The MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) published its latest report, 'Media Reporting on Palestine 2021' on 27 May, which looks at the ways in which some media outlets are skewing the narrative on the ongoing violence in Palestine.
The special report includes a toolkit, detailing examples of the most problematic coverage in print & broadcast.
Rizwana Hamid, Director of the Centre for Media Monitoring’s and co-author of this report said: “The overwhelming amount of complaints received by CfMM from the public about their growing frustration at the British media’s biased coverage of events in Palestine over the last few weeks complemented CfMM’s own observations, analysis and evidence base of skewed language, misleading headlines and problematic framing found in many reports in both print and broadcast media."
The toolkit 'How the Media Can Skew Narrative' details the process through which media narratives can be manipulated. To download the graphic, click here.
As a follow up to this report and toolkit, Amanda Morris, CfMM’s Community Liaison and report co-author, hosted a workshop: 'Media Reporting on Palestine: What YOU Can Do' on 1st June, in which attendees learned of the report's findings and practical means of tackle problematic coverage, including how to draft effective complaints. Read more about CfMM media training here.
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.
Recent activities include Medical CRG partnering with Facebook to start a COVID-19 myth busting campaign, Mental Health CRG: promoting infographics on avoiding the sharing of suicide notes and Mosques CRG preparing updated guidance for mosques and Islamic centres for when restrictions are eased further.
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:
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 each participants will receive a £10 gift voucher for their time.
Make your experience of COVID-19 known and help us tackle systemic inequalities.
On Tuesday 15thJune plans for the new UK Commission on Bereavement were announced at a launch event. Hosted by the commission chair, the Right Reverend Dame Sarah Mullally, the Bishop of London, new findings from a major research project on experiences of bereavement through the pandemic were shared - the research has been led by Dr Emily Harrop from the Marie Curie research centre at Cardiff University, and Dr Lucy Selman from the University of Bristol. MCB Secretary General Zara Mohammed has been appointed as 1 of 15 Commissioners for the UK Commission on Bereavement.
The independent commission's purpose will be to review the experiences of, and support available for, people affected by bereavement through and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, and to make recommendations to key decision-makers, including the UK Government. It will be supported by a steering group of charities, including Marie Curie. Click here learn more about the commission.
Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) Wins Award
MCB's Centre for Media Monitoring has been awarded “Best Islamic Fair Media Advocacy 2021” in Aquisition International's2021 Non-Profit Organisation Awards.
On Tuesday, 15th June, we were joined by Dr Nissa Finney - Lead for CoDE’s Evidence for Equality National Survey (EVENS) - for the British Muslims and COVID-19 webinar.
Hosted by Assistant Secretary General, Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General Zara Mohammed and Dr.Nissa Finney discussed the impact of COVID-19, and the lockdowns, on British Muslims, our communities, and how the EVENS survey is documenting ethnic and religious minority experiences of COVID-19, is set to drive data-led policy change on inequalities exacerbated by the pandemic. Click here to watch the webinar online.
Queens Birthday Honours - June 2021
The Muslim Council of Britain congratulates all those pioneering individuals recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List announced on 12 June.
The honours system recognises people who have committed themselves to serving and helping Britain, and who have made achievements in public life. The 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours award winners of Muslim background are listed here.
Protect Consultation: Calling All Mosques
Protect Duty Consultation - 2nd July Deadline
The Home Office is currently consulting on new legislation that would introduce new duties upon those responsible for a wide range of publicly accessible venues and events - including mosques and other places of worship - with the objective of improving public safety.
The duties could include having to consider or implement security measures, in order to be ready and prepared to take appropriate action, were a terrorist attack to happen. Responses can be submitted until 2nd July. More details can be found here.
Hajj this year will be taking place 17-22 July. It has been confirmed that only vaccinated residents within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be allowed to participate. British pilgrims residing in the UK should NOT make any bookings or pay any deposits for Hajj 2021 packages. For more information, visit the Council of British Hajjis UK website.
A summary of public engagements by MCB Office Bearers this month:
11 May - Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, Hassan Joudi, Deputy Secretary General and Shahzad Amin, Assistant Secretary General, attended the AGM of the Religious Education Council (REC)
19 May - SG Zara Mohammed meets with representatives from the Sikh Council UK, discussing interfaith relations
24 May - Zara Mohammed, Secretary General, met with Cllr Hina Bokhari of the Liberal Democrats, recently elected onto the London Assembly
24 May - Rashidat Hassan, Assistant Secretary General attended the Mayor Of London’s opening ceremony of the London Blossom Garden; honouring the 19,000 Londoners who lost their lives to COVID
26 May - Zara Mohammed is hosted by Consul General Zahid Raza at the Pakistan Consulate in Glasgow
27 May - Hassan Joudi spoke at a webinar on Alternative Student Finance hosted by Islamic Finance Guru, also featuring Stephen Timms MP and Lord Sharkey
27 May - Zara Mohammed meets with Ian Byrne MP, Labour MP for Liverpool West Derby
27 May - Zara Mohammed speaks at ‘Inspirational Women’ event, organised by Religions for Peace - a UK women of faith network - alongside speakers including: Umutesi Stewart and Sister Isabel Smyth OBE
4 June - Hassan Joudi argued for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February 2022 over the ongoing Uighur Muslim genocide at a podcast by Tortoise Thinkin
8 June - Zara Mohammed delivers a keynote speech at the launch of a SOAS report on the Universities and Muslim Seminaries Project (UMSEP), alongside keynote speakers Sh Abdulhakim Murad and Dr. Mahmood Chandia
9 June - Zara Mohammed is hosted by Deloitte Muslim Network, discussing creation of opportunities for, and greater inclusion of, Muslim professionals
9 June - Zara Mohammed meets Nadir Mohammed, Director of Centre For Muslim Policy Research, to discuss arenas of shared research
12 June - Zara Mohammed joinsY11 and Y13 students at Taheedul Islam Girls’ High School as they celebrate the end of their 2021 learning journeys, delivers keynote address
16 June - Dr Wajid Akhter, Assistant Secretary General, spoke at a COVID19 response national briefing event for faith communities with public health officials hosted by Faith Action
MCB in the Media this Month
Politics Home - Tory Islamophobia Report Criticised For Failing To Look At The Root Cause Of Party’s Problem
Evening Standard- Call for equalities watchdog to probe cases of Islamophobia in Tory party
The Independent - Report branded a ‘whitewash’ as Conservatives apologise to victims ‘hurt by’ Islamophobia and racism in party
The Guardian - Tory Islamophobia report a ‘whitewash’, say Muslims in party
BBC News - Zara Mohammed speaks to BBC News upon the release of the Singh Report on prejudice, including Islamophobia in the Conservative Party
The Times - Woman on a mission to change Islam’s image
Management Today - Zara Mohammed: "Being one of the few women in the room, I represent something more than just me"
The Herald- Big Read: Could Glasgow's Zara Mohammed become the UK's first ever Muslim Prime Minister?
The Telegraph- Give pupils ‘safe space’ for pro-Palestinian protests, says Muslim group
Middle East Eye- Israel-Palestine: British media coverage 'skewed' and 'biased', report finds
The National - 10 things that changed my life: Zara Mohammed of the Muslim Council of Britain
Education Committee: New Chair Appointed
At the last MCB National Council session in May, Mujidah Mebude was appointed as the Chair of the Education Affairs Committee. She is a lecturer at a college in London and holds a PGCE and a Masters in Policy and Community Development.
She currently serves as one of the executives of Council for Nigeria Muslim Organisations (CNMO) - an umbrella body for Nigerian Muslim Groups - as well as being immediate ex Secretary General of the Federation of Muslim Women's Association (FOMWA UK). Mujidah also served as Education Officer for Old Kent Road Mosque for four year. Mujidah can be contacted on [email protected]
Upcoming: National Listening Exercise Report
Save The Date: National Listening Exercise (NLE) Report Launch
Date: Tuesday, 29th June 2021 Time: 7-8pm
Watch LIVE: facebook.com/muslimcouncil.uk
The MCB's National Listening Exercise (NLE) workstream has led on a three-year consultation of British Muslims from across the UK on counter-terrorism (CT) and Prevent policy.
The largest such consultation of its kind to date, the NLE is a pioneering community-led review of British Muslims' experiences of CT and the Prevent policy. This report will outline critical issues and put forth recommendations on how the MCB believes CT & Prevent policy should be approached moving forward.
Community News
Imam Vacancy - Jamia Masjid Noor, Huddersfield
Jamia Masjid Noor are seeking to recruit a passionate and charismatic Imam to provide Islamic guidance and leadership to the local Muslim community. The Imam will also be expected to establish and promote religious and community programmes for adults and young people in the local community.
The Charity Commission Faith Outreach Team is delivering a free webinars on financial management on 30 June.
To express interest in attending, or for further information, email [email protected]
City Retreat Centre, Leicester
The City Retreat is a thriving community hub located in the heart of Leicester city centre, providing a warm, inviting and vibrant space to bring people from all walks of life together
There are two job vacancies at the the City Retreat Centre:
- Community Centre Manager
- Social Media & Marketing Lead
Closing date 20th June 2021.
For details and to apply, visit: www.cityretreat.org/jobs
Al-Manaar Counselling Service - Grenfell Tragedy 4th Commemoration
To mark the 4th anniversary of the Grenfell tower fire tragedy, Al-Manaar Mosque is offering drop-in group support sessions for families, friends and everyone involved in the community in June 2021, every Monday, 8.00-9.30pm. The Al-Manaar Counselling Service (ACS) can support with issues around reducing anxiety, increasing self-estee, learning new copies strategies and develop supportive, trusting and healthy relationships with other people.
