• MPACUK have always maintained that alone, no Muslim group could achieve any significant changes in the state of the Ummah. What is required is the active participation of the Ummah in their own defence, spearheaded by the masjids. Well we the MPACUK's Department of Institutional Reform are happy to report that things seem to be taking a turn for the better. Islamic Institutions are now beginning to approach us for training on how to be active in the fields of Politics and Media.
  
  So on Saturday an MPACUK DIR colleague and I arrived, bleary-eyed and tired after a trip across Britain, at an Islamic Institution. The organisation and efficiency were superb, and amazingly at such a late hour the hall was filled to capacity with brothers and sisters most of them being youths. My colleague gave a talk on politics and how active participation was required for us to further our voice, whilst I gave a talk on the influence of the media in vilifying and maligning Islam; and how we must take all opportunities to make sure that we complain or compliment as necessary.
  
  We received a very good reception and our message was taken on board as was evidenced by the healthy amount of questions that followed our talks. But perhaps most encouraging of all was the presence there of a very rare breed - the enlightened Maulana. He was of Lebanese extraction and had come from Australia; he gave a very informative and useful speech IN ENGLISH in language that could easily be understood by those present. Moreover, he touched upon the duties of Muslims with regard to living here and how we can, and must act to protect ourselves.
  
  These are some of the things he touched upon:-
  
  1. Importance of participation in demonstrations and boycotts, even if arranged by non-Muslims
  
• 2. The need for tactical voting, even if voting means electing the lesser of two evils
  
• 3. That it must be youngsters who are primarily involved in this, not those who wear turbans (although they should lead by example)
  
• 4. The need for Muslims to liaise with the families of those such as Rachel Corrie and Tom Hurndell, to convey our sympathy and appreciation of their sacrifice. He lambasted Muslims for not being active enough or even going en-masse to express our sorrow to the bereaved, I quote "Imagine what an effect it would have had on these families, if Muslims had commiserated with them in their loss, this could have had the potential to alter the negative preconceptions so many people hold about Islam"
  
  There were several other such comments, but space does not permit me to continue. Anyway after a very long night my colleague and I finally left at 2am with a long list of e-mails to add to our e-group. We would like to thank the Islamic Institution for the welcome they extended to us and hope that they continue to participate in this peaceful jihad (struggle) and furthermore we hope this will act as an example for other mosques and Islamic centre to become more active.
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MPACUK

Faith, Media & Politics

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