Saudi Arabia limits around 1000 pilgrims this year

Hajj 1441H with Very Limited Numbers

Saudi Arabia Limit Around  

 1,000 Pilgrims this year

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Saudi Arabia limits more or less 1,000 pilgrims this year. The Ministry of Hajj announced on Saudi Television that they will allow around 1,000 only between Saudis and foreign residents. None from outside will be allowed. No mention of 10,000; only one thousand.

Another precautionary measure will be taken. After the completion of the Hajj the pilgrims will be taken to 2 weeks (14 days) quarantine before releasing them.

Being conscious of the global pandemic, Saudi Arabia has taken the following measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. Hajj pilgrim numbers could be limited to less or more than 1,000 to protect public health in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, according to Saudi authorities, reported in Jeddah-based English daily Arab News.

It added, “Health Minister Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah told a press conference on Tuesday (23 June 2020) that compulsory isolation before and after the pilgrimage will also be enforced. He said Saudi Arabia is capable of ensuring pilgrims’ safety this year.”

“The health ministry has accumulated experience in the service of pilgrims, and thus has enough human and technical capacities to serve pilgrims and preserve their health,” the Hajj Minister said and added that an integrated hospital at holy sites will be provided, along with a health centre in Arafat in case of emergencies during Hajj.”

It is also reported in the Arab News, the Health Minister Al-Rabiah said limiting the number of pilgrims this year is important. “Only people residing in the Kingdom, who are under 65 years of age and who do not have chronic diseases will be allowed to perform Hajj this year. They will get tested before arriving to the holy sites and will be subject to self-isolation after performing Hajj,” he said. He added that those serving pilgrims during Hajj will also be tested.

According to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Muhammad Saleh Benten, “all pilgrims will be tested before they reach the holy sites and only Muslims under the age of 65 will be allowed to perform the exercise. All pilgrims will be asked to self-quarantine after they complete the Hajj rituals.

“All workers and volunteers will be tested before the Hajj pilgrimage begins. The health status of all pilgrims will be monitored daily just as hospital has been prepared for any emergency that occurs during the pilgrimage. Social distancing measures will be enforced.”

The Minister of Hajj explained that the procedures for spacing and avoiding the large crowds will be implemented for pilgrims, stressing the existence of "exceptional" implementation plans for this year's pilgrimage.

He added that the decision to limit numbers to less or more than 1,000 “was taken based on the Kingdom’s principles and past experience in managing Hajj. The main aim is preserving the health and safety of pilgrims in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is a delicate process and we are working with experts at the health ministry, the interior ministry and other authorities to ensure a safe Hajj,” Bentin said.

Every year, about 2.5 million Muslims visit the holiest sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah.

Health and Safety of Pilgrims is Our Priority

Hajj and Coronavirus

Safety and Security of Pilgrims Top Priority

Dr Mozammel Haque

Safety and security of the Muslim pilgrims is the top-most priority of the Saudi government. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said this year the risk of transmitting the disease between the countries and the increase in infections globally meant the risk was too high.

There is ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic and the virus is accelerating across the world. “in light of continuation of the pandemic and the risks of Coronavirus spreading in crowded spaces and large gatherings,” the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said and it made the following announcement.

The Saudi government announced on Monday (22 June 2020) evening that Hajj 2020 will go ahead next month this year but with a ‘very limited’ number of pilgrims from all nationalities already residing in Saudi Arabia are allowed to perform it.

The decision was taken due to the ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic and to preserve “global public health,” the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said. Pilgrims taking part will be from various nationalities currently residing in Saudi Arabia. The Hajj this year is set to begin at the end of July.

“This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic,” the statement said.

The Ministry said, Saudi Arabia’s top priority is to always enable Muslim pilgrims can  perform Hajj and Umrah safely and securely.”

According to the Jeddah-based English daily Arab News, “About 2.5 million pilgrims performed Hajj last year but the ongoing scale and spread of COVID-19 worldwide means people will not be able to travel to the Kingdom to take part.” (Monday, 22 June 2020) 

The statement of the Saudi Ministry said, “The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is honoured to serve millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually and it confirms that this decision stems from the top priority it accords maintaining the safety of pilgrims on its land until they depart to their home countries.
We ask Allah the Almighty to protect all countries from this pandemic and keep all humans protected and safe." --SPA 

Although Saudi Arabia has lifted some restrictions in recent days around the country, the Umrah and international flights remain suspended and its land and sea borders remain closed. 

Arab News mentioned, “Last year, more than 1.8 million pilgrims travelled to Saudi Arabia from abroad to take part.

Hajj 2020 During Covid19 Pandemic Very Limited Number

Hajj 2020 During Covid-19 Pandemic

Very Limited Number of Pilgrims

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Saudi government announced on Monday (22 June 2020) evening that Hajj 2020 will go ahead next month this year but with a ‘ very limited’ number of pilgrims already residing in Saudi Arabia.

The decision was taken due to the ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic and to preserve “global public health,” the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said. Pilgrims taking part will be from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia. The Hajj this year is set to begin at the end of July.

Ministry of Hajj and Umrah: Hajj 1441H is decided to take place this year with Limited Number of Pilgrims from All Nationalities Residing in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued the following statement on Monday, 22 June 2020):

"In light that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to more than 180 countries around the world, and that deaths related to COVID-19 have reached almost half a million and over 7 million cases have been confirmed globally, and in accordance with what has been stressed by the Saudi Ministry of Health regarding the continued risks stemming from this pandemic and the lack of available vaccinations and a cure for those who have been infected by COVID-19 around the world, and to preserve the security of global public health especially in light of the increase in the number of cases in most countries according to reports issued by global health organizations and institutions, and considering the risks of the disease and infections spreading in crowded gatherings where it is difficult to maintain safe social distancing among the individuals gathered,

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, whose top priority is to always enable Muslim pilgrims to perform Hajj and Umrah rites safely and securely and which has been keen since the beginning of the pandemic to take all necessary precautionary measures to protect pilgrims, including by suspending the entry of Umrah pilgrims while ensuring the safety of the pilgrims already present at the holy sites, a decision that has received many approbations from Islamic and international organizations in recognition of its wide contribution to fighting the virus globally and supporting the efforts of health organizations in limiting the spread of the deadly disease, 

and in light of continuation of the pandemic and the risks of Coronavirus spreading in crowded spaces and large gatherings, and its transmission between countries, and the increase in average infections globally, it has been decided that Hajj for this year (1441 H/ 2020 AD) will be held whereby a very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia, would be able to perform it. This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols to protect human beings from the risks associated with this pandemic and in accordance with the teachings of Islam in preserving the lives of human beings.

The government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques is honored to serve millions of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually and it confirms that this decision stems from the top priority it accords maintaining the safety of pilgrims on its land until they depart to their home countries.

We ask Allah the Almighty to protect all countries from this pandemic and keep all humans protected and safe." --SPA 

According to the Jeddah-based English daily Arab News, “About 2.5 million pilgrims performed Hajj last year but the ongoing scale and spread of COVID-19 worldwide means people will not be able to travel to the Kingdom to take part.” (Monday, 22 June 2020) 

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah said the decision had been made “in light of continuation of the pandemic and the risks of Coronavirus spreading in crowded spaces and large gatherings.” The statement said: “A very limited number of pilgrims from various nationalities who already reside in Saudi Arabia, would be able to perform it.

“This decision is taken to ensure Hajj is performed in a safe manner from a public health perspective while observing all preventative measures and the necessary social distancing protocols.” 

Arab News also mentioned, “Last year, more than 1.8 million pilgrims traveled to Saudi Arabia from abroad to take part. The Hajj ministry said this year the risk of transmitting the disease between countries and the increase in infections globally meant the risk was too high."

Although Saudi Arabia has lifted some restrictions in recent days around the country, the Umrah and international flights remain suspended and its land and sea borders remain closed.

The Ministry said Saudi Arabia’s top priority is to always enable Muslim pilgrims can  perform Hajj and Umrah safely and securely.”

BAME Communities and Coronavirus -

BAME Communities and Coronavirus:

We Need Action and No More Investigation

Dr. Mozammel Haque

“I echo the points raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr Lammy) about the need for action now. We know a lot of these problems. We have raised them repeatedly. We need to see action,” Meg Hillier, the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch said in the debate on Covid-19: BAME Communities in the House of Commons on Thursday, 18^th of June 2020.  Labour MP for Slough Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi also said, “Does my hon. Friend not agree that with more than 200 recommendations from previous reviews already gathering dust, the reason why so many of us are pointing out, again and again, that we need action and not more reviews and investigations is that we have not even implemented a single recommendation from the previous reviews?”

Debate on Covid-19: BAME Communities

Dawn Petula Butler, Member of Parliament for Brent Central tabled a debate on Covid-19: BAME Communities in the House of Commons on Thursday, 18^th of June 2020. Many Parliamentarians from cross-party lines participated in the debate, expressed their viewpoints and made important contributions. Among them, the following parliamentarians expressed their concerns and asked questions on risk assessment, no recourse to public funds, incompetence and systematic racism.

Risk Assessment

Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Bow) (Lab)

Labour Party MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, Rushanara Ali, asked, “ Does my hon. Friend agree that at the heart of Government there is huge ignorance about this agenda, and we need the Government to learn from what has happened? As we ease lockdown, the Government urgently need to do the risk assessments so that families who are at risk through inter-generational living and all those issues are taken into account and action is taken to protect people from further risks of dying.”

No Recourse to Public Funds

Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab)

Labour MP for East Ham said, “There is no safety net for people with no recourse to public funds.”

Labour Party MP for East Ham said,” I want to focus on one point. The Public Health England review says: “People of BAME groups are also more likely than people of white British ethnicity to be born abroad, which means they may face additional barriers in accessing services”.

East Ham MP said, “I want to highlight one barrier in particular, and that is the “no recourse to public funds” restrictions on leave to remain, which has already been touched on this debate. We are talking about families who have leave to remain in the UK, who are law-abiding and hard-working, often with children born in the UK and who may well be British nationals and have British passports. Typically, they are on a 10-year route to securing indefinite leave to remain, and in the meantime they have to apply four times, getting two and a half years to remain each time. Throughout that 10-year period, when they are working here, typically very hard, doing exactly the kinds of jobs we have been talking about, they have no recourse to public funds.”

Stephen Timms mentioned, “That is a formidable barrier that those people face. It is exactly the kind of barrier that the Public Health England report refers to. I asked the Prime Minister yesterday about this, and I asked him about it at the Liaison Committee three weeks ago. His answer then was that hard-working families in that position should have help of one kind or another. I absolutely agree. Unfortunately, he did not say that when I asked him about it yesterday, but it is what he said to me at the Liaison Committee, and he was right on that occasion. The problem is that those families are not getting that help.”

“It comes as a shock to a lot of people to learn that the parents of children who have been born in the UK and might well be British nationals cannot claim child benefit for them, because no recourse to public funds excludes that. The families cannot apply for universal credit either, or access the safety net that so many people have had to depend on during this crisis—2 million additional people have been claiming universal credit since the beginning of the crisis,” said Stephen Timms MP

He mentioned, “That safety net is not there for people with no recourse to public funds. That has created a very serious problem of destitution, a huge increase in food bank demand in many parts of the country and, in my area, the return of something I never thought we would see again: soup kitchens, where people are handing out free cooked food just to keep others alive.

BAME are under-represented

in clinical trials. Why? It is incompetence

Ms Lyn Brown (West Ham) (Lab)

Labour MP for West Ham, Ms Lyn Brown said, “We know that it goes further than vitamin D. Staggeringly, despite the fact that black and minority ethnic communities are at greater risk of death, they are under-represented in clinical trials. Why? What possible excuse is there for that? In my humble opinion, it is incompetence, at the very best.”

She also said, “If we have a second wave, as I fear, and black and minority ethnic communities die in numbers out of all proportion again, we will be holding the Government to account for those excess deaths.”

Earlier, Ms Lyn Brown MP mentioned, “Some 73% of us in Newham are from an ethnic minority, so we need this Government to act before we see a second wave. We need action so desperately that I have broken shielding to be here today so that I can demand it. The fact that I had to do so is wrong, but that is not nearly as wrong as the denial of equal protection for my constituents from this terrible virus.”

Ms Lyn Brown MP also said, “Those from our Bangladeshi community have twice the risk of death, and that is more than 12% of my constituents. Those from the Pakistani community have a 44% higher risk, which is 10% of us in Newham. Those from the Indian community have a 22% higher risk, which is 15% of us in Newham.”

Earlier, Labour MP for West Ham, Ms Lyn Brown started mourning sadly all those she lost during the Covid19 Pandemic. She mentioned their names, “In Newham, we have statistically the second highest mortality rate from covid in the country. We have lost Ramesh Gunamal, who worked on the front desk at Forest Gate police station. We have lost Dr Louisa Rajakumari, who taught English at Kingsford Community School. We have lost Dr Yusuf Patel, a much missed GP from Forest Gate, and Abdul Karim Sheikh—sometimes a political opponent, mostly a friend, and a man always dedicated to the best for our communities. Those are just a few of the people who Newham and West Ham mourn deeply.”

This needs to be urgently addressed,

With workplace risk assessment, PPE and test

For everyone who needs them.

Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Lab)

After describing the two anniversaries, Grenfell Tower fire and HMS  Windrush, the Labour MP for Coventry South, Zarah Sultana, said, “Systemic racism is causing black and brown people to disproportionately die from coronavirus. This needs to be urgently addressed, with workplace risk assessments, PPE and tests for everyone who needs them, but it needs deeper change, too. We need to tackle the system that drives these inequalities and empowers people in this Chamber and in Parliament and the billionaire press barons who whip up fear and exploit and discard working-class people, black, brown and white alike. We need to tackle this system, and in its place, build a society that has equality and freedom at its heart. That is the call of socialism and it is more timely than ever.”

She said, “These are neither discrete incidents nor aberrations from the norm. They are reminders of what is painfully clear to many people outside this Chamber: that race ​and class are the dividing lines between two very different Britains. The people of Grenfell Tower lived and died in the shadow of immense wealth in Kensington and Chelsea. The Windrush scandal exposed the second-class citizenship for black and brown people in Britain today and the contempt with which migrants are treated. The coronavirus pandemic has revealed the fatal inequities that are rife within our society and are truly a matter of life and death.”

Zarah Sultana also said, “This systemic racism is not incidental. It has a history, and thanks to the action of Black Lives Matter campaigners, light is being shed on this history. It is a history of colonialism and conquest, empire and enslavement, and inequality and exploitation. It is a history of the rich and powerful using their influence to maintain control and spread hate. Today, their newspapers run stories spreading fear about migrants arriving on our shores. Tomorrow, it might be about Muslims or young black men or Gypsies or Roma, and it is done with the same purpose: to divide the people, deflect blame and protect their rotten system. That is why they target minorities, and we see it with the threat to the trans community at the moment.”

Zarah Sultana, MP for Coventry South, said, “Systemic racism is causing black and brown people to disproportionately die from coronavirus. This needs to be urgently addressed, with workplace risk assessments, PPE and tests for everyone who needs them, but it needs deeper change, too. We need to tackle the system that drives these inequalities and empowers people in this Chamber and in Parliament and the billionaire press barons who whip up fear and exploit and discard working-class people, black, brown and white alike. We need to tackle this system, and in its place, build a society that has equality and freedom at its heart. That is the call of socialism and it is more timely than ever.”

Seeking Government Guidance for Congregational Prayers

Seeking Government Guidance for

Congregational Prayers in Mosques

Dr. Mozammel Haque

London Central Mosque Trust and Islamic Cultural Centre issued press release on 11 June seeking government guidance for congregational prayers in Mosques.

Earlier on 7^th of June 2020, The Government issued a press release where places of worship was given permission to reopen for individual prayer from Monday 15^th of June 2020.

It was also mentioned, “Individual prayer will be permitted from 15 June, but communally led prayer, worship or devotion such as services, evensong, informal prayer meetings, Mass, Jummah or Kirtan will not be possible at this stage. The government will continue to work with the Taskforce towards the full reopening of places of worship as soon as the scientific advice allows.

Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “Ensuring places of worship can open again; beginning with individual prayer has been my priority. Their contribution to the common good of our country is clear, as places of solace, comfort, stability and dignity. And the need for them is all the greater as we weather the uncertainties of the pandemic.

“I’m pleased this can now happen from 15 June. As Communities Secretary I have worked with faith leaders and representatives to prepare guidance that ensures this can be done safely. People of all faiths have shown enormous patience and forbearance, unable to mark Easter, Passover, Ramadan or Vaisakhi with friends and family in the traditional way. As we control the virus, we are now able to move forwards with a limited, but important return to houses of worship.”

Faith Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “Religious communities have shown enormous resilience and sacrifice in celebrating significant spiritual moments like Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Eid and Vaisakhi at home during these extraordinary times. 

“The government has determined that this is the right time to begin re-opening places of worship for individual prayer.

“It’s our hope that this is the first step in places of worship reopening fully, when the science supports it. I look forward to continuing to discuss with the Taskforce how to address ongoing practical safety issues in the coming weeks.

“Places of worship still have discretion over when they consider it safe to open and may decide to remain closed or reopen at a slower pace if they wish.”

Religious leaders split over 
reopening of Places of Worship

Christian leaders have welcomed the government's announcement that places of worship in England will be allowed to reopen for individual prayer from 15 June, but Muslim and Jewish leaders said the move was not appropriate for the way they practise their faith, reported by ITV news on 9 June 2020.

The ITV report also mentioned, “The secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Harun Khan, said the government's guidance lacked clarity for Muslim communities.”

The Coordination Committee for Mosques

 and Islamic Centres in London

The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres in London have taken decision to seek guidance from Government for Congregational prayers in the Mosque on 11 June 2020.

Calls for the Government to provide

clarity on congregational prayers 

"Recent Government guidance is allowing places of worship to reopen for ‘individual’ worship from 15 June 2020. Whilst this may be appropriate for some faiths, it does not take in to account that congregational prayers are the main act of worship within a Mosque.," said the Islamic Cultural Centre's press release issued on 11 June 2020.

It also mentioned, "The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres in London is seeking for clear government guidance on the timing and conditions for the re-opening of mosques for collective worship, so that congregational prayers can be safely facilitated. In the meantime, our Mosques will continue to remain temporarily closed.

"The transmission of Covid19 still remains a serious threat to the lives of everyone specially, vulnerable people in our communities. Evidence shows that the BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) members are disproportionally affected by Covid19. Therefore, we consider the safety and well-being of our congregations as a paramount concern. This decision will be kept under constant review, as will requ review, as will requisite risk assessments and the preparation of adequate safety measures working with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) in accordance with government guidelines.

"We would like to thank our community for their support, patience and understanding during this difficult time. We will continue offering online educational and welfare services, as we have done for the duration of the lockdown and we are hopeful that the Mosques will reopen in the not so distant future, Insha’Allah.

Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London 

* The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque

• East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre

• Finsbury Park Mosque

• Al Manaar – Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre

• Al Muntada Al Islami & WL

• Al Muntada Al Islami & WLICC

• Muslim Welfare House

• Mayfair Islamic Centre

• Masjid Al Tawhid

• Al-Nagashi Mosque & Centre"

Baroness Uddin in the House of Lords

On 15 June, 2020, Baroness Uddin raised the same question to get clarity on congregational prayers in Mosques.

Baroness Uddin in the House of Lords

On 15 June, 2020, Baroness Uddin raised the same question in the House of Lords to get clarity on congregational prayers in Mosques.

Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl) [V]

On Congregational Prayers

On congregational Prayers, Baroness Uddin said, “We are a number of weeks past the concept of bubbles, and there are very important questions about access to places of worship, including mosques, gurdwaras and temples. He will be aware that many volunteer organisations have ensured during the emergency period that government messaging goes out to communities. They are asking for clarity. When will these instructions be made clear to them, to make sure that congregational prayers do not resume without adequate support?”

“These and subsequent measures have not referred adequately to the plight of those suffering from mental ill-health. Mental health has significantly deteriorated due to family income. What measures are the Government considering to address the plight of the more than 1 million people who have not been able to access government financial support? I agree wholeheartedly with the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, on the issues of mental health she has raised,” she mentioned.

Lord Bethell [V]

Lord Bethell, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care, replied, “I am grateful to people of all faiths for the patience they have shown during the lockdown, and I am very pleased that we been able to reopen places of worship for individual prayer this week. However, I reassure my noble friend and the noble Baroness, Lady Uddin, that we hope to be able to reopen places of worship fully when this is supported by the science. I am grateful to the places of worship task force for its continued engagement.”

Lord Sheikh Encourages Ethnic Minorities to Join Armed Forces

Racism and Diversity in the Armed Forces

Lord Sheikh encourages ethnic

minorities to join Armed Forces

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Recent events throughout the world, particularly United States of America and Europe, have brought the issues of racism and diversity into sharp focus. Labour Peer Lord Touhig tabled the question what steps or measures be taken i) to address racism and ii) to improve diversity, in the Armed Forces. On Wednesday, 17^th of June 2020 the House of Lords was debating how to bring changes in the Armed Forces.

The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Goldie) (Con) [V]

Baroness Goldie (Con), The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence, said, “My Lords, recent events have brought the issues of racism and diversity into sharp relief. While the Ministry of Defence has long recognised that any form of racism or discrimination is absolutely unacceptable and has continued to challenge itself to become more diverse and inclusive, we recognise that the pace of change needs to quicken. Efforts are being redoubled to fulfil the key objectives in the Defence Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2018-2030 to eliminate discrimination and improve diversity throughout defence.”

Lord Touhig (Lab) [V]

Labour Peer, Lord Touhig said, “My Lords, last year 12% of service complaints were made by BAME personnel, despite the fact that they make up just 8% of our Armed Forces. A third of those complained of bullying, harassment and discrimination. Clearly there is a problem. The whole House will welcome the announcement of the Chief of the Defence Staff that the defence chiefs will meet regularly to change the “lived experience” of BAME personnel. Can the Minister tell us what that means precisely? How will it make a difference, and will the House receive regular reports on the progress of this initiative?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “We owe it to our black, Asian and minority-ethnic personnel to understand these issues from their perspective. We must listen and continue making change happen. I assure the noble Lord that this will be led from the most senior level. I am the Defence Minister responsible for diversity and inclusion. Chiefs of staff, senior management and personnel are all now engaged in addressing the challenges and ensuring that the laudable objectives of the diversity and inclusion strategy are delivered.”

Lord Sheikh (Con) [V]

Conservative Peer Lord Sheikh participated in the debate and he encouraged the ethnic minorities to join the Armed Forces. Lord Sheikh said, “My Lords, I encourage the ethnic minorities to join the Armed Forces. The problem is that very few are promoted above the middle ranks, which causes frustration. Furthermore, ethnic minorities make up only 2.5% of officers, which is very low. For us to improve diversity and assist the mental and spiritual well-being of servicemen, chaplains of all religions need to be full-time officers. Muslim and Sikh chaplains have received full officer training but are part-time reservists. They need to be regular full-time officers with adequate rights. Can my noble friend the Minister look at this point?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “I listened with great interest to the point raised by my noble friend. I have no specific information about the appointment of chaplains or the backgrounds from which they are appointed. I shall investigate and write further to him.”

Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Non-Afl) [V]

Baroness Falkner of Margravine spoke about BAME communities. She said, “My Lords, the target for female representation at 15%, as set out in the biannual diversity report, seems to me too low. Why are they not being more ambitious, with a higher target? Nearly half the BAME staff are of non-UK nationality. Why are they not succeeding in recruiting people from United Kingdom BAME communities, and what lessons can be learned from the recruitment for Future Forces 2020, which seems to have a much better record with both women and BAME communities?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “A number of very good things are happening and very positive developments are taking place. However, particularly having regard to the events of recent weeks, it is critical that we reassure staff within the MoD that this is not some transient focus of attention. There is now an ongoing serious conversation that will continue. It is being driven by the senior levels of management and personnel and at the ministerial level within the MoD.”

Baroness Verma (Con) [V]

Conservative Peer Baroness Verma said, “Will my noble friend work with her colleagues at the Department for Education to ensure that history lessons reflect the contributions made by service people of colour? Will she provide the House with a copy of guidance that provides the Armed Forces with a clear interpretation of how to ensure genuine access to opportunities in real career progression? Will she meet me to discuss the work that I have done in other sectors on inclusion and diversity?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “I might be able to offer my noble friend some reassuring examples of the strategies that are currently being deployed to address the very issues that she referred to. I shall of course be very happy to meet her to discuss her own experiences. As I said in response to an earlier question, if there is anyone or anywhere from whom or from which we can learn, we shall do that.”

Lord Houghton of Richmond (CB) [V]

Lord Houghton of Richmond said, “I absolutely agree that, in institutional terms, our Armed Forces should strive to be exemplars of the very best that can be achieved in values and standards. Can the Minister therefore inform the House what has been achieved since 2016 in policy terms in the areas of bullying, harassment, discrimination and opportunities for women?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “I reassure the noble and gallant Lord that various initiatives and programmes have been deployed within the Armed Forces to cover these very areas of concern. If we want to prevent this unacceptable behaviour, we must create a culture within our civilian and military workforce that represents, includes and celebrates all elements of the society that we defend. Within the MoD, we need to institutionalise anti-racism.”

Lord West of Spithead (Lab) [V]

Labour Peer Lord West of Spithead talked about the Royal Navy, Racism and the BAME communities. He said, “My Lords, the Royal Navy is very conscious of the need to tackle racism and improve diversity, not only because it is right to do so but because it enhances its effectiveness—and, at the end of the day, the Navy’s job in extremis is to fight and win. For the last seven years, the Royal Navy has been listed by Stonewall in the top 100 employers. It was recorded in the Times’s top 50 employers for women 2019 and in the top 50 employers for social mobility. Sadly, only 4.2% of the total regular service are BAME; a target of 10% intake into the forces has been set for 2020. Where do we stand on the Wigston report on inappropriate behaviours, dated 15 July 2019, what are the timings of the implementation of its recommendations and who is ensuring that they are implemented?”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “ First, I commend the Royal Navy for the fine example that it has been giving. I say to the noble Lord that, in pursuance of the diversity and inclusion strategy, to which I referred, numerous procedures are now afoot to advance awareness, to educate, to audit and to monitor performance. As the Minister with responsibility for this issue, I am certainly very clear that I shall be driving forward these checks, tests and examinations, and progress.”

Baroness Smith of Newnham (LD) [V]

Liberal Democrats Peer Baroness Smith of Newnham said, “My Lords, the Minister rightly said that the culture needs to institutionalise anti-racism, but what can she offer in terms of a more immediate response to service men and women who are suffering from racism and bullying? At the end of last year, the Services Complaints Ombudsman said that racism was on the rise in the UK’s Armed Forces and that incidents of racism were occurring with “increasing and depressing frequency”. Changing the culture is necessary, but we need to have results sooner than that might entail.”

Baroness Goldie [V]

Baroness Goldie replied, “The noble Baroness is correct to focus on results. I share her interest in doing that and, within my ministerial role, I will endeavour to ensure that that happens. I reassure her by saying that just this week departmental-wide communications have been released by the Permanent Secretary and the Chief Operating Officer. Indeed, the Chief Operating Officer proposed a step-by-step plan to diversify the organisation, starting immediately. On Monday this week, I briefed my Secretary of State and ministerial colleagues on diversity and inclusion, and this very afternoon I shall be part of the MoD all-staff dial-in in respect of diversity and inclusion. I shall certainly reiterate the message of inclusion, try to reassure staff that concerns will be listened to and, in particular, invite the input of staff from minority backgrounds to get involved. I want to hear from them.”

Baroness Uddin on Muslim Women Empowerment in the House of Lords

Baroness Uddin on Muslim Women

Economic Empowerment in the House of Lords

Dr. Mozammel Haque

On Tuesday, 16^th of June, 2020 there was a debate on Manifesto commitments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the House of Lords. Baroness Manzila Uddin (Non-Affl) participated in the debate. Following was her contribution on the economic empowerment of Muslim women.

Baroness Uddin (Non-Afl) [V]

Baroness Uddin said, “My Lords, in February this year my noble friend Lady Kennedy of The Shaws launched in Parliament a report called Empowered Employment: Unlocking the Workplace for Muslim Women. With support from Oxford, Yale and SOAS universities, Dr Suriyah Bi surveyed 500 women at work, 84% of whom were highly qualified. They nevertheless face barriers to progression, including discrimination, Islamophobia and challenges from families and partners.”

Baroness Uddin asked the question to consider the economic empowerment of Muslim women. She said, “In the light of the emerging information on socioeconomic disparities, in particular among Bangladeshi women, will the Minister say whether the Government will consider the economic empowerment of Muslim women in any reviews of their manifesto commitments?

Lord True (Con)

The Minister of State,

Cabinet Office

Lord True (Con), The Minister of State, Cabinet Office, replied, “My Lords, the noble Baroness makes powerful points. The Government campaigned on commitments to tackle prejudice, racism and discrimination of all sorts and to improve the quality of evidence and data about the types of barriers faced by all people from different backgrounds, to help drive effective and lasting change. I undertake to the noble Baroness that this will remain an important and central aspect of the Government’s work.”

Lord True

In reply to another question by another peer of the House of Lords, Lord True said, “My Lords, I can add little to the previous answers I gave to the noble Baroness, Lady Uddin, and my noble friend Lady Eaton. Of course, the Government attach the highest importance to tackling diversity and disadvantage of all sorts, and that remains our objective.”