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 MPACUK has been around for nearly ten years, and when we first started, if we ever attacked the MCB our inbox would be full of fan mail from Muslims, when we defended them we would be flooded with emails from the Muslim public saying we were supporting ‘sell outs’.
To say they had an image problem in the Muslim community was an understatement
The MCB then really represented Muslim groups, who were not the same as
the Muslim public. Muslim groups were in fact totally detached from the
average Muslim. They were made up of men who talked Islam but never
stood up for Muslims, they ran a mosque to massage their ego, or liked
the feeling of being an ISOC ‘emir’ because they felt both holy and
adored. In short it was a small man’s way of feeling like a giant in
his own head.
They were Mini-me characters in short. Surrounded by a clique of
hardcore, often violent boot-lickers and had no wider support then
that. They kept their position by the threat of violence (stories of
mosque committees becoming violent to protect their power base is
legendary). Thus the public may have needed the mosques, but had little
or no respect for the leadership who ran them, making them irrelevant.
The MCB in those days never made any effort either to outreach to the
wider public, preferring to talk to their contacts in Government or
with sleeping un-elected detached mosque leaders. They simply had no
credit in the street. If the street isn’t with you, what real support
do you have?
Well it seems a few good men in the MCB have managed to reverse their
public image as sell outs over the last few days to almost the total
opposite. Money could not buy what they (with the help of the
Government) achieved in this stunning u-turn. Daud Abdullah’s stand on
Palestine (which believe it or not is mainstream in the Muslim
community) and the Zionist backlash against it made Daud and by default
the MCB into champions for Palestine. The government thus pressured by
Zionists saying it would no longer speak to the MCB was the biggest
blessing they could have asked for.
For the first time, people on the street and Muslim circles were saying
‘we need to back the MCB’, something that would have been unfashionable
and almost unheard of all those years ago.
The MCB has now inadvertently been pushed to the forefront of the
Palestinian resistance in Britain, and thus all eyes are on it. The
hopes of countless thousands are resting with the MCB, hopes that
demand it stand up for what the average Muslim so loves about Palestine.
If they succeed in standing up to the Government, they will have become
one of the most celebrated and respected Muslim groups in Britain, with
real genuine affection for them by Muslims on the street. If they
buckle and lose this opportunity because they want to chase the king’s
coin – they would have blown the biggest chance they had at really and
truly being one of the most supported groups in Britain today.
For the first time in a long time, a Muslim group has really stood eye
to eye without blinking to a Government bully and said – ‘this group’s
not for turning’. Our respect goes out to them. If only more Muslim
groups had that much guts, they might get the public for the first
time, to start seeing them as leaders instead of irrelevant coolies.
Readers have left 16 comments.
Yahya:
Allah's Messenger (saw) said: "Whoever approaches the ruler's gate becomes afflicted. Whenever a slave draws closer to them (the ruler), he only gains distance from Allah (swt)." (Ahmed)
The Council must always stand firm for justice,I now have faith i themand I am glad they reiterated they're pledge against the killing of soldiers and the cancer of terrorism, however we know this severance and pressure has little to do with such notions and more to do with the desire of the establishment to control, interfere and frighten the observant Muslim community.
Hamza Mahmood:
I am 34 years old and have been affiliated with the MCB through a voluntary charity based in Manchester since the late 1990's, having attended over 8 Annual General Meetings I can catagorically state that the MCB were never sell-outs, any money they recieved was secured through impartial tender processes, every penny was accounted for on projects delivered on by various MCB committees for the benefit of the community.
The hundreds of affiliates who elect the MCB's central working committe (which has been dilingently and dutifully meeting to address and respond to the community issues, every quarter for over 12 years) have always been informed and included in its decision making. The MCB never used such funds to cannabalise they're own community (unlike the Quilliams of today). I concede that they're 'street cred' was limited, but thats only because the MCB was originally formed to represent the community through the institutions.
Further I can inform you that principled brothers like Dr Daud, have been members of the Council from the beginning. I have always said the Council is as strong or as weak as the community makes it. Here's our chance to stand in solidarity with it and in the future to stay constant in our support, by holding it to account if it falters and to embrace it when it speaks the truth on our behalf.
Zainab:
Thank you for putting partisanship aside MPAC and publishing a 'unity' article, we know our organisations (including MPAC) have strengths and weaknesses, however they are only as good as their collective standing, as Allah's Messenger stated many times in authentic hadith that the metaphorical hand of Allah (swt) is over the Jammah (the collective body of Muslims) that what makes us invulnerable Insha'Allah.
Jazzy Mo:
The Prophet (pbuh) said "The amount of reward is in accordance with the amount of suffering. When Allah (SWT) loves some people, He tries them (with affliction). He who then is content (with Allah's decree) has achieved the acceptance (of Allah), and he who is dissatisfied (with Allah's decree) will attain the anger (of Allah)." [Tirmidhi]
Well done Dr D, may Allah (swt) grant you the strength to remain steadfast in the face of such an undue and maliciously contrived agenda, for your crime is but that you supported the right of the down-trodden, oppressed people of Gaza
Outsider:
The caterpillar has finally become a butterfly...
Suliman A.:
The MCB is holding another consultation this weekend, why don't its detractors from within the community, get of their bums and attend to see for themselves who the brothers and sisters at the MCB are and what they stand for, otherwise they should hold their peace and let good people get on with the communally beneficial work they are doing.
British Muslims to Hold Public Meeting to Discuss Government Interference
The Muslim Council of Britain is to hold a public meeting of representatives of British Muslim organisations this Saturday 28th March 2009 (11 AM -2:00 PM) at the Islamic Cultural Centre and London Central Mosque (Regents Park), London to discuss the attempts led by some Government Ministers to try and undermine the independence of the Muslim Council of Britain, the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body.
"We have been overwhelmed by the messages of support we have received from concerned Muslims and non-Muslims following the action taken by Communities and Local Government Secretary of State Hazel Blears MP. It is important to uphold the principle of governmental non-interference in voluntary community organisations. This meeting will provide an opportunity for British Muslims to make their views known in a clear manner and to also comment on the government's new CONTEST 2 strategy," said Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
Representatives from a wide range of Muslim organisations including those who are not affiliated with the MCB are expected to attend the meeting.
[Ends]
For further information please contact the MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain,
PO Box 57330,
London,
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk
www.mcb.org.uk
Kiwi:
Gosh - I've never heard of mosque committees becoming violent, tho' I have seen the Vicar of Dibley throw a book at one of the dumber members of the parish committee on television! One lives and learns.
Ashraful:
I would wholly support the MCB in standing up for what is right but the severing of relations with the Government is not a positive development. Engaging in dialogue and building bridges is the way forward. The MCB should be looking towards re-establishing relations.
Ehsan:
The Muslim Council of Britain has always stood for the common interest of British Muslims and society at large where we live in. MCB has always been advocating an inclusive approach to the lives of Muslims and that of our fellow citizens, that is why it always believed in working together - either with the government or civil society organisations. Therefore your claims of 'sell out' are not correct. However, while the MCB has reiterated umpteen times it commitment to work together, it has always rejected government interference. Tony Blair's government tried it and now Gordon Brown's government is trying it as well, but MCB will always resist such dirty and underhand and undemocratic tactics.
It is strange to note that while the neo-cons are on the run in the US, the labour government suddenly seems to have embrassed them and Hazel Blears is our version of Dick Cheny. She spews venom and speaks very derogatorily to Muslims and making it clear that the Muslims in this country will be treated differently and as second class citizens.
MCB has done a great service both to Muslims and to the country by challenging such extremist views as that of Hazel Blears or that of Luton protestors. Sadly Blears and Luton protestors inform each other.
Shafiq:
I would wholly support the MCB in standing up for what is right but the severing of relations with the Government is not a positive development. Engaging in dialogue and building bridges is the way forward. The MCB should be looking towards re-establishing relations. — AshrafulNot if the government wants to impose their values onto the MCB. The organisation is meant to be where the Muslim community can voice their opinions on Government policy, not where the Government dictates how the Muslim community lives.
Syed:
Now Hazel Blears claims that MCB is supporting attacks on jewish communities around the world. Has she lost her mind. Where the hell did she get this invective from.
Neo-Con Blears should be removed and consigned to the dust bin of hate mongering.
Aziz:
....as an 'impartial' observer, if I was to use the yardstick applied to the Luton protestors, then it can be argued that this 'attack' by the regime on the MCB is designed merely to give it(MCB) some 'street cred'.
'Impartial' Observer:
....as an 'impartial' observer, if I was to use the yardstick applied to the Luton protestors, then it can be argued that this 'attack' by the regime on the MCB is designed merely to give it(MCB) some 'street cred'. — AzizImpartial my foot...the mooting of such conspiracies and heresay are often used by armchair critics who don't dare put their reputations on the line for the sake of the Ummah, for the sake of what is right and for the sake of their community. What do you think, Br Daud stood up for the Palistinian cause to earn street cred?? Your a bit of a twisted sick Mr Aziz.
Yahya:
Daud Abdullah: My reply to Hazel Blears
The communities minister has now moved from concerns about British troops to claims of attacks on Jews
In her misguided and ill-advised attempt to exercise control on the affairs of the largest independent Muslim organisation, the MCB, which has steadfastly and with honesty represented the views of Muslims over the years, Hazel Blears has used my attendance at the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference and the signing of a position document as the peg to hang her coat on. Her latest claim as stated in a letter on her behalf to our secretary-general and published in the Guardian today is that I signed a document "advocating attacks on Jewish communities all around the world". She had not raised this allegation before yesterday and it is entirely untrue.
The official communiqué of the Global Anti-Aggression Campaign conference thanked the Turkish government for its political stand towards the war on Gaza and allowing the conference to be convened in Istanbul. Despite his public condemnation of the war, prime minister Tayeb Erdogan's government maintained its strong diplomatic ties with Israel.
On several occasions during and after the war he reaffirmed that his government would not tolerate any acts of antisemitism in Turkey. Contrary to Hazel Blears, the Turkish government did not interpret the Istanbul declaration to advocate attacks on Jews.
In her letter to the MCB, Blears wrote: "We have particular concerns around paragraphs II.7 and II.8. Although the wording of these paragraphs is not exact, it is clear that the intention behind them is to call for attacks on Jews throughout the world and to retaliate against any action which could be taken by the British government in sending naval forces to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza. While the wording is not specific, both the tone and content of these paragraphs call for violence."
Although the letter to the MCB from the government says the wording of the document is "not exact" and "not specific", Blears affirms in her letter to Guardian with astounding certainty that it "advocates attacks on Jewish communities all around the world".
We have arrived at the stage where the secretary of state is now attributing an "intention" which in fact does not exist. While it is true that dictators often persecute their people for what they assume their intention is and not their actions, this has never been a feature of life in a mature democracy.
The focus of Blears' latest sudden concerns is item 7 of the document which talks about the political "position" towards those who support the Israeli ("Zionist entity") crimes – and they are crimes, as Israel is committing actions which are illegal and contrary to international law. The paragraph does not suggest in any way how to react to those who support Israel. More importantly, it refers to those who support Israeli crimes in general including Arabs and Muslims, as was clear from other parts of the statement which criticised the Arab regimes more than anyone else. However, none of these autocratic regimes interpreted this statement as a call for violence or attack on them or anyone else.
For the purposes of clarity, my position remains as follows:
1. I did not call for or support attacks on British troops anywhere in the world. As a British citizen, I have the right to criticise and campaign against government political decisions that embroil young British soldiers in illegal occupations and interventions. One of the reasons I joined the demonstrations against the war in Iraq was to prevent the sacrifice of young soldiers in an illegal war. For this reason I was the first to go to Baghdad in 2004 to seek the release of the British hostage, Ken Bigley, despite threats to my life in Iraq and here in the UK after I returned. This move was welcomed by the government at the time, but it seems some have a short memory.
2. Unlike his predecessor, prime minister Brown has promised that any such future intervention would only be carried out after it is endorsed by parliament. All the assertions made by the secretary of state are based on conjecture and totally hypothetical scenarios.
3. I am absolutely opposed to any attack or violence directed against innocent persons of any faith or no faith anywhere in the world. To claim that I call for attacks on Jewish communities throughout the world is completely false and an inflammatory and malicious assault on my beliefs, words and actions.
4. The Palestinians have the right to resist Israel's illegal occupation, a right supported by international law and the Charter of the UN. In the same way as it is a common British value to respect international law and support justice and freedom of oppressed people, I, along with the Muslim community and large sections of the wider British society, support the rights of the Palestinians.
5. If anything good is to emerge from this saga it should be the affirmation of the independence of MCB. However much Hazel Blears may dislike or disagree with its views she should respect this independence and deal with its representatives as equal citizens, just as it deals with the representatives of other communities.
I have no intention of bowing to the pressure from Hazel Blears to resign. The MCB will continue to make its positive contributions toward a just and fair society.
M Chauhdry:
All should assist to unseat Hazel Blears from Salford.......the elecltions aren’t far off!!!!!
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