By Majed Iqbal

In the UK, hundreds of thousands of people across the country have been protesting in the last weeks against Israel’s provocative actions in Al-Aqsa Mosque and offensive in Gaza that took place during the last days of Ramadhan. An international reaction consequently transpired with voices of condemnation gaining momentum across the globe. In the midst of this, student activism at schools, co-ordinated, led and championed by students in support of the voiceless Palestinians took shape as a new phenomenon. 

However, this was met with some resistance, with some schools raising concerns on bringing political matters into the school. In an era where radicalisation and extremism, Black lives matter, LGBT, climate change, COVID-19 are all taking centre stage and becoming central discussion points in schools, such a rationale seemed aloof from reality.

Rather than celebrating political discourse, some schools took the route to literally shout down debate and blame students for championing radicalised ideals.

In Rochdale, two staff members from a High school, which included a Deputy head teacher, were suspended after a year seven student was reprimanded for wearing a ‘free’ Palestine face mask’. The student was accused of having racist views and being ‘brainwashed’. 

“no this is how people end up being brainwashed about things like you have been … some people end up joining forces with these people.’ said one of the teachers. The use of language clearly suggesting dangerous association to violent terrorist organisations.

In Leeds, a head teacher went as far as making a video, associating the use of the Palestinian flag as a symbol of support for resistance and militant movements.

It seems that the discredited Prevent strategy, become the only form of leverage some of the schools could use to reign in such views expressed by students. A strategy which clearly targets students showing ‘signs’ of expressing political views on matters in line with their faith, Islam. In this case it being the belligerent actions taken by Israel in Al-Aqsa mosque and Gaza.

The mantra of not discussing political matters in school is an intriguing argument. Many schools actively promote the watching of BBC Newsround, news designed for students, in form class time. Documentaries in History lessons present political matters from the past as key to learning how the world is politically shaped today. Lessons like geography go into detail on demographics around the world, whilst sociology studies the development of societies, which includes politics and government as one area of study. So why can’t students have their own formulated views on world matters? 

The prevent strategy has made it impossible to make schools the ‘safe spaces’ where such conversations can take place, as students and parents fear being tarnished with labels of ‘propagating extremist views’ and being reported. Despite feeling policed by prevent, the confidence in which students in schools have took the discussions forward should be celebrated, not rebuked. 

It is also important that this activism is guided by discussion based on facts and presenting the truth an not merely raw emotions. Students need to be supported, guided and mentored by our communities such that they become articulate politicians who cannot simply be bulldozed over by staff at school who may have their own personal persuasions on political matters.

Just as the Black lives matter cause gained traction and defined activism across the younger generation, the Palestinian cause similarly will be the non-negotiable stance the younger generation will continue to vocalise against Israel’s illegal occupation and war crimes, the silence of Muslim countries on the aggression taking place against Palestinians and calls for real change that rest upon a politics based on their faith, Islam.

By Majed Iqbal

Less than a week on from the school Protests outside a High school in Batley over a picture of Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings be upon him) shown by a Teacher in a Religious education class, what exactly can we learn from this event?

The cartoon shown was published by Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French Magazine, back in 2006, who firmly believed that freedom of speech and the freedom to offend are one and the same thing.

They unapologetically published defaming cartoons of the Prophet of Islam as an act of defiance, almost at the altar of worship to the sacredness of Freedoms. This led to mass protests across Europe at the time by Muslims, including successive rallies in the UK, demonstrating the damage that had been done to the feelings and sentiments of Muslims.

Afterall, one of the pictures showed a bomb on the turban of the caricature of Prophet Muhammad, published in the timeline of the West’s War on Terror and ‘radical’ Islam.

These events hit a raw nerve for every Muslim, regardless of labels of moderate and extremist that governments across Europe had tried to camp Muslims in to justify their War on terror narratives.

It is difficult to believe that a Religious education teacher was unaware of these realities and sensitivities. How exactly is displaying a bomb on the head of a religious figure related to any teaching in an RE lesson? Isn’t RE about teaching facts? Is it not about learning the origins of religions, what the beliefs are and learning to respect one another? How can a teacher advocate tolerance and promote diverse communities whilst in the same breath undermine a minority faith?

It is of no doubt, over the last two decades specifically, that mainstream media and successive governments, have routinely demonised Islam and Muslims for financial and Political capital. In the process, it is the British populace which has been polarised and radicalised, often blaming and finger pointing at Muslims for different issues, from grooming young girls, spreading Covid-19 locally, not doing enough to integrate, to being too sensitive over free speech.

Professionals like teachers are not immune from being affected by the regularity of such propaganda, the sophistication of which would have even made Goebbel’s, Hitler’s main media Man, jaws drop.

It is this bias and civilisational superiority complex that can be taken, unconsciously and sometimes consciously  into workplaces, making people feel that is their divine duty to re-culture Muslims back in line with Western ideals; a post-colonial mindset which firmly believes that the package of freedoms and democracy offered by the West are the only ideals worthy of pursuing in life.

Could this have been the ‘conveyor belt’ journey to being radicalised for this teacher? Did he abuse his position of teaching to exercise his own opinion on innocent children? Should this teacher be referred to the Channel or Prevent program for his actions?

So, less than fifty protesters outside the Batley school asking legitimate questions, media commentators denouncing the protest as going too far and the education secretary lambasting it as ‘completely unacceptable’ is an attack on freedom itself? How feeble are Freedoms?

You heard it. Yes, they won.! Thirty years of tiresome efforts and coming close a few times. Liverpool finally clinches the Premier league providing an opportunity for euphoric joy and possibly a few tears of happiness.

Unprecedented times

“It’s our time” it was said a few days back as the league was drawing to a conclusion. So the mood was in the air for an imminent victory, just waiting to be announced. And what a worse time this could have come in. Lock-down, phase two, living under unprecedented times, with the surge of a killer virus knocking on doors, and with a third highest death toll in the world.

Celebrations under lockdown

Despite this, thousands gathered and celebrated outside Anfield even though the city’s metro mayor had earlier urged everyone to “stay home” because of coronavirus. Many of the supporters who congregated at the club’s ground wore face masks in an attempt to ‘legalise’ their joyous moment whilst offering a token gesture of Health and safety.

Since late March, the UK government has been implementing a host of measures under its ‘Stay home, stay safe’ banner. With over three months of an enforced lockdown, continuous reminders of a crisis for the NHS leading to a wave of deaths, the advice hasn’t really been given the consideration and importance as it should have deserved. The celebrations following Liverpool’s League Triumph is evidence to this. People are simply not taking it seriously enough. Why?

There is a mindset which has plagued people living in the West. They are secure because they feel they have the infrastructure, financial standing and resources to tackle everything. Therefore nothing should stand in their way and their freedom to do what they please.

Cultural superiority

On the contrary, similar scenes in a ‘third-world’ country would be reviewed in a completely different light. Backward, uneducated, stupid people. These would be the verbalised expressions of feelings of disgust from Westerners. There is a resonance of arrogance. One of cultural superiority, that somehow, rules need not be applicable to us in the West as there is civil society, rule of law and progressive thoughts. Whilst those outside of this cultural exclusive zone cannot even queue, have no law and order and are plagued with backward thinking.

In the midst of Liverpool Football club’s triumph, it is important that we look deeply and conciousley into the mindsets that are being created. The Coronovirus endemic should have reminded people that even leading nations are not immune from being forced onto their knees and that we cannot act as ‘Gods on Earth’ acting at will and flouting guidance. Deteriorating standards will only work against us.

The murder of George Floyd, a black man, in broad daylight by a white police officer brought, once again, the institutionalised racism America suffers from to the forefront. This comes in a series of events in recent months where Black people have been at the receiving end of harassment, racial abuse and even murder.

The last three weeks have witnessed mass protests. Serious questions have been raised over the very institutions which were built to protect the public, now guilty of meting out ‘injustice’.

The ladder of racism can only be described as from ‘Top to bottom’, not the other way. It is structural racism which perpetuates ways of reinforcing institutional practices, cultural representations, public policies that directly affect black people. White privilege disadvantages people of colour to endure and adapt over time. Those that do, end up going through a cultural ‘renaissance’ where identity is reformed to become palatable to ‘Whiteness’. Those who don’t, are left to the sidelines and tarnished as problematic communities. The result is marginalisation, socially, economically and politically, leaving black people in a position where it’s now the state vs them.

The cries of brutal slavery which blacks underwent for centuries still echo today, despite the promises of reform, integration and token apologies for the past.  The false promise of America being the place to be to fulfill the ‘American dream’ regardless of your background has unraveled decade after decade. With each passing generation, racism has reared its ugly head and has never been managed to be even contained, never mind eradicated.

America in the last decades has prided itself of being a ‘melting pot’ for all peoples and races. The reality to this claim sits far from the truth.

A PEW research centre from April 2019 revealed that more than eight-in-ten black adults say the legacy of slavery affects the position of black people in America today.

About two-thirds of blacks (68%) say being black generally hurts a person’s ability to get ahead in the country.

The research also found that majority of blacks, Hispanics and Asians say they have experienced discrimination because of their race or ethnicity.

Islam never has and will tolerate discrimination based on colour. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his last sermon said:

“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action”.

Islam is the ideological cure for racism.

The day of Jumu’ah, a day of worship, where Muslims congregate and pray together was scene to a bloodbath today. What was their crime? Nothing, except the fact that they were Muslims and someone felt convinced enough that they were a problem that need to be eliminated.

Such was the venom in this radicalised individual, that he decided to Facebook live stream the entire massacre. It begs the serious question, as to where and how did such a person poison his thinking to justify the slaying of innocents?

The answer is quite simple. Structural racism and Islamophobia for the last few decades in the west has become normalised.

The Media, Government and Politicians have played their role in espousing hateful views and passed them off as legitimate debate and concerns over the future of Western countries.

Hold them responsible and accountable and Muslims across the Globe are waiting to see the Leadership expected from those who currently represent the Muslim world, on how they will respond tot he events.

Earlier on, I tweeted my thoughts as I heard of the events late morning.

By Majed Iqbal– Pakistan has turned over a new leaf by electing Imran Khan from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) as their new Prime Minister. Election fever was high pitched as the three main parties including PML- N and PPP went all guns blazing. Character assassinations, mudslinging, low blows, exposes, self-imposed exiles, former PM behind bars and most importantly, grand promises.

The party lost its shot at the Last general election but vowed to come back. Imran khan continued to promise that he would end corruption in 90 days and terrorism in 90 days if elected as Prime Minister.

So, can the New PM deliver on this promise? Here a few things to consider

1.      All parties have a habit of making grand claims to attract the masses that my or may not materialise once they’re in power.

2.      PTI has not won a majority in Parliament. So, they must form a coalition government with other parties. This means you cannot makes decisions without getting the buy in from others to pass laws, make legislation and set out plans. Imran Khan will have to compromise on many issues, which means many manifesto claims will never see the ink on paper.

3.      PTI attracted many Politicians who had a history of sleeping around with other parties. When they saw the ship sinking with other parties, they jumped ship and took their vote base, their supports with them. Such Politicians are power hungry, business driven with personal vested interests and have no Political principles. This places a big question on how exactly they will be kept in check.

4.      The Army is the establishment who are the real game changers in Pakistani politics. Many issues will be dictated, only giving the new Prime Minister set boundaries to work from.

How exactly Prime Minister Imran Khan will resolve corruption in Pakistan in 19 days is beyond the imagination of many. What we can say for certain is that Democracy in Pakistani Politics changes parties once elected and not the other way around as we are led to believe.

Welcome to Muharram, the new year in the Islamic calender. No, it doesn’t involve fireworks displays, doing the midnight countdown or partying til the early hours of the morning. Instead, Muslims have a unique opportunity to make a new start and utilise the blessings of this month to set themselves in a new direction in life.

Whats Muharram all about?

Many significant events took place in History in this blessed month. Prophet Adam (عليه السلام) was born and entered Paradise on 10th of Muharram, Prophet Ayyub (عليه السلام) was cured from his illness, a way was made in the sea for Bani Israel, Prophet Suleman (عليه السلام) was ordained King and the oceans and heavens were created.

It was in the month of Muharram that the beloved and dear Grand son of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), Sayyidina Hussain (رضي الله عنه) was martyred after standing up for justice and the principles of Islam. We are also informed that Qiyaamah will take place on the 10th of Muharram.

So what are we supposed to do

This is the Question! Muharram is a blessed month in which Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) has singled it out as one for worship and obedience. We are bound by the Shariah rules throughout the year and strive to remain within the Halal and Haram actions, carry out the Mandhoob (recommended) and stay away from the Makrooh (disliked) actions. But just like we get major kicks in Ramadhan and high levels of Spiritual bliss, Muharram similarly affords us with another great oppurtunity to purify ourselves and make amends with our maker.

Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘The best of fasting after Ramadaan is fasting Allaah’s month of Muharram” (Muslim).

So we can fast! Remember the beautiful days of Ramadhan, where the day was beautified with worship and the nights with prayer? Do we want that feeling again? Do you want to feel on top of the world again with your devotional worship? Do you need that push again to motivate you further to practice Islam?

New Year plans

Prepare yourself well for this year. Where do you want your position to be with Allah (swt)? Have you bettered yourself since last year? What are you going to do new this year?

Yes we should have resolutions which are based on Islam. These resolutions will help build a consciousness about our relationship with Allah (swt). They will help us measure where we are in this race for life and whether we are winning or losing the battle for Jannah

Get that Special fast in

Prepare yourself mentally now that you will fast for the two days in Muharram. This is either the 9th and 10th or the 10th and 11th of Muharram.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنه) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of ‘Aashooraa’. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘What is this?’ They said, ‘This is a righteous day, it is the day when Allaah saved the Children of Israel from their enemies, so Moosa fasted on this day.’ Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said ‘We have more right to Moosa than you,’ so he fasted on that day and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day” (Bukhaari).

A version narrated by Imaam Ahmad adds: “This is the day on which the Ark settled on Mount Joodi, so Nooh fasted this day in thanksgiving.” “and commanded [the Muslims] to fast on that day”

Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنه) said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of ‘Aashooraa’, and this month, meaning Ramadaan.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 1867).

Whilst Muslims across the globe have risen to protest, collect charity and actively deploy aid to Rohingya refugees on the borders on Bangladesh, the rulers in the Muslim world have largely been mute. Even words of condemnation have been minimal with the exception of Turkey’s Erdogan who managed to muster up a few words, whom many would argue may have been for domestic Political consumption; maintaining Erodgan’s image as a voice for Muslims.

“There is a genocide there; Those who close their eyes to this genocide perpetuated under the cover of democracy are its collaborators.” Said Turkeys Prime Minister, Tayyip Erdogan

Powerful words, yet it is Erdogan’s government  who is still attempting to boost trade with Myanmar. Not only are they willing to overlook the ethnic cleansing, but further invest in a despotic regime that butchers Muslims simply for being Muslim. The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, confirmed this back in June 2016.

“Economic relations between Turkey and Myanmar are well below their potential. Turkey is at present the 17th largest economy in the world.  Turkish foreign trade in past years has been around 350-400 billion USD.  However, bilateral trade between Turkey and Myanmar was only around 40 million USD last year.”

Bangladesh, despite taking in Rohingya refugees in the past has halted entry for more than 20,000 stuck on the border after fleeing persecution and violence at the hands of the Burmese Army and Buddhist militia.

Pakistan on the other hand, despite sharing similar historical experiences of emigration from persecution, one would at least expect for the Government to be able to empathise with the plight of Rohingya Muslims. Instead they are in the midst of strengthening the very same military responsible for the slaughtering of men, women and children, by selling Fighter jet aircraft to Myanmar (Burma).

The Arab rulers could least care, with Saudi more interested in disowning Qatar, bombing Yemen and strengthening ties with the occupying state of Israel.

The Rohingya crisis requires real leadership. What we have seen is meek responses, Muslim rulers acting only to secure their own interests and a forfeiting of  Islam’s prescriptions on brotherhood. A real Islamic leadership, a state based on Islam, a state that acts on the interests of this Ummah would immediately do the following

1. Expel the Myanmar diplomatic mission from their countries and close down their embassies.
2. Withdraw their own states ambassadors from Myanmar.
3. Cut economic ties and trade with Myanmar with immediate effect.
4. Lead a global Political campaign with ‘Countries of conscience’ to isolate Myanmar internationally
5. Call for a mass recruitment drive in the Bangladeshi and Pakistani army, specifically, to bolster numbers.
6. Deploy army regiments on the borders of Burma to flex Military muscle and respond back where necessary
7. Establish a joint-army initiative to rescue those fleeing, through tactical operations and to minimise the campaign of extermination led by the Burmese army and militia.
8. Launch surgical strikes using drone technology to hit military installations to reduce the effectiveness of the Burmese Army.
9. Open up the borders of Bangladesh and Pakistan to take in refugees on mass, demonstrating the sunnah of the Beloved Prophet when the Muhajireen from Mecca were embraced by the Ansar from Medina, cementing the ties of Ikhwa (brotherhood) and one Ummah.

A leadership based on Islam is the need of the time and not useless, cartoonic states that find excuses to not to act to the cries of those who are in need. The ummah must ask for these rulers to step aside and allow those sincere politicians of this Ummah to rebuild a new vision and a way forward for the Muslim world.

The following are a series of tweets highlighting what we can learn from the life of Junaid Jamshed; a truly iconic individual who touched the lives of many.

After witnessing one of the most controversial US elections, the world was stung by another twister. Yes, the election of the Political novice, Businessman and practically one of the most in your face public figures in recent times.

But what does this all mean for me and you? Majed’s Blog provides some insight and analysis into the controversial elections and the impact on the future, specifically for US Muslims and Muslims across the globe.

By Majed Iqbal- With the third round of the Presidential debate over for the hotly contested POTUS (President of the United states) position, opinion is polarised, with some supporters even willing to sweep past misdemeanors of Clinton and Trump under the carpet, in order to pave a new way ahead.

The campaigns by both contestants raise many questions. Most media coverage has centred around mud-slinging of character defamation; a pertinent reminder of how politics in banana republics operate, but hey , this is the greatest Political contest of the free and leading nation of the world.

In this delicately, politically crafted Presidential race set up, we are being presented with two rivals, from two opposing parties, with two distinct visions but essentially fighting for the same goals, the endorsement of the same system, the continuation of economic disparity, the pursuance of American hegemony across the world, the rubber stamping of political monopoly for the elite class, the marginalisation of races and the victimisation of faith communities post 9/11 era.

Is this a Batman VS superman reloaded episode, where the ultimate goals remain the same whilst both contenders pursue paths that they deem fit based on their limited insights of the world? Are Trump and Clinton the last best choices for humanity to be saved? Do the voters need to make a choice between the lesser of two evils? Will contender have to sacrifice for the greater good?

People of the world should not fall for the ‘Dawn of justice’ narrative in this Media centric Presidential campaign. America is a Capitalist state and will continue to be so, whether under Trump or Clinton. It is not the choice of Trump or Clinton that the world must battle to make. Instead the world needs to challenge Capitalism with a new contender, and that is Islam, the only ideological force that can save humanity from the clutches of self-destruction. It is Political Islam which will end  Global American Hegemony in the Muslim world that will be the new President elects worst nightmare.

It doesn’t make a difference if Trump or Clinton are elected. The dawn of justice will arrive when Capitalism’s contender will arrive on the world scene. Until then, the world can watch the joke of a show whilst the the impending reality is being produced and directed in lands far away.

By Majed Iqbal-  You maybe surprised by the title and be thinking “Hey , i’m Muslim and i’m in a job!.” or “That cant be true for 2016 can it?.” The reality is, many Muslims are finding it hard to bag jobs when in competition with others. Many out there are being denied access to job roles simply by displaying a Muslim name on their CV or turning up at an interview and receiving a cold shoulder.

Recent reports highlighted how Muslim women are severely disadvantaged when searching for employment, one of the reasons being their identity and overt expression of faith through their attire. Those in jobs already felt an ‘invisibility’ within the workplace, a sense of isolation and non-engagement in the office.

In 2014, the independent newspaper ran a report “British Muslims face worst job discrimination of any minority group, according to research”. It found the following

“Muslim men were up to 76 per cent less likely to have a job of any kind compared to white, male British Christians of the same age and with the same qualifications. And Muslim women were up to 65 per cent less likely to be employed than white Christian counterparts”

Fast forward a year, a research report issued by titled “Rising to the Top” revealed we should “Anonymise CVs to get more British Muslims in top jobs”. The report revealed that British Muslims were less proportionately represented in the managerial and professional occupations than any other religious group, and are also disproportionately likely to be unemployed and economically inactive.

The independent newspaper ran the story on this report with a bold title “Would Muslims get better jobs if bosses didn’t know they were Muslim?”. It highlighted how religion was becomeing more of an issue than skin colour now. Nabil Khattab, one of the authors of the study, offered some thoughts. “[Muslims] are perceived as disloyal and as a threat rather than just as a disadvantaged minority,” Khattab said. “Within this climate, many employers will be discouraged from employing qualified Muslims, especially if there are others from their own groups or others from less threatening groups who can fill these jobs.”

An opinion survey carried out by YouGov backed the findings from the Demos report, continuing to paint a bleak picture. The Huffington Post article read “7/7 Bombings Anniversary Poll Shows More Than Half Of Britons See Muslims As A Threat” revealed a decrease in proportion of people agreeing that most British Muslims were “peaceful, law-abiding citizens who deplore terror attacks in the name of Islam”.

The rising tide of Islamophobia orchestrated and stage managed by successive Governments, Politicians and sensationalist antagonistic media machinery has played an unprecedented role in radicalising the British Population against each other. Sometimes by questioning the loyalty of Muslims to prove how British they are or through manipulating thoughts of young Muslims through the prevent program at schools, colleges, universities, training venues on what is classed as acceptable ideas or through repetition of lies in the media about Muslims living in Britain- All have contributed towards people becoming fearful of Muslims and skeptical about the Islamic faith; This includes employers too.

Muslims must play a pivotal role in counteracting the negativities out there about their communities and Islam through active Dawah and a clear and uncompromising projection of Islam. This can happen across all sections of society including the workplace. Wherever there is discrimination, it needs to be voiced, challenged and resolved.

The report found concerning trends of sexual harassment in the workplace faced mainly by women from male colleagues as almost ‘culturally accepted’. Female participants in the report shared their feelings, sense of embarrassment and isolation when males colleagues would say to them “She loves it” or “Its a male dominated industry”. Many would argue that the Jimmy Saville and Benny Hill era is one of the past and  society has moved on from reducing women to sexual objectification. My question would be “Has it really?”.

The findings may lead some women to even question the unquestionable, the lofty ideals of equality and equal opportunities. Are male and female equal in the workplace? Are they treated fairly? Do the same opportunities exist for both sexes? Of those surveyed, the report found

• Nearly one in three (32%) of women have been subject to unwelcome jokes of a sexual nature while at work

• More than one in four (28%) of women have been the subject of comments of a sexual nature about their body or clothes at work

• Nearly a quarter (23%) of women have experienced unwanted touching – like a hand on the knee or lower back at work

• A fifth (20%) of women have experienced unwanted verbal sexual advances at work

In the Western hemisphere, many look to this side of the globe as a beacon of modernity, advancement and principled ideals. This perception is given the airtime where freedom is championed as the defacto ideal which has bought about this liberating environment. However, this myth is often shattered with such reports. It is therefore understandable why many women not only remain psychologically damaged by such ordeals but also remain skeptical of the false promise of secular advocates of women’s liberation.

Is it surprising why many look for alternative ideals to live their lives by, especially when mainly women are converting to Islam in the UK?

I was invited onto Ummah Channel, a UK based Islamic Television Station to discuss the issue on the ‘Community Platform’ Show with Host Anjum Anwar and fellow panelists Shanaz Saddique.