1. We don’t want to know the length of your trousers

You must be seriously fed up with going to “study circles” where all they discuss are irrelevant and entirely abstract topics in Islam. Having done the study circle rounds I once attended a circle where people were asking questions such as “Can I do ablution with orange juice” or “exactly how many soft thistles does my miswak require for me to comply with the Sunnah?” We have no time for such trivialities here. Don’t get me wrong, fiqh has its place, but “keeping it real” is a skill mastered by few.

2. Three line whips…

Politics can be unintelligible at the best of the times, particularly when politicians start rattling on about three line whips, the Lisbon treaty and shifts in the balance of power. Then you’ve got the enthralling show across the pond, with their caucuses, primaries and red phones (yes we can’t vote, but your kidding yourself if you think it won’t affect you). Don’t panic. Although we are a very politically orientated group, I can put my hand on my heart and say we will never try to confuse you with such mumbo jumbo. But it can be hard sometimes - “bicameral” anyone?

3. Ahlen wa Sahlan

I have fairly little idea of the exact meaning of that phrase, but whenever someone says that to me accompanied with a hearty smile and a steaming hot cup of tea, I know I’m welcome. Add a piece of chocolate cake, and that’s pretty much the welcome you’ll get at any of our meetings. We love having new people attend and what’s more we love hearing what you have to say. New ideas and our ability to adopt them is a key differentiator for us and we can’t do that without intelligent, open minded people like you.

If you do want to attend any of our meetings just drop us a line on info@mpacuk.org or just give our hotline a call: 0870 7605594. And if you can’t attend, then you can always contribute in other ways.

See you all this Sunday, insha'Allah.

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