Telling the Community’s Story

Posted by: Editor in Editorials, Latest Islamic 23/01/2017 0

Scroll down for an interactive timeline of articles published over the last twelve months addressing problems from within, hostility from without and the empowerment of our community.

Be it bittersweet introspection addressing the skeletons in our community’s closet, stemming the tide of hostile false narratives and myths, or empowering the community with practical guidance and tools, Islam21c has been honoured to have been used as a means for the growth and nurturing of the community over the last 12 months.

Tackling tough issues

Over the year our community’s thinkers, scholars and activists have not shied away from addressing important issues in our own community. Shaikh Sajid Umar in his seminal article on the ‘celebrity fan culture’ surrounding some Islamic speakers generated a great amount of discussion.[1] Later in the year Shaikh Haitham al-Haddad tackled the controversial and sensitive issue of Islamic speakers charging money for da’wah,[2] and the many dangers that should be kept in mind in such a domain.

One of these areas was also focussed on in another article discussing a problematic statistic that another leading scholar in the UK highlighted: some mosques spending £150,000 on a minaret, whilst paying their Imams £15,000.[3] Indeed, the community’s reluctance to nurture and properly support students of knowledge and scholars is intimately linked to the problems related some feeling the need to charge money for Da’wah.

There were some important if not controversial fatwas that were also deemed necessary to highlight last year. In one, which was translated and shared across the world, “Israeli” dates were declared as being impermissible to buy, sell and consume, along with a practical list of those corporations that—secretly or openly—deal in such stolen produce.[4] Shaikh Haitham al-Haddad’s fatwa on the permissibility on so-called “student loans” also generated much interest and finally lay many misconceptions and confusions to rest.[5]

“Integration” – Otherising Muslims

Last year also saw a palpable increase in the myths surrounding British Muslim “integration”, “extremism” and other hostile narratives of Otherisation sought by the well funded Islamophobia industry. Young Muslims were particularly in the crosshairs, with the “Regulating Madrasas Bill” in the final throes of death,[6] as well as Adib Bari speaking of The assault on university Islamic Societies.[7]

“A study over an eleven-year period from 1998 to 2009 showed that for every one moderate Muslim mentioned, there were an astonishing twenty-one extremists mentioned.”[8]

Meanwhile Abdullah Thomson highlighted the need for Muslims to engage with the average non-Muslim citizen that receives such brainwashing demonising Muslims and Islam.[9] He also declared himself a “non-Binary Briton”, cleverly addressing the hysteria stoked by neocons about some Muslims being “un-British” that even the Queen was “hoodwinked” into speaking about.[10]

Imran Shah argued why Muslims need to be masters of our own counter culture,[11] as well as highlighting the need for Muslim entrepreneurs asking: Where are the Muslim millionaires?[12] We were happy to help in a grass-roots survey into what influential Muslims actually believe in the Normative Islam Survey.[13] Like debunking any stereotype, illumination using facts and statistics plays a vital role.

Good news

Setting the record straight also requires us to do our part in sharing news that does not fit the normative medium of hostile coverage against orthodox Muslims and organisations in the corporate media. One such example was the Islamic Education and Research Academy (iERA) being vindicated after a three-year-long investigation by the Charity Commission.[14]

Click here to see a specific timeline of some examples of the media and/or state propaganda last year and Islam21c’s attempt at setting the record straight

Last year also saw a welcome challenge to the way the government had dealt with so-called “Political Islam”, with some brave MPs in the Foreign Affairs Select Committee echoing some of the concerns we published earlier,[15] in response to a shockingly poor and clearly biased “investigation” into the Muslim Brotherhood.[16] Mukhtar Master also shared some good news of the community in Preston showing solidarity in the face of an EDL march.[17]

Nurturing Muslim proactivity

Abdullah Ladadwi spoke about a special type of ‘Hijra’ that Muslims need to think about,[18] whilst Abdulrahman Nounu gave some important advice for Muslims addressing the Work/Life/Death balance.[19] We also got some golden tips for beating procrastination,[20] and overcoming conscious and subconscious fears that prevent us from being active and facing the challenges of the 21^st century.[21]

Dr Salman Butt also reminded us of the need for Muslims working in particular domains not to belittle the work of others, as the revival of the Muslim Ummah requires both a macro and micro level activism, addressing “The Caliphate Chicken & Egg,”[22] whilst Amera Farooq highlighted the conciliatory spirit of Islam and conflict resolution systems based on the sunnah of the Prophet (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam).[23]

Scroll down for an interactive timeline of articles published over the last twelve months addressing problems from within, hostility from without and the empowerment of our community.

2016

January 4, 2016

Are Muslims anti-democratic subversives or champions of a more democratic way?

Are Muslims anti-democratic subversives or champions of a more democratic way? Under a dictatorship it is clear that the ruler is in full control of where the nation is going and how to get there. Any attempt to change the ruler is suppressed and no one expects they have the…Read More

January 6, 2016

The assault on university Islamic Societies

One of the most beautiful aspects of being a university student in the UK is that there are an array of different student societies that cater for various groups and activities which can range from the ordinary to the zany – you may see, for example, an Economics Society yet…Read More

January 13, 2016

Sh Haitham on the Govt’s Embarrassing Muslim Brotherhood Report

All praise be to Allāh and may the peace and blessings be upon his messenger Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). On the 17th of December 2015, the current UK Government finally announced the findings of the review into the work and activities of the Muslim Brotherhood,[1] which was commissioned…Read More

January 25, 2016

Where are the Muslim millionaires?

Muslim Entrepreneurship: Its Role in the Movement Everything needs provision. Whether it be the projects we start, the institutions we run, the family unit we raise and sustain, or life itself. Therefore, the need for finance and entrepreneurialism cannot be underestimated when it comes to achieving equality and promoting justice…Read More

January 26, 2016

How To Create Hate

“What does it take for the citizens of one society to hate the citizens of another society to the degree that they want to segregate them, torment them? [It is] a psychological construction imbedded deeply in their minds by propaganda that transforms those others into ‘The Enemy’.” [The Lucifer effect,…Read More

February 1, 2016

The ‘Regulating Madrasas’ Bill: battered, bruised and bloodied, but not dead yet.

Madrasas can give a slight sigh of relief, for now, before taking a deep breath and wondering what the government will try next. The proposal for regulating “Out-of-school Education Settings” appears less likely to proceed as planned after the government received many thousands of replies to the consultation from piano…Read More

February 4, 2016

Arabic Language: Past, Present & Future

Arabic is the main surviving language of the Semitic family. It is spoken in the Arab East and Arab West, popularly known as the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in East and West Africa. It is the fourth most popular language in the world after English, French…Read More

February 6, 2016

Why We Must Be Masters of Our Counter Culture

When we think of counter culture, we mostly think of it as things that are niche, contrary to the status quo, but entirely recreational. Whilst counter culture always has its expressive and artistic side, to only acknowledge this manifestation is to only scratch the surface of a system of values…Read More

February 17, 2016

What Do Influential British Muslims Believe?

“Normative Islam Report”: A study of the religious views of influential British Muslims Results from a survey of Influential Muslim scholars, leaders and activists from different schools of thought across the UK were released today.[1] The survey was supported and endorsed by many Muslim organisations including Islam21c, and many of…Read More

March 14, 2016

Is it Time for Hijrah?

How often do we feel overwhelmed by the difficulties the Muslims around the world are going through? Not only are Muslims victimised, invaded and displaced, but on the end of a systematic ideological challenge. Our values are constantly being questioned, our beliefs interrogated, our Qur’an contested and our beloved Prophet…Read More

March 15, 2016

Preston Community vs. EDL: They Came, They Ate, Islam Conquered

They Came, They Ate, Islam Conquered – One Preston, One Community Saturday the 20th February 2016 will be a date that will live in the minds of those who participated, for a very long time. Many aspects of the day were so special, so unique and so unprecedented that mere…Read More

March 16, 2016

Celebrity Fan Culture – has Islamic education become entertainment?

Education or Entertainment? Recently, a conversation that occurred between a group of practicing brothers and sisters, some of whom are considered students of knowledge, was brought to my attention. The conversation was regarding their earnest desire to attend a talk by a ‘particular’ visiting speaker. Now, in essence, there should…Read More

April 18, 2016

Managing The Work-Life-Death Balance

The purpose of this article is not to offer any clear-cut instruction; rather, the aim is merely to provoke the reader into contemplating the various issues being discussed. In the western world we often lament our lack of time. We often observe people who exist within our stratosphere that appear…Read More

April 28, 2016

Islamic Law for ‘Primitive’ Societies?

One argument frequently touted against Islām and Muslims is the assertion that Islamic Law was conceived for a primitive era and applying it to our advanced society is incompatible. Advances in technology, communication and scientific discovery have rendered those laws null. This argument does not take into account Divine Revelation…Read More

May 5, 2016

On Sh Haitham’s Student ‘Loans’ Fatwa

The Islamic ruling on the UK Student Finance loan Paying for university fees has always been somewhat problematic for many Muslim families. Things became much more severe with the drastic rise in student fees in the UK. This has meant that many students are not able to afford studying at university. Student…Read More

May 18, 2016

I’m a non-binary Briton. And proud.

All this hype about Muslims not being British enough reminds me of Barack Obama’s 50% white heritage and the question that no one asks: Just how white do you have to be to not be black. The clear answer is you would need to be 100% white. We have become…Read More

May 25, 2016

Manufacturing the Muslim Enemy

Islamophobia – a thousand years of deadly lies What we are witnessing in today’s socio-political climate is not the first period of intense propagation of Islamophobia in the West. There have been a few other periods which stand out in history and each is intimately linked with empire. In the…Read More

July 12, 2016

The Legacy of Muhammad Iqbal

‘Allāma Iqbāl in Oldham A series on Muḥammad Iqbāl Part 1: On unity and identity In a quiet neighbourhood in Oldham, Greater Manchester, amidst vibrant greenery and rows of quaint houses lies 31 ‘Allama Iqbāl road. Although it may at first seem an anomaly amongst the other more ‘English’ street…Read More

August 24, 2016

The BIG Discussion

Over the years Islam21c has done more than 18 Big Discussions, benefitting tens of thousands of audience members and online viewers alike, by the grace of Allah. This weekend Islam21c will be hosting three of its flagship BIG Discussions, inshaAllah, at this year’s Family Retreat! Our expert panellists will be…Read More

September 6, 2016

Five Rules For Beating Procrastination

Procrastination is the result of a “domino effect”. Imagine you wish to build a house. However, you constantly wonder what colour curtains you’ll place over the windows. You start debating with yourself about every prospective problem and every prospective failure: “Will my spouse like my choice of curtains?”, for example.…Read More

September 7, 2016

Rise Above Your Fear

Hands up if you feel like the world is about to end at any minute. Worry not, you are probably not alone. The times we live in are chaotic and the world around us seems to get darker every day. Watching the news has become a surreal experience, as we…Read More

November 6, 2016

IERA vindicated after three-year long investigation by Charity Commission?

On Friday 4 November 2016 the Charity Commission published its concluding report into the statutory investigation into the Islamic Education & Research Academy (iERA). This investigation began in 2013 as a result of many malicious allegations against iERA from Islamophobic organisations, thinktanks and journalists, which appear now to have been…Read More

November 8, 2016

Islamophobia – the elephant in the room

Islamophobia Awareness Month #IAM2016 Islamophobia has been described as “a word created by fascists, and used by cowards, to manipulate morons.” Really? Women are having their hijabs pulled off as they go about their everyday business. Muslims are targeted with the liberal use of the P-word and the F-word and…Read More

November 17, 2016

Common Sense Prevails: MPs agree with Sh Haitham on ‘Political Islam’

In September this year, newly elected Chairman of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC), Crispin Blunt, ordered an inquiry into the Government’s handling of Political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood.[1] To the chagrin of many in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), the results of the enquiry—published in November—were damning…Read More

November 22, 2016

The Dangerous Relationship Between Money & Dawah

All praises be to Allāh, and may peace and blessings be upon His prophet Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam). By the grace of Allāh, the following remarks are not indicative of most Du’āt and scholars, but it is nonetheless a growing problem which needs to be nipped in the bud… Introduction I…Read More

November 29, 2016

Minaret: £150k | Imam: £15k

In a few remarks that garnered much debate, a well-known and respected UK scholar, Sheikh Zahir Mahmood, recently wrote: We have minarets worth £150,000 but only pay £15,000 for the imam. We invest more in structures than in people. We must be the only community with such utter lack of…Read More

December 18, 2016

Peace Building & Conflict Resolution

Muslims are often portrayed in the media as hot-headed individuals looking to stir up trouble and cause conflict. However, if the primary sources of Islām are consulted, it is evident that this state of affairs could not be further from the truth. The fact is that the Qur’ān and Sunnah…Read More

2017

March 3, 2017

The Caliphate Chicken & Egg

It can be argued that any meaningful discourse distilling ancient wisdoms or guidance for today must take into account the unique position of Muslims today compared to the past. The trauma of Modernity and hegemony has scattered and atomised Muslim communities and nations, characterised by the international denial of a…Read More

2019

April 15, 2019