So back it was to the mosque we met with 2 weeks ago, to ask them to support the campaign against extending detention without trial. Just as we had agreed, there was the Chairman, waiting after Zuhr to give me the petition. But nothing could have prepared me for the results…

As regular readers will know, the London MPACUK branch have been working tirelessly trying to activate the mosques to defend the rights of the community. So with the current proposals being put forward about the pre-charge detention, we worked with Ilford Islamic Centre on educating the congregation about the situation. Alhamdulillah in the space of four days we were able to gather over 400 signatures on the petition and now we're sending it off to their MP to see if he'll take them seriously (watch this space for updates).

Imagine how much longer it would have taken an individual activist to collect 43 pages of signatures for the petition! And if every mosque in the country took these actions, how many signatures? (Ok, I’ve never been great at maths… but it’s a lot!). MPs would find it very hard to ignore our views.

Jazak’Allah khair to everyone at Ilford Islamic Centre who has made such positive efforts to stand up for civil liberties and empower the Muslim community to make our voices heard.

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Another day, another mosque and Alhamdulillah it was another positive meeting - the two committee members were welcoming, receptive and agreed to take the actions we were asking to support the campaign.

They had fluent English and were very well informed about political and social issues. Further discussion with a committee member revealed some of the reasons that may explain why they hadn’t already taken up this type of campaign. He had seen what a seemingly impossible task faces us and how difficult it can be to engage some of our community with issues beyond our own jobs and families.

For instance, he knew we need more Muslims school-governers but didn't see enough Muslims who were prepared to sacrifice time and effort for our children’s education. And he knew that significant results cannot be achieved overnight. He knew we need to mobilse Muslim voters against MPs who don’t represent their interests, but saw what a huge task this is. He knew the issues but struggled to see achievable solutions.

We need to be realistic - but never defeated. Insha'Allah we can have sabr in the true sense of the word (perseverance, not passive acceptance), plan realistic steps, and demonstrate that success is possible.

It is heartening to see mosques do something to help Muslims. But it's tinged with sadness too as surely every mosque in the country should be doing this. We aim to continue defending Muslims - if you care about your brothers and sisters then why not join us?

Contact us at info@mpacuk.org to join MPACUK in campaigning against increasing the maximum limit of pre-charge detention.

Don't forget to sign the online petition here

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