise, we abandon them to their fate and realpolitik. Just look at any Muslim country, even those that are stable, economically successful and pluralistic. There are very few systems, only saviours and the chaos that awaits once they exit the stage.

This applies to the UK Muslim community too. Many, if not most, of our organisations, our projects and our Mosques are run by a version of the great man (almost always men.) The strengths and weaknesses of the institution are his. The longevity, success and lifespan - are usually his as well.

For a society to mature, for a civilisation to revive, for a people to succeed, they need to move towards building procedures, protocols and practices. Wherever you are, whatever you do, build systems not saviours.

Dr Wajid Akhter
Read more ([link removed])


** MCB Unveils Town Hall Outcomes
------------------------------------------------------------

Over more than 6 months, 30 towns, 1000 meetings, we have been listening to your hopes and fears.

Here is what we have taken away:

Video: See below

Report: bit.ly/mcbtownhallpdf ([link removed] )

So what is the biggest issue faced by our community today?

Can we work together, build a united infrastructure and move from saviours to systems.

[link removed]


** Opportunities
------------------------------------------------------------
Read more ([link removed])


** Support MCB
------------------------------------------------------------

Every Friday, we stand together for our community.

This Jummah, schedule just £5 to the MCB and help us keep fighting for British Muslims — empowering, uniting, and serving across the UK.

✔️ Set a schedule once
✔️ Donate automatically every Friday before Maghreb
✔️ Support the work of the Muslim Council of Britain consistently

Bonus: When you set up a schedule, the My Ten Nights Fund will add a one-time £10 bonus donation.

🌙 Make your Jummah giving count — start your scheduled donation today.

Set up your Friday Sadaqah here:
[link removed]

With the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the alarming rise of the far right — including the growing possibility of them gaining power — our community stands at a critical crossroads. Now more than ever, we must invest in strong, credible organisations that can defend, represent, and advocate for our communities.

This Ramadan, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is inviting mosques to partner with us in this vital work.

Any mosque that undertakes a collection for the MCB during Ramadan will have its 2026 membership fees fully waived, offering a meaningful net saving for mosque finances, inshaAllah.

Funds raised will be used to strengthen Muslim communities across the UK by:
* Challenging and combating Islamophobia
* Politically empowering Muslim communities
* Training the next generation of Muslim youth leaders and media spokespeople
* Expanding and improving services for our member organisations

We invite mosques to take part in this Ramadan initiative by organising a collection in support of the MCB. Together, we can build the capacity our community needs — not just to respond to today’s challenges, but to shape a stronger future.

As a special thank you, participating mosques will benefit from waived membership fees and the knowledge that they are directly investing in the long-term resilience of our community.


** Grants & Funding
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Apply for the $1 Million Fund for Excellence & Innovation and help build the next era of Muslim philanthropy
[link removed]

Unrestricted grants + support for early-stage charities & social enterprises.
[link removed]

Up to £5,000 for small charities in Greater Manchester / Cheshire.
[link removed]

Funding + capacity building for youth organising, leadership and youth-led change.
[link removed]

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe ([link removed]) to our mailing list to receive MCB email updates.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) .