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Issue 216, Friday 27 April 2007 - 9 Rabi' al-Akhar 1428 Parallel Muslim Communities Statement to Speech of Ruth Kelly MP, Minister of State As British Muslims we share in the nation’s concern for the future of our country, its peace and prosperity for all citizens regardless of background. Our vision is that all are able to live as equal citizens with equal rights and responsibilities for the safety, security and well-being of our country and its citizens. Muslim communities have always added to the rich mosaic that is modern Britain today. In schools, in universities, in the workplace, on the street and at home, Muslims need to promote the message that being Muslim and British is about shared values, principles and ideals. Being Muslim and British is also about standing together and confronting those who seek to undermine our common values. As British Muslims we have to come together to promote knowledge and understanding of Islam and Muslims, reflecting the diversity not only in teachings but also in attitudes among our communities. We need to encourage the participation of those who are not usually seen in the media or in public, such as young people and women. We need to support an emerging Muslim leadership that is appropriate for 21st century multicultural Britain – a leadership capable of articulating the universal principles and values of Islam for today’s Britain and developing a model of citizenship that reflects the plurality of social identities that exists here. As Muslims of diverse backgrounds we therefore affirm our commitment to tackling and confronting all forms of extremism, including the far right, through constructive processes of engagement at local and national levels, building alliances and creating new partnerships at the heart of our communities. We believe that shifting the emphasis to communities and local authorities in tackling and confronting extremism will empower local communities, help identify emerging leaderships and lead to better community relations. As British Muslims, we welcome the initiatives to empower and support communities in order to win ‘hearts and minds’. We recognise that this is the most effective way to build resilient communities that condemn and resist extremist messages. Signed, The Britslam Partnership, The British Muslim Forum, The Sufi Muslim Council, Al-Khoei Foundation, Al-Mahdi Institute, Luton Central Mosque, Hazrat Sultan Bahou Trust UK, The World Federation of KSIMC, The National Green Light Muslim Youth Network, The Tyga Youth Forum, Birmingham, Sunni Ulema Council, Black Country (52 scholars), Kanzul-Huda, Lozells Central Mosque, Jamiat Ahl-e Sunnat UK, Kanzul Eman Muslim Welfare Association, Tipton, Jamiat Tablighul Islam (25 Mosques), Suffat-ul Islam (UK) Association, Bradford, Sunni Confederation of Mosques, Midlands (125 Mosques), Dudley Muslim Forum (11 Mosques), Interim Committee of the British Shi’a Council, World Islamic Mission, Real Help Charity, Birmingham, Islamic Help, Birmingham, Qamar-ul-Islam, Birmingham, Markazi Ulma Council, Leicester, Aal-e-Muhammad Charity, Al-Hirah Community College, Islamic Resource Centre, Ghamkoul Shareef Mosque, Birmingham, Karimia Institute, Nottinghamshire, Minhaj-ul Qur’an, League of British Muslims, UK, Siddiqia Education Institute, Birmingham, Adaab Social Support Services, Stoke on Trent, Youth Voice, Leicester, Abdul Hamid Qurashi, Lancashire Council of Mosques, Building Bridges, Burnley, Faiths Regen Foundation, Free Spiritual Centre, UK, Voice, Naqshbandi Haqqani, Mehria Naseeria Trust, Pendle Building Bridges Union of Muslim Organisation, UK/EIRE, Central Mosque, Middlesborough, Ayatullah Dr Sayyed Fadhil Milani, Pakistan-India Friendship Forum, Watford Muslim Youth Federation, Shaykh Arif Abdulhussein, The Council of European Jamaats |
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