Archive for the ‘London Terrorist Attacks’ Category
Administrator on June 29th, 2010
Leeds Makkah Mosque, in conjunction with leading local and national organisations, invites you, your friends, colleagues and contacts to an event entitled ‘Communities United – Working Together for a Brighter Future’ on Wednesday 7 July 2010 at 2:30pm – 5.30pm to mark the 5th anniversary of the atrocities committed against civilians in London on 7 July 2005.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leeds/10535443.stm
Makkah Mosque truly believes that the diversity of British society is a source of great national pride and is something that should be passionately celebrated and promoted. It has long been leading the way in holding multi-cultural events to celebrate community, culture, sports and commerce – some of the areas where diversity is a strength.
The programme will consists of worksops and inpiring speeches.
The workshops will be held between 2:30 pm – 4.00 pm and will cover issues that are common to all communities, including ‘caring for the world (environment & sustainibility)’, ‘sports breaking barriers’, ‘Islam in the media’ and ‘business connecting communities’. Brodrick Clarke, Director of Programs for the Ali Center, Louisville US, will lead a youth workshopThe core aim of the workshops is to bring people of different backgrounds together to meet, learn and connect around issues of common interest and universal appeal so that inter-community relations are enhanced.
Following the workshops, talks will be delivered by politicians, sports personalities, media representatives and entrepreneurs between 4:15-5:15pm.
http://www.myyorkshire.org/playback-video.asp?journeyid=141&resourceid=265
The Keynote speakers will be Kristiane Backer, TV presenter and journalist, and Greg Roberts, CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center in the US.
Greg Roberts said that the Ali Center is honored to be a part of Communities United event. “Our headquarters is located in Louisville, Kentucky, a Sister City of Leeds so we are especially excited to be involved in this partnership and to formally recognize the families and loved ones of those whose lives were lost in the 7/7 bombings.”
Roberts continued by saying, “Our mission embraces the promotion of respect, hope, and understanding among cultures through our outreach and educational initiatives. And the Center’s founder, Muhammad Ali, embodies the values that we hope will inspire people around the globe to break down barriers among us and embrace our commonalities in order to bring about true healing in the world. We are proud to be a part of this effort.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/jul/06/faiths-unite-in-leeds-five-years-after-london-bombings
TV presenter and journalist Kristiane Backer will be amongst the speakers and has said “As a Muslim, I am deeply distressed at those who contort the values of my faith and its commitment to peace and justice for their own corrupt means. Life is sacred in Islam. My faith teaches me to serve God by positively contributing to society; to care for the weak and the elderly; to be kind to animals and to protect the environment.”
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/features/JULY-7-Five-years-on.6404673.jp
The Imam of Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, commented: “The event has been organised to remember those who lost their lives in the tragic London bombings on 7/7 and also to remember all those lives that are still being lost throughout the world due to violent extremism. Makkah Mosque’s message is clear and simple – those who resort to violent extremism in the name of Islam are not following the true teachings of Islam.
The event will also seek to highlight the positive way in which communities have moved forward and have been working tirelessly for a peaceful co-existence.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jul/06/bombings-brought-out-best-leeds
The Chair of the MINAB, Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, expressed his support for the event by commenting, “We at the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board recognise and welcome the efforts of Makkah Mosque which has worked in collaboration with their local community to promote a culture of peace, harmony and tolerance amongst the diverse communities of Leeds.
The tragic events of 7/7 touched everyone’s hearts. The Muslim community in Leeds recognised the misrepresentation of their faith by the perpetrators of the attacks, who used religion as a despicable cover for their actions. These actions could never be justified in the name of Islam. Their attempts to divide communities in creating an atmosphere of mistrust and fear have largely failed.
Today’s events mark the coming together of those communities, who stand united together against all forms of hate which so often manifest itself into unspeakable violence. MINAB takes pride to support this event as well other similar forthcoming initiatives by its members.”
http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/wp/index.php/category/media-coverage/page/2/
Deborah Green, chief executive of Marketing Leeds said:
“We are proud to support the Connecting Communities Workshop. As well as raising the profile of Leeds to a national and international audience, we also work with the local community through a programme of festivals and events, to celebrate and promote the culture and diversity of our city.
“This workshop, which marks the anniversary of a tragic event, will bring communities together to encourage inter-community relations and highlight the way that people in the Leeds city region work together to make the city a better place for residents and visitors alike.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10533264.stm
Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West, in whose constituency Makkah Mosque is located expressed his views on the forthcoming event in the following statement:
“The terrible events of 7/7 and the links to Yorkshire and to Leeds were a shock to all of us, but in the days and weeks afterwards, the community in Hyde Park and Headingley really pulled together and that strength of unity was crucial to taking us forward.
”Five years on, I am very pleased to be able to attend this important event at the Makkah Mosque to highlight the real progress that is has been made in bringing the community closer together and working together for the benefit of all.”
http://www.publicservice.co.uk/news_story.asp?id=13437
Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary, sent his apologies for not being able to attend in person and added:
”I applaud you for holding this commemorative event, wish you well in your work in the future and hope that we can continue to work together to realise our shared vision of a modern, multi-faith, multi-cultural Britain in which opportunity is equal for all.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/jul/06/leeds-today-good-grub-holbeck-walks-and-city-varieties
Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East praised the continued working together for the welfare of our fellow citizens in the following words:
”I have always felt that my dear friends in the Leeds Muslim Community are like my family, my brothers and sisters – that we are part of one another – and that our connection becomes stronger as the years pass and as we continue our work together for the welfare of our fellow citizens, whatever their faith or background.”
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/and/My-Passion-One-man39s-unique.5668099.jp
Director, the Home Office sent well wishes as follows: ”I would like to wish you every success for the commemorative event that you are holding on the 7th July. You should be rightly proud of the positive work that Makkah Mosque, and its partner organisations, have undertaken across UK communities over a number of years. Thank you for your invitation for the Home Office to attend – please accept our apologies that were unable to do so.”
Leeds Rugby Foundation are fully behind th aims and objectives of the event, with Connecting Communities Manager Ikram Butt adding: “While in many respects sport is trivial compared to the tragedy suffered in the name of extremism, it is still a vital vehicle for bringing people together as players, volunteers or fans in common aims.”
“We are very aware in Leeds and the surrounding areas of the power of sport, in particular the community and family-based ethos of rugby league, which can be used to break down perceived barriers.”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/10533264.stm
Event partners and supporters include the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB), HRH Prince of Wales’ charity Mosaic, Marketing Leeds, Muhammad Ali Center, GFEvents, Leeds Rugby Foundation, Yorkshire Cricket Board, ABDN, Together4Peace, White Ribbon Campaign and Concord.
Administrator on June 12th, 2010
When the tragic events of 7 July 2005 occurred in London, the Muslim community shared the national sense of sadness and revulsion. But these emotions were soon to be clouded by an uncomfortable awareness that certain parts of society was associating the whole of the Muslim community with the mindless acts of a few individuals, and Muslims were being tarnished as “terrorists”, “extremists”, “fundamentalists” and “the other”.
In particular, for the British Muslim community of Leeds, the city from which a number of the instigators of the atrocities were from, the whole situation was extremely intense. The media attention that followed the attacks was a truly surreal affair; the narrow terraced streets of the suburbs of Hyde Park and Beeston were suddenly besieged by an international array of press and TV journalists presenting a community unrecognisable to the local residents, apart from the familiar sights of the local butcher’s shop, curry house and chip shop. Makkah Masjid itself – built some 2 years previously through the generosity and sincerity of the local Muslim community – became the preferred backdrop against which much of the media reporting took place.
The days that followed 7/7 were difficult. There was fear of reprisal from the far right and of heavy handed policing. Anger too at the way the events were being reported with the whole community being made to feel that it was on trial. And added to this, contradictory claims around how this was or was not connected to what continues to happen in Muslim lands such as Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. No wonder then that the resulting confusion was made worse by attempts to reconcile the seeming ordinariness of the alleged bombers with the carnage that they had caused.
Given this situation Makkah Masjid felt that it was incumbent on it to take a number of positive actions to try to identify some of the factors that contributed to the atrocities, with the aim of working towards tackling these. The actions Makkah Masjid took included:
i) increasing its engagement with the youth to identify factors which may have contributed to the catastrophic events, listening to the voices of disengaged youth to identify what they see as the key issues that are challenging their community and what mosques and Islamic institutes can do to overcome those challenges or what guidelines masajid can provide in respect of those challenges.
ii) Makkah Masjid also enhanced its mission of bringing to the locality an authentic Islamic voice which was both compassionate and scholarly – a voice that would convey a message rooted in sacred knowledge, branching out into a community in crisis.
iii) the Mosque has assumed a significant role in promoting understanding and tolerance between different cultural and faith groups.
In respect of engaging the youth, Leeds Muslim Council, the management committee of Makkah and Madina Masjids, held a number of workshops in Makkah Mosque, Madina Masjid and in Woodsley Community Centre. The workshops:
1) Discussed the concept of the Muslim and British identity and the challenges that were likely to arise as a result of the catastrophic events of 7/7;
2) Inspired the youth to be proud of their multiple identities and work towards a higher aim of benefitting everyone with the best elements of those identities;
3) Addressed the barriers to our youth being successful in this life and the next;
4) implemented a local youth project in Leeds to start addressing some of the responsibilities British Muslim youth have towards each other and the wider community.
As part of the findings of the workshops it was decided that annual youth conferences would be held in order to discuss religious, social, political and economic challenges and opportunities that Muslims faces living in Britain. These workshops would also analyse how young British Muslims can contribute positively to all aspects of British life.
It was also agreed that in order to assess the progress, 5 years on from 7/7 a number of extended workshops would be held in the summer of 2010 to analyse whether:
- the challenges faced by Muslims in Britain have been overcome;
- the engagement of Muslim youth has in fact increased;
- the disenfranchised British Muslim youth feel more engaged;
- the integration process has been streamlined;
- the distinction between “fundamental” and “modern” Muslim has disappeared or
- the opportunities offered by Britain have been taken up by British Muslims;
- the contribution of British Muslims to the social, political and economic fields has increased or decreased; and
- the vilification of British Muslims in the media has got better or worse.
It is now 5 years on from 2005 and Leeds Muslim Council and Young Minds has started the workshops. Young Muslims are portrayed in the media in the context of radicalisation, but their lives are far more complex than this. Much is written about young Muslims but their voices are rarely heard. These workshops aim to explore the issues of multiculturalism, Islamism and the experiences of Muslims in Britain in the light of the events of 9/11 and 7/7 and the policies and practices developed as a result of those tragic events.
These workshops are organised in partnership with the Mosques and National Advisory Board (MINAB): http://minab.org.uk/.
The first of these workshops took place on Sunday 16 May 2010. The theme of the workshop was “The Participation of Youngsters in the Mosque”.
The second of these workshops aims to identify the key challenges facing British Muslim youth today and explore practical ways in which these challenges can be managed or overcome.
This workshops will give youngsters an opportunity to air their views on issues including Mosques, madrashas, radicalization, Islamophobia, extremism, policing, body-scans, PREVENT agenda, citizenship, media, body-scans, hate crime, discrimination, challenging the violent extremist ideology
and supporting mainstream voices.
The third of these workshops will explore the opportunities presented by Britain and how Muslims are benefitting from those opportunities or can benefit from those opportunities.
The next workshop will take place on Sunday 13 June 2010 at 2:30pm.
The third workshop will take place on Sunday 11 July 2010.
Makkah Mosque, Young Minds are committed to young people find their voices within mosques, their own community and throughout society so that their aspirations can be met and their contribution can be recognized. These workshops are aimed at achieving those aspirations.
For further details, please contact: mail@makkahmasjid.co.uk or info@minab.org.uk
Administrator on June 9th, 2010
Once again a negative picture of British attitudes to Islam has been painted by a recent online YouGov poll. The online YouGov poll was commissioned by the Exploring Islam Foundation as part of a campaign aimed at improving the image of Muslims in the UK. The poll reveals that most people in the UK associate Islam with extremism and the repression of women.
Although 60% of the interviewed admit to not knowing much about Islam but from this “not much” they believe the following:
Perception of Islam
- 69% believe that Islam encourages the repression of women
- 58% associate Islam with extremism
- 50% associate Islam with terrorism
- 13% associate Islam with peace
- 6% associate Islam with justice
- Only 16% think that Islam promotes fairness and equality
- Only 6% believe that Islam promotes active measures to protect the environment
- 41% disagree or strongly disagree that Muslims have a positive impact on British society
Sources of information on Islam
Imam of Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said: “The findings of the survey are deeply concerning. They are not true reflection of what Islam stands for. The findings are based on the little information that the interviewees have about Islam and even that information, they acknowledge, is based on stories found in the media. Therefore I am not surprised that they have such negative image of Islam in their minds. Islam has been a part of British life for generations and British Muslims have made important contribution to the cultural economic and social well-being of the UK.”
“It is encouraging that 33% of the participants said that they would like to know more about Islam. It is now upon British Muslims to inform their fellow citizens about the true teachings of Islam and about the great personality of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). A good example of that can be found when Muslims of Leeds marked ‘Everybody Follow Muhammad Day’”.
“Everybody Follow Muhammad Day” campaign, led by Leeds Makkah Masjid, was based on inviting people of other faiths to try to do at least 5 things that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) did in any given day to see how much mercy, love and affection he brought to the lives of those who he came in contact with him; how his each action was based on principles of mercy, justice, forgiveness, hope, moderation, generosity and respect for others; how he inspired people to be faithful law-abiding people, and peaceful citizens of the world; how he motivated people to work for the greater good of humanity. It was a very successful campaign and a number of people acknowledge that they had come to know more about Islam as a result of that campaign.
The YouGov survey reinforces the findings of the annual British Social attitudes survey published in January 2010 by the National Centre for Social Research. This survey was produced by leading academics from interviews with almost 5,000 people. It revealed that a majority of the Britons would be concerned if a mosque was built in their area, while only 15 per cent expressed similar qualms about the opening of a church.
It is concerning that surveys upon surveys overall find a high level of unease regarding the UK’s Muslim population, estimated at over two million, and majority of the people consider that British Muslims pose a threat to the nation’s identity. These surveys indicate very few people are negative about any other group on its own.
This online YouGov survey is also interesting given the British Muslims attitude to Britain. The finding of a survey, commissioned by Gallup and the Coexist Foundation, published around the same time last year, May 2009 revealed that that 77% of British Muslims identified with the UK, compared with 50% of the general public. Although the vast majority of British Muslims (82%) felt Muslims were loyal citizens, the general public remained suspicious of them. The survey also found that European Muslims felt far more isolated than those living in the United States and Canada.
The Exploring Islam Foundation hopes to challenge the negative views of the religion with its Inspired By Muhammad project. Posters of successful British Muslim professionals will appear on buses and the London Underground in an attempt to give a positive image of Islam and Muslim. The Inspired by Muhammad campaign is led by former MTV presented Kristiane Backer, who declares herself to be an ‘eco-Muslim’. She said Islam’s values were ‘universal’ and ’sit well with British values’.
Remona Aly, campaigns director for the Exploring Islam Foundation said “We want to foster a greater understanding of what British Muslims are about and our contribution to British society. We are proud of being British and being Muslim,” For further details, please see: http://www.inspiredbymuhammad.com/yougov.php
A workshop is being held at Leeds Makkah Mosque on Sunday 13 June at 2:30pm to discuss “Being a British Muslim: challenges and opportunties”. In the workshop a number of issues will be discussed, including Britons preception of Islam and British Muslims, extremism, radicalisation, Islamophobia, citizenship, media, victim and dominant mentality. For further details, please see the web post on: “British Muslims: challenges & opportunities”.
Administrator on March 5th, 2010
A leading Islamic scholar has issued a fatwa in Britain condemning “terrorists” as the enemies of Islam, in a bid to deter young Muslims from extremism.
Shaykh Dr Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri, head of the Minhaj ul-Quran, has released his 600-page long fatwa ,condeming Al-Qaeda and the terrorists that perform their vicious acts based on the Qur’an and Islam.
The anti-terrorism fatwa by renowned Muslim scholar Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri pulled no punches and said that suicide bombers would be rewarded not by 72 virgins in heaven, as many terrorist recruiters promise, but with a suite in hell.
He continued: “Until now, scholars who were condemning terrorism were conditional and qualified what they said,” Qadri said in a phone interview, noting that his 600-page ruling left no room for interpretation. “I didn’t leave a single, minor aspect that, in the mind of radicals or extremists, can take them to the direction of martyrdom.”
In Washington, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley welcomed the fatwa, saying it is important that “Muslims themselves make their own judgment about the vision that al Qaeda and [Osama] bin Laden have propagated.”
Generally, in the media experts have stated that his fatwa is a “significant blow” to terrorists.
Imam of Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said that Shaykh Dr Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri works are always thought-provoking, well researched and evidenced. A comprehensive fatwa and edict was long due and therefore this fatwa is welcomed by the mainstream.
Administrator on February 9th, 2010
In a recent interview, Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim spoke against extremism. Qari Asim said that Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard. Allah tells us in the Quran that to kill one innocent person is akin to killing the whole of humanity [chapter 4, verse 32].
Qari Asim said that Muslims should be loyal to their religion but that does not mean that they cannot be loyal to Britain. Part of Islam is that a person is loyal to the country in which he or she lives and that he or she abides by the laws of that country.
Islam places a moral responsibility on a person to be committed to the general wellbeing and common good of the larger society to which he or she belongs.
Administrator on January 8th, 2010
The Muslim community of Leeds Makkah Masjid strongly condemns the planned march by Islam4UK through the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett.
Islam4UK do not represent British Muslims or the teachings of the Prophet of Islam (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Actions such as these usually have the intention of raising the profile of a particular organisation rather than expressing the sentiments of a community. As suspected, it is encouraging to see that the planned march by Islam4UK is condemned by all the Muslims thought the UK and Muslims are stating clearly to Islam4UK “NOT IN MY NAME”.
Leeds Muslim Council also strongly condemns the alleged attempted bombing aboard an airliner in Detroit, USA on Christmas Day. Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard. Allah tells us in the Quran that to kill one innocent person is akin to killing the whole of humanity [Qur'an, chapter 4, verse 32].
Imam of Leeds Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said : “violent extremism and taking the lives of innocent people is against the teachings of Islam and therefore we are pleased to note that no loss of life or otherwise was suffered as a result of the attempted bombing”.
All forms of terrorism must be stopped and the root causes that lead to such extreme actions must be fully explored and eliminated in the most efficient and amicable manner so that all human beings throughout the world can live in peace and harmony.
Administrator on August 28th, 2005
Makkah Mosque would like to express disappointment and concern over the filming of the Makkah Mosque for the BBC News on 12th July 2005.
We respectfully requested BBC to refrain from filming our newly purpose built mosque for the simple reason that mosques (and Makkah Mosque in particular) have no connection with terrorist activities or terrorists. In fact, Muslim leaders and Mosque committees have been at the forefront of condemning the atrocities that occurred in London on 7th July. When Makkah Mosque was shown in the BBC News bulletin, and subsequently in other newspapers and media coverage, it had the potential to indicate to the viewers that somehow Makkah Mosque was linked to the suspected terrorists. We thus fear that the showing of the Mosque on the News may attract retaliation and reprisal.
As a result of the filming, Makkah Mosque has to step-up its security to deal with any unwanted and unpleasant situation. This security is not provided by the police but by individual volunteers who are deeply concerned with the well-being of the Makkah Mosque.
The question we are really asking is: Why involve anyone in a news story when it has absolutely no connection to the news story? In future, we hope media would show a bit more responsibility and honour the feelings of a community.
Makkah Mosque has been built in a peaceful and harmonious neighbourhood of Leeds, and we will do our utmost to maintain and preserve this peace and harmony in the future.
Administrator on August 28th, 2005
The entire Muslim community of Leeds is shocked to hear about the police raids in Leeds. The Muslim Community of Leeds is a peaceful and harmonious community.
The Muslims of Leeds are united in their desire to see the perpetrators of the crimes committed in London on 7th July 2005 brought to justice. The whole of the Muslim community is united in its sorrow and grief for the innocent victims of that terrible day and our thoughts and prayers are with their grieving families.
We urge all Muslims to fully co-operate with the Police and other intelligence services to help bring those that commit indiscriminate acts of terror against innocent civilians to justice.
Leeds has always been a peaceful city, and we pray to Allah Almighty, that He may preserve this peace for the comming generations. Ameen.
Administrator on August 28th, 2005
On behalf of the Muslim Community of Leeds Makkah Mosque, we would like to express our utter condemnation of the attacks that occurred in London on the morning of 7 July 2005 and our heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones at the hands of the perpetrators of these evil crimes.
Whilst the identites of those responsible for the attacks in London remain unclear, what is perfectly clear is that Islam unequivocally forbids the taking of innocent lives. Prime Minister Tony Blair and DAC Brian Paddick of the London Metropolitan Police are right to state that acts of terrorism have no place in Islam. Those that commit indiscriminate acts of terror against innocent civilians should be brought to justice.
Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard. Allah tells us in the Quran that to kill one innocent person is akin to killing the whole of humanity [chapter 4, verse 32].
We condemn such terrorist activites and our hearts go out to all those who have been affected and we express our deep condolences to their families and friends. We pray to Allah to unite mankind in peace.
