“Many British Muslims will have also received their first or second vaccine dose during Ramadan. As we celebrate a #SafeEid, whether vaccinated or otherwise, it is important we continue to take the utmost care when protecting our loved ones and observing public health guidance, whilst looking forward with hope, determination and faith." said Zara Mohammed, MCB Secretary General. Click here to view the press release here.
COVID-19 Recovery Groups Updates
More than a year since the outset of the pandemic, our attention has moved from COVID19 'response' to COVID19 'recovery'. A number of COVID-19 Recovery Groups have been constituted, focusing on three main work streams:
Health - Medical and Mental Health
Community - Mosques, Youth and Disabilities
Economic - Economic & Financial Impact
Recent activities including an infographic advising on the sharing of suicide notes on social media by the Mental Health CRG, Safe Itikaaf and Safe Eid guidance, guidance on the Moderna vaccine as well as an update on the Oxford Astra Zeneca vaccine and clotting risks. View more at www.mcb.org.uk/coronavirus
To get involved, please email [email protected] or look out for more information on MCB social media! The MCB's latest COVID19 guidance for Muslim communities is regularly updated at:
20 April - #CallItGenocide campaign, encouraging parliamentarians to vote in favour of motion recognising the treatment of Uighur Muslims in China as genocide. | View online here
22 April - MCB Responds to Passing of All-Party Motion Recognising Treatment of Uighurs as Genocide |Click here to read press release
14 May - MCB calls on UK government to help secure ceasefire in Palestinian territories and suspend arms exports to Israel | Click here to read the statement online
On Thursday, 29th April, we were joined by an esteemed panel of faith and community leaders to reflect on the year since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic and explore how we can continue to work together to be of service to our communities.
Hosted by Secretary-General MCB, Zara Mohammed, panellists included: Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (Former Senior Rabbi, Reform Judaism), Charandeep Singh (Sikh Council UK), Sadiq Khan (Mayor of London) & Rt Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin, CD, MBE (Church of England) and Sir Ed Davey (Leader, Liberal Democrats)
Front-line key workers from across industries and sectors have served their communities tirelessly since the onset of the pandemic. On Friday, 7th May, MCB affiliates across the UK participated in a national day of action, each expressing their gratitude to front-line key workers in their area through an act of service - such as delivering hot meals or gifts to local primary schools, vaccination centres and NHS trusts. Click here to view a selection of images.
Thank you for your support
The MCB's fundraising campaign has run during the month of Ramadan and we are grateful for everyone who has generously donated to support the MCB continue advocating for British Muslim communities and deliver specific project such as the Centre for Media Monitoring.
It's not too late to support and you can still donate online at www.mcb.org.uk/donate
Secretary General Engagements
A summary of public engagements by MCB Office Bearers this month:
21 April - Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, participates in My Foster Family's roundtable 22 April - Labour Muslim Network hosted Zara Mohammed for their annual iftar. Watch the event back here. 27 April - Daniel Holtgen, Spokesperson Council of Europe (CoE), meets Zara Mohammed. Read the CoE press release here. 29 April - MCB Inter Faith Iftar 2021 1 May - Ramadan Tent Project hosts Zara Mohammed at Open Iftar 2 May - UKIM Masjid Ibrahim hosts Zara Mohammed for an iftar
5 May - West Ham United FC hosted Zara Mohammed and Miqdaad Versi, Spokesperson MCB, for a Ramadan webinars 6 May - Zara Mohammed meets with Stephen Timms MP, Former Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 6 May - Nationwide Building Society hosts Zara Mohammed for a Ramadan event 6 May - Miqdaad Versi delivered a presentation detailing the breath of Islamophobia & its varying manifestations at a Na'amod meeting. Discussions covered comparisons to anti-semitism & the role of Jews in combating Islamophobia 7 May - Zara Mohammed meets with Florence Eshalomi MP 10th May - Zara Mohammed meets with Wera Hobhouse MP
Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM)
The MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) works to secure fair and accurate coverage of Islam and Muslims. The team has had several high-level engagement this past month:
1. Meeting with senior executives at the BBC including the Director General Tim Davie, Managing Editor Bob Shennan, Head of Creative Diversity Nina Goswami and the editor of Woman’s Hour Karen Dalziel.
CfMM shared their findings and concerns about the coverage of Muslims and Islam across the corporation and offered some training. Tim Davie was very impressed with our work and wants to continue engagement. Bob Shennan called CfMM a very “powerful machine”.
2. Meeting with the Charlotte Dewar, Chief Executive of IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) as well as with Jonathan Grun and Neil Benson from the Editor’s Code Committee to discuss concerns about some of the limitations in newspaper regulations.
3. CfMM’s written and oral evidence to the APPG on Religion in the Media has been referenced several times in the group’s new report “Learning to Listen”
4. Rizwana Hamid was a panellist at City University’s School of Journalism to discuss “Reporting Religion”. Other panellists included Richard Green, Senior Editor at CNN and Ruth Gledhill, former religious affairs correspondent of The Times.
5. Inaccurate or biased reporting in the British press regarding the attacks by Israeli forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque, eviction of Palestinians from their homes and the escalation of violence is being challenged and tracked, click here.
For more information and to support the Centre for Media Monitoring, click here.
Faisal Hanif, CfMM's senior media analyst, authored two articles exploring the British Media's coverage of Muslims and another on the media's coverage of the most recent attack on Al-Aqsa.
This followed his investigation into Talk Radio’s false story about a gay paramedic who claimed to have been denied entry into a mosque, published in the Daily Star and the Daily Express. Click here to read about the details of this investigation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted mental health greatly, resulting in the need for mental health support to increase exponentially.
Good Thinking& NHS North East London CCG have worked with Muslim communities to produce an excellent resource based on Islamic teachings, designed to promote good mental wellbeing.
The MCB is partnering with the Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS), the first and largest survey of its kind to document the lives of ethnic and religious minorities in the UK during COVID-19lockdowns.
It is led by the Centre on the Dynamics of Ethnicity (CODE) at the University of Manchester. The survey results will be crucial for post COVID-19 advocacy and representation work for Muslim communities. The survey takes 30 minutes to complete, and participants will receive a £10 gift voucher for their time.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more, please contact Ehtasham Haque at [email protected]
MCB in the Media this Month
ITV News - Covid vaccine: 'Jab does not break fast' Muslim experts say as Ramadan begins
The Guardian - 'Now is the time': top experts join call for PM to launch Covid inquiry
Sky News - COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among black people in UK halves, new data suggests
Evening Standard - Ramadan: How will the holy month of fasting take place this year?
The Guardian - Daughter of murdered Muslim man calls for official Islamophobia definition
New Statesman-Zara Mohammed interview: “Muslims are never the heroes on TV”
The Independent - New extremism chief appointed by Priti Patel dismissed ‘Islamophobia’ and ‘violent extremism’
Women in Leadership - 'I feel truly honoured and blessed to have been elected the first female Secretary General. This is an exciting opportunity for me to show others that they can also attain these positions. Being different doesn't mean you are not capable.' Profile on Zara Mohammed, Secretary General MCB in2021 Spring Issue
Management Today - 'I have a duty to use my voice' Profile on Zara Mohammed, Secretary General MCB in 2021 Spring Edition
Sky News Podcast - Ramadan: Spiritual reflection, sport and sacrifice, Zara Mohammed speaks to Inzamam Rashid on what Ramadan is and why Muslims fast for up to 16 hours a day
The National - Call for 'Scottish exceptionalism' to be tackled after Westminster's race report
Byline Times - Where’s the Promised Repor tInto Conservative Party Islamophobia?
BBC - Coronavirus: Why some mosques are closed to women during Ramadan
BBC Radio 2 - Zara Mohammed swaps Ramadan stories with Jason Mohammed on Good Morning Sunday
Channel News Asia - UK's Muslim population cope with COVID-19 restrictions during Ramadan
Metro News - Will mosques be open for Eid 2021 and what are the rules?
Community News
Centre for Intra-Muslim Studies launches new website
The Al-Mahdi Institute has launched a new website for its Centre for Intra-Muslim Studies (CIMS). The Centre brings together scholars, researchers, activists, and community workers who belong to a wide spectrum of Muslim Schools to discuss topical issues including theological differences. View launch video here.
Bahu Trust Eco Conscious Ramadan Guide
On World Earth Day (22 April 2021), “A Guide to an Eco Conscious Ramadan” was launched by the Bahu Trust outlining top green tips, from minimising food waste and saving water when performing wudhu, to reducing plastics at iftar gatherings and eating less meat. Download: A Guide to an Eco Conscious Ramadan (PDF)
