Islam Channel Celebrates Eid Festival

Islam Channel Celebrates Eid Festival

at London Marriott Hotel

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Islam Channel celebrated Eid Festival by organising Eid Gala Dinner at London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London, on 29^th June 2018. It has a compact and comprehensive programme of speeches, Nasheed and talk about Islamic Relief. The Gala Dinner was attended by CEO of Islam Channel Mr. Mohamed Ali, Lords and Ladies, Members of Parliament, Members of British Cabinet, Mayors, distinguished leaders of the Muslim community and heads of different charities.

Islam Channel Eid Gala Dinner

Among the speakers there were Helen Stephenson, CBE, CEO of Charity Commission, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, OBE, Senior Advisor of Muslim Council of Britain, The Rt. Hon. Lord Paddick, former Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Baroness Manzila Uddin, Chair, National Commission of Muslim Women, Lord Sheikh, Member of Parliament; Councillor Magid Magid, Lord Mayor of Sheffield and others. Among the Nasheed Artist, there were Awais Iqbal, Najam Sheraz, Yasir Akhter and comedian Bilal Zafar.

Helen Stephenson, CBE

The opening address was delivered by the CEO of Islam Channel, Mohamed Ali Harrath followed by Helen Stephenson, CBE, CEO of Charity Commission. CEO of Charity Commission, Helen mentioned in her speech about the contribution of the Muslim Community in Britain. She mentioned a figure of 100 million pounds collected from the month of Ramadan by the Muslim community for the helpless for the needy in the world.

Dr. Hany El-Banna

Dr. Hany El-Banna, President of the Humanitarian Forum UK, delivered a speech. In his speech, Dr. El-Banna said, “I am going to take you through a journey. I am a human. But Allah has created the whole creation to serve me and made me a custodian for all the creation of God. Before I landed on earth everybody everything on earth has been created to serve me. I am a human. Then my mother born me or deliver me on a piece of land. So I am relating myself to develop such a piece of land and to look at my nationality as a British, as a French, as a Pakistani, or Bengali or Egyptian or Palestinian or Lebanese or whatever it is and I am a believer who found his way through the teachings of the Lord, Allah  Subhanahu wa Taala; and so I have the three in one; the one who can carry the three values - the value of humanity, the value of faith and the value of my country, and  this is the Islam that I am standing for; I am a human, I am a national citizen and I am a believer at the same time.”

Talking of Muslim duty, Dr. El-Banna said, “Our duty as a Muslim is two: to develop any piece of land but Allah Almighty granted us to live on this surface. To build the community, to build peace, to build civilisation and to empower people and make them independent and establish justice on earth. This is the definition of human being who is loyal to his Lord, loyal to humanity and loyal to his country at the same time.”

Speaking about charity, Dr. El-Banna said, “Charity is not about fund raising; charity is not about PR or media or who comes first or who claim I am the first and you are the last; I am the best and you are the worst. Charity is a gin in the heart of every human being or every creation of God that Allah Subhanahu wa Taala created on this planet to those act of charitable activities. The charity work goes beyond fund raising; goes beyond PR and media and talking and inflating things. Charity work is inclusivity, one who includes the local community is members in Somalia, in India, in Pakistan in Bangladesh and in the UK as well. To include them. This is inclusivity.”

“Charity work is about transference anything comes to the charity must be declared charity work is to build a community; how to build a stronger community; how to build future of such disadvantaged, marginalised poor community not about who is first. Never claim about the first because the first responder is the local community in Kashmir, in Myanmar or whatever it is,” said Dr. El-Banna and mentioned, “Charity work is for the humanity whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim; whether they are Muslim country or non-Muslim country; whether they are in UK or outside UK; should be every human being who are in need of UK or abroad.”

Dr. El-Banna also said, “Charity work is about creating future leadership of the future generation. Charity work is about being a partner to the government who is granting us the license to work. Charity work is about the ability, bench marking and good governance work and about advocacy - this is the charity work which we wanted to every charity.”

Concluding his speech, Dr. El-Banna mentioned again, “I am a human; I am a believer and I am a partisan to my country. I love the three because this is the humanity that Allah asks me to carry in my heart.”

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, OBE

Sir Iqbal Sacranie, OBE, senior Advisor of the Muslim Council of Britain, gave a speech. Before delivering his speech he requested a bit of patience from the gathering and he was convinced that that type of patience the Muslim community during the month of Ramadan. He also told the gathering that Insha Allah the programme of this evening time up in such a manner you will have an opportunity to listen to some interesting events and of course hear some of the speeches from different charity as well.

Sir Iqbal appreciated the “the wonderful work that we have done in the month of Ramadan and have the wonderful feeling of brotherhood working together with faith or no faith and more importantly how obedient to our Creator.”

In this connection Sir Iqbal said there is something more for celebration. He mentioned, “I think it is important for us to bring the oneself of appreciation as well, those of us who are involved organising events over the years in different capacities are well aware of the difficult task putting together such an event and congratulate in the first place to CEO and the entire team of Islam Channel, Alhamdolillah, for putting such a wonderful event. So congratulate them.”

Sir Iqbal also asked the gathering to congratulate the Muslim community. He said, “We have to appreciate the Muslim community across the UK, who we heard early from the CEO of Charity Commission that she mentioned a figure of one hundred million pounds collected during the month of Ramadan by the Muslim community for the helpless for the needy in the world.”

“I understand the figure was 200 million pounds but even that the 100 million pounds Alhamdo Lillah it’s a figure with the Muslim community across the UK we need to be very proud and thankful to our Creator to give us this opportunity to contribute and to help the poor and needy around the world,” said Sir Iqbal Sacranie and added, “This contribution should not be underestimated; actually when the figure is combined to people of other faiths, no faith as well. And when we saw so much about the Muslim community solely in the very negative tone; this is one thing that perhaps requires a better understanding.”

Sir Iqbal emphasized, “So those who continued demonise castigate the Muslim community in the charity sector and through the places. I am well aware, today the day of celebration but the facts have been known. And when this is known people have become more eager there is greater incentive to help the needy people around the world.”

That the money we are talking about goes to the foreign needy around the world today there is a greater emphasis what to be done in the community in the UK as well. Organisations like zakat foundation in numerous charities in the UK and now putting an effort in the UK as well which is very essential. We should not underestimate the concern, the need of some poor people in the community as well as the wider society as well. President Dr. Hany El-Banna mentioned it is the duty and obligation of us irrespective of his faith, ethnicity wherefrom they come from.

Commission an enquiry into

Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crime

Sir Iqbal Sacranie wanted to conclude mentioned one particular point which has been in the media lately. He said, “It is a plea to the politicians and particularly to our government that recently the Muslim Council had urged the parties, every party, the government to commission an enquiry into the Islamophobia and anti- Muslim hate crimes now increasing and prevailing not just in the wider society but in the almost of the government and the political party as well.”

Sir Iqbal commended “Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Opposition Labour Party who has supported this movement that something has to be done on the same way anti-Semitism or other forms of phobias hate crimes that have been committed. We feel that the enquiry should take place.”

Sir Iqbal Sacranie enquired why he has raised this question. Because this this is the question there is so much concern in the Muslim Community. He said, “When there is so much concern in the Muslim community why does not the government interfere that this is also as important as the hate crime as it is important for us; for all of us to take it up and very clearly I say to Lord Sheikh, the former chairman or the president of the Conservative Muslim Forum who also join in the affair.”

Emphasizing on the enquiry to be taken up on the issue of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crime, Sir Iqbal said, “Something need to be addressed why there is so much Islamophobia in the country. Today we have the Muslim Friends of Democracy who also feel that there is a need of this enquiry; this need of enquiry throughout the community. Therefore it is important for all of us; we need to provide full support with the form of petitions form of giving across seeking the parliamentarians and we have lots of MPs as well and we urge them this is a matter that cannot be ignored for the betterment of the community at large.”   

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Eid Reception at British Parliament

Parliamentary Eid Reception 

At British Parliament

Dr. Mozammel Haque

After a month-long fasting in the month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world celebrated Eid Festival. In the United Kingdom, British Muslims were also celebrating Eid Festival by organising two events, one: Parliamentary Eid Reception at the British Parliament, organised by Islamic Relief and hosted by Lord Sheikh was held on Thursday, 26 June 2018. Rt. Hon. Penny Mordaunt, MP, Secretary of State for International Development (DFID) was the keynote speaker. Another one was Islam Channel Eid Gala Dinner organised by Islam Channel was held on Friday, 29^th of June, 2018 at London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London.

Parliamentary Eid Reception 

at British Parliament

Parliamentary Eid Reception was held on 26 June 2018, at the River Room of the House of Lords. Rt. Hon. Penny Mordaunt, MP, Secretary of State for International Development (DFID) wishes ‘all a belated Eid Mubarak.’ She said, “I hope you were able to spend the day with your families and loved ones. And that you were able to reflect on the sacrifices you made and the good you have done during the month of Ramadan.”

Speaking about the works of the Islamic Relief, Secretary of State Penny Mordaunt mentioned, “Islamic Relief’s life-saving and life-changing work in over forty countries shows what can be achieved on a global level when faith can be harnessed and a community of believers mobilised. Just like the Red Cross or Christian Aid, Islamic Relief is a badge of hope for millions of the world’s poorest and most desperate people. In Yemen, you have provided emergency food assistance to 1.7 million people. In South Sudan, you have helped bring food and water to seventy thousand vulnerable people. In Syria, you have delivered two million food parcels and helped provide education for eighteen thousand children since the conflict began. And your Honour Her campaign to end all forms of gender based violence is having an effect both here in the UK and around the world.”

Speaking about the holy month of Ramadan, she said, “I know the holy month is a time of humility.  Because Islamic Relief, and other faith organisations, are invaluable partners for my Department as we work together to help those most in need. And to achieve the Global Goals to end extreme poverty, hunger, disease, illness and promote education and equality for all.”

Speaking about DFID’s relationship with Islamic Relief, she mentioned, “I see DFID’s relationship with Islamic Relief as a Great Partnership. Each of us bringing something that makes us greater than the sum of our parts. That makes us more effective, and more able to respond to the challenging and difficult circumstances in which we operate. Like our Aid Match partnership. DFID has match-funded Islamic Relief to the sum of five million pounds to improve health, education, sanitation and livelihoods for over a hundred thousand conflict-affected people in the Blue Nile and North and South Sudan region. This is just the latest collaboration in a Great Partnership between DFID and Islamic Relief, which has spanned twenty years and fifteen countries and territories.”

She also mentioned about religious principles and Islamic values. She said, “You are a crucial partner for us because of your access, because of the trust people have in you, and because you honour the religious principles in which you believe. Compassion. Generosity. Helping those less fortunate than ourselves. Those are not just Islamic values. Those are British Values. As faith groups have always reminded us, our shared humanity compels us to act even when disaster or tragedy strike on the other side of the world.”

Lord Sheikh at Parliamentary Eid Reception

Speaking about Muslims in general, Lord Sheikh mentioned, “Most Muslims all over the world believe in helping people who are less fortunate than themselves. There are many Muslim charities which are based in the United Kingdom. UK Muslims gave 100 million pounds to charities during Ramadan last year. That’s £38 pounds a second.”

Talking about Ramadan, Zakat and Islamic duty, Lord Sheikh said, “It is compulsory for us to give Zakat. It is of course the third pillar of Islam. We also like to help others. Although Muslims donate to charities at all times, during the month of Ramadan, the contributions tend to be large and generous.”

Talking about Muslim charities, Lord Sheikh mentioned, “Muslim charities help deserving causes in the United Kingdom and provide support and assistance in overseas countries. Some of these countries have been affected by war, others are affected by famine and climate changes. These charities also do splendid work in providing water, shelter and food. I think it must be noticed that Muslim charities help and support and provide aid to non-Muslims as well as Muslims.”

Lord Sheikh then talked about Islamic Relief. He said, “Islamic Relief is an independent humanitarian and development organisation which has been saving the lives across the globe since 1984. Islamic Relief envisages a caring world where communities are empowered, social obligations are fulfilled and people respond as one to the suffering of others. Their work can be summarised under three headings which are (1) responding and (2) recovery and (3) resilience. I very much appreciate that Islamic Relief is performing remarkable work in different ways all over the world.”

This ensures that people who are vulnerable and need help are not abused in any way.

Judith Escribano, Head of Communication

Islamic Relief

Judith Escribano said, “Those of us working in the Muslim Sector know that British Muslims are incredibly generous. In the month of Ramadan alone, they donate £100 million to charity. That’s an astonishing amount of money when you take into account that there are only 2.7 million Muslims in Britain and one third of them are children. We delivered 200,000 food packages in 36 countries during Ramadan. That makes us very proud.”

She also said, “I am particularly impressed by my Muslim colleagues who worked every day throughout Ramadan – sometimes doing a whole day’s work, followed by an evening or weekend of volunteering. You are an inspiration to those of us who are not Muslims – and who hid away to eat and drink during Ramadan.”

Ms Judith also mentioned, “Five years ago, a group of volunteers created a fundraising campaign, called the Cake Campaign, to raise money for our work in Syria during Ramadan. I am delighted to say that this initiative has raised £1 million over 5 years for survivors of the crisis in Syria. Because of its commitment to reconstruction and long-term development Islamic Relief stays in communities following emergencies, long after the cameras have left.”

About her knowledge of Islam, Ms. Judith confessed, “I knew very little about Islam – apart from what I had been taught in school many months ago. And apart from the biased and inaccurate reporting of many newspapers whose sole mission seems to be to denigrate Muslims and Islam. And because of my ignorance and that misinformation, I was worried about practices that I had assumed were religious practices, such as FGM and early and forced marriage. And as a strong feminist, I wondered whether I would be the right fit for the organisation.”

“So I did some research. I went on a one-day Intro to Islam course at the Central London Mosque. I read the Qur’an. I read a feminist interpretation of the Qur’an. I read about revolutions in the Middle East. I discovered that many practices attributed to Islam as a faith were in fact cultural and patriarchal practices,” said Judith.

Judith also mentioned, “Islamic Relief was running a campaign against violence against women and girls, and I knew then that that I had made the right decision to come here. Islamic Relief calls out those who misuse Islamic faith to justify abuse. Violence against women and girls in any shape or form is not acceptable in Islam; is not acceptable in the UK Muslim community; and is not acceptable in wider society. And as an Islamic-inspired agency, we recognise the role of faith in tackling this important issue.”

Judith also mentioned, “This Ramadan, Islamic Relief has already raised £10 million so far. These donations will help us to continue to transform and save lives. So thank you to all those who make this possible”