INTERVIEW: Inayat Bunglawala

[Unaiza]

Inayat Bunglawala is spokesperson at the Muslim Council of Britain. He is taking time out to be our Guest on Sunday 24th September, 7:00pm.. He will be online for approximately 1 hour, and available for any questions that Members may have for him.

Use this thread to post your questions. You may only post if you are an existing member of this Forum.

Please make your questions as clear as possible.

There are likely to be times when your questions are placed in a moderation queue and therefore delayed, PLEASE BE PATIENT. Do NOT keep re-posting the same question.

About our Guest

He is also a co-presenter of the weekly 'Politics and Media Show' on the Islam Channel (SKY 813).

Inayat has been active in UK Islamic organisations since he joined The Young Muslims UK in 1987.

He is the former editor of the muslim youth magazine, TRENDS.

He is also a shura member of the Islamic Society of Britain - the UK's most forward - looking Islamic movement. www.isb.org.uk .

He has written pieces about Islam and current affairs over the past few years for The Times, Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, Daily Express, The Observer and The Sun.

In August 2005, Inayat was appointed by the Home Office as the Convenor of a working group on Tackling Extremism among young muslims.

[Illuminate]

Inayat Bunglawala In August 2005, Inayat was appointed by the Home Office as the Convenor of a working group on Tackling Extremism among young muslims.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu


My Question:

Haven't the govt. conveners" for a Home Office task force who were given the responsibilities for tackling extremism, failed in taking any practical and pragmatic steps in tackling extremism among the young and ignorant muslim's in the community - except handing few recommendations to the govt.

To date no practical steps have been put in place to actually challenge the ideology of the radical muslims - surely you can not leave it to the govt. alone to implement these recommendations - but groups like ISB, MCB and others must lead the way.

Many muslim countries, like Saudi, Yemen, Indonesia and so on have taken real steps in rooting out extremism, have the home office task force, had a look at the ways which these countries are rooting extremsim's out – these countries have been very successful, so much so that even former radicals are playing a role in rooting out extremism.

So isn't time, rather than talking the talk, home office task force, along with muslim groups across the country, took it upon themselves to implement its own recommendations, as far as it can - rather than waiting for the govt. to act and lead the way.



Jazakallahkhariun for your time and all the effort you put in serving the muslim community!!


Wa Alaikum Mus Salam Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu

[FractionMan]

salaam Inayat,

I was looking at your entry on Wikipedia. It seems to have been hijacked by certain parties. It is a similar story with the mpac entry.

Do you have any idea why this is?

[utbah]

1. I believe you was an active Muslim student in your days, what message would you like to give to students like myself and the student community at large.

2. I know MCB don't go to the HMD because it only remembers one atrocity in the world, but isn't it time that Muslims and None Muslims organise another day to remember all atrocities in all political climates such as the Israel ethinic cleansing project, darfur, chechneya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma, Tibet and so on.

[saladin1970.5]

should the mcb do more to create muslim institutions to study Occidentalism.
Such as how the real levers of powers work in the judicury and the government.

whether it is within the uk, or within muslim countries (with western muslim knowledge)

p.s if your wiki page has been vandalised, put it on muslimwikipedia.com and link to it at the other wiki site :-)

[anwar aftab]

Day by day we are seeing that coming generations of Islamic countries are leaving their social values and ethics and adopting western culture, it seems that in coming days in our countries Islamic values will be remained only on those villages which are far from the modern cities, whe it is happening

[Damascus]

Dear Mr. Inayat

Why does the MCB give ambiguous statements on suicide bombings. If it happens in the Western Europe you and your Asian Men ONLY Muslim Club (MCB) though a lot of outside pressure condemn them and rightly so. But when it happens in Palestinian, Kashmir, Israel, Iraq the MCB stayed quite and more to the point, you signaled that it was a complicit thing, in the conducting of resistance and at no point did the MCB say it was totally unislamic until 7/7 were you HAD to fully condemn this evil action of suicide bombing and with UK islamic leaders issue a better late then never fatwa. The MCB would say violence is wrong in Muslim land carried out by UK, US, Israel etc, etc But stay silent on the violence carried out by MUSLIM suicidal murders abroad. It is totally wrong to be violent and then claim you are defending innocent Muslim men, women and children when you kill innocent men, women and children in London, New York, Madrid, Baghdad, Basra, Karachi, Mumbai etc, etc But the HYPOCRISY that came from the MCB that only condemned one side but said nothing about the other. Do think this huge mistake by the MCB legitimised in the minds of UK Muslims that it was okay and Islamic for suicide bombings and which were then highlighted as attitude that resembles UK Muslim public opinion in resent polls that said “13% of British Muslims think that the four men who carried out the London Tube and bus bombings of July 7, 2005, should be regarded as “martyrs” “ and “7% agree that suicide attacks on civilians in the UK can be justified in some circumstances, rising to 16 per cent for a military target” and do think the lack of action by the MCB in Muslim communities to address and tackle this issue led to these attitudes? What was the reason for MCB policy change on this issue? And how have the MCB implemented the fatwa and what educational programs to provided for the young and ignorant Muslims within the UK to integrate into society, after many years of being told to stay away from the kafir?

Many Muslims like myself believe that the MCB has done more harm to UK Muslim and non Muslim relations than good. The many ambiguous statements from 911 to 7/7 from the MCB have not helped and have set out to confuse and isolate Muslims even more. Also as an organisation which has been given more air time than anyone else on Muslim and Islamic issue in the UK media you have been a disastrous failure. As my many non Muslim friends and colleagues have said, when a representative from the MCB appears on the news they switch over or heckle the television as they regard the statements as dual messages being peddled and playing towards a non Muslim audience. In other words saying one thing publicly and another in private or one thing on camera and another off it. It is not only the non Muslim who feel that you don’t represent them but many Muslim youth regard your organistion as the embodiment of what is wrong in the UK Muslim community. A decrepit, stagnate and totally inept leadership of people from the MCB, Mosque committees, community leaders, Muslim MP etc, etc, etc who are in charge, who have no respect from the very people they represent and when the youth want to address issues or change something in the status quo they are attacked and labeled Hizb ut Tahir and Al-Muhajiroun. So in future they remain silent and disengage with trying to help the community advance. What is the MCB doing in its 400 affiliates to address this issue of questionable leadership, disenfranchised youth? and more importantly UK Muslims are the most underachieving in education and employment, how does the MCB feel about this and how will it address these issues to the Muslim leadership of the 400 affiliates to do something proactive about it?


The many incoherent English speaking Asian Muslim spokesman you have always take the burden of a whole community and become the sacrificial lamb for the London Bombings, Airport Terror Alerts as the media keep spinning the downing street orders to collectively blame and place the entire guilt on the Muslim community and the MCB rolls and spins for the goverment and follow its line. When will the MCB change from supporting new labour and stop spinning the government line? And when will we see a female spokeswoman and when will we see someone who is not Asian as representative of UK Muslims?

Why is the MCB late in its action alerts for geopolitical issues such as Dafur?
Do you not think that we UK Muslims should grasp the nettle from our distractors and highlight the plight in Dufur. Why do we ordinary Muslims have to force all the so called British muslim organisations (in the best possible way of cause) to address such issue. We need our religious leader issuing fatwa on the murdering of brothers by brothers. The Rape of Muslims Sisters by Brothers. It is total hypocrisy if we don't do anything for them and yet still highlight the Palestinians, Lebanese, Kashmir, Iraqi and Checynans etc, etc We need MCB to be proactive but as usual you only do something when when the Christians invite you. Why does this always happen with the MCB?

Do you agree that the MCB should have a Suggestion and Criticism box in the form of a thread on the MPAC forum, so you can keep in touch with grass roots Muslims and what they think you should do? As one of the many criticism is of the MCB is that its detached for the UK Muslim base.

Do you not think that in the age of the image and representation via the MEDIA that the MCB's Secretary General Dr Abdul Bari should stop putting henna or hair dye on his head and act his age and accept that he's going grey? and do you not think that the MCB should of elected a person who has the ablity to speak eloquent english with NO ASIAN ACCENT as it districts non muslims and they pay little or NO attention to the MCB statements as they are NOT expressing readily, clearly, or effectively conveying any meaning? you could take a leaf out of MPAC's book on this issue. big up Asghar Bukhari!!! Do you not think at the MCB that this is important or are you all aiming for a Knighthood? and So you don't want to rock the boat and portray muslims as educated and eloquent and who can argue their point across, without losing most of it poor broken english.

This is what Frank O’Donnell A Former Fox News Producer says on Image and representation via the MEDIA:

What they’ll try to put on the appearance of being
balanced, but really kind of a mismatch. You’ll have a
Hannity And Colmes Show where Hannity
is a really, a good-looking, kind of clean-cut
all-American kind of guy and, and his counterpart is a little squirrelly looking,
frankly. And you kind of say he’s the liberal? Well,
maybe he’s not so smart after all and it, and it, and it sends a subtle message,

Mr. Inayat what kind of subtle message do you think you and the MCB are projecting to the UK's non muslims everytime your on TV or Radio?

Please Mr. Inayat get the MCB's Secretary General Dr Abdul Bari to also read the question on this forum.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5272/untitled1hs2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Graham]

Do you agree with the 911 Comissions findings, or do you think there needs to be a re-investigation of 911?

[vegael2003]

Dear Mr. Inayat

What is the meaning of British Muslim? Is the British Muslim different than other (Philippine, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and all third world country) Muslim? Muslim is the religion community and Nationality is the culture of nationalism, so can you differ the Muslim community by the Nationalism?

But we do it always because we tell Arabian Muslim, Iranian Muslim, Pakistani Muslim etc. and our enemy takes the chance on this point.

[Friend]

Salaam brother Inayat,

May Allah bless you for your good work.

The media and politicians are constantly reffering to terorrism by Muslims and Muslim terorrists as "Islamic terorrism" and "Islamists" or "Jihadists", respectively. These terms obviously implies that terrorism and terorrists are part and parcel of our Islamic religion, and it does not do any good to distance Islam from this evil.

Is there a campaign being waged by the MCB to get the media and politicians to stop using such terms to describe the terorrists and terorrism?

How plausible do you think it is that Muslim organisations could manage to get these terms banned in the media?

JazakAllah khayr in advance for your answers and may Allah keep you active in His path.

Salaam

[ish264u]

Salam brother

What is MCB doing about the plight of Darfur?

[abu_ali]

1. why did you say on radio that its allowed for the muslims to join the british army even though they might kill muslims as long as you feel its ok then its ok..

where did you get this hukm from.. when we all know its haram to fight and spill the blood of a fellow muslim?

2. Has the governemnt fallen out of favour with the mcb.. they are now looking to sufi council..

[watchthevideo]

Rep. Curt Weldon – Vice Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Ten-term Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania.

Press conference transcript 9/17/05: Regarding the 9/11 Commission Report "There's something wrong here, something tragically wrong. The American people, the families, the country and the Congress need to know the truth, the whole truth, the complete truth. And so far we haven't gotten it. … Somebody's got to connect the dots and answer the questions. If the 9/11 Commission won't do it, then Congress has to do it."

Morgan Reynolds, PhD – Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Labor under George W. Bush 2001-2002. Former Director of the Criminal Justice Center at the National Center for Policy Analysis. Professor Emeritus, Economics, Texas A&M University.

Video: "I first began to suspect that 9/11 was in inside job when the Bush-Cheney Administration invaded Iraq. … We can prove that the government’s story is false."

Paul Craig Roberts, PhD – Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury under Ronald Reagan, "Father of Reaganomics", Former Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal. Currently Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Essay: "We know that it is strictly impossible for any building, much less steel columned buildings, to "pancake" at free fall speed. Therefore, it is a non-controversial fact that the official explanation of the collapse of the WTC buildings is false."

Essay: "There are not many editors eager for writers to explore the glaring defects of the 9/11 Commission Report. One would think that if the report could stand analysis, there would not be a taboo against calling attention to the inadequacy of its explanations."

Catherine Austin Fitts – Assistant Secretary of Housing under George H.W. Bush. Former Managing Director and Member of the Board of Directors of the Wall Street investment bank, Dillon, Read & Co.

Audio Interview: Regarding 9/11 "The official story could not possibly have happened. … It’s not possible. It’s not operationally feasible. … The Commission was a whitewash."

Essay: "The first category of people who benefited were those who are guilty and complicit in designing, implementing and financing the 9-11 operation. On such a sophisticated and successful covert operation, the people responsible would have had budgets and financing and would have organized the operation to maximize their political and financial benefits."

Major General Albert Stubblebine, U.S. Army (ret) – Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), 1981 - 1984. Also commanded the U.S. Army’s Electronic Research and Development Command (ERADCOM) and the U.S. Army’s Intelligence School and Center. Former head of Imagery Interpretation for Scientific and Technical Intelligence. 32-year Army career.

Video: "One of my experiences in the Army was being in charge of the Army’s Imagery Interpretation for Scientific and Technical Intelligence during the Cold War. I measured pieces of Soviet equipment from photographs. It was my job. I look at the hole in the Pentagon and I look at the size of an airplane that was supposed to have hit the Pentagon. And I said, ‘The plane does not fit in that hole’. So what did hit the Pentagon? What hit it? Where is it? What's going on?"

Raymond L. McGovern – Former Chairman, National Intelligence Estimates, CIA, responsible for preparing the President’ Daily Brief (PDB) for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. 27-year CIA veteran.

Video: "I think at simplest terms, there’s a cover-up. The 9/11 report is a joke. The question is: What’s being covered up? Is it gross malfeasance, gross negligence, misfeasance? … Now there are a whole bunch of unanswered questions. And the reason they’re unanswered is because this administration will not answer the questions. … I just want to reassert, what Scott [Ritter, former Major in the U.S. Marines Corps, former Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations Special Commission in Iraq] said and this is the bottom line for me, just as Hitler in 1933 cynically exploited the burning of the parliament building, the Reichstag, this is exactly what our President did in exploiting 9/11. The cynical way in which he played on our trauma, used it to justify attacking, making a war of aggression on a country that he knew had nothing to do with 9/11. That suffices for me, I think Scott is exactly right, that’s certainly an impeachable offense."

Col. Robert Bowman, PhD, U.S. Air Force (ret) – Director of Advanced Space Programs Development "Star Wars Program" under Presidents Ford and Carter. U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with over 100 combat missions. (PhD in Aeronautics and Nuclear Engineering, Cal Tech).

Video: "A lot of these pieces of information, taken together, prove that the official story, the official conspiracy theory of 9/11 is a bunch of hogwash. It’s impossible. … There’s a second group of facts having to do with the cover up. … Taken together these things prove that high levels of our government don’t want us to know what happened and who’s responsible. … Who gained from 9/11? Who covered up crucial information about 9/11? And who put out the patently false stories about 9/11 in the first place? When you take those three things together, I think the case is pretty clear that it’s highly placed individuals in the administration with all roads passing through Dick Cheney. I think the very kindest thing that we can say about George W. Bush and all the people in the U.S. Government that have been involved in this massive cover-up, the very kindest thing we can say is that they were aware of impending attacks and let them happen. Now some people will say that’s much too kind, however even that is high treason and conspiracy to commit murder."

Col. George Nelson, U.S. Air Force (ret) – Former U.S. Air Force aircraft accident investigator and airplane parts authority. 34-year Air Force career.

Essay: "The government alleges that four wide-body airliners crashed on the morning of September 11 2001, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 human beings, yet not one piece of hard aircraft evidence has been produced in an attempt to positively identify any of the four aircraft. On the contrary, it seems only that all potential evidence was deliberately kept hidden from public view. …

With all the evidence readily available at the Pentagon crash site, any unbiased rational investigator could only conclude that a Boeing 757 did not fly into the Pentagon as alleged. Similarly, with all the evidence available at the Pennsylvania crash site, it was most doubtful that a passenger airliner caused the obvious hole in the ground and certainly not the Boeing 757 as alleged. …

As painful and heartbreaking as was the loss of innocent lives and the lingering health problems of thousands more, a most troublesome and nightmarish probability remains that so many Americans appear to be involved in the most heinous conspiracy in our country's history."

Michael Meacher – Former Under Secretary for Industry, Under Secretary for Health and Social Security, Minister for the Environment, and Member of the House of Commons (Parliament) (UK).

Video: Regarding the 9/11 Commission Report "It was a 580-page avoidance of any serious explanation. … The official investigative report says the US has never been able to find the sources of financing for 9/11. And then they say this "That after all is a matter of no great importance."

General Leonid Ivashov – Former Chief of Staff of the Russian armed forces on 9/11/2001, and Department Chief for General affairs in the Soviet Union's Ministry of Defense.

Essay: Regarding 9/11 "Only secret services and their current chiefs – or those retired but still having influence inside the state organizations – have the ability to plan, organize and conduct an operation of such magnitude."

MANY MORE IN LINK:http://www.patriotsquestion911.com/

Have you or MCB made any public statements where you question the official version of 9/11..?

If you or MCB havnt made any public statements can you give reasons for NOT doing so.

[Salaam]

Assalamu Alaikum,

Question one:

What can MCB do to ensure provisions are made in the mosques across the UK to allow muslim females to carry out their worship in these holy places? How can we change the mentality of the asian men who refuse to allow a woman entry into the mosque and yet have no problem with their women going out to work, shop and socialise in public?

Some would argue (and maybe rightfully) that a woman's place of worship is in her home. But we're living in times when muslim women can be found out and about a lot and it seems a downright shame that they are denied the basic right to pop into any one of the many local mosques and offer their obligatory prayers on time.

Question two:

In a recent press release (Dailymail, 11 Sept 2006) Dr Abdul Bari was quoted to have said that if muslims in this country continue to be treated as terrorists then Britain could have upto 2 million terrorists on her hands...

Do you think it's sensible of brother Abdul Bari to have made such a sensationalist statement? To me this would seem to be the kind of comment the BNP and other islamophobic entities would love to hear.

[Rehaam]

As Salaam Alaykum Brother Inayat,


Seeing that MCB hopes to represent British Muslim what measures are being taken to generate publicity for the organisation and developing a forum on the website so that the general public has an opportunity to learn about Islam, Bme communities and allow interaction between muslims and muslims and non muslims etc?
One of the things the above would achieve is for the younger muslim/non muslim generation to be more active with MCB and allow wider representation of British muslims.


Having access to a wide muslim national audience in the UK of varying age, race and profession how can these resources be used by MCB to overcome some basic problems that muslim communities are facing. For example, with regards to women not being allowed into mosques can there be a body of representation (made of members or using resources that members have) that would use the appropriate channels to challange such exclusion which is stopping the community from communicating, working togeather and moving forward?

What is MCB doing to develop services and grow as an organisation to represent and meet the needs of the muslim community ensuring that there is integration with the wider community at the same time. For example, guidelines on how muslims should deal with the police, or with discrimination for wearing the hijab or take steps to promote education within muslim communities?

What does MCB do to support reverts who may no longer have their family/social support system to integrate with the muslim community who can often be closed and unresponsive?

Apologies if these questions have been answered previously and thanking you for your time in advance.

[uptownsinclair]

Mr Inayat,

I abhor violence in all of its forms...mainly it serves as an indice of " a lack of imagination".


I'd be willing to wager a $200 US bet to charity that the MBC would get a lot more mileage by convincing Hezbollah to ask Israel to join in a disarmament calling on both sides to destroy their stockpiles of "30 mm cannon shells with proximity fusing".....you know, the kind of shells Israeli Mirage fighters used in the attack on the USS Liberty on June 8, 1967.

Also, ask your pro-Zionist friends... just exactly what photo recon aircraft units Israel had during the Six-Day War against the surrounding Arab states???

Ask them...no!!! demand that they show you a photo recon snapshot of Egyptian airfields with the shadow of a delta-winged Mirage fighter :rolleyes:

...in fact, insist on seeing delta-winged shadows next to Moshe Dayan eating lunch, showing he could not have ordered the attack on the USS Liberty

[PhoeniX]

Salaam Alaikum,

I have heard alot about the Muslim Council of Britain.

How does one get to work for the MCB?

Briefly, what does your organisation do?

And as a European how can I go about doing something similar in other countries?

[antioch]

Why are there so many organisations that claim to represent muslims in this country? Do they all fall under the umbrella of the MCB? If not, why isn't there some consolidation so muslims in britain have a more coherent voice?

[dancer]

Here's what I learnt of what POLITICS isn't - One doesn't learn politics at university by studying Political Science.

"There's no science in politics. No 'political scientist' has ever been succesful in politics." (A leading North American politician)

Personally I tend to agree with the above opinion one hunderd per cent. I am eager to know your views.

[Highlanderess]

Why has the Muslim Council of Britain never spoken out and enlightened the
community to the desperate plight of the Muslim men who are detained without
charge or trial in British prisons. Does this silence infer that my friends
and their families are not considered part of the Ummah?

I ask this question of Mr. Bunglawala as my friends have suffered
indefinite detention or exceptional bail conditions since 2001 and there is
only a deafening silence from Muslim organisations. Perhaps I am mistaken
but I can say with certainty that these men feel abandoned by their brothers
in Islam.

[Illuminate]

Salams


One of the aims of MCB when inaugurated in 1997, was to promote co-operation, have consensus and unity on muslim affairs in the UK – Hasn’t MCB failed to achieve this in the last decade, due to the reason it is highly bureaucratic – Muslim community remains the most fragmented group from all faiths and groups in the UK. Isn’t it time for MCB, to change it structure revamp the General Assembly, the Central working Committee and putting in a place, something which will make the MCB more streamline in addressing the modern and current day issue’s???


Today MCB has around 400 affiliates - What would you say to the suggestion that - MCB encourage the closing and merging some of these groups - some of these affiliates are no more than registered charitable groups, they should be encourage to work as a single entity – over half who have a charitable status, are regularly late in submitting there Accounts and Annual Returns – isn’t this gross negligence, isn’t it time for MCB to play its part in encouraging some of it affilitates to merge – and make some of these charitable groups a single entity - there are many advantages for the muslim community if this happens.



Also with all these affliates what standard are these affilates meant to abide by and is there a code of conduct for all your affiliates.


Finally, could you outline how MCB is funded and how it allocates it resources between national, regional, local bodies and the various projects it undertakes.


JZK


:ws:

[United1Voice]

Salaam Brother Inayat.
Question.

Why can you not tell the British Government that the cause of terrorism in the UK is 100 percent; due to the policy of the Current Government. With regards to Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.
Thankyou.

Drill it into them make it black and white.

Cause at the moment Mr Tony Blair don't tink so...

[Hamas786]

AA.

Why do you consistently use the terminology of the Islamophobes? I notice that you use the terms 'moderate Muslim' and 'extremists' very often, which is part of a false narrative that Muslims are a problem. Do you not realise that if you continue to use these terms (which are not terms that Muslims describe themselves as - we are just Muslim) then you add credibility to this narrative?

To my mind, this is so basic that even a simpleton should realise that this is damaging. Labels are being used to divide and rule and I understand that people following an anti-Muslim agenda would use such labels, but why does an organisation like the MCB use these terms? I respectfully ask that you ban the use of these terms forthwith. We are just Muslims and everyone has a point of view. That does not mean that people are extremist or moderate. It just means that they have a point of view.

The same applies when you get involved in government projects to tackle 'extresmism' and so on. Can you not see that again, this is damaging? These events are set up to again validate a false narrative that Muslims are a problem, are a PR stunt to bolster the government line, so why do Muslim organisations shoot themselves in the foot and go along with it all? Again, I respectfully ask that the MCB withdraw and not co-operate because if you do, you certainly do not speak for me.

WA.

[Damascus]

Dear Mr. Inayat

This issue of our British mosques has many problems.

Firstly what will the MCB do to stop the importing of Village Imams from the Indian Sub-subcontinent? As they form the backbone of the division and the status quo of back home village politics. And when Muslims from the other parts of the world attended the Mosques they face a language and nationalism obstruction rooted in many mosque trustees. When will the MCB attack the very ignorant people who are in charge of our Islamic institutions, who follow the dogma of village politics and bring in village imams from pakistan to do their biding and who are apparatchiks of the MCB and new labour party politics that run our community like were still in the village and who suppress women and the youth from the debate.
We have caste based mosques in this country why won't you denounced the caste system MOSQUES as unislamic and a another obstacle to integration of NON ASIAN MUSLIMS IN UK MOSQUES. Which has led to NON ASIAN MUSLIMS having their own mosques and thus more division? WHAT IS THE MCB DOING? and don't say The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) as the the independence of the Mosque's committee and powerful community representatives will still have the same overriding material interest and control over the MINAB advice and suggestions.

Secondly our Children attend Mosques to learn. What safe guards has the MCB implemented to protect our children from all types of abuse that will be part of a national registered scheme? And what form of education and policies has the MCB come up with to combat ghetto and street culture mentality from our children? Have you not seen the anti-social behaviour coming from Muslims in certain communities as they take part in gangs, drugs selling, prostitution, and many other criminal activities? More and more of our children are ending up in prison what are the MCB doing anything about?

It always falls on the young Muslims to seek their own response to the challenges of living in a Western society and totally independent of the older generations. I have NEVER seen a Community Empowerment by the MCB on the anti-social behaviour coming from Muslims, the gangs, drugs taking and selling, the pimping of prostitution, fraud, cheating and more cheating in the form of "agree a price and barter after the work is done attitude' and many other criminal activities, not to menchen Honor killings. Why is this? Is down to the attitude of not washing one's dirty laundry in public and just brush it under the carpit and hope it goes away? The MCB did that with extremism and we had agrowth of extremist groups and 7/7.


The whole issue and agenda setting in the media about Sharia law in the UK is driven to spilt UK Muslims further from society and as a tool to scaremonger people..."them Muslims are making a states within a state" "They will have sharia law in Bradistan" "Their taking over" As UK Muslims lets not walk head on to it. Why wont the MCB make itself clear on this issue? The people who are asking for this to be implemented are the very same mosque leaders that have done a top notch job so far NOT. We need a clear statement from our so-called Muslim bodies to say that we do not want any faith-based family-law arbitrations period. To stop this Anti-sharia hysteria you will also STOP much of the islamophobia surrounding this issue and non-Muslims voting BNP. As that’s the point of it, but will Muslim council of Britain do any thing about it and nip it in the bud...? No they'll wait till it gets out of hand and then release an ambiguous statement, which will not help...

Will the MCB EVER criticise it sister groups in Pakistan or MCB affiliate organisation? When they make racist hate speech towards Jews and non-Muslims. Why oh why do you not stop this ignorance and victim mentality of UK Muslims to blame everything on other people and not at themselves? My god man do you not see some of the hate, intolerance, incitement and misogyny coming from the mosques and how do you think this will effect the young growing up in this already unstable time?

I think the MCB knows it has a problem with its affiliates, but is unwilling and totally scared of drawing up a code of conduct. As the MCB fears more the claims off losing face or selling out by the very Ignorant community leaders who pedal and promote this hatred, and division. Because if people truly looked at the Muslim community problems they would see much of it is at the hands of Muslims. Do you not agree?

The Fiqh Council of North America is an independent body, comprised of qualified Islamic scholars in North America. The Council communicates with experts and consultants to meet expected needs for rulings and advice in various areas of Islamic life in North America. Where is The Fiqh Council of Britain or Europe? Do you not think this kind of institution will help more to cleanse the ignorance from our communities? What role has MCB in the European Council of Fatwa and Research as it is striving to become the exclusive authority of jurisprudence for the Muslims of Europe? Will the MCB help in creating a situation where all the Muslim Diaspora of Europe follow its decisions only and act as an official legal branch of a sovereign Muslim European body, free from national material interest of foreign elements, middle eastern or asian governments and regimes.

What has the MCB done for Muslim asylum seekers apart from abandoning them?
Once agian Christian Missionaries do more for them then their own Muslim brethren. Churchers have done more for Muslim asylum seekers than the Muslims. The ordinary Christians take time out to attend meetings and write to councillors and MPs regarding the injustices suffered by asylum seekers. But no collective effort from MCB or Affiliates to mobilise UK muslims why is this?

Have the MCB done anything for this years ramadan in the form of Nationwide iftar open days to non muslims to open Mosques doors in a effort to clear stereotypes and give better understanding of our faith? As this perfect opportunity to show non-muslims we are not all fanatical religious nutters or is that the MCB feel that publishing a report on an mosque open door policy was enough and putting into practise is someone else job?


There is an old saying that The road to hell is paved with good intentions do you not think the MCB fits this discription? As it takes the UK Muslims down a road of no return in Britain?

Aims & Objectives of the MCB (from the Constitution)

To promote cooperation, consensus and unity on Muslim affairs in the UK
To encourage and strengthen all existing efforts being made for the benefit
of the Muslim community Failed

To work for a more enlightened appreciation of Islam and Muslims in the
wider society Totally botched and going downhill fast

To establish a position for the Muslim community with British society that is
fair and based on due rights Bungled and added to the culture of self-imposed alienation within British society

To work for the eradication of disadvantages and forms of discrimination
faced by Muslims Enhanced and Amplified islamophobia from the man on the street to an institutionalised form in every type of organisation in the UK

To foster better community relations and work for the good of society as a
whole Total Lie and Two Faced Statement As the evidence shows from the non punishment or exclusion of MCB affiliates who Propagate the ignorant blame game towards Jews and Non Muslims and the idea of integration as unthinkable as the mantra of "You don’t get anywhere with the dirty kuffar" is preached.

Have you ever thought of resigning from the MCB because of its many futile political, economic, and cultural failures?

Please do take your time in answering all my questions and points from both pages, as i fear i will never get the opportunity again from a spokesman from the MCB

[thehook]

Assalaamy alaikum Inayat

Ramadan Mubarak first and hope you are in the best health and Imaan. The following questions, and you don't have to answer all if you have no time as I know many questions need answering here.

The first is:

1. There has to be one major leading force to represent the Muslim community so we can unify and be one voice. The many organisations are confusing a lot of youths and Muslims in community.

So who do you feel is Representing the Muslim Community and why? It's not a trick question brother. I really do need to know for the youths I am working with and also for myself.

2. What are the challenges you foresee at this moment in time at the Home Office regarding Tackling Extremism and what do you think community need to do?

3. Also, I like to know how you got the opportunity to write for newspapers as this is a medium that can help for Muslims to communicate to the masses.

Jazak Allah Khairun

Wassalaam

[NewIntifada]

Dear Mr Bunglawala,

Do you believe it is ever acceptable for British Muslims to support attacks on British troops by the Taliban or Iraqi 'resistance'?

What do you think of Muslims who do think it's acceptable?

[Inayat]

Assalamu Alaikum Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu


My Question:

Haven't the govt. conveners" for a Home Office task force who were given the responsibilities for tackling extremism, failed in taking any practical and pragmatic steps in tackling extremism among the young and ignorant muslim's in the community - except handing few recommendations to the govt.

To date no practical steps have been put in place to actually challenge the ideology of the radical muslims - surely you can not leave it to the govt. alone to implement these recommendations - but groups like ISB, MCB and others must lead the way.

Many muslim countries, like Saudi, Yemen, Indonesia and so on have taken real steps in rooting out extremism, have the home office task force, had a look at the ways which these countries are rooting extremsim's out – these countries have been very successful, so much so that even former radicals are playing a role in rooting out extremism.

So isn't time, rather than talking the talk, home office task force, along with muslim groups across the country, took it upon themselves to implement its own recommendations, as far as it can - rather than waiting for the govt. to act and lead the way.

Jazakallahkhariun for your time and all the effort you put in serving the muslim community!!

Wa Alaikum Mus Salam Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu



In August 2005 I was appointed as the convenor of a Home Office working group on "tackling extremism". It was one of seven Muslim working groups that the Home Office set up in the wake of the 7/7 terrorist strikes in London to help come up with workable recommendations on how best to prevent extremism. It was in my view a sensible initiative with a very diverse group of British Muslims included and the final report from these working groups can be read from at:

http://raceandfaith.communities.gov.uk/raceandfaith/reports_pubs/publications/race_faith/PET-working-groups-aug-0ct05

I agree with you that British Muslims have a vitally important role to play in trying to ensure that its youths are brought up with a mainstream understanding of Islamic teachings and do not get misled by extremists.

A couple of years ago the MCB produced 500,000 copies of a Pocket Guide on Rights and Responsibilities. You can download a copy from here:
http://www.mcb.org.uk/PDF27Sept.pdf .

The Pocket Guide was a call for greater interaction and engagement with the wider British society so that Muslims can fulfill their true potential and work for the common good of everyone who lives in these Isles. A newer version will be printed shortly, insha' Allah.

However, if you look at page 98 of the Home Office working group report - the section contributed by the working group of which I was convenor - it said:

British foreign policy - especially in the Middle East - cannot be left unconsidered as a factor in the motivations of criminal radical extremists. We believe it is a key contributory factor.

Earlier this year (2nd April 2006), the Sunday Times published a story about a secret memo from April 2005 that it had gotten hold of from the joint intelligence committee (JIC) that stated that the Iraq war "has reinforced the determination of terrorists who were already committed to attacking the west and motivated others who were not".

So, the complex issue of extremism cannot in my view be dealt with by British Muslims alone. The government too needs to honestly examine how some of its own policies - particularly in the Middle East - have contributed to an atmosphere that has made it a lot easier for the spread of extremist ideas.

[Inayat]

1. I believe you was an active Muslim student in your days, what message would you like to give to students like myself and the student community at large.

2. I know MCB don't go to the HMD because it only remembers one atrocity in the world, but isn't it time that Muslims and None Muslims organise another day to remember all atrocities in all political climates such as the Israel ethinic cleansing project, darfur, chechneya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Burma, Tibet and so on.

For students: time will pass remarkably quickly. I can't quite believe that I first started at university over 19 years ago! Utilise your free time to learn the basic fundamentals of the Islamic faith and to better understand the responsibilities towards our society (ie towards Muslims and non-Muslims) that go hand in hand with being a believer in Islam.

On HMD: It is true that the MCB has not attended the Holocaust Memorial Day since it was first instituted in 2001. We believe that a memorial day should be more inclusive and honour the victims of all mass killings equally without regard for ethnicity of religious background. You can read an explanation of the MCB's position at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1573739,00.html .

Regarding organising a separate and more inclusive memorial day, this idea has been floated previously but really needs someone energetic to champion it.

[Inayat]

Dear Mr. Inayat

Why does the MCB give ambiguous statements on suicide bombings. If it happens in the Western Europe you and your Asian Men ONLY Muslim Club (MCB) though a lot of outside pressure condemn them and rightly so. But when it happens in Palestinian, Kashmir, Israel, Iraq the MCB stayed quite and more to the point, you signaled that it was a complicit thing, in the conducting of resistance and at no point did the MCB say it was totally unislamic until 7/7 were you HAD to fully condemn this evil action of suicide bombing and with UK islamic leaders issue a better late then never fatwa. The MCB would say violence is wrong in Muslim land carried out by UK, US, Israel etc, etc But stay silent on the violence carried out by MUSLIM suicidal murders abroad. It is totally wrong to be violent and then claim you are defending innocent Muslim men, women and children when you kill innocent men, women and children in London, New York, Madrid, Baghdad, Basra, Karachi, Mumbai etc, etc But the HYPOCRISY that came from the MCB that only condemned one side but said nothing about the other. Do think this huge mistake by the MCB legitimised in the minds of UK Muslims that it was okay and Islamic for suicide bombings and which were then highlighted as attitude that resembles UK Muslim public opinion in resent polls that said “13% of British Muslims think that the four men who carried out the London Tube and bus bombings of July 7, 2005, should be regarded as “martyrs” “ and “7% agree that suicide attacks on civilians in the UK can be justified in some circumstances, rising to 16 per cent for a military target” and do think the lack of action by the MCB in Muslim communities to address and tackle this issue led to these attitudes? What was the reason for MCB policy change on this issue? And how have the MCB implemented the fatwa and what educational programs to provided for the young and ignorant Muslims within the UK to integrate into society, after many years of being told to stay away from the kafir?

Many Muslims like myself believe that the MCB has done more harm to UK Muslim and non Muslim relations than good. The many ambiguous statements from 911 to 7/7 from the MCB have not helped and have set out to confuse and isolate Muslims even more. Also as an organisation which has been given more air time than anyone else on Muslim and Islamic issue in the UK media you have been a disastrous failure. As my many non Muslim friends and colleagues have said, when a representative from the MCB appears on the news they switch over or heckle the television as they regard the statements as dual messages being peddled and playing towards a non Muslim audience. In other words saying one thing publicly and another in private or one thing on camera and another off it. It is not only the non Muslim who feel that you don’t represent them but many Muslim youth regard your organistion as the embodiment of what is wrong in the UK Muslim community. A decrepit, stagnate and totally inept leadership of people from the MCB, Mosque committees, community leaders, Muslim MP etc, etc, etc who are in charge, who have no respect from the very people they represent and when the youth want to address issues or change something in the status quo they are attacked and labeled Hizb ut Tahir and Al-Muhajiroun. So in future they remain silent and disengage with trying to help the community advance. What is the MCB doing in its 400 affiliates to address this issue of questionable leadership, disenfranchised youth? and more importantly UK Muslims are the most underachieving in education and employment, how does the MCB feel about this and how will it address these issues to the Muslim leadership of the 400 affiliates to do something proactive about it?


The many incoherent English speaking Asian Muslim spokesman you have always take the burden of a whole community and become the sacrificial lamb for the London Bombings, Airport Terror Alerts as the media keep spinning the downing street orders to collectively blame and place the entire guilt on the Muslim community and the MCB rolls and spins for the goverment and follow its line. When will the MCB change from supporting new labour and stop spinning the government line? And when will we see a female spokeswoman and when will we see someone who is not Asian as representative of UK Muslims?

Why is the MCB late in its action alerts for geopolitical issues such as Dafur?
Do you not think that we UK Muslims should grasp the nettle from our distractors and highlight the plight in Dufur. Why do we ordinary Muslims have to force all the so called British muslim organisations (in the best possible way of cause) to address such issue. We need our religious leader issuing fatwa on the murdering of brothers by brothers. The Rape of Muslims Sisters by Brothers. It is total hypocrisy if we don't do anything for them and yet still highlight the Palestinians, Lebanese, Kashmir, Iraqi and Checynans etc, etc We need MCB to be proactive but as usual you only do something when when the Christians invite you. Why does this always happen with the MCB?

Do you agree that the MCB should have a Suggestion and Criticism box in the form of a thread on the MPAC forum, so you can keep in touch with grass roots Muslims and what they think you should do? As one of the many criticism is of the MCB is that its detached for the UK Muslim base.

Do you not think that in the age of the image and representation via the MEDIA that the MCB's Secretary General Dr Abdul Bari should stop putting henna or hair dye on his head and act his age and accept that he's going grey? and do you not think that the MCB should of elected a person who has the ablity to speak eloquent english with NO ASIAN ACCENT as it districts non muslims and they pay little or NO attention to the MCB statements as they are NOT expressing readily, clearly, or effectively conveying any meaning? you could take a leaf out of MPAC's book on this issue. big up Asghar Bukhari!!! Do you not think at the MCB that this is important or are you all aiming for a Knighthood? and So you don't want to rock the boat and portray muslims as educated and eloquent and who can argue their point across, without losing most of it poor broken english.

This is what Frank O’Donnell A Former Fox News Producer says on Image and representation via the MEDIA:

What they’ll try to put on the appearance of being
balanced, but really kind of a mismatch. You’ll have a
Hannity And Colmes Show where Hannity
is a really, a good-looking, kind of clean-cut
all-American kind of guy and, and his counterpart is a little squirrelly looking,
frankly. And you kind of say he’s the liberal? Well,
maybe he’s not so smart after all and it, and it, and it sends a subtle message,

Mr. Inayat what kind of subtle message do you think you and the MCB are projecting to the UK's non muslims everytime your on TV or Radio?

Please Mr. Inayat get the MCB's Secretary General Dr Abdul Bari to also read the question on this forum.



I don't agree that there is anything ambiguous about the MCB's position on suicide bombings. We have repeatedly made it clear that we utterly condemn the deliberate killing of all civilians whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims, and whether it is carried out in the UK or anywhere else in the world.

As for the MCB's leadership - we hold elections every two years. Every MCB affiliate in the country is entitled to participate and vote in the elections. If you think you have something to offer then please get involved - we welcome the participation of every concerned Muslim.

As for non-Asian spokespersons - our Deputy Secretary-General, Dr Daud Abdullah, is from Grenada in the Caribbean.

Regarding your question about Darfur: I am not really sure what you are actually proposing. The mass killing of tens of thousands of innocent people including children that we have seen in Darfur has been truly sickening and neither the Sudanese government nor the rebel groups are blameless. Both have a lot of blood on their hands. However, I am still unclear on what you are actually proposing in terms of practical action that can be taken by British Muslims.

You say that the MCB should have a feedback section on its website. We have had this feature for several years now! If you go to http://www.mcb.org.uk/email_mcb.php you can email your suggestions/criticisms or register your offer of help directly to the MCB.

[Inayat]

Dear Mr. Inayat

What is the meaning of British Muslim? Is the British Muslim different than other (Philippine, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and all third world country) Muslim? Muslim is the religion community and Nationality is the culture of nationalism, so can you differ the Muslim community by the Nationalism?

But we do it always because we tell Arabian Muslim, Iranian Muslim, Pakistani Muslim etc. and our enemy takes the chance on this point.

I don't quite understand the point you are trying to make. British Muslims are simply Muslims who are also British. You can have British Muslims, French Muslims, German Muslims etc - but there is one Islam (although many interpretations!).

[Inayat]

Salaam brother Inayat,

May Allah bless you for your good work.

The media and politicians are constantly reffering to terorrism by Muslims and Muslim terorrists as "Islamic terorrism" and "Islamists" or "Jihadists", respectively. These terms obviously implies that terrorism and terorrists are part and parcel of our Islamic religion, and it does not do any good to distance Islam from this evil.

Is there a campaign being waged by the MCB to get the media and politicians to stop using such terms to describe the terorrists and terorrism?

How plausible do you think it is that Muslim organisations could manage to get these terms banned in the media?

JazakAllah khayr in advance for your answers and may Allah keep you active in His path.

Salaam

I certainly appreciate your concern about the media utilising the terms 'Islamic terrorist' etc and the MCB regularly raises this issue in its meetings with senior editors in the broadcast and print media. Frankly, some sections of the media are more responsive to our concerns than others. The BBC has given us an undertaking not to use that term so if you ever come across it then please note down the time and channel you heard it on and let us know immediately.

[Inayat]

Salam brother

What is MCB doing about the plight of Darfur?

During last Sunday's Global Day for Darfur, the MCB's chair of the mosque and community affairs committee, Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra sent the following prayer for the people of Darfur:
http://www.mcb.org.uk/downloads/darfurprayer.pdf .

If you have any suggestions of what can practically be done - amd indeed what you are personally proposing to do - then please feel free to get involved in the MCB's Europe and International affairs committee.

[Inayat]

1. why did you say on radio that its allowed for the muslims to join the british army even though they might kill muslims as long as you feel its ok then its ok..

where did you get this hukm from.. when we all know its haram to fight and spill the blood of a fellow muslim?

2. Has the governemnt fallen out of favour with the mcb.. they are now looking to sufi council..

There is nothing unlawful about joining the British Army per se. However, each Muslim must carefully consider that s/he may in the current so-called war on terror be asked to take part in unjust wars overseas. The MCB does not dictate to Muslims about what they should or should not do - it is up to each British Muslim to make up their own mind. We are each individually accountable to God for our actions.

As for the Sufi Muslim Council, I have come across an interesting blog which seems to contain a lot of useful information about them.

http://brotherdotherightthing.blogspot.com/ .

Do read this about a trip to Israel by some UK Muslims, including members of the Sufi Muslim Council:

http://brotherdotherightthing.blogspot.com/2006/08/were-all-going-on-summer-holiday.html

[Inayat]

Rep. Curt Weldon – Vice Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Ten-term Republican Congressman from Pennsylvania.

Press conference transcript 9/17/05: Regarding the 9/11 Commission Report "There's something wrong here, something tragically wrong. The American people, the families, the country and the Congress need to know the truth, the whole truth, the complete truth. And so far we haven't gotten it. … Somebody's got to connect the dots and answer the questions. If the 9/11 Commission won't do it, then Congress has to do it."

Morgan Reynolds, PhD – Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Labor under George W. Bush 2001-2002. Former Director of the Criminal Justice Center at the National Center for Policy Analysis. Professor Emeritus, Economics, Texas A&M University.

Video: "I first began to suspect that 9/11 was in inside job when the Bush-Cheney Administration invaded Iraq. … We can prove that the government’s story is false."

Paul Craig Roberts, PhD – Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury under Ronald Reagan, "Father of Reaganomics", Former Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal. Currently Research Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.

Essay: "We know that it is strictly impossible for any building, much less steel columned buildings, to "pancake" at free fall speed. Therefore, it is a non-controversial fact that the official explanation of the collapse of the WTC buildings is false."

Essay: "There are not many editors eager for writers to explore the glaring defects of the 9/11 Commission Report. One would think that if the report could stand analysis, there would not be a taboo against calling attention to the inadequacy of its explanations."

Catherine Austin Fitts – Assistant Secretary of Housing under George H.W. Bush. Former Managing Director and Member of the Board of Directors of the Wall Street investment bank, Dillon, Read & Co.

Audio Interview: Regarding 9/11 "The official story could not possibly have happened. … It’s not possible. It’s not operationally feasible. … The Commission was a whitewash."

Essay: "The first category of people who benefited were those who are guilty and complicit in designing, implementing and financing the 9-11 operation. On such a sophisticated and successful covert operation, the people responsible would have had budgets and financing and would have organized the operation to maximize their political and financial benefits."

Major General Albert Stubblebine, U.S. Army (ret) – Commanding General of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), 1981 - 1984. Also commanded the U.S. Army’s Electronic Research and Development Command (ERADCOM) and the U.S. Army’s Intelligence School and Center. Former head of Imagery Interpretation for Scientific and Technical Intelligence. 32-year Army career.

Video: "One of my experiences in the Army was being in charge of the Army’s Imagery Interpretation for Scientific and Technical Intelligence during the Cold War. I measured pieces of Soviet equipment from photographs. It was my job. I look at the hole in the Pentagon and I look at the size of an airplane that was supposed to have hit the Pentagon. And I said, ‘The plane does not fit in that hole’. So what did hit the Pentagon? What hit it? Where is it? What's going on?"

Raymond L. McGovern – Former Chairman, National Intelligence Estimates, CIA, responsible for preparing the President’ Daily Brief (PDB) for Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. 27-year CIA veteran.

Video: "I think at simplest terms, there’s a cover-up. The 9/11 report is a joke. The question is: What’s being covered up? Is it gross malfeasance, gross negligence, misfeasance? … Now there are a whole bunch of unanswered questions. And the reason they’re unanswered is because this administration will not answer the questions. … I just want to reassert, what Scott [Ritter, former Major in the U.S. Marines Corps, former Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations Special Commission in Iraq] said and this is the bottom line for me, just as Hitler in 1933 cynically exploited the burning of the parliament building, the Reichstag, this is exactly what our President did in exploiting 9/11. The cynical way in which he played on our trauma, used it to justify attacking, making a war of aggression on a country that he knew had nothing to do with 9/11. That suffices for me, I think Scott is exactly right, that’s certainly an impeachable offense."

Col. Robert Bowman, PhD, U.S. Air Force (ret) – Director of Advanced Space Programs Development "Star Wars Program" under Presidents Ford and Carter. U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with over 100 combat missions. (PhD in Aeronautics and Nuclear Engineering, Cal Tech).

Video: "A lot of these pieces of information, taken together, prove that the official story, the official conspiracy theory of 9/11 is a bunch of hogwash. It’s impossible. … There’s a second group of facts having to do with the cover up. … Taken together these things prove that high levels of our government don’t want us to know what happened and who’s responsible. … Who gained from 9/11? Who covered up crucial information about 9/11? And who put out the patently false stories about 9/11 in the first place? When you take those three things together, I think the case is pretty clear that it’s highly placed individuals in the administration with all roads passing through Dick Cheney. I think the very kindest thing that we can say about George W. Bush and all the people in the U.S. Government that have been involved in this massive cover-up, the very kindest thing we can say is that they were aware of impending attacks and let them happen. Now some people will say that’s much too kind, however even that is high treason and conspiracy to commit murder."

Col. George Nelson, U.S. Air Force (ret) – Former U.S. Air Force aircraft accident investigator and airplane parts authority. 34-year Air Force career.

Essay: "The government alleges that four wide-body airliners crashed on the morning of September 11 2001, resulting in the deaths of more than 3,000 human beings, yet not one piece of hard aircraft evidence has been produced in an attempt to positively identify any of the four aircraft. On the contrary, it seems only that all potential evidence was deliberately kept hidden from public view. …

With all the evidence readily available at the Pentagon crash site, any unbiased rational investigator could only conclude that a Boeing 757 did not fly into the Pentagon as alleged. Similarly, with all the evidence available at the Pennsylvania crash site, it was most doubtful that a passenger airliner caused the obvious hole in the ground and certainly not the Boeing 757 as alleged. …

As painful and heartbreaking as was the loss of innocent lives and the lingering health problems of thousands more, a most troublesome and nightmarish probability remains that so many Americans appear to be involved in the most heinous conspiracy in our country's history."

Michael Meacher – Former Under Secretary for Industry, Under Secretary for Health and Social Security, Minister for the Environment, and Member of the House of Commons (Parliament) (UK).

Video: Regarding the 9/11 Commission Report "It was a 580-page avoidance of any serious explanation. … The official investigative report says the US has never been able to find the sources of financing for 9/11. And then they say this "That after all is a matter of no great importance."

General Leonid Ivashov – Former Chief of Staff of the Russian armed forces on 9/11/2001, and Department Chief for General affairs in the Soviet Union's Ministry of Defense.

Essay: Regarding 9/11 "Only secret services and their current chiefs – or those retired but still having influence inside the state organizations – have the ability to plan, organize and conduct an operation of such magnitude."

MANY MORE IN LINK:http://www.patriotsquestion911.com/

Have you or MCB made any public statements where you question the official version of 9/11..?

If you or MCB havnt made any public statements can you give reasons for NOT doing so.

On the weekly Politics and Media show for the Islam Channel that I co-present, we frequently get callers ringing in to say that they do not believe the official 9/11 account. That is entirely up to them. However, I am not aware of any credible investigative journalist eg John Pilger, Robert Fisk etc who takes any of the different proposed alternative scenarios (or conspiracy theories if you prefer) seriously at all.

[Inayat]

Assalamu Alaikum,

Question one:

What can MCB do to ensure provisions are made in the mosques across the UK to allow muslim females to carry out their worship in these holy places? How can we change the mentality of the asian men who refuse to allow a woman entry into the mosque and yet have no problem with their women going out to work, shop and socialise in public?

Some would argue (and maybe rightfully) that a woman's place of worship is in her home. But we're living in times when muslim women can be found out and about a lot and it seems a downright shame that they are denied the basic right to pop into any one of the many local mosques and offer their obligatory prayers on time.

Question two:

In a recent press release (Dailymail, 11 Sept 2006) Dr Abdul Bari was quoted to have said that if muslims in this country continue to be treated as terrorists then Britain could have upto 2 million terrorists on her hands...

Do you think it's sensible of brother Abdul Bari to have made such a sensationalist statement? To me this would seem to be the kind of comment the BNP and other islamophobic entities would love to hear.

Changing the attitudes towards the participation of Muslim women in some mosques will take patience. My advice would be to get together with like-minded Muslims (male and female) and set up your own Islamic centres. There is nothing to prevent you from doing so. Let us compete in good actions as the Qur'an says.

As for the Dr Bari quote - it was a misrepresentation of his views. See http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/ntext.php?ann_id=584 .

[utbah]

Thank you Inayat for your feedback, I take your advice but I believe that Muslims should do more as well. But overall thanks and I have to agree with you.

If your still online, what do you say about the newly formed Europe Friends of Israel? How can Muslims and None Muslims alike fight to keep Europe as an honest broker in peace?

[watchthevideo]

On the weekly Politics and Media show for the Islam Channel that I co-present, we frequently get callers ringing in to say that they do not believe the official 9/11 account. That is entirely up to them. However, I am not aware of any credible investigative journalist eg John Pilger, Robert Fisk etc who takes any of the different proposed alternative scenarios (or conspiracy theories if you prefer) seriously at all.

Q: What do you make of the evidence against bin Laden?
Fisk: I was very struck by the fact that Colin Powell said he would produce evidence and then never produced it. Then Tony Blair produced a document of seventy paragraphs, but only the last nine referred to the World Trade Center, and they were not convincing. So we have a little problem here: If they're guilty, where is the evidence? And if we can't hear the evidence, why are we going to war?
LINK (http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Fisk_Robert/Interview_Fisk_Rothschild.html)

It seems Fisk has expressed his doubts....would you now reconsider your Answer..?

[Inayat]

As Salaam Alaykum Brother Inayat,


Seeing that MCB hopes to represent British Muslim what measures are being taken to generate publicity for the organisation and developing a forum on the website so that the general public has an opportunity to learn about Islam, Bme communities and allow interaction between muslims and muslims and non muslims etc?
One of the things the above would achieve is for the younger muslim/non muslim generation to be more active with MCB and allow wider representation of British muslims.


Having access to a wide muslim national audience in the UK of varying age, race and profession how can these resources be used by MCB to overcome some basic problems that muslim communities are facing. For example, with regards to women not being allowed into mosques can there be a body of representation (made of members or using resources that members have) that would use the appropriate channels to challange such exclusion which is stopping the community from communicating, working togeather and moving forward?

What is MCB doing to develop services and grow as an organisation to represent and meet the needs of the muslim community ensuring that there is integration with the wider community at the same time. For example, guidelines on how muslims should deal with the police, or with discrimination for wearing the hijab or take steps to promote education within muslim communities?

What does MCB do to support reverts who may no longer have their family/social support system to integrate with the muslim community who can often be closed and unresponsive?

Apologies if these questions have been answered previously and thanking you for your time in advance.


See my earlier answer in which I mentioned the MCB's Pocket Guide. You can download a copy from here: http://www.mcb.org.uk/PDF27Sept.pdf .

As for reverts, my advice would be to get in touch with the New Muslims Project run from the Islamic Foundation (an MCB affiliate) in Leicester. http://www.islamic-foundation.org.uk/

[Inayat]

Salaam Alaikum,

I have heard alot about the Muslim Council of Britain.

How does one get to work for the MCB?

Briefly, what does your organisation do?

And as a European how can I go about doing something similar in other countries?

Check out the MCB's website for the information you require: http://www.mcb.org.uk/

[Inayat]

Why are there so many organisations that claim to represent muslims in this country? Do they all fall under the umbrella of the MCB? If not, why isn't there some consolidation so muslims in britain have a more coherent voice?

The MCB was launched in November 1997 with a view to promoting better cooperation and coordination among British Muslim organisations. At the time of our launch we had 150 affiliates from existing mosques and local, regional and national organisations. Today, alhamdulillah, that figure is well over 400 affiliated organisations, making the MCB easily the largest and most diverse Muslim body in the UK.

However, the MCB cannot claim to speak for all British Muslims, no single organisation can. The MCB continues to work to persuade other organisations to join under its umbrella.

During July and August 2006, our Secretary-General, Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, visited twenty-two towns and cities across the UK to explain about the work of the MCB and encourage Muslim organisations to work together. You can read a short report about part of his trip at:

http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/ntext.php?ann_id=582

[Inayat]

Why has the Muslim Council of Britain never spoken out and enlightened the
community to the desperate plight of the Muslim men who are detained without
charge or trial in British prisons. Does this silence infer that my friends
and their families are not considered part of the Ummah?

I ask this question of Mr. Bunglawala as my friends have suffered
indefinite detention or exceptional bail conditions since 2001 and there is
only a deafening silence from Muslim organisations. Perhaps I am mistaken
but I can say with certainty that these men feel abandoned by their brothers
in Islam.

The MCB has regularly spoken and written about the problems facing Muslims arrested under our anti-terror laws. For example, see the following MCB article that was published in The Times:

http://www.mcb.org.uk/library/article_12_08_04.php.

I have also written about this issue on my blog for the Guardian's Comment is Free section:

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/inayat_bunglawala/2006/06/an_unjust_extradition_treaty.html

[Inayat]

Salams


One of the aims of MCB when inaugurated in 1997, was to promote co-operation, have consensus and unity on muslim affairs in the UK – Hasn’t MCB failed to achieve this in the last decade, due to the reason it is highly bureaucratic – Muslim community remains the most fragmented group from all faiths and groups in the UK. Isn’t it time for MCB, to change it structure revamp the General Assembly, the Central working Committee and putting in a place, something which will make the MCB more streamline in addressing the modern and current day issue’s???


Today MCB has around 400 affiliates - What would you say to the suggestion that - MCB encourage the closing and merging some of these groups - some of these affiliates are no more than registered charitable groups, they should be encourage to work as a single entity – over half who have a charitable status, are regularly late in submitting there Accounts and Annual Returns – isn’t this gross negligence, isn’t it time for MCB to play its part in encouraging some of it affilitates to merge – and make some of these charitable groups a single entity - there are many advantages for the muslim community if this happens.



Also with all these affliates what standard are these affilates meant to abide by and is there a code of conduct for all your affiliates.


Finally, could you outline how MCB is funded and how it allocates it resources between national, regional, local bodies and the various projects it undertakes.


JZK


:ws:

Firstly, let me dispel a common misunderstanding. All of the MCB's senior figues, including myself, have full-time jobs elsewhere. Our work for the MCB is done purely in a voluntary capacity from our own free time. The MCB has only a very skeletal staff who deal mainly with administrative work. So as for funding - we receive donations from well-wishers and sometimes apply for project work from governmental departments eg to explain about the change in law to prohibit religious discrimination in the workplace etc.

The MCB does not impose a 'code of conduct' on its affiliates. It is a voluntary body which seeks to encourage better cooperation among Muslim organisations, but we do not dictate behaviour or actions to others. Having said that I believe the MCB has played a major role in formulating a common discourse among British Muslims centred around the issues of integration, attaining a higher level of education, tackling discrimination in the workplace etc.

[Inayat]

Salaam Brother Inayat.
Question.

Why can you not tell the British Government that the cause of terrorism in the UK is 100 percent; due to the policy of the Current Government. With regards to Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon.
Thankyou.

Drill it into them make it black and white.

Cause at the moment Mr Tony Blair don't tink so...

I recently wrote an article for The Times headlined 'It's Undeniable: British Foreign Policy is Endangering All of Us'. You can read the article in the MCB media archive at:

http://www.mcb.org.uk/library/article_18-08-06.php

There is no question in my mind that the government bears some responsibility for the spread of extremist ideas in the UK. However, we too have a major and inescapable responsibility to counter extremism amongst some Muslim youths. We owe this to ourselves, our children and the people we live with in this - our - country.

[Inayat]

AA.

Why do you consistently use the terminology of the Islamophobes? I notice that you use the terms 'moderate Muslim' and 'extremists' very often, which is part of a false narrative that Muslims are a problem. Do you not realise that if you continue to use these terms (which are not terms that Muslims describe themselves as - we are just Muslim) then you add credibility to this narrative?

To my mind, this is so basic that even a simpleton should realise that this is damaging. Labels are being used to divide and rule and I understand that people following an anti-Muslim agenda would use such labels, but why does an organisation like the MCB use these terms? I respectfully ask that you ban the use of these terms forthwith. We are just Muslims and everyone has a point of view. That does not mean that people are extremist or moderate. It just means that they have a point of view.

The same applies when you get involved in government projects to tackle 'extresmism' and so on. Can you not see that again, this is damaging? These events are set up to again validate a false narrative that Muslims are a problem, are a PR stunt to bolster the government line, so why do Muslim organisations shoot themselves in the foot and go along with it all? Again, I respectfully ask that the MCB withdraw and not co-operate because if you do, you certainly do not speak for me.

WA.

The MCB never uses the phrase 'moderate Muslim'. If you ever see this attributed to us in print then it is almost certainly a lazy mistake by a journalist. We are simply Muslims. However, it is undeniable that there are some Muslims who are extremists. How else would you describe those who carried out the 7/7 bombings and those who expressed delight at the devastation that those bombings caused? These extremists get masses of publicity in the newspapers and television for spouting their bile - all the while contributing to the increased demonisation of Muslims in the UK.

[Inayat]

Dear Mr. Inayat

This issue of our British mosques has many problems.

Firstly what will the MCB do to stop the importing of Village Imams from the Indian Sub-subcontinent? As they form the backbone of the division and the status quo of back home village politics. And when Muslims from the other parts of the world attended the Mosques they face a language and nationalism obstruction rooted in many mosque trustees. When will the MCB attack the very ignorant people who are in charge of our Islamic institutions, who follow the dogma of village politics and bring in village imams from pakistan to do their biding and who are apparatchiks of the MCB and new labour party politics that run our community like were still in the village and who suppress women and the youth from the debate.
We have caste based mosques in this country why won't you denounced the caste system MOSQUES as unislamic and a another obstacle to integration of NON ASIAN MUSLIMS IN UK MOSQUES. Which has led to NON ASIAN MUSLIMS having their own mosques and thus more division? WHAT IS THE MCB DOING? and don't say The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) as the the independence of the Mosque's committee and powerful community representatives will still have the same overriding material interest and control over the MINAB advice and suggestions.

Secondly our Children attend Mosques to learn. What safe guards has the MCB implemented to protect our children from all types of abuse that will be part of a national registered scheme? And what form of education and policies has the MCB come up with to combat ghetto and street culture mentality from our children? Have you not seen the anti-social behaviour coming from Muslims in certain communities as they take part in gangs, drugs selling, prostitution, and many other criminal activities? More and more of our children are ending up in prison what are the MCB doing anything about?

It always falls on the young Muslims to seek their own response to the challenges of living in a Western society and totally independent of the older generations. I have NEVER seen a Community Empowerment by the MCB on the anti-social behaviour coming from Muslims, the gangs, drugs taking and selling, the pimping of prostitution, fraud, cheating and more cheating in the form of "agree a price and barter after the work is done attitude' and many other criminal activities, not to menchen Honor killings. Why is this? Is down to the attitude of not washing one's dirty laundry in public and just brush it under the carpit and hope it goes away? The MCB did that with extremism and we had agrowth of extremist groups and 7/7.


The whole issue and agenda setting in the media about Sharia law in the UK is driven to spilt UK Muslims further from society and as a tool to scaremonger people..."them Muslims are making a states within a state" "They will have sharia law in Bradistan" "Their taking over" As UK Muslims lets not walk head on to it. Why wont the MCB make itself clear on this issue? The people who are asking for this to be implemented are the very same mosque leaders that have done a top notch job so far NOT. We need a clear statement from our so-called Muslim bodies to say that we do not want any faith-based family-law arbitrations period. To stop this Anti-sharia hysteria you will also STOP much of the islamophobia surrounding this issue and non-Muslims voting BNP. As that’s the point of it, but will Muslim council of Britain do any thing about it and nip it in the bud...? No they'll wait till it gets out of hand and then release an ambiguous statement, which will not help...

Will the MCB EVER criticise it sister groups in Pakistan or MCB affiliate organisation? When they make racist hate speech towards Jews and non-Muslims. Why oh why do you not stop this ignorance and victim mentality of UK Muslims to blame everything on other people and not at themselves? My god man do you not see some of the hate, intolerance, incitement and misogyny coming from the mosques and how do you think this will effect the young growing up in this already unstable time?

I think the MCB knows it has a problem with its affiliates, but is unwilling and totally scared of drawing up a code of conduct. As the MCB fears more the claims off losing face or selling out by the very Ignorant community leaders who pedal and promote this hatred, and division. Because if people truly looked at the Muslim community problems they would see much of it is at the hands of Muslims. Do you not agree?

The Fiqh Council of North America is an independent body, comprised of qualified Islamic scholars in North America. The Council communicates with experts and consultants to meet expected needs for rulings and advice in various areas of Islamic life in North America. Where is The Fiqh Council of Britain or Europe? Do you not think this kind of institution will help more to cleanse the ignorance from our communities? What role has MCB in the European Council of Fatwa and Research as it is striving to become the exclusive authority of jurisprudence for the Muslims of Europe? Will the MCB help in creating a situation where all the Muslim Diaspora of Europe follow its decisions only and act as an official legal branch of a sovereign Muslim European body, free from national material interest of foreign elements, middle eastern or asian governments and regimes.

What has the MCB done for Muslim asylum seekers apart from abandoning them?
Once agian Christian Missionaries do more for them then their own Muslim brethren. Churchers have done more for Muslim asylum seekers than the Muslims. The ordinary Christians take time out to attend meetings and write to councillors and MPs regarding the injustices suffered by asylum seekers. But no collective effort from MCB or Affiliates to mobilise UK muslims why is this?

Have the MCB done anything for this years ramadan in the form of Nationwide iftar open days to non muslims to open Mosques doors in a effort to clear stereotypes and give better understanding of our faith? As this perfect opportunity to show non-muslims we are not all fanatical religious nutters or is that the MCB feel that publishing a report on an mosque open door policy was enough and putting into practise is someone else job?


There is an old saying that The road to hell is paved with good intentions do you not think the MCB fits this discription? As it takes the UK Muslims down a road of no return in Britain?

Aims & Objectives of the MCB (from the Constitution)

To promote cooperation, consensus and unity on Muslim affairs in the UK
To encourage and strengthen all existing efforts being made for the benefit
of the Muslim community Failed

To work for a more enlightened appreciation of Islam and Muslims in the
wider society Totally botched and going downhill fast

To establish a position for the Muslim community with British society that is
fair and based on due rights Bungled and added to the culture of self-imposed alienation within British society

To work for the eradication of disadvantages and forms of discrimination
faced by Muslims Enhanced and Amplified islamophobia from the man on the street to an institutionalised form in every type of organisation in the UK

To foster better community relations and work for the good of society as a
whole Total Lie and Two Faced Statement As the evidence shows from the non punishment or exclusion of MCB affiliates who Propagate the ignorant blame game towards Jews and Non Muslims and the idea of integration as unthinkable as the mantra of "You don’t get anywhere with the dirty kuffar" is preached.

Have you ever thought of resigning from the MCB because of its many futile political, economic, and cultural failures?

Please do take your time in answering all my questions and points from both pages, as i fear i will never get the opportunity again from a spokesman from the MCB

There really is no magic wand that the MCB can wave to make the mosques as you would wish to see them. If you have any issues then by all means get involved in your local mosque. Seek out other like-minded individuals and work together to try and effect positive change. There is no shortcut to this.

I don't quite agree with your rather blanket condemnation of mosques. I have been to some truly exemplary mosques around the UK that welcome Muslims from diverse ethnic backgrounds, that have youth activities and women's facilities. The truth is that mosques and Islamic centres are of varying quality around the country. It is a matter of promoting best practice. The MCB published a report on the state of our mosques last year called 'Voices from the Minaret'. You can download it from here:

http://www.mcb.org.uk/uploads/vfm.pdf

As for alleged anti-semitic speech: which organisations are you referring to? You need to be specific. The MCB without hesitation condemns all forms of racial or religious prejudice, including anti-semitism. At the same time we refuse to be cowed into refraining from criticising the unjust and oppressive policies of the Israeli government even if its supporters keep crying out 'anti-semitism' at every available opportunity.

[Inayat]

Assalaamy alaikum Inayat

Ramadan Mubarak first and hope you are in the best health and Imaan. The following questions, and you don't have to answer all if you have no time as I know many questions need answering here.

The first is:

1. There has to be one major leading force to represent the Muslim community so we can unify and be one voice. The many organisations are confusing a lot of youths and Muslims in community.

So who do you feel is Representing the Muslim Community and why? It's not a trick question brother. I really do need to know for the youths I am working with and also for myself.

2. What are the challenges you foresee at this moment in time at the Home Office regarding Tackling Extremism and what do you think community need to do?

3. Also, I like to know how you got the opportunity to write for newspapers as this is a medium that can help for Muslims to communicate to the masses.

Jazak Allah Khairun

Wassalaam

No one organisation can truly claim to represent all British Muslims. Having said that I believe that the MCB is by far the largest and most diverse Muslim umbrella body in the UK. No other organisation brings together as many British Muslims from different schools of thought and ethnic backgrounds as the MCB. Of course, It needs to continually reach out and attract yet more affiliates - it is a work that is always in progress.

There are multiple major challenges facing UK Muslims currently. The understandable concern over the terror threat to all of us in the UK is one high profile challenge, but others also include the underachievement of some sections of the Muslim community in education. This inevitably leads to other knock-on effects including a higher rate of unemployment, worse levels of housing and health etc.

Regarding writing for newspapers, I started out many years ago writing voluntarily for a popular Muslim youth magazine called TRENDS. I then became its editor. When the MCB was formed in 1997 I was asked by its then leadership to help out in the new MCB media committee. From there I got opportunities to write for some national papers and so on. I also maintain my own blog at the Guardian's Comment Is Free section.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/inayat_bunglawala/index.html.

Yesterday I uploaded an article about Ramadan.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/inayat_bunglawala/2006/09/ramadan_a_time_for_contemplati.html

I would certainly encourage Muslims who have easy access to the internet to take part in these debates on the Guardian's Comment is Free section. At the moment there are a lot of racists and Israel worshipping trolls there, so it is important that British Muslims take part in the wider debate there and argue their case in a reasoned and sensible manner.

[Inayat]

Dear Mr Bunglawala,

Do you believe it is ever acceptable for British Muslims to support attacks on British troops by the Taliban or Iraqi 'resistance'?

What do you think of Muslims who do think it's acceptable?

British Muslims should in my view work with other sections of our society to ensure that British troops are brought back from both Iraq and Afghanistan without delay. It would be wrong to take any pleasure in the deaths of combatants in those conflicts, whether British, Iraqi or Afghani.

[Inayat]

LINK (http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Fisk_Robert/Interview_Fisk_Rothschild.html)

It seems Fisk has expressed his doubts....would you now reconsider your Answer..?

Where - and more importantly, when - was this quotation made which is attributed to Robert Fisk? It seems to be several years old. Since then a lot of additional data has come to light. I have read Robert Fisk's writings extensively and I cannot recall anything which he has written in which he truly disputes the official account and presents an alternative scenario. If you have anything then please post it here.

I am all for keeping an open mind. But as someone once said, we need to be careful that we are not so open minded that we allow our brains to fall out.

[Unaiza]

We would like to extend our appreciation to Br. Inayat for taking time out of his busy schedule to be our Guest. Particularly in Ramadan, when things are hectic enough as it is.

Barak'Allahu Feekum Brother for answering our Members' Questions so concisely, as well as for your day to day efforts, in what you do for our Ummah.

:salam:

Use this thread (http://forum.mpacuk.org/showthread.php?p=194102#post194102) to talk about any further issues raised here.