Open Doors of Mosques for all people - Dr. Dubayan

Muslim Charity Dinner Networking

Open Doors of Mosques for all people – Dr. Dubayan

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Dr. Dubayan was encouraging and urging all Muslim leaders and particularly the Imams of Mosques to open doors of Mosques for all people around us. He said, “I have seen actually during my stay here in the UK that there are many people who are not Muslims; they have never had a chance to come closer to know Islam. And I think this is the role of Mosques. They are supposed to open the doors of the Mosques; each mosque to be transparent and being seen by everybody; not to be like some people who are not Muslims; they look at the mosque and they don’t know what are going on inside;  how they are operating;  who are managing them. This is to be really integrated with the society. This is the right vision for the future of all these charities working in the society, either in the UK or in any other country,” said Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre (ICC) at an evening gathering entitled, “Muslim Charities Dinner Networking”, organised by the Islamic Cultural Centre, held at its Library Hall and Conference Hall, on Thursday, the 13^th of August 2015.

The meeting was attended by distinguished guests including representatives from the Embassy of Indonesia, Brunei, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, and special guests from the Charity Commission, special guests from the Home Office, guests from the Muslim Organisations Mosques and other institutions. The event begun with the recitation from the Holy Qur’an by the Imam of the Regents Park Central London Mosque, Imam Khalifa Ezzat with translation.

Dr. Ahmad al-Dubayan

While welcoming distinguished guests and Excellencies, Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan, the Director General of the Islamic Cultural Centre thanked all of them for coming to attend this meeting and also expressed his happiness to be able to organise this lovely evening gathering. In this connection he also said, “I believe Islamic Cultural Centre is really home for everybody and also a centre for everybody.”

Mr. Khaled Banakhar, who is representing the High Commission of Mosques in Saudi Arabia, is luckily in London these days. Dr. Dubayan had taken the advantage to invite him who attended the evening event. While welcoming him, Dr. Dubayan said, “The High Commission of Mosques was established recently few years ago and it really aims to help and support mosques around the world. It is really very active organisation in their own society and their local communities in their right way and following regulations of each society.”

Ramadan and After: The Season

for charities and good deeds

This evening gathering took place after the fasting month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr. After thanking the distinguished guests, Dr. Dubayan greeted the distinguished guests with happy Eid greetings and congratulated them for Eid-ul-Fitr. He said, “It is little bit late after Eid-ul-Fitr but the warm feeling is still alive. Happy Eid for everybody and May Allah the Almighty accept your fasting, your prayers, your deeds and actually everything. Since we were in Ramadan we were not far from the marvellous feeling of Ramadan; that is the feeling for others, the feeling for the society, feeling for the other people, feeling for those who do not find anything to eat and drink This is actually the spiritual meaning of fasting in Islam: to let you feel actually about the other people. It is really the season for charities; season for good deeds; season for doing good for everybody; whoever he is and doing also everything good to your society, to your community and to even natural environment around you. This is very important.”

Muslim charities

Dr. Dubayan said a few words about Muslim charities. He said, “I hope we have, may be, more than one hundreds of mosques, here and organisations. There are recently, of course, lots of challenges and always in the field of charities there are always challenges; challenges of doing charitable works; challenges of getting support; challenges of getting the right people in the right position. I know this is really a problem for many of the charities around the world.”

Muslim contributions to British society

Dr. Dubayan said, “Muslims or Muslim communities have really contributed and they are still having contributing a lot to the British society; which is really appreciated. I am sure everybody here remembers this with deep appreciation for their role in education; their role in supporting the social life; their role in helping families helping woman. But I do believe that is still not enough. Our charities need more; we need more development; we need really more empowerment in the Muslim charities to be actually main player in the charitable arena to help Muslim society and to help societies at large, all of it as a whole.”

Dr. Dubayan wished to see the time when “we can see the services of the charities expanding to everybody around the area in the big society; in that moment we can say that there are several organisations they are really working for the welfare and for the prosperity of the societies around us.”

The Role of Mosques in Islam

In this connection, Dr. Dubayan described the role of Mosques in Islam. He mentioned, “The role of Mosque in Islam was different throughout the history; sometimes with governments like Muslim world there are ministries who are taking care of many things like education. In the early days of Islam, mosques were almost doing everything; it was a school; it was a place or house of worship; it was a place for people to come with problems; it was a place of court. Now, of course, the Mosque does not perform this role because there are other institutions in the society; there are other organisations, institutions and authorities from the government which is doing all these services. But the role of Mosques is supposed to continue providing really a place of education; a place of safety; a place of peace for everybody in the society and welcoming everybody.”

To learn about the values around in the society

Dr. Dubayan then spoke about the values around us in the society. He said, “Let the mosque to be the big supporter of the values around us in the society. Now the new generation really need to learn more and more about the values around us. Many of the values that we have seen and our education about 30 40 years ago;  now they are not strong in the same way as it was in the curriculum; as it was in the mind of the teachers who really taught us at that time; not in the society around us. Some of these values actually are now little bit weak in the minds of our new generation.”

Muslim charities to be big

supporters of these values

Dr. Dubayan said, “We need Muslim charities most to be a big supporter to support these values: the values of peace, the value of justice; the value of equality; the value of women; actually the value of children; the value of families; all these need to be shown and to be highlighted through your way; through your work. This is really the vision of work for the future of the Mosque in the UK; the vision for the Muslim organisations generally. Those who work either in the relief organisations; or in mosques or in Islamic schools; wherever we are sharing a common ground that is the ground of value with the society; with everybody; the value of regulation; of course the value of citizenship in this country is very very important.”

“The best we can do is: we encourage the new generation to be more integrated; to be positive player in the life of the society around us which is really very very important,” mentioned Dr. Dubayan.

Before concluding his speech, Dr. Dubayan once again  expressed his thanks to everyone for coming; participating and for making this evening very lovely; very nice; very remarkable. He said, “We have to welcome and congratulate the Ambassador from Indonesia. We would like to thank you so much for coming for being with us this time, the representative of our chairman, the Kuwaiti Ambassador; he is with us; he is welcome; and the representative of His Royal Highness Muhammad bin Nawaf the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia and the representative of the High Commissioner of Brunei also with us. Everybody I say thank you very much for coming and thank you for participating.”

“We always remember you and always remember us from your side that is the Islamic Cultural Centre is the centre for all communities; centre for all Muslims. We might have different opinions about something; but let us work together for the common interest and common things that is we have the same opinion together. I should mention the Nation of Islam who may be participated with us may be for the first time. Welcome to the Islamic Cultural Centre,” concluded Dr. Dubayan.

After Dr. Dubayan’s speech, the spokesperson of the Centre said, “I do hope all the Masajid leaders here today do follow the advice of the Director General of the ICC for opening up the Mosque for everybody; like I said every time, Mosque today does not serve only Muslims it also serves the British society and this is why because all of us brothers and sisters are in humanity. Let us open the mosque to everyone and let them know who we are.”

The next speaker was Ms. Paula Sussex who joined Charity Commission as Chief Executive Office in June 2014. Paula has extensive leadership experience particularly in delivering solutions to the public and voluntary sectors. Paula is qualified as Barrister.

Ms. Paula Sussex

Ms. Paula Sussex the Chief Executive Officer of the Charity Commission who came with a team of officers first introduced her team and said, “a number of other colleagues who are scattered around the room ready to take over all your different and difficult questions throughout the evening. I would love to say that they are mostly here what would be fantastic evening and the quality of conversations but I suspect some of them are here for the quality of food I know we will receive in a few minutes time.”

Ms. Paula said, “We are here to celebrate the role of charity in civil society and that in England and Wales. You know we regulate for England and Wales. That does not mean we don’t care about the Scots; we really just focus on England and Wales. I don’t need to say at all most eloquently by your Imam or by Dr. Dr. Dubayan that it is so central to Islam; 50 million pounds was raised just by members of the Muslim Charity Forum during Ramadan which is quite extraordinary. Congratulations.”

“I think I am in this job just over a year and the breath and reach of the Charities in England and Wales 160,000 of them is just extraordinary,” mentioned Ms. Paula.

The Charity Commission CEO also said, “I think you would not miss perhaps the ongoing story about the ways charity raised funds. Fund raising techniques and you have noticed how it raised the temperature suddenly in the media and throughout all communities and I think this reflects the facts that charities are loved and that also we ascribed abruptly higher standard of behaviour to charities.”

Duties of the trustees

Speaking about the duties of the trustees, the Charity Commission CEO Ms. Paula also mentioned, “Trust is fragile; based on faith which is based on love is not always rational thing. So it is incredibly important; incredibly important that we think trustees of these organisations are critically aware of their duties; there are one million trustees on our register.”

“How many of you are trustees of your charities and how many of you have read the revised guidance on your duties essential trustees from the charities commission,” she enquired and asked the audience to raise their hands; and said, “Well done Dr. Dubayan Thank you.” Because Dr. Dubayan raised his hands and said he had read the charity commission’s revised guidance.

On a very serious note, Commission’s CEO Ms. Paula said to the trustees, “You are the stewards and you are legally accountable for those charities. And whilst we are busy team of 300 regulators; we rely on trustees ensuring those charities are doing everything in their power to meet the charitable objectives.”

Ms. Paula also mentioned to work in partnership with the charities. She said, “We also like to work in partnership getting the message out.” She also mentioned, “My team told me that we had several more hits on twitters /YouTube.”

Charity Commission CEO also mentioned, “We had some 46 Radio interviews over the years; 31 on Radio Ramadan 100 Radio interviews on safe giving and we have done five times a day on the Islam Channel.”

Charity Commission CEO concluded her speech on a very cheerful note, “It was a very remarkable Ramadan. I am impressed. A very very belated Eid Mubarak and enjoy the evening.”

One-day course on the Human Resources

and Employment Rules

After the Charity Commission’s CEO’s speech, the ICC spokesperson remarked, “We will take action straightaway. We will be emailing all of you here from the Mosque.  We will do a one-day course delivered by the Charity Commission and also on the Human Resources and Employment Rules I will get that sorted out and I will be inviting all of you so that you can get all right instructions.”

The next speaker was Charles Farr, the Director General of the Office of Security and Counter-Terrorism (OSCT) at Home Office. Charles Farr was appointed as Director General of the newly formed Office of the Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) at the Home Office in June 2007. Charles Farr joined diplomatic service in 1985 and served in the British Embassies in South Africa and Jordan. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2002 Honours List for his service overseas for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and CMG in 2009. Since 2003 he had a number of senior posts across Whitehall concerned Security and Counter Terrorism. As Director General of the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism Charles Farr is a senior officer responsible for the UK security and counter terrorism and work on organised crime.

Charles Farr

Mr. Charles Farr, Director General of the Office of the Security and Counter Terrorism at the Home Office, said, “May I take the opportunity really to say three things. Firstly, I listened to Dr. Dubayan my friend what he said at the beginning. I just really want to say how much I recognise, appreciate and agree, of course, what you are saying. Not just about how events like this bring together people from all communities of the country, government non-government, less government than non-government, around a common sets of values but also actually what you are saying to me listening as a non-Muslim around the world this institution organisations and above all mosques in communities in this country.”

“I suspect we should sometimes find ourselves talking about as government officials particularly not as government officials dealing with security. But we may use this occasion informally and as a personal view entirely eco and support what you said about the world that mosques in our experience can play in communities and how profoundly important that is and how much to the extent that is appropriate for us to do so. We would encourage entirely; support the ambitions that you mentioned; I am grateful for that,” said Mr. Charles Farr.

Mr. Charles Farr, the Director General of OSCT, said, “Secondly, if I may, Paula talked about the role of Charity Commission very succinctly a word about what we do. Some of you I heard you say of course our jobs on papers or rather will be entitled counter terrorism and security but our job fundamentally is to protect the communities of this country and part of our job is to protect Muslim communities and if we don’t do that we are not succeeding I am completely clear about this.”

“We are here to protect people in this room and your friends and families up and down the country. And I am afraid it is simply true to say Muslim communities in this country are sad to say uniquely affected, more affected than some other communities at this particular time different in the past and it will be different in the future, by the phenomenon of violence and terrorism,” mentioned Mr. Charles Farr and added, “And I am clear that you are the victims of this trend and it is our jobs to protect you from them. And you may say that we are not doing well. I hope we are; I believe we are but people from our communities are getting are hurt; losing their lives in Syria and Iraq and you know that is not the case. And most certainly so we do.”

Mr. Charles Farr again mentioned about partnership. He said, “Thirdly and finally; this reminds us about this partnership. Paula has spoken about this. Like me, the partnership between the Charity Commission and people who really work with the communities should be and in many cases this partnership between you and us. Because there is certainly should be, in my view, point of interest. There is no difference between your part is; your priority is  to protect people in a particular Muslim and often in my experience we are talking about the same people. You are charities reaching out to vulnerable people and you are providing them with support. Thank you for that and long it may continue.”

Mr. Charles Farr finally mentioned, “Paula has said we will do whatever we can to encourage that. Of course, Paula said, giving campaign but fundamentally this can be wanted to be seen more a partnership based on your concerns and our concerns which are similar and more identical. Thank you for this event as always. This great organisation. You can bring people together even the government can not do that. We welcome it and we look forward to meeting people as much as we can.”

World Has Not Learnt Lesson from Holocaust

World has not learnt lesson from Holocaust

The Srebrenica Massacre: First – ever

Genocide in Europe After the World War II

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Religious extremism; ethnic cleansing by the ‘Serbian Butchers.’ World community wonder and ask themselves has the world learnt lesson from holocaust that took place in 1940’s? If the world has learnt anything from that holocaust, is it possible within the same century the revisit of genocide in Europe? First-ever genocide was committed again in Europe in 1995 just after 50 years exactly after the Second World War. It was committed in front of the Dutch soldiers under the banner of the United Nations Protection Forces. It was happened on 11 July 1995. The Srebrenica massacre refers to the July 1995 killing of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in the town of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnia war. This massacre is the biggest on European soil since the Nazis.

Srebrenica Genocide Day-A black spot

on Human Conscience

I wrote on 24 July 2010, under the title “Srebrenica Genocide Day – A Black Spot on Human Conscience”: “The world simply looked away on 11 July, 1995, when the Bosnian Serb forces and Serb paramilitary unit known as “the Scorpions” executed between 7,000 and 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys in the Muslim enclave of Srebrenica, even though the UN had declared it a “safe area”. This was the largest mass murder in Europe since World War II which will remain as a black spot in the human conscience for eternity. Those war criminals that commanded and executed the Genocide in Bosnia are still at large. The excuses are simply not credible.

Why the cry “never again” raised by so many in the years after 1945 has increasingly become hollow with the passing decades? Why Holocaust? Why Genocide? Where does evil begin? Why the most wanted remains at large? Why the evil doers are not brought to justice? All these questions were raised by the Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Dr. Mustafa Ceric on the 15th anniversary of the genocide of Muslims in Bosnia-Srebrenica. “What happened in Srebrenica requires justice as well as memorialisation,” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. “Ratko Mladic’s liberty is an affront to both.”

Of course, I would like to mention that I wrote a book on Bosnia Herzegovina. In 1993, Makkah-based Muslim World League (MWL) published a book entitled “Genocide of Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina” by Dr. Mozammel Haque, documenting the events unfolded during 1992-1993. (BOSNIACA: A Bibliography of the University of Michigan Holdings, Supplement II, Ann Arbor, 2001).

Srebrenica Genocide 1995

During the Balkans conflict of 1992-1995, the Bosnian town of Srebrenica was declared a UN Safe Area in 1993, under the watch of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR). In July 1995, General Ratko Mladic and his Serbian paramilitary units overran and captured the town, despite its designation as an area “free from any armed attack or any other hostile act.”

In the days following Srebrenica’s fall, more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys  were systematically massacred and buried in mass graves. Thousands of women, children and elderly people were forcibly deported and a large number of women were raped. It was the greatest atrocity on European soil since the Second World War.

The International Court of Justice (ICC) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) ruled that the mass execution of Bosniak men and boys in Srebrenica constituted genocide.

Judge Fouad Riad, who reviewed the indictment, described the “unimaginable savagery” that the victims endured at the hands of Mladic’s forces. He said these were: “truly scenes from hell, written on the darkest pages of human history.”

Remembering Srebrenica Genocide

2015 is the 20^th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. The UK Memorial Week runs from Sunday 5^th – 12^th July 2015. The Theme this year is ‘Living the Lessons’ – allowing survivors to tell their stories. Reflecting on these massacres, journalist and analyst Nijaz  Hlinjak gave a speech at East London Mosque on 5 July 2015.

On this Remembering Srebrenica, I interviewed Lord Sheikh, Conservative Peer and Lord Ahmed, Independent Peer of the House of Lords of the British Parliament. In this section, besides the interviews, I will bring to the notice of the readers, the BBC Programme on Srebrenica which was telecast on 6^th of July 2015. I will Insha Allah, mention the other activities, such as press releases of the Bosnian Community, press release from Lord Ahmed, Press release of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and press release of the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB).

i) First the interviews:

I have conducted two interviews on this remembering Srebrenica programme, Lord Sheikh and Lord Ahmed.

a) Lord Sheikh’s comment on

the Srebrenica Massacre

I had the opportunity to meet with Lord Sheikh, the Barons of Cornhill at his office on Monday, the 27^th of July 2015 and enquired about his comments on the Srebrenica massacre.

Lord Sheikh told me, “The Srebrenica Massacre is a black mark against the entire humanity.8,000 Muslims were killed; they were under the protection of the United Nations who were attended at that time by the Dutch soldiers. Firstly, Dutch soldiers who were there protecting these people observe to go into that place and massacre and also you blame the Serbs. Serbs should have known these people are innocent and are being under the protection of the United Nations that they should not have gone into the area to massacre people.

“I think this should be a lesson for the entire adult world that to kill somebody for no reason except they belong to different religion is totally totally wrong. I think, but we also need to learn a lesson something like this should never be allowed to happen. And this should be commemorating in the sense that we should say that something like that was entirely and totally wrong,” Lord Sheikh observed.

Lord Sheikh also told me that he met the Ambassador of Bosnia at an event which was organised by the Al-Khoe Foundation about a week ago. He also said we totally condemned The Ambassador was really ought to be happened.

Lord Sheikh also said, “There are still bodies being looked for; because what the Serbs did was to kill the people and scatter the bodies. Heinous War crimes. We  really need to perpetrators of such a horrible act. It is not only the Generals who gave the orders but the Serbs as well who perpetrated this awful unnecessary killing of unarmed and who had been lost their lives.”

b) Lord Ahmed’s Comments

on Srebrenica Massacre

Lord Ahmed while commenting on the Srebrenica Genocide told me over phone, “It is with the sad memory of Srebrenica Genocide and the killings of the innocent civilian people which were seen in the cities even the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo. Sarajevo was bombed and shelled when the international community was stood by as a hopeless powerless spectator including the United Nations.”

He said, “The particular sadness of the Srebrenica Massacre was: 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica was slaughtered. The slaughter of those Muslims was committed under the supervision of the Dutch soldiers under the command of the United Nations. And we must not forget to bring all those responsible to justice.”

Lord Ahmed mentioned, “We must remember those responsible for the holocaust 75 years ago are still brought to justice today.” And he demanded, “These people who are responsible for the Srebrenica Genocide must be brought to justice and the United Nations needs to take action.”

ii) The Deadly Warning: Srebrenica revisited

A BBC Programme

Journalist Myriam Francois-Cerrah travelled to Bosnia to mark the 20^th anniversary of the worst atrocity in Europe since World War-II. BBC presented this programme titled The Deadly Warning: Srebrenica Revisited, on 6^th of July 2015 with thanks to Sense Documentation Centre, Srebrenica. The travel was organised and funded by Dr. Waqar Azmi from the Remembering Srebrenica.

iii) Press Releases

a) Press Release from the Bosnian Community

In a press release today sent out by the Islamic Community of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the president of the legislative body Mr. Hasan Čengić has stated: “We have just received a copy of the press release of his lordship, Baron Ahmed Nazir, regarding the Srebrenica Genocide commemoration. To say that we were touched by your sincere devotion to our cause does not sufficiently express our feelings. You have once more reminded the public that our suffering is not forgotten and that we have friends around the world.”

He added saying, “This year we have issued a Declaration condemning the various acts of genocide during the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina and we hope that his lordship will support it and help us cancel out the results of the genocide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

b) Press Release from

Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham

Followings are the press release issued by Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham on the 20^th anniversary of Srebrenica massacre.

“It has been 20 years since the tragedy of the Srebrenica Massacre, where over 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb troops and thousands of women and girls were raped and assaulted. It is known as "the worst massacre in Europe since the Second World War".

“As the Bosnian War was coming to an end, 20,000 refugees fled to Srebrenica hoping to escape the Serb forces. They thought they were safe in an area protected by the UN Dutch forces however; the area had been overthrown by paramilitary troops led by Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb commander.

“Lord Ahmed said “the trial of Ratko Mladic which took place in 2011 at the international criminal tribunal was a good start towards justice. Although the trial did not compensate for the families of the victims, it created a path for a better future, and the man responsible for the atrocity was rightly brought to trial. But more people need to be brought to justice for this despicable and heinous crime”.

“Lord Ahmed said “the United Nations must share some blame as the General-Secretary of the UN at the time, Kofi Annan said: "The tragedy of the Srebrenica will forever haunt the history of the United Nations". As they were present during the period, it was their responsibility to help prevent the Massacre.

On Monday July 6th 2015, the Westminster Abbey Service, paid tribute to those who lost their lives 20 years ago in the 1995 Massacre. Around 2,000 people attended the event to pay their respect. There are many Memorial events held in the UK from London Borough of Walthamstow to Bradford.

“Lord Ahmed said “I am deeply concerned with the loss of lives and my sympathies are with those who lost their loved ones. Every year we gather to mark this day and make it our job to see that this kind of atrocity is prevented in the future. Just because this tragedy occurred 20 years ago in Europe does not ensure it will not happen again”.

“The World must never forget what took place in Bosnia and that is why we should remember this day every year,” He said.

c) Press Release from Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)

Remembering Srebrenica Genocide – 20 years on

Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the Umbrella Organisation of the British Muslim communities issued a press release “Remembering Srebrenica Genocide – 20 years on” on 10^th July 2015. Followings are the press release:

“On 11^th July 2015, we remember. Twenty years ago on this day, more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were brutally massacred in Srebrenica, despite being in an UN-protected safe area.

“When under attack, Muslim Bosnians had fled to the Dutch peacekeeping base in Potocari for protection. The Bosnian Serb forces arrived, led by Serbian war criminal, Radko Mladik, who deliberately separated men and women, and boys as young as 13, and callously murdered all the male Bosnians, dumping their bodies in mass graves. The attack was chilling even more so, as not only were they killed, but their bodies were scattered in an attempt for the victims to never be identified. This was a plan to annihilate a whole racial and religious group.

“Every year on 11 July, the remains of those who have been identified over the past year are buried at the Memorial Centre in Potocari. More than 1,000 victims are yet to be found.

“As the anniversary falls a day after Friday prayers, the Muslim Council of Britain urges Imams across the country to remind their congregations to reflect on the magnitude of the massacre that took place and pray for all the victims, their families and loved ones.

“Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the MCB said, “Hate is a toxic brand. When we allow hate to prevail, in any capacity, it leads only to destruction. We must work together to eradicate animosity wherever it may occur, we must build bridges, get to know one another, and learn to respect differences.

“This genocide has been dubbed as ‘the worst atrocity since World War II’. We will forever remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those who have lost their fathers, brothers, husbands, sons, and those of whom are yet still to find their loved ones”.

d) Press Release from Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)

Dr. Omar El-Hamdoon President

Of the Muslim Association of Britain

Followings are the statement issued by Dr. Omar El-Hamdoon, President of the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB):

“This month and year is also the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre: the worst massacre and atrocity in European soil since Second World War. That time, the victims were Muslims and the perpetrators were Christian. 8372 Bosnian men and boys were systemically butchered at the hands of the Serbs. This massacre which the International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague labelled as a Genocide and a crime against humanity.

“We know that Christianity is innocent of who murdered the men and boys in cold blood; as much as Islam is innocent of the barbaric attack of 7/7 or indeed the recent Tunisian massacre. In fact, I attended, along with thousands of others a memorial in Westminster abbey – yesterday – to pay respect to those who suffered and continue to suffer because of this horrid genocide.

“However, the killers who orchestrated 7/7 and the Serbian butchers of Srebrenica have one thing in common. They wanted to divide us. They wanted to bulldoze the civil architecture of our societies by spreading hate, anger and suspicion. And till today, there are those who still want to divide us. Some are terrorists, others extremists; and some are politicians and journalists! You don’t have to be a terrorist to propagate a hate message. Hate messages come in all shapes and sizes.

“Dr Waqar Azim OBE says: “They [Army of Republika Srpska] achieved this [ethnic cleansing] through a carefully planned process of de-humanising Bosnian Muslims, so both murderers and collaborators found it easier to hunt and kill their quarry.” De-humanising any section of society can only lead to fear and hatred, which can then lead to massacres and terror.

“The Muslim Association of Britain works hard to promote positive messages in society, which allows us to be more and more tolerant to one another. Because we believe that positivity and tolerance is the only way to counter terrorism,” he said.

Follow: @Omer_Elhamdoon

iv) Remembering The Srebrenica Massacre

Events in 2015

There were hundreds of memorial events held across the United Kingdom during Srebrenica Memorial Week. During the Srebrenica Memorial Week, there was memorial days, school assemblies, lectures and conferences, a UK-wide Srebrenica Memorial Football tournament involving 8,372 young people, inter-faith dialogue, community and social projects happening across the UK.

Remembering Srebrenica was part-funded by the Department for Communities & Local Government and supported by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office. In 2015, Remembering Srebrenica is calling on UK communities to:

- REMEMBER the victims and survivors of the Srebrenica genocide;

- LEARN the lessons from Srebrenica, particularly that we must always be vigilant against hatred and intolerance in our communities; and

- PLEDGE to take action now to build better and safer communities for all.

Please support REMEMBERING SREBRENICA this special year. 

v) Srebrenica Week at the East London Mosque

Bosnia’s Grand Mufti opened Srebrenica Week at the East London Mosque, marking the 20^th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide, on Tuesday, 7^th of July 2015. The Grand Mufti of Bosnia, Husein Kavazovic, delivered the keynote speech on Sunday at a reception and Iftar (breaking of fast) event at the London Muslim Centre, held in collaboration with Remembering Srebrenica.

Members of the Bosnian community in Britain along with leaders of different faith and community organisations gathered to commemorate the 20^th anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide in which more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were systematically massacred in less than one week at Srebrenica, then a UN protected area (safe haven).

The evening was full of reflections, talks and videos plus a special exhibition by Bosnian photographer Jasmin Agovic, and Qu’ranic recitation by guest Imam Abdul-Aziz Drkic from Bosnia.

Imam Dr Sejad Mekic, an expert on Islamic Law, Ethics and the Balkan cultural history as well as a lecturer in Islamic Studies in London and Cambridge, said: “Without remembering we cannot hope to learn. Srebrenica, like the Holocaust, the Rwanda, Kosova, Kashmir and Burma, is a moral responsibility without compromise.”

Journalist, political and social analyst Niaz Hlivnjak quoting German Jewish academic Walter Benjamin lamented that “not even the dead will be safe from the enemy, if he is victorious”. His friend, economist and poet Jasmin Jusufovic, lost his father, uncle and tens of other members of his family in the Srebrenica genocide. Having survived the genocide he has been searching for the remains of his father for 18 years, and only two years ago he finally got his moment of closure by burying the remains of his father.

Despite his experiences, Jusufovic said: “Still I don’t hate. I do not know how to hate. I was a learning child when I felt on my own being what it meant to be hated, I’ve seen a shouting human faces disfigured with hate.”

The evening closed with the Grand Mufti thanked the organisers and called for optimism and dialogue: “We appreciate the efforts of many like the East London Mosque and The Cordoba Foundation for supporting Bosnia over the years. This period of the year is especially difficult for us because of the vivid memories of the atrocity of 1995. However, we must learn to live with one another; we must be optimistic, have hope in a better future for tomorrow.”

A team of young Muslims who all previously visited Bosnia presented a cheque to the Grand Mufti to help families affected by the conflict in Srebrenica.

Eid Mubarak - What to do towards the end of the month of Ramadan

EID MUBARAK TO YOU ALL

What to do toward the end of the

month of Ramadan

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The blessed month is approaching to the end; only a few days and nights remain. Today is Wednesday, 28 Ramadan corresponding to 15^th of July, 2015. There will be Eid either Friday or Saturday depending on the sighting of the Moon. Eid Mubarak to you all. May Allah accept our good deeds.

A few years ago, Professor Dr. Ahmad ibn Saifuddin Turkistani, A Saudi Islamic scholar, gave a pre-Khutba lecture at a Mosque in London where he said, “This is one of the days that we are so much happy to live, to observe. Today is Friday and Friday is the best day the Sun has ever risen on and today is one of the days of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is the master of the months. This is a month of blessings, favours on us. We should be thankful to Allah the Almighty for what he has given us. We are many others deprived of not enjoying the mercy of the month of Ramadan. So Alhamdolillah. Alhamdolillah, Alhamdolillah.”

Lailatul Qadr

We have only a few days and nights are left but still they are very important. Only yesterday we have been receiving the month, just yesterday, 27 days past but still the best is there, the 29^th night of Ramadan; there is Lailatul Qadr. Professor Turkistani asked do you know what Lailatul Qadr is and said, “It is better than 1000 months; by simple calculation, Lailatul Qadr is better than more than 83 years. Just imagine 84 years. The average life of Muslims, most Muslims die before their age; which means you are getting the reward of more than 83 years. Even better, because Allah Subhanahu wa Taala says Lailatul Qadr khairun. This is a golden opportunity; it’s a gift even to this Ummah and we shall take it. It’s worth to take a vacation, to take some days off your work; to leave all things at your hands and get this opportunity. Then they will be gone.”

Narrating the blessing of this month of Ramadan, Professor Turkistani said, “This night is so much blessed. The Angels will come down and will bring blessings and Allah Subhanahu wa Taala will forgive anyone who is committed to Allah on that night reciting the Glorious Qur’an, engage in prayer, doing all the good deeds that a person can do. Even if you stay awake all the night it’s worth it. When the last ten days come on his own life, the Prophet peace be upon him would avoid sleep during the nights of the last ten days. And he would stay away from his wives only concentrating on Ibadah. It’s worth it.”

“It is nine days or ten days for more than 83 years what a bargain. Why can you not use it brothers and sisters. This is what Allah Subhanahu wa Taala has promised us.  This stays  until Fajr; until the coming dawn; so we shall be very much interested in this. Anyone who misses that he is a deprived one. Deprived. We shall not be deprived of this great prize, a great opportunity,” said Professor Turkistani.

What a blessing! What a gift!

Professor Turkistani also mentioned what a bargain it is. He said, “Just say a one good thing:  SubhanAllah Alhamdo lillah La ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar.  It is like you have done for 83 years and 4 months. What a blessing; what a gift that is given to us this opportunity the biggest bargain. I do not see any bargain better than that. You see that? Even when people bargain, they go to stores and markets and online trying to buy the best thing that they need and they dream of. They say ouh; this is the biggest bargain; no, wallahe, the bargain is Lailatul Qadr. This is the biggest bargain.”

Professor Turkistani urged people “Please do not let it go away without cashing as much as you can; devote the rest of the time for Ibadah; because that will affect the rest of your life. It should, if you surely coming towards Allah with Taubah from your heart, from inside, then Allah will accept you , Insha Allah and then Insha Allah, you would be happy for the rest of your life. You would be guided on the straight path. So you keep on the truck until you meet Allah Subhanahu wa Taala. This is the time and that’s why Allah Subhanahu wa Taala promises that you stand with imaan and Ihtesab. imaan believing in Allah and believing in His Rewards and Ihtesaban seeking the rewards from Allah Subhanahu wa Taala alone; not from any one else and all your previous sins are forgiven. You fast the month of Ramadan all your previous sins are forgiven if again if you stand up in Salah during all the month of Ramadan and you should do it out of Imaan and Ihtesab and all your previous sins are forgiven.”

Masjid at MWL London Office

A few years ago, Professor Turkistani was delivering Khutba at the Mosque of the Muslim World League London Office where he was mentioned about what to do during the end of the month of Ramadan. Towards the end of the Ramadan there are certain Ibadahs that we need to be aware of and to do the first is the Zakat-ul-Fitr.

Zakat-ul-Fitr

Professor Turkistani mentioned the first of those Ibadah is the Zakat-ul-Fitr.  He said, “Zakat-ul-Fitr is the source of purification and feeding of the poor and the needy. It is a source of purification for yourself in case you have committed some sins and who amongst us has not committed something wrong in the month of Ramadan or any other time and it is something to feed the poor and the needy.”

How Zakat-ul-Fitr is estimated? Enquired Professor Turkistani and promptly answered, “It is estimated Soa as in the Hadith of Abu Sayeed al-Khudri (RA) follow the Rasoolullah peace be upon him. He gave examples, all these types of food. So it means that we should give Zakat-ul-Fitr in food, not in money. I know that Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahimullah) said it is permissible to do in money but the Prophet peace be upon him and the Companions did not give Zakat-ul-Fitr in money. They gave it in food. They could have given in money; they would pay Zakat-ul-Maal or any type of Zakah from wealth, from money. Zakat-ul-Fitr again so that the poor and the needy have not to seek on the day of Eid, they should be happy; they should enjoy with the rest of the Muslim community. That’s why, we should have to give it in food.”

Again, Professor Turkistan enquired, “How do we do it?” and answered, “Well, lets seek the poor and the needy in our community. If we have someone we know who is in need we shall give Zakat-ul-Fitr to these people. If we do not know people, then we shall give the money to the trusted charities and organisations that collect the money, buy the food and give it to the poor and the needy on your behalf. If not in this country; if this country would not  have poor people to the extent that they can be receiving Zakat-ul-Fitr, there are many people up there, in Africa, Asia and throughout the Muslim World who need this food who cannot buy who stay at night starving.”

“In Syria, for example, as you have heard from your brothers, telling you that the Ulema in that country in their Fatwa people eat cats and rats because they do not have the food to eat. Situations because of the war going on in Syria; and the same thing with other people who are starving and do not have the food. This is the way to express your own sympathy with your brothers. This is something that you need to do and Zakat-ul-Fitr is a must. It’s not a choice and it is for everyone in the household, everyone. Even those who think they are poor; if they have a food for a day and a night, they should give out Zakat-ul-Fitr. If they have enough for one day, they should give Zakah to other poor people and the needy people and that would be a Saa,” said Professor Turkistani in his Khutba (Sermon).

How that would be translated into today’s measurement? Professor Turkistani asked and promptly replied, “It would be about two kilogram and a quarter. If you pay three kilograms of any types of food, rice, dates, barley, anything that people eat, which is an edible thing; something they can keep and preserve. You cannot give out, in meat, for example, or something that can be immediately consumed; cooked food, for example. It has to be a food that the poor and the needy can save and can prepare their own meals. For everyone in the household, young or old, male or female, the newly born, anyone born before the sun set of the last day of the month of Ramadan has to be given Zakat-ul-Fitr and it is the responsibility of the head of the household; those who spent is the man who is earning and even if it is the woman who is earning and spending in the family then it is their responsibility to pay.”

When shall we pay it? Professor Turkistani again enquired and said, “Not until before Eid day; at least two days before Eid and it shall be given out before Salat-ul-Eid, otherwise it would not be Zakat-ul-Fitr; it would be sadaqah. And it would not do its purpose unless it is done and given to the poor and the needy so that they can go for the Eid prayer and happy. They feel that they have enough and they can share with the Muslim community. Nice occasion and celebrate Eid along with them.”

Takbeer

That was for Zakat-ul-Fitr. The second form of Ibadah is Takbeer. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “It is a Sunnah to do Takbeer starting from the Maghreb of the night of Eid until Eid prayer. How do we say, what do we say? Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La Ilaha Illallah Allahu Akbar walillahe wal Hamd. Any form of Takbeer is good to announce this and to obey Allah Subhanahu wa Taala as Allah said so you shall complete the number of days fasting and announce Takbeer. That’s why it is Sunnah to do Takbeer from the Maghreb to the Salat-ul-Eid in congregation. You say on yourself, you say it among Muslims, you say in the Masjid, in the house, anywhere wherever it is possible to pronounce loudly just to inform Muslims around you that this is the time of praising Allah and celebrate Eid.”

Salat-ul-Eid

The third form of Ibadah during the end of the month of Ramadan is Salat-ul-Eid. Professor Turkistani mentioned, “We need to come to Salat-ul-Eid. Salat-ul-Eid is an obligation upon the whole community, but for every individual it is something strongly recommended. Some people choose to sleep on the morning of Eid and miss the prizes because during the day of Eid as people are coming to the prayer the Angels are standing at the doors giving prizes. You wouldn’t see them but belief me, if you have done well in the month of Ramadan you receive prize on the day of Eid. That’s why it is important to come to Eid prayer and to receive the prize and look and see that prize on the day of Eid. So on the Eid, take complete bath and then wear the must you have, put on perfume for man, but not for woman because you will attract the opposite gender, and then come to Salatul Eid to attend and celebrate with the rest of the community Eid. Everyone, man and woman, young or old, shall come to Eid prayer; without exception, even women who are having the menstruation. But they should avoid area of prayer, area of musalla. But they should come and be among the community to enjoy this occasion along with the rest of the Muslims. This is the third Ibadah.”

Fast ing is prohibited on Eid Day

Fasting is prohibited on the day of Eid. “We need to break on the day of Eid of fast because it is prohibited to fast on the day of Eid,” said Professor Turkistani and added, “It is a gift from Allah and we shall receive it and how do we break we break it with date, one or three or five or more, eat single or odd number of dates on the day of Eid in your home before you come out. And it is Sunnah to go from one way and to return another way in order to meet as many people and to greet them on the day of Eid. Eid is the day of forgiveness, a day when you really forgive those who have done wrong to you. This is the time to show forgiveness and Allah who give you forgiveness in return.”

28 Ramadan, 1436

15 July 2015

Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

The Last 10 days and nights of Ramadan

Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I still remember my childhood when an old man of 70 years, Abdul Jabbar, used to come from the district of Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) took the silent alleys of our village in the night, chanting and calling, to wake up Muslims for the last meal before another day of Ramadan fasting begins.  Abdul Jabbar reminds one of a character from the book The Thousands and One Nights. He is a strange person who comes out from the depth of the night to disturb the quietness by a shrill cry calling, Suhoor…Suhoor.

Now that person is replaced in a big city like London by Muslim Community Radio (MCR) – Ramadan Radio – in East London, Kismat Radio and Islam TV Channel calling Muslims to wake up for their breakfast. In Ramadan, all Muslims who want to fast should eat before starting to fast.

The Month of Mercy, the blessed month came and is passing away very fast. Today, Wednesday, is the 21^st of Ramadan. More than two-third of the blessed month has passed; still there is time to get our sins cleared, still there is time to ask for forgiveness from Allah the Almighty who is ready to forgive our sins. The remaining days and nights of the blessed month is full of Allah’s mercy and blessing. In this part of the month, specially during the last 10 days and nights, a night which is the greatest night of the year, the Lailatul Qadr. During these ten days and nights, Muslims spend in the Mosque for I’tikaf. 

I'tikaf

I’tikaf means seclusion and staying in the Mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform I’tikaf for last 10 days every Ramadan. In the year that he died, he performed it for twenty days. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, and Ibn-Majah). The next Friday on 10 of July (23 Ramadan) will be the Jumatul-Widah, the last Friday of the Blessed Month of Ramadan, if Eid will be on Friday,. 17^th of July, depending on the sighting of the Shawaal Moon.

As the month of blessings and mercy is coming to the end, similarly the recitation of the complete Qur’an is also coming to the Khatam which might be on the 27^th night of Ramadan. The last ten nights are very important nights. Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert himself in night prayer especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree)

Lailatul-Qadr is the greatest night of the year like the Day of Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah revealed a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr (97:1-5) and the 3^rd to the 6^th verses of the Surat ad-Dukhan (44:3-6). Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the Night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of morning!” (97:1-5). A person who misses Lailatul Qadr is really a deprived person!

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great). (Ahmad, an-Nisai and al-Bayhaqi).

Aishah said, “Allah’s Messenger used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Zakah

The word Zakat in Arabic means purification. The giving of Zakat (obligatory charity) is the third pillar of Islam. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr (charity of Eid-ul-Fitr, given to the poor before Eid prayer) and Zakat Al-Maal (purifying charity, paid on one’s wealth).

It is to be noted that Zakat-ul-Fitr was declared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a prerequisite for the acceptance of fasting. But when and whom to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr? First of all, who has to pay?  Each and every Muslim, regardless of his social status, is required to give a certain amount of charity usually in the form of food grains, barley, raisin etc. called Zakat-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid-ul-Fitr so that every member of the Muslim community, especially the poor, have something to eat on the day of Eid.  It is meant to cement the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, to alleviate the pain of the poor, to cultivate the sense of brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts of the Muslims, etc., said Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

Dr. Qaradawi also said, “If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakat-ul-Fitr would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted all the other days of the month. Conversely, if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, i.e. the first night of Shawwal, it would be obligatory to pay Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr on his or her behalf. This view is unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” The head of the household must pay for every member of the family, even for the newborn. The Muslim is supposed to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr (i.e., Zakah of breaking the fast) in the country where he or she spends the first night of the month of Shawwal.

So far as the Zakat-ul-Maal is concerned, it is also obligatory for a Muslim, who possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakat is applicable, to give out Zakat. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Mohammad Aal-Talib, few years ago urged Muslims to be God-Conscious and give charity to the poor and the needy. He said Zakat removes miserliness and cleans the heart from cruelty. 

Allah has stressed on payment of Zakat, which appears in the Holy Qur’an more than 30 times. There are many verses of the Holy Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that urge Muslim to give charity for the sake of Allah. Sheikh Aal-Talib said charity is an act that attracts Allah’s mercy. He said giving charity secretly extinguishes God’s anger and it is a blessing for the person’s wealth. A person who does not give in charity will be punished by removal of the blessing (barakah) from his wealth.

Zakat-ul-Fitr is associated with the Eid and is meant to create happiness in such a way that includes the poor and the needy. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Make them (i.e., the poor) rich on this day (i.e. the day of Eid)”.

Charity in Ramadan

About charity and spending from the wealth in the Way of Allah or for the Cause of Allah, Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He wills. And Allah is Al-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al-Qur’an, 2:261).

Allah also said, “Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Qur’an: 2: 262)

Ramadan is also the month of charity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell-Fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading. Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembering Allah) and du’a (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.

The month of blessing and forgiveness is passing away very quickly. Do not miss the remaining last ten days and nights. Let us clear our sins. Let us seek the Night of Qadr.