Wednesday 26 May 2021

The Singh Investigation

I haven't had an opportunity to read this report yet. It should be generating more headlines, but other political events have taken over:


MCB Press Release, Singh Investigation Confirms Scale of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party but Fails to Address Root Causes

Sky News, Tory Islamophobia inquiry: Former Conservative chair says report shows party 'institutionally racist'


Report: The Singh Investigation: Independent Investigtion into Alleged Discrimination [PDF]

Thursday 20 May 2021

Wednesday 19 May 2021

Mental Health Tests Report

Guardian, Mental health tests in the presence of counter-terror units ‘unethical’, says charity

"Mental health assessments are being conducted in the presence of police in little-known hubs that embed nurses and psychologists with counter-terrorism units, raising “serious ethical concerns”, a medical charity has said."

Report link here: Racism, mental health and pre-crime policing: the ethics of Vulnerability Support Hubs

Tuesday 18 May 2021

Palestine-Gaza Situation

Coverage of the Palestine-Gaza situation features on my Virtually Islamic blog, where there is a specific page of rolling news (focused on social media issues).

Muslim Women in the Fire Brigade

Monday 17 May 2021

Arrests on Anti-Semitic Abuse Charges

ITV News, Four men arrested over video of 'anti-Semitic abuse being shouted from car' in London "Footage on social media showed a convoy of cars covered with Palestinian flags passing down Finchley Road, in north London, with passengers heard to shout offensive language and threats against Jews."

Friday 14 May 2021

Eid Celebrations


Thursday 13 May 2021

Glasgow Power

Wednesday 12 May 2021

Mental Health Research

"Bangladeshi men have been hit hard by the pandemic – in terms of higher death rates compared to other communities, shut down industries and job losses. But with lockdown easing, many fear that the impact of the pandemic on their mental health may be overlooked."

Tuesday 11 May 2021

'We Are Lady Parts'

iNews, Nida Manzoor on writing We Are Lady Parts: ‘Why is being honest so scary?’

"When Nida Manzoor set out to write We Are Lady Parts, a comedy about a Muslim female punk band, she had no idea of the responsibilities that would come with it."


Monday 10 May 2021

'Miracle' baby

BBC News, Covid: 'Miracle' baby born to Newport mum in coma

"A woman who was in a coma with Covid while pregnant has told how she woke up the day after her baby was born."

Ramadan through Art

MyLondon, Designer capturing the beauty of Ramadan through art

"London-based digital designer Natasha Ahmed, is shining a light on the different ways Ramadan is observed by Muslims across the world ..."

Muslims in Belfast observe Ramadan

Friday 7 May 2021

Mayra Zulfiqar

Update:

Metro, Suspect in murder of British woman in Pakistan pictured

BBC News, Mayra Zulfiqar shooting: Men sought over killing of Londoner in Lahore

"Police in Pakistan are searching for two men following the fatal shooting of a British woman in Lahore."

Restricted Mosque Access for Women (?)

Mariam Khan, Opinion Piece, the i Newspaper, Mosques have becomes men’s clubs – if they don’t give women equal space to pray they should face consequences

"The conversation around this inequality is often silenced. I’ve been told not to voice my views about the lack of space for women because it will make Muslim men look bad. We’re often told that our criticism within the community will be taken by Islamophobes to further demonise Muslim men. This isn’t a lie – it does happen – but it also means that the Muslim patriarchy continues to control the narrative and nothing changes." I know many mosques have sought to address this long-standing issue, but there would seem to be some way to go for equality.

Thursday 6 May 2021

Muslim Organisations' Responses to Human Rights Issues

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, The i, Opinion piece, The silence from powerful British Muslim organisations on Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and others is striking, 5 May 2021

"I did ask members of powerful Muslim organisations in this country about this lack of engagement. Not enough resources, one replied, no comment said the Muslim Council of Britain, while another said they did not involve themselves in foreign affairs because bad stuff is going on in too many Muslim countries."

Tuesday 4 May 2021

Muslim History in the UK

Al-Jazeera, A Muslim history of the UK

"Sadiya Ahmed has been busy during Britain’s latest COVID-19 lockdown. She has produced a podcast, created a heritage photography competition, and is working on setting up a Muslim History module to run alongside the national curriculum." I recommend the podcasts and related resources.