An organization has been launched to serve as a bridge between Muslim communities and UK policy-makers. The British Muslim Network seeks to fills a void of 17 years after successive governments failed to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain, which was founded for the same purpose.

The British Muslim Network (BMN) was launched in London when 60 people began by taking part in round-table discussions on social mobility, storytelling, Islamophobia, philanthropy, community infrastructure and health and wellbeing.

The discussions were followed by a large reception with about 300 people, speeches from government officials including the health secretary, Wes Streeting; the deputy Commons Speaker, Nusrat Ghani; faith minister Lord Khan; and a former faith minister, Baroness Warsi.

Mr. Streeting acknowledged that governments had let down Muslim communities in the past and insisted on the importance of tackling anti-Muslim hate crimes and Islamophobia.

He said it was important that “the government gets this relationship right, to acknowledge with humility that successive governments have not got this relationship right“.

He said he “acknowledged … that the Labour party hasn’t always got this right, particularly in recent years” and added that he was committed “to underscore my commitment to defending the space for Muslims across our country“.

The BMN seeks to convene expert panels to share information on the views and practices of Muslim communities to policy-makers. Its co-chairs are Akeela Ahmed and Imam Qari Asim.

Imam Asim, who leads the Makkah Mosque in Leeds and was once a government adviser on Islamophobia, told the Religion Media Centre: “It was really uplifting to see such a diverse group of people, from different faith backgrounds to civil society, to organizations, as well as the diversity of the Muslim community, being reflected in this room. We contribute so much to society but sadly we are mostly seen through the lens of extremism.

“That’s painful. We see young people feeling frustrated and alienated. They’re not feeling welcomed in their own neighborhoods. So BMN wants to bring a range of voices, to hear their perspectives and to bring their own insight to share with think tanks, policy-makers and the government. We believe those pillars of society can benefit from this young talent.”

Speaking on the policy of disengagement, Imam Asim said Muslims were not “asking for special treatment” but rather “equal citizenship”.

The launch has been plagued with comparisons to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and suspicions that it is seeking to undermine the organization, or create a split between “good” and “bad” Muslims.

However, all people affiliated with the group have insisted that is not the case. “BMN is going to be one of the voices among many other voices in this country, highlighting and showcasing the contributions, therefore it does not intend to replace any organization,” Imam Asim added.

“We believe in collaboration. Our faith encourages us to collaborate. We have been in conversation with many organizations, including the MCB. It’s about working together to defeat the defeatist mentality that is unfortunately rising in the minds of young people because of the way they’re treated in this country.”

Baroness Warsi pointed to the urgency of the work, stating that the engagement was important for democracy. “Courage is important. These times require you to be so,” she said. “We are not just talking about protecting British Muslims and creating a society where British Muslims feel like they have equal worth and value. We’re fighting to protect inclusive liberal democracies. That is where we are at now.“

Akeela Ahmed, who previously chaired the government’s working group on anti-Muslim hatred, agreed with the sentiment pointing to the “global backdrop” of the launch. “The far right is becoming more prominent again in Europe and in the UK as well,” she said. “We wanted to step up because we understand that there are huge challenges, external challenges that we all need to work to address.”

Nusrat Ghani, a Conservative MP, reflected on her own experience as she said that “earlier experiences of racism were down to the color of our skin,” whereas now “it is down to our faith”.

Professor Mike Clarke, chairman of the Together Coalition, which was set up to foster social cohesion after the murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, also backed the initiative.

“With the recent and shocking events of the riots last summer, we recognized the need to give expression to voices that need to be heard to have a diverse and inclusive society,” he told the Religion Media Centre. “We’ve been very proud to support that.”

Many commented on the energy and dynamism in the room throughout the evening, including Professor Clarke, who added: “My overwhelming sense is that there’s a lot of love and goodwill in this room, and I find that very inspiring.”

Addressing criticism about the Together Coalition’s involvement in the group’s setting up he said: “Frankly, I don’t think there are enough voices being heard. If the people here feel there is a need to create more opportunities for those voices to be heard, then it’s important to do that.”

The British Muslim Network intends to operate on the basis of the “Three C’s”: connecting, celebrating and collaborating.

• Connecting relates to “bringing people of different backgrounds together”.
• Celebrating pertains to honoring the “positivity within the British Muslim community”.
• Collaboration refers to organizations working together as well as inclusion of the “multiplicity of voices” within the demographic.

Members of the group’s advisory board include Sumayah Saadi, owner of the Sumayah modest fashion brand; Abdurahman Sayed, chief executive of London’s Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre; and Dr. Hina Shahid, who chairs the Muslim Doctors Association.

The network will include public figures from politics, media, business, entertainment and sport, as well as imams, lawyers, doctors and academics.

Some joined a panel which concluded the event including Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, and entrepreneur Jennifer Ogunyemi.

Many labelled the event an important one in British Muslim history. Mr. Streeting said: “This has to be a catalyzing moment that mobilizes grassroots communities right across the country to make sure that people feel able to be heard and genuinely listened to.

“But more than that [they must be] able to shape their communities, to shape our country and to do this together across the divides of difference and diversity uniting around what we have in common.”

Events will be held for Muslim communities to speak to each other and common concerns will be shared with the government to bring change.

Source: Religion Media Centre

The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) is a vibrant and inclusive community hub located in Naperville, Illinois, dedicated to serving the religious, educational, and cultural needs of Muslims in the Naperville area and its surrounding cities and towns. Established in 1991 as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of Illinois, ICN has grown into one of the most prominent Islamic centers in the Midwest, welcoming individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Historical Background

The roots of ICN trace back to the 1970s and 1980s when a group of far-sighted Muslims established the Naperville Islamic School as an affiliate of the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Chicago. Initially, the weekend school was held on Friday nights at Naperville North High School and later at Woodridge School in Lisle to save costs.

By 1983, the community had raised $15,000 to acquire a building for a masjid but postponed their plans when the Islamic Foundation purchased a building in Villa Park. In 1984, members of this group, along with others, formed the Qur’anic Study Club at Bell Laboratories, a prominent local employer. Regular Jumu’ah prayers began at Bell Laboratories during this time, while Isha’ prayers and Taraweeh were held in community members’ homes.

By the late 1980s, the need for a dedicated physical space became undeniable. In the early 1990s, the community purchased a building on Olesen Drive, formerly owned by a religious group, to establish the Islamic Center of Naperville. Since then, ICN has experienced rapid growth, particularly during Ramadan and Eid prayers, when the community often outgrows its current facility and seeks larger venues to accommodate the increasing numbers. Today, ICN holds two Jumu’ah prayer sessions each week, with both sessions often filled to capacity.

Mission

The mission of the Islamic Center of Naperville is to grow into a masjid-centric community dedicated to the obedience of Allah (SWT), the Creator, the Provider, the Most Beneficent, and the Most Merciful. ICN focuses on:

• Raising Muslim generations grounded in the Qur’an and Sunnah as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and practiced by his companions.
• Providing a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for Muslims and interested non-Muslims of all ages.
• Serving as a second home and extended family for the community, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.

Vision

ICN envisions a vibrant community where its centers serve as a second home and extended family, especially for the youth. The center aims to achieve this through:

• Religious services and education, including daily prayers, Jumu’ah, Taraweeh, and Islamic studies.
• Youth programs and leadership development to engage and empower young Muslims.
• Charitable work to support those in need locally and globally.
• Full-time and weekend schools to provide quality Islamic and academic education for children.
• Interfaith activities to promote communal harmony and mutual understanding.

Facilities and Services

ICN boasts a range of facilities, including a spacious prayer hall, classrooms, a library, and multipurpose spaces for community events. The center also provides separate areas for men and women, ensuring a comfortable and respectful environment for all worshippers.

Programs and Activities

ICN offers a wide range of programs catering to all age groups:

• Religious Services: Daily prayers, Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers, and Taraweeh during Ramadan.
• Educational Programs: Quran classes, Islamic studies for children and adults, and Arabic language courses.
• Youth Activities: Youth groups, leadership development, and recreational activities.
• Community Outreach: Interfaith dialogues, open houses, and charitable initiatives.
• Social Events: Family gatherings, cultural celebrations, and community dinners.

Interfaith and Community Engagement

ICN is deeply committed to building bridges with the wider community. The center regularly hosts interfaith events, collaborates with local organizations, and participates in civic activities to promote mutual understanding and cooperation. Through its outreach efforts, ICN aims to dispel misconceptions about Islam and highlight its message of peace and compassion.

Charitable Initiatives

Guided by the Islamic principles of charity and service, ICN actively supports local and global humanitarian causes. The center organizes food drives, fundraising campaigns, and volunteer opportunities to address issues such as poverty, homelessness, and disaster relief.

Leadership and Volunteers

ICN is led by a dedicated team of imams, board members, and volunteers who work tirelessly to ensure the center’s success. Their efforts are driven by a shared commitment to serving the community and upholding the values of Islam.

Visit ICN

Whether you are a Muslim seeking a welcoming community or someone interested in learning more about Islam, the Islamic Center of Naperville invites you to visit and experience its warm and inclusive atmosphere. Join ICN in its mission to inspire faith, foster understanding, and make a positive impact in the world.

Contact Information

• Address: 2844 W Ogden Ave, Naperville, IL 60540, USA
• Phone: +1 (630) 426-3335
• Fax: +1 (630) 428-3737
• Email: info@icnmasjid.org
• Website: www.icnmasjid.org

Omar Suleiman has called on Elon Musk to stop blowing political “dog whistles of Islamophobia” and invited the world’s richest man for a conversation if Musk is unintentionally spreading anti-Muslim narrative on his social media platform.

Suleiman, a globally renowned imam, theologian, human rights activist and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, on Tuesday charged Musk of sharing “dangerous” and “dishonest” tweets about Islam.

“When one of your Teslas kills someone while self-driving or explodes on fire and the media charges your vehicles as unsafe, you point out sampling bias, share all kinds of statistics, and allege that the media is either accidentally or deliberately misrepresenting statistics to promote a vindictive agenda,” Suleiman wrote on his X handle, tagging Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX space tech firm and Tesla automotive company.

“Yet, for the past week, you have blown every conceivable dog whistle of Islamophobia, by highlighting a select group of (horrifying) incidents supposedly in the name of Islam. Your barrage of tweets aimed at Islam have been as dangerous as they are dishonest about a faith practiced by over 2 billion people.”

Suleiman expressed readiness to engage with Musk if the latter “genuinely” wants a clarification.

“If you don’t know you are doing this and genuinely want clarification, I and many others easily accessible to you are willing to have a conversation. If this is a deliberate smear campaign, then you are indeed every bit the hypocrite you once condemned,” Suleiman wrote.

Musk ignores white British men

Musk, who is set to serve Donald Trump’s new administration as an outside adviser, has waded into UK’s political affairs.

He has sparked a massive row about gangs of men who groomed and raped girls in England over several decades, focusing on the Muslim and Pakistani heritage of some of those involved in the crimes while ignoring the majority of white British who had been involved in those crimes.

The cases have been used by far-right politicians to link child abuse to immigration, and to accuse opponents of cover-ups.

The billionaire Tesla CEO has taken an erratic interest in British politics since the center-left Labour Party was elected in July. Musk has used his social network, X, to call for a new election and demanded UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer be imprisoned.

On Monday he posted an online poll for millions of his followers on the suggestion: “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.”

Musk’s allegations are in contrast to the studies of England, Scotland and Wales conducted by the previous UK government that have already dispelled the myth of “Asian grooming gangs” popularized by the British far-right and others.

According to research sponsored by the British Home Office in 2020, the majority of child sexual abuse gangs are made up of white men under the age of 30.

“There is no credible evidence that any one ethnic group is over-represented,” the research added.

At the time, Nazir Afzal, the ex-chief crown prosecutor in North West England, who brought prosecutions over the Rochdale grooming gangs, welcomed the report.

“It confirms that white men remain the most common offenders, which is something rarely mentioned by right-wing commentators,” he had said.

In February 2024, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse think tank analyzed ethnicity data from defendants and found that despite making up 9 percent of the population, men of Asian descent, in general, were involved in 7 percent of the cases of child sexual abuse, whereas white men, who make up 83 percent of the population, were involved in 88 percent of such cases.

Source: TRT World

With the help of Inspire FM, a Luton community group, 13 mosques across the town took part in a dedicated Friday money collection to purchase edible goods.

Salma Khan, director of operations at Luton Foodbank, said she was “delighted” by “truly amazing and heart-warming” donations.

She said the Muslim community support the charity throughout the year but this year more groups came together.

“This is the first time so many mosques have united to support us”, Ms. Khan added. “It’s so nice to see every part of the community taking part, it’s amazing, truly heart-warming.”

She said the money had already made “a huge difference” and meant there were enough donations for over the festive period and into early January, when donations can dip.

She added: “Christmas is a time of year that people who don’t have much are forced to spend money on gifts, food and heating, so it pushes a lot of people into crisis.”

Mohammed Tariq, from Inspire FM, said: “We are deeply appreciative of the mosques coming together to support the local Foodbank during this critical time. This act of unity and generosity truly reflects their core values.”

Maqsood Anwar, from the Madinah Masjid mosque, said it has supported the “much-needed” foodbank for over a decade and “we are more than happy to help”.

Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chisti MBE said: “Feeding the hungry is one of our duties as Muslims.”

Elizabeth Stringer, the chairman of the foodbank, said: “With higher numbers of people using the foodbank, all contributions will help with food distribution throughout the colder months.”

Source: BBC

Islamophobia Awareness Month was founded in 2012 by a coalition of Muslim organizations, including the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND).

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims defines Islamophobia as rooted in racism and a type of racism which targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.

CEO of The Runnymede Trust Dr. Shabna Begum said: “Islamophobia has become the normalized currency of political conversation.”

The Runnymede Trust is the UK’s leading race equality think tank and was established in 1968, notably the same year as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

According to Dr. Begum, there is an overt belief that Muslim communities are a threat to Britain and she believes that from the benches of parliament to mainstream headlines, this sentiment no longer lurks euphemistically.

She noted that in the last year there has been a significant step-change in the normalization of Islamophobia.

Dr. Begum said: “Islamophobia has reached fever pitch in the UK and it is time that we put a rational conversation back on the agenda.”

The Home Office also observed a significant rise in religious hate crimes towards Muslims following the Israel-Hamas conflict with 3,866 offences reported in the last year, an increase of 13% from the previous year.

The Home Office further reported that in the last year 38% of all reported religious hate crimes were targeted against Muslims.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The appalling levels of Islamophobic hate crimes outlined in [Home Office] figures are a stain on our society, and this government will work tirelessly to tackle this toxic hatred wherever it is found.”

Baitul Futuh in Morden, South London, is the largest mosque in Britain and recently received a distressing bomb hoax call.

They were very grateful for the continued support of the Metropolitan Police, but the incident underscored the need for continued vigilance, following recent events this year such as the Southport riots.

A spokesperson for the mosque said: “[We] do feel safe in London [as] we have advanced security measures. There is always room for improvement in addressing broader issues that impact [our community’s] safety and well-being. Continued engagement and understanding are vital.”

These heightened security measures include 24/7 on-site security staff, CCTV surveillance, and airport-style security for major events such as Friday prayers.

Meanwhile, a parliamentary drop-in session was held on 20 November led by the MCB, Afzal Khan MP, and Amnesty International as part of Islamophobia Awareness Month.

Many politicians from various parties were in attendance such as co-leader of the Green Party Carla Denyer, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, and Caroline Nokes MP.

The session was constructive and highlighted the growing systemic crisis of Islamophobia in the UK – an issue that the MCB believes requires immediate and decisive action.

The MCB, the largest and most diverse representative body for the British Muslim community in the UK, have worked relentlessly to tackle Islamophobia and continue to urge the government to officially adopt the widely endorsed APPG on British Muslim’s definition of Islamophobia.

The MCB believe the group offers a crucial definition of Islamophobia which clearly recognizes this specific type of hate.

Source: South West Londoner

The violence we saw in Summer 2024, triggered by Islamophobic disinformation and resulting in targeted attacks on mosques, Muslim communities and others across 27 towns and cities, represent a watershed moment that demands immediate and decisive action. These events occurred against a backdrop of increasingly emboldened far-right rhetoric, fuelled by the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency and the subsequent normalization of anti-Muslim sentiment and racism more broadly in mainstream political discourse across the Western world.

The landmark National Islamophobia Strategy Meeting, convened by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), brought together community activists, organizations, grassroots representatives and academics from across the country to develop a unified response.

This critical initiative comes as Home Office statistics reveal nearly 40% of all religious hate crime being targeted at Muslims, in the year ending March 2024.

“The events of Summer 2024 have made it clear that we must move beyond words to decisive action,” said Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain. “Our communities face unprecedented challenges, but we are responding with unprecedented unity and determination.”

The meeting identified three key areas requiring immediate attention through dedicated taskforces:

• • Development of practical measures for comprehensive recording of Islamophobic incidents
  • Creation of accessible support networks for victims
  • Implementation of localised reporting mechanisms
  • Regular analysis of trends to inform targeted interventions
  • Special focus on isolated communities and gender-specific experiences

• • Documentation of lived experiences within Muslim communities
  • Development of research capacity to understand systemic issues
  • Analysis of institutional impacts on Muslim communities
  • The real-world impact of our toxic social media landscape
  • Creation of partnerships with civil rights organisations and human rights groups

• • Strengthening grassroots networks and initiatives
  • Building educational and awareness programmes
  • Developing interfaith and wider community engagement
  • Supporting cultural and artistic initiatives to challenge misconceptions

This community-led initiative builds on the Prime Minister’s recent recognition of Islamophobia as a serious issue in Parliament on 13 November. However, words must now be matched with concrete action. The meeting called on the Government to formally recognize and combat Islamophobia by adopting the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims’ definition and establish funded, independent monitoring mechanisms that maintain Muslim community confidence.

With a 25% increase in religious hate crimes compared to the previous year – the highest since records began in 2012 – the communities gathered last Saturday have called on all sections of British society to support these initiatives and join in the work of creating a more inclusive Britain.

Working groups will develop detailed proposals within these areas over the next 6-10 months.

Source: Muslim Council of Britain

Article by Rakib Ehsan

This summer’s rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland were a watershed moment in community relations – and the fall-out is beginning to emerge.

Fresh British Muslim survey data published by Tell MAMA (which stands for monitoring anti-Muslim attacks) provides much cause for concern. Carried out two months after the start of far-right public disorder following the horrific murder of three little girls in Southport, seven in ten British Muslims surveyed said anti-Muslim hate had become more widespread, with two in three also saying that the potential for risk and harm to their own religious communities had increased. However, it is not all doom-and-gloom and there are also some positive findings which make me feel optimistic. Three in five Muslims said they still feel safe in Britain, with half saying that they felt more open about their religious identity in the aftermath of the riots (especially when talking with friends and work colleagues).

The findings show that while we are a relatively successful multi-ethnic and religiously diverse democracy, there needs to be a more robust approach when it comes to ‘managing’ this diversity – which is not necessarily easy. For the newly elected Labour government, the Southport atrocity and subsequent disorder was quite the baptism of fire – but its response to the far-right rioting was left wanting and appears to have alienated a variety of groups in modern Britain.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, sought to drain the riots of their political and ideological character from the get-go – characterizing them as “mindless racist thuggery”. In the aftermath of Southport, an unfounded conspiracy theory that the suspect was an illegal Middle Eastern Muslim migrant who had arrived in the UK on a small boat from France was allowed to spread like wildfire on social media platforms such as X, with little to no intervention by the relevant authorities.

Dismissing the rioting as “mindless” risks overlooking the fact that there was the deliberate targeting of Muslim communities – including mosques and businesses. This included the attack on the local mosque in Southport and the destruction of a café in south Belfast. In addition to this, in Manvers near Rotherham, a hotel accommodating asylum seekers was set ablaze and had its windows smashed in. The idea that all those involved in the riots were thoughtless racist thugs masks the reality that some have deeply ideological histories which include anti-Muslim hatred. Last week, it was revealed that a man who pleaded guilty to taking part in the disorder was previously sentenced to ten years in prison for deliberately setting fire to a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent. Back in his 2011 trial, Simon Beech – now 36 years old – said that he had been a member of both the neo-fascist British National Party (BNP) and the English Defense League (EDL).

Rebuilding after Southport

Starmer may have deliberately set out to downplay the ideological elements of the rioting because doing otherwise would leave him vulnerable to the accusation that he was justifying such violent disorder. But this strategy has meant that the Labour leader has failed to truly recognize the anti-Muslim nature of much of the rioting which unfolded in the summer – further widening the disconnect between British Muslim communities and their so-called ‘natural party’.

As the country looks to rebuild from the trauma of the Southport murders and the subsequent violent disorder, part of that must be reassuring law-abiding, hard-working, and security-oriented British Muslim families of their rightful place in modern Britain. To shore up our national ‘community of communities’, it is vital that we all learn the right lessons from what took place this summer – including the Prime Minister.

Source: City A.M.

“It’s important because there’s a lot of perceptions of Islam that are out in the community that aren’t represented by who we really are,” said Nadia Mansour, a longtime member who has practiced her faith at the Centre since its opening in 2011.

“When we open up our doors to the community and we have people come in, we get to invite people to our faith and show them what we’re really about.”

Since its establishment 13 years ago, the Islamic Centre has played a significant role in attracting Muslims to Prince George. The presence of a mosque has become a key factor for many considering relocation.

“We are seeing a substantial increase in the number of [Muslim] people coming to this city, and whenever they find a job, the first question they ask the employer is, is there any mosque there because they need that,” said Siraj Ul Islam, the Centre’s secretary.

Beyond providing a place of worship, the Centre serves as a hub for the Muslim community, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. For many, it offers a feeling of home in a new city.

“As soon as I got to know there’s an Islamic Centre, I was quite happy, and when I came here, it was instant,” shared Umair Haroon, a member since last year.

“The first day I was able to meet with a lot of friends who could relate. Since then, there’s a feeling of home, and I have friends that I feel like I’ve known for years because of this Islamic Centre.”

Building Bridges

The open house aimed to build bridges with the wider community, offering a chance to learn about Islam in an open and welcoming environment. The event provided an opportunity for dialogue, with attendees able to observe Islamic practices and ask questions to better understand the faith. It was a step towards fostering mutual respect and breaking down stereotypes.

The Centre continues to be a vital resource for Muslims in Prince George, supporting both spiritual and social needs. It not only helps newcomers integrate into the community but also ensures that long-term residents maintain a strong connection to their faith. As the local Muslim population grows, the Centre’s role as a cultural and religious cornerstone becomes increasingly important.

By opening its doors to the public, the Prince George Islamic Centre hopes to promote understanding and demonstrate the true essence of Islam—a faith centered on peace, compassion, and community.

Source: About Islam

The head of the Muslim Council of Britain has called for an explanation and a review of the government’s policy of non-engagement with the body after her appeals for contact during the summer riots were ignored.

Zara Mohammed, who was elected more than three years ago as the MCB’s youngest and first female secretary general, said there had been a “quite shocking” lack of contact with the new government at a time when mobs were targeting Muslims and mosques.

The MCB had been “heavily engaged” with Labour’s shadow cabinet when the party was in opposition, including a meeting in 2021 between Mohammed and Keir Starmer where they discussed “the importance of engaging with Muslim communities”, she said.

Downing Street then ignored attempts to discuss the dangers being posed to Muslim people during the riots, Mohammed said, even as Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, and senior police officers held talks with her in Belfast.

Mohammed, 33, whose tenure as MCB leader will end in January, said she hoped ministers would now review the government’s “baffling” approach to the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella group, which has more than 500 affiliated members including mosques, schools and charitable associations.

She said: “There’s been no official communication from government since the election, and when the riots happened, I guess that’s where we would have expected.

“We appreciated that, with any new government, they’ve got to settle in, and there’s got to be some time to work out [things]. There’s a lot of things going on in the country, economic downturns, we appreciate that.

“But I think what was really disappointing, and perhaps for many in the Muslim community, quite shocking, was no formal or meaningful engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain during a time when mosques and Muslims were being targeted by the far right in a terrifying way.”

The Conservative government had a policy of non-engagement with the MCB and in a statement to parliament on 1 August the Labour communities minister Alex Norris disclosed that there had “been no change to HMG [his majesty’s government] policy and there are no plans for ministers to meet with the Muslim Council of Britain”.

The new government has not expanded on its approach but the reason given to parliament by Rishi Sunak’s administration for its policy of non-engagement was that “previous MCB leaders have taken positions that contradict our fundamental values and these have not been explicitly retracted”.

That statement was a reference to a row dating back to 2009 when the then MCB deputy secretary general, Daud Abdullah, signed a document known as the Istanbul declaration, which advocated attacks on the Royal Navy if it tried to stop arms for Hamas being smuggled into Gaza.

The then Labour government said it would have nothing more to do with the MCB unless Abdullah stepped down. He did resign and the MCB said the views expressed did not represent those of the body, leading to a re-engagement in the last year of Gordon Brown’s government.

Liberal Democrat ministers in the coalition government elected in 2010 also engaged with the MCB. Penny Mordaunt, when she was the Conservative paymaster general, had a meeting with Mohammed in 2021 but was heavily criticised in parts of the media, including the Daily Mail.

Mohammed said the MCB had since been “locked out”, although she added that policy had not been consistent, with the body providing a reference service for the appointment of Muslim chaplains by the Ministry of Defence until it was highlighted in a Daily Telegraph article last year.

Last week the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, told the Commons that the government was “actively considering” its approach to tackling Islamophobia.

Mohammed said she was “optimistic” that the government would “get its act together”.

She said: “I think what I’m hopeful of is that the government will review the former position and will look at offering a position of clarity as to why [they are not engaging], and having a conversation with us to see, you know, what are the challenges; what are the blocks in 2024, not in 2009.

“Ultimately, talking to a national body is critical when it comes to national representative issues. That’s why we exist, because those mosques sign up to be an umbrella where we’ve had big political issues to talk about.

“We never claim to be the only voice for British Muslims. We claim to represent our bodies. But just as other faith communities have representative bodies, of course, we have one, and of course we want to vocalize on the policy issues, on national representation.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The government engages regularly with faith communities. During the recent disorder, the minister for faith spoke to representatives of Muslim communities through numerous roundtables and visits to places of worship.”

Source: The Guardian