INTERVIEW: Asghar Bukhari, Spokesperson for MPACUK

[Unaiza]

Asghar Bukhari Ex-Chief Executive of MPACUK, current spokesperson will be available on Thursday 2nd November 8:00pm onwards.

He will be online for about an hour.

Use this thread to post your questions before that time.

Please be patient when submitting your questions as posts, as there will be a delay as posts are moderated.

Forum Rules must be adhered to at all times. Posts that are contravene the rules will not be submitted.

[Illuminate]

Assalamu Alaikum Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu


JazakAllahKhariun for all the good work MPAC is doing and has done .


MY QUESTIONS:

1) There has been a major back-lash against the documentary aired on Sunday October 30th – in the manner in which MPACUK behaved – many considered the sister did not show modesty (haya) in the way they approach the mosque. This lead to the inevitable confrontation and yet again showed islam in a bad light. In hindsight, would it have been best for the sister not to have gone to the two mosque on Friday, fully knowing well that the mosque don’t allow woman.? Also wasn’t this documentary a publicity stunt for MPACUK to seek further media coverage – which it succeeded. How is MPACUK going to rebuild the confidence with the muslim community? - going by what ppl have said - e.g. on various forum and on the steets - MPAC has come out of it in a very bad light. Minority supported, you but majority didn't - even those who sympathised with your activities - disapproved off the documentary?



2) Also could you tell me do you know the difference between fard ayn and fard kifaya – how can you categories MPAC activities., with all the good work MPAC is doing –MPAC activities is a collective duty on the muslim community, therefore if one was to say it is fard, it would fall into fard kifaya not fard ayn, which is individual responsibility – isn’t it wise for MPAC to redifine how it categories itself islamically – not only is it more accurate, but would be seen in a positive light by many.


3) Finally, have any of the senior members of MPACUK done any kind of course’s in islam and personal management? – If you consider MPAC a professional outfit, it must also behave professionally showing professionalism all the time. I suggest MPACUK members do certain crash course’s – definitely in management and media – but more importantly Islamic course’s – such as basic matters in, fiqh, how to command good and forbid evil - Isalm and Media Misconceptions and probably few others. This will not only give you a firm grounding in islam matters, but when you debate with others in the media, you will able to address matters more clearly from a Islamic stand point.


Thanks for you time - and all your efforts maybe more question later..


Wa Alaikum Mus Salam Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu

[Syntax]

how com ur ex-chief executive now? u didnt get fired did ya?

what make mpac proffessional?

[utbah]

Asalamu Alaikum Asghar,

I believe you done a great service for bringing the issue on top of the agenda, believe for the long term created this debate within the Muslim Community on what exactly is the place for the Muslim Woman. What you must do is to create something like MPAC's Bill of Rights for the Muslim Women. What are the rights of the Muslim Women in our community.

Why did you choose LCM?
Do you think MPAC will be changing or evolving it's tactics?

[waq1-9]

Salam Brother/Sister(s)

Dear Mr Asghar,

How would i go about becoming a future chief executive at the MPACUK ? Very impressed with the whole MPACUK setup, good to see Muslims being given the opportunity to take a stand. Well Done.

Dr Waqaar Akram
Final year Medical student.

[mabs]

As-salamu Alaikum Brother,

I’ll keep this short because your bound to have more questions come you way…Brother would it not be wise to keep yourself in check (in terms of anger) when you are addressing people that oppose your opinion. If you shout they will shout and as you’ve experienced your message is drowned out due to the noise…why not stay calm and be persistent?? Even if the other person shouts, they will feel stupid if your not joining with them.

Think about it. If someone were shouting at you, would you give him or her the time of day or rather shout back because they were screaming at you? How about if they were calm, patient and listened?

MarshAllah the principles that you fight for are sound but your delivery needs some work. InshAllah you address this problem. May Allah continue to guide you, ameen!!

Ma'sallama

[AgtBauer]

Asghar how do you think you have changed (if at all) over past few years in media spotlight and as a spokesperson? Do you think you're starting to get message out and what do you say to people who think your approach is too "in-your-face", Slightly off topic but as you get more media coverage how have you coped with the increasing female adoration coming your way..

[Salaam]

Assalamu Alaikum

1) Can you please define the characteristics of a good leader? This could apply to any type of leader, a person who's running a government, a company, a small business, a project - someone who claims to "represent" a group of people and therefore speaks on their behalf in public, etc.

2) How would you definine the success of this ummah and how can (in your opinion) success be achieved?

3) Do you think you represent the majority of muslims or minority - in this country?

4) Do you think MPACUK has become famous for the aggresive "the muslims need a kick up the backside" type of approach? If that is your approach, do you think it's the right one?

Me personally - I got excited about your organisation when I first heard about it and agreed with all your statements and that's what prompted me to come to your website looking for ideas as to how to become more "active". What I really don't agree with is the quick hot temper you display when confronted by a statement that you don't agree with. I'm sure that can be fine tuned. To your advantage, I'm pleased to say that you express yourself very well and your points are communicated in a succint manner. As a well wisher, I would just advise that spokespeople for MPACUK take further training on public speaking and presentations and dealing effectively with confrontations...

Good luck with everything inshaAllah.

Wasalam

[faith28]

Assalaam Alaikum Brother Asgher,

First of all I want to thank you for the passion you have to help the Muslim Ummah. You have demonstrated that we CAN do something about our situation/s both individually and collectively. Some people may question the success of this and how it is measured.

I would like to know how feedback is taken on board. Sine over 5/6 years ago MPAC have always had the same stance and attitude. And have been told time and again that they are making amazing efforts, however the method/attitude is not right. Will the method of behaviour change in the future? It would be a shame to waste your committed efforts to the display of emotional behaviours that aren't deemed professional.

Insha Allah, all feedback is taken on board and assessed in order to steer MPAC in the direction it is intended for.

Wasalaam
Eiman

[sd aka tinkerbell]

Salaam Br Asghar

Firstly, I would like to thank you for the leadership you have shown, and the eloquence with which you have defended our Deen. I have 3 questions for you:

Q- Say for example, the LCM listened to your demands for rights for muslim women in the mosques, and gave you free reign to implement the changes you feel are needed. Given that you implemented those changes- HOW specifically would the mosques be different? What is your aim (and MPACs aim) for the role of women in mosques? I ask this simply because of the misconceptions that have arisen since the documentary, regarding MPACs perception of the role of women in moques.

Q- I do not mean to cause offence, or cause factions within those on this forum. However, I feel this question is very relevant to how your stance may be perceived by many. What Fiqh School of thought do you follow? And on the executive level within MPAC, are all 4 Fiqh schools represented?

Q- Where do you see yourself and MPAC in 10 years time?

Jazakallah for your time

Salam

[TRUREL]

Does MPAC represent all people who claim to be Muslims equally or are some excluded?

eg/ Quran only, Qadiani, Deobandi, NOI and so on.

[Muslimicity]

Firstly can I congratulate you on a fascinating documentary. Controversial but fascinating nevertheless.

However, without getting into a debate about methods, which I am unconcerned about, could you please let us know, where do you intend to take it from here?

Now that you have raised awareness on the issue, what next?

[BrotherNur]

Why do you always agressively pick on Mosques and Imams?

[iraniboy]

Salaam Mr Bukhari

Once I was watching your interview in BBC World channel.Your passion for supporting Islam was respectful. So I searched for your name and I found MPACUK Forum Website and I joined.

My question is that ,Do you have any permition or ability to produce some Islamic related programs and to broadcast it in Int'l channels like BBC or any other domestic channels that most of it's audiences are no-muslim ?
I think that maybe this is the only way to introduce Islam .

Jazzakalah and Wasslam.

[Salma]

Assalamu Alaikum

I would just like to ask that when you are on mainstream media (sky bbc etc etc) you tend to be very respectable and do not get aggressive or loose your temper but I have noticed that when you have a majority muslim audience or when talking to fellow muslims you become very aggressive and rude.

Why is that you can keep your cool is becuase you expect them to know better or feel that this is the only way to get a message across to muslims?

Thanks,

[ah1999]

Assalaamu alaikum wa rehmatullahi wa barakatuHu brother Asghar,
As you probably know I have criticised MPACUK on a number of occasions from a religious point of view to the extent my comments are no longer posted on the Website.
However, my criticism has always been to make you (plural) think about what you are doing. My questions below are again to make you think, they are not posed to embarrass you. You do not need to answer them if you so wish but please reflect on them.

As you know MPACUK emblem has the phrase “AL-JIHAD” on it. MPACUK has repeatedly stated that their activities are real/ actual Jihad and that their activities are permissible for Zakat.

In you last “Jihad” mission entitled, “Women Only Jihad”
Q1. Did you consider yourself a Mujahid?
Q2. Do think Zakat money can be used for such a mission?
Q3. Had you (or one your fellow Mujahidas) been killed on this mission would you have considered yourself a Shaheed (martyr) and not expected salat-ul-janazah to be performed? (Note that no ghusl and salat-ul-janazah is necessary for a Shaheed who dies fighting on the “battle field”).

Wassalaam, your brother in Islam, A.H. (AH1999)

[TheDon]

salaam mr asghar bukhari

What was the point into bring this issue to the attention of the media and the whole country - this issue had nothing to do with the non muslims ?

and why did you MPAC go to the friday prayers - fully knowing they did not allow woman.

thanks
salaam

[Asghar Bukhari]

Originally Posted by Illuminate

Assalamu Alaikum Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu
JazakAllahKhariun for all the good work MPAC is doing and has done .
MY QUESTIONS:

1) There has been a major back-lash against the documentary aired on Sunday October 30th – in the manner in which MPACUK behaved – many considered the sister did not show modesty (haya) in the way they approach the mosque. This lead to the inevitable confrontation and yet again showed islam in a bad light. In hindsight, would it have been best for the sister not to have gone to the two mosque on Friday, fully knowing well that the mosque don’t allow woman.? Also wasn’t this documentary a publicity stunt for MPACUK to seek further media coverage – which it succeeded. How is MPACUK going to rebuild the confidence with the muslim community? - going by what ppl have said - e.g. on various forum and on the steets - MPAC has come out of it in a very bad light. Minority supported, you but majority didn't - even those who sympathised with your activities - disapproved off the documentary?

1. The mosques that were chosen to highlight were backward, as many mosques are. We went to them to show the problem, not hide it.

2. Media coverage for the sake of media coverage is pointless and has no benefit in this climate, the more you appear on the media, the more chance powerful enemies that hate muslims will target you. MPAC only does this to make a point and bring change or give understanding where there is none to the wider community. Putting ourselves at risk in the process.

3. I suppose building support in the Muslim cmmunity is always secondary to helping them, and that often is not the same thing. If we wanted the Muslims to fund us and join us all we need to do is stop reforming them. If we want the government to send millions our way all we need to do is sell you out and stop defending you. We must just carry out fighting your enemies and at the same time forcing the muslim leaders to reform and that is something muslims cannot understand and do not like. Support will come from the few, who have understanding. The rest will not be happy until they see with their own eyes the oppression we are saving them from.

Originally Posted by Illuminate

2) Also could you tell me do you know the difference between fard ayn and fard kifaya – how can you categories MPAC activities., with all the good work MPAC is doing –MPAC activities is a collective duty on the muslim community, therefore if one was to say it is fard, it would fall into fard kifaya not fard ayn, which is individual responsibility – isn’t it wise for MPAC to redifine how it categories itself islamically – not only is it more accurate, but would be seen in a positive light by many.

Jihad is fard ayn, MPAC is the best form of Jihad a western Muslim can take, but not th only one. So it is fard Kiffayah. However it is ayn until the kiffayah is fulfilled. Eg until sufficent resources are put into it to enable it to do the job.

Originally Posted by Illuminate

3) Finally, have any of the senior members of MPACUK done any kind of course’s in islam and personal management? – If you consider MPAC a professional outfit, it must also behave professionally showing professionalism all the time. I suggest MPACUK members do certain crash course’s – definitely in management and media – but more importantly Islamic course’s – such as basic matters in, fiqh, how to command good and forbid evil - Isalm and Media Misconceptions and probably few others. This will not only give you a firm grounding in islam matters, but when you debate with others in the media, you will able to address matters more clearly from a Islamic stand point.

We always need to be more proffesional, and more and more people are joining MPAC with excellent backgrounds in Islam from all schools of thought. My personal knowledge is weaker then it should be.

Thanks for you time - and all your efforts maybe more question later..


Wa Alaikum Mus Salam Warahamtullahi Wabrakatahu

[Asghar Bukhari]

Originally Posted by Syntax

how com ur ex-chief executive now? u didnt get fired did ya?

what make mpac proffessional?

Yes they fired me, I cried for months, now im plotting to destroy them all Muwahahaha

[Asghar Bukhari]

Originally Posted by utbah

Asalamu Alaikum Asghar,

I believe you done a great service for bringing the issue on top of the agenda, believe for the long term created this debate within the Muslim Community on what exactly is the place for the Muslim Woman. What you must do is to create something like MPAC's Bill of Rights for the Muslim Women. What are the rights of the Muslim Women in our community.

Why did you choose LCM?
Do you think MPAC will be changing or evolving it's tactics?

1. Excellent Idea - I think a bill of Rights for women is something we need to do and will suggest it to the team.

2. LCM - because they are representative of backward mosques.