Looking ahead #BeyondCOVID, hundreds of attendees joined 10 panel discussions & workshops 27-29 Nov 2020 exploring how to ensure the role of British mosques is not limited to the walls of the mosque building only.
If you missed the conference and want to rewatch the sessions online, click below:
Session 1: Delivering Mosque Services Digitally Session 2: 101 Ways to Engage Your Congregation Digitally Session 3: Understanding Your Congregation Session 4: Leadership Through Uncertain Times Session 5: The Power of Alliance Session 6: Fundraising Online Session 7: Mental Health and COVID-19 Session 8: Governance in a Pandemic Session 9: Giving Back to Society Session 10: Don't Neglect Our Youth
New Report: Together in Tribulation: British Muslims and the COVID-19 Pandemic
On 10th November, the MCB launched a new COVID report: “Together in Tribulation: British Muslims and the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted communities across Britain. Muslim communities in particular have been impacted in disproportionatate way. This report gives a snapshot into how Muslim communities across Britain have responded in different sectors.
Since March, from places of worship, education, bereavement and mental health, to the economic impact, healthcare and other key workers, there has been immense hardship and innovative adaptation. The report also identifies lessons learned to date in tackling the challenges the pandemic brings as we move in to 2021.
Click here to download the full report.
Click here to rewatch the launch event.
Islamophobia Awareness Month Recap
For #IAM2020, we held several events discussing the different aspects of Islamophobia.
Understanding Islamophobia (18th November) - expert academics joined to discuss the core components of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims' widely endorsed definition of Islamophobia. For more information about the definition of Islamophobia, visit www.islamophobia-definition.com
To watch the full video, click here.
Meet Muslim Media Professionals (24th November) - the MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) hosted a panel of leading experts in the media field to discuss how they started their careers, challenges they faced, and work that still needs to be done in the industry.
Watch the full video here.
MCB Responds to Conservative MP Appearing to Suggest Muslims Cannot be English
Michael Fabricant MP, the Conservative member for Litchfield, accused Miqdaad Versi, a spokesperson for the MCB, for damaging “Anglo-Muslim relations” for highlighting the prevalence of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party. The exchange occurred on Twitter after Miqdaad Versi tweeted about the MCB’s evidence submitted to the Equality and Human Rights Commission(EHRC) implicating over 300 Conservative members of Islamophobia, which included Mr Fabricant.
A pilot twinning programme between twenty churches and mosques across Britain was celebrated on the 9th November to mark the start of national Inter Faith Week 2020, 8-15 November.
The pilot has brought mosque and church leaders together for a series of online conversation sessions between clergy and Imams, as well as lay leaders and volunteers, to foster deeper levels of friendship and understanding.
From 2nd December, places of worship, including mosques, in all tiers in England will be permitted to re-open for communal worship.
People in Tier 1 cannot interact with more than six people in a mosque, and people in Tiers 2 and 3 cannot inceract with anyone outside their household or support bubble in a mosque.
Earlier in the month on 1st November, the MCB calls for an urgent review of the UK Government's 'individual prayer' rules on places of worship in England. Click here for full statement.
MCB in the Media this Month
It's been a busy month in the media with MCB engaging with dozens of media outlets to get the voice of MCB members heard in the mainstream media. Highlights include:
New Lockdown Measures (1 November)
BBC: MCB's statement on the new lockdown measures in England: "The government's inadequate consultation and poor engagement with faith communities remain a problem as the pandemic endures." While the rules allow places of worship to remain open for individual prayer, the MCB said the distinction is "not straightforward or practical for many mosques, compared to other faith communities".
The Guardian: Faith leaders challenge England lockdown ban on communal worship
The Muslim News: Muslim leaders join calls to permit public worship during lockdown
ITV News: Miqdaad Versi , spokesperson for MCB, discussed Islamophobia in the Labour Party. "Now that the problem has been clearly exposed, we hope to see the leadership demonstrating no tolerance for any form of racism by listening to the Party's members, and acting immediately, decisively and effectively, starting by adopting the report's recommendations."
The Guardian: MCB criticises appointment of David Goodhart to EHRC. “If the government is serious about tackling racism and discrimination, then it would appoint credible figures known for fighting and experiencing racism. We do not think Mr Goodhart has either of these characteristics. His selection follows a long line of government appointment of individuals who either oppose or are sceptical of anti-racism efforts.”
Islam Channel (11 November): Tabetha Bhatti (Public Affairs), discussing Causes and Cures of Islamophobia in the UK
BBC Sunday Morning Live: (15 November) Miqdaad Versi discussed religious prejudice and discrimination
The Guardian: (18 November) MCB calls for Michael Fabricant MP to be investigated following Islamophobia. “Even though the Conservative party faces hundreds of allegations of Islamophobia, Tory MP Michael Fabricant attacks MCB spokesperson Miqdaad Versi by urging him to look the other way and focus on bigotry elsewhere".
New COVID-19 Report
BBC Local Radio: Assistant Secretary General, Maswood Ahmed, discussed the MCB's new report into COVID19
Coming Up
UK Government Faith Consultation: Webinar, 5th December
The UK Government announced a review into how best it should engage with faith groups in England. As part of the review “a call for evidence will pose a series of questions around how those of all faiths, or none, perceive the government’s engagement with faith organisations." The closing date for responses is 11 December 2020.
The survey can be responded to as an individual or organisation, and your submission can be anonymous. The MCB encourages all affiliates and community members to respond to the survey.
Join our upcoming webinar to explore the key issues and how to respond. Saturday 5th December, 10.30-11.30am.
MCB Annual General Meeting & Elections: January 2021
In view of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the MCB’s AGM (Annual General Meeting) due to be held on 28th June 2020 will now take place in on-line, step-wise mode in week beginning 25 January 2021.
The online AGM and Elections will be cover:
An update on MCB’s work and activities in 2019-20
An opportunity to ask questions to outgoing Office Bearers
Leadership Elections for new Office Bearers and National Council
Click here for more information. More details on registration will be available shortly.
We're Hiring!
The MCB is currently hiring for a Public Affairs and Communications Manager to play a role in communication, advocacy and public affairs on the topic of Islamophobia, including feeding in positively and constructively into government policy, on behalf of the MCB.
For more information, visit mcb.org.uk/careers.
Wedding Law Reform Consultation
The Law Commission is currently consulting on proposals to modernise wedding laws in England and Wales, giving couples greater freedom over where they hold their weddings and the form the ceremony will take. For many years there has been much discussion on Muslim women who are frequently the financially weaker party in non-recognised marriages, and these proposals have the potential to address some of these issues.
The MCB is seeking views from affiliates on the Law Commission's proposals and their impact on Muslim communities. To share your views or find out more, please email the MCB Legal Affairs Committee on [email protected] by no later than Monday 7th December 2020.
Support a Voice for British Muslims
Become a Friend of MCB from just £5/month and help provide a strong community-rooted voice for British Muslim communities.
The Muslim Engineers Network have released their November newsletter covering Wastewater Treatment, How to Be a Muslim in the Workplace, Productivity in Islam, and more.
The Football Association (FA) has launched a 5 minute online survey in order to make football more inclusive for people of faith, particularly during the month of Ramadan. To complete the survey, please click here.
AMS: RSE Curriculum Launch Event - 3rd Dec
The Association of Muslim Schools (AMS) invites you to FREE webinar launching a new RSE (Relationship & Sex Education) curriculum within an Islamic Context, including template policies, governors auditing tool, schemes of work and lesson plan samples.
Thursday 3rd December 2020
10:00-11:00 (Primary)
11.30-12:30 (Secondary)
The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) is hosting an Aspiring Leaders Programme to train young adults in politics, strategy, media and communications, islamophobia, policy, and decision making.
The program is open to 15-18 year olds in the Greater Manchester area.
Al-Emaan Centre opened in June 2016 in the London Borough of Bromley, seeking to serve the purpose as a religious, spiritual, educational & community centre for the thriving Muslim population in and around Bromley. It aims to bring the community together as one, to provide a safe haven for families and the youth to grow and develop, and to nurture a generation of active Muslim role models to the society within which we live. www.al-emaan.org.uk
Roobitah is an independent body for Nigerian Muslim Scholars (Ulamaah) and Imams in UK & Ireland established in 2015 to promote unity, harmony and peace among the Nigerian Scholars (Ulamaah), develop educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, inter-faith relations and civic engagement.
