British Asians 'struggle for top jobs despite better school results'

Guardian, British Asians 'struggle for top jobs despite better school results', 27 Dec 2016 "Social Mobility Commission study says group’s lower likelihood of being employed in managerial or professional jobs is down to workplace discrimination" The Social Mobility Commission report Ethnicity, gender and social mobility is available as a pdf here

'Crusader' hate graffiti daubed on Scottish mosque

heraldscotland.com, 'Crusader' hate graffiti daubed on Scottish mosque "The graffiti was seemingly inspired by the Crusades, with the words "Saracen go home" and "Deus Vult", a rallying cry for Crusader knights meaning 'God Willing', spray-painted on the walls of the mosque in Cumbernauld. Officers are treating the incident as a hate crime."

#MuslimsLikeUs

BBC, Muslims Like Us, 12-13 Dec 2016

The first episode aired last night. An interesting programme, dominated (inevitably?) by Abdul Haq and his leaflets. Go beneath the surface, and some important issues and dialogues emerge - even within the 'reality' format.  Here are some comments and opinions (not necessarily my own); I've also been tweeting on this.

Mail Online, ISIS supporter on BBC show 'has important voice' insists TV boss: Production chief defends decision to include him despite his 'incredibly offensive' comments

Evening Standard, Muslims Like Us viewers slam ‘prejudiced’ Abdul Haqq and praise Mehreen in BBC2 reality show, 13 Dec 2016 

Telegraph, Muslims Like Us is a wake-up call for Islamophobes everywhere

Metro, Viewers praise ‘genuinely excellent’ BBC Two documentary Muslims Like Us

Episode 2 airs tonight (13th December 2016) - and is available on iPlayer.

‘Unsettled Belonging – A Survey of Britain’s Muslim Communities’

Independent, This week a report which gathered data on what British Muslims really think was released – and the results were surprising, 4 Dec 2016 [by Saeida Rouass, Project Manager at the Quilliam Foundation], 4 Dec 2016 "Today, a report was quietly released by the Policy Exchange that examined exactly what Muslims living in Britain really think about the country and its people. Its title was ‘Unsettled Belonging – A Survey of Britain’s Muslim Communities’, and it confirmed what many British Muslims have been saying for a long time: “We are just like everyone else, with similar concerns, aspirations, hopes and fears.”

Report link here:

Martyn Frampton, David Goodhart and Khalid Mahmood MP, Unsettled Belonging: A survey of Britain’s Muslim communities (Policy Exchange)  I have yet to read this report. 

Casey Review (updated)

gov.uk, The Casey Review: a review into opportunity and integration [pdf]

BBC News, Segregation at 'worrying levels' in parts of Britain, Dame Louise Casey warns "Segregation and social exclusion are at "worrying levels" and are fuelling inequality in some areas of Britain, a report has found.

"Women in some communities are denied "even their basic rights as British residents", the Casey Review said."

The report has generated a variety of comments and opinions, of which this is a small selection:

Guardian, Why do so many Muslim women find it hard to integrate in Britain?

Aina Khan, Guardian,  Guardian, Sorry, Louise Casey, but Muslim women are held back by discrimination 

Julia Rampen, New Statesman, The 8 bits of good news about integration buried in the Casey Review

The Sun,  Government officials spent more on Cornish language lessons than on English ones for struggling Brits, reveals damning report

Sadia Habib, Sociological Review, It’s the Government’s Unbritish Values and Intolerance That Is the Problem, Not Muslims (opinion piece)

100 Women 2016: Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain - Muslim, Bangladeshi, British and proud

100 Women 2016: Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain - Muslim, Bangladeshi, British and proud - BBC News

‘Good Muslim/ bad Muslim’ and ‘good refugee/bad refugee’ are shaping European responses to the refugee crisis

Erin K. Wilson and Luca Mavelli, LSE Blogs, ‘Good Muslim/ bad Muslim’ and ‘good refugee/bad refugee’ are shaping European responses to the refugee crisis

'Muslims Like Us' TV programme

Guardian, Islamist, gay man, teacher: TV housemates bid to show the diversity of British Muslims, 4 Dec 2016 "Filmed over nine days, the two-part documentary will be broadcast next week. The BBC describes it as a “social experiment” looking at the diversity of the Muslim experience in Britain."

'Extremist' is the patron of a Muslim school in Leicester

Daily Mail, 'Extremist' is the patron of a Muslim school in Leicester "The school is one of six that operate out of the Jame'ah Uloomul Qur'an institution, in east Leicester. It is the only one that provides full-time education – between 8am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday."

Mohammed is now the second-most-popular boy’s name in Britain

Metro, Mohammed is now the second-most-popular boy’s name in Britain

An extremist in the family

BBC News, An extremist in the family excellent report

UK 'Sharia Courts'

BBC News, Muslim women complain about Sharia inquiries



Guardian, Muslim women ‘used as political footballs in sharia court debate’



Guardian, Three women take their names off letter critical of sharia courts inquiries

Radicalisation issue

Sky News, Teenage Tube alert suspect Damon Smith 'in love with IS' "Friends say the poker-loving teen was enamoured with Islamic State and watched videos of executions that the group posted online."

Birmingham’s Muslims

Chris Allen, Birmingham’s Muslims: A City Of Challenges And Opportunities, 20 Oct 2016 " "Perceptions of Birmingham can be oppositional when it comes to Muslims and Islam. On the one hand, Birmingham has been somewhat infamously referred to by a Fox News ‘expert’ as a place that is “totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply don’t go”. On the other, it is the “best place in Europe to be pure Muslim”.

C4 presenter issue

Guardian, Channel 4 presenter says hijab ruling means it's 'open season' on Muslims

'Exposure' documentary

Independent, Islamic communities contain 'tsunamis of atheism' that are being suppressed, says leading ex-Muslim "Speaking ahead of the release of Exposure, an ITV documentary that explores the lives of ex-Muslims faced with abuse and discrimination, Ms Namazie told The Independent: “There is a large group of people who are not seen and heard. Many young people living in Britain have left Islam and are facing huge ostracisation and isolation from their communities as a result." I haven't seen the programme or data on this.

Leicester pledge

BBC News, Leicester Central Mosque: First in UK to sign 'armed forces pledge' "A mosque has become the first in the UK to sign a pledge to support servicemen and veterans."

Eid al-Adha

Metro, In pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha | 

Birmingham Mail, Recap: Eid al-Adha in Birmingham - video of prayers at Small Heath Park and more [rolling coverage]

Wales Online,  School forced to clarify position after concerns pupils prevented from celebrating Eid

' How church choirs could hold secret to reinventing Islam as 'English' faith'

Telegraph, How church choirs could hold secret to reinventing Islam as 'English' faith "Mosques are being encouraged to draw inspiration from church choirs as part of a drive to develop a distinctively “English” brand of Islam led by the former Conservative Party chairman Baroness Warsi."

'Islamophobia'

British Florist's Picture Used In IS Magazine

Sky News, British Florist's Picture Used In IS Magazine "A florist has described his shock after being featured in an Islamic State propaganda magazine which calls on jihadis to "strike terror into the heart of disbelievers"."

Generation M

Guardian, Meet Generation M: the young, affluent Muslims changing the world

Sara Khan interviews

The Times, I’m taking on the Islamists. But where’s your backbone? - profile of/interview with Sara Khan (note: paywall). Also see Reuters, Female author urges UK Muslims to speak out against extremism, 30 Aug 2016 (no paywall)

Hijab approved as uniform option by Scotland Police

Telegraph, Hijab approved as uniform option by Scotland Police, 24 Aug 2016 "The hijab has become an optional part of the Police Scotland uniform as the force works to encourage Muslim women to join the service."

Abdullah Quilliam

BBC iPlayer, 'Ripper Street'

As I'm sure others have observed, there were references to Abdullah Quilliam and 'The Crescent' in last night's episode of 'Ripper Street' - including Inspector Drake reading the newspaper.

Anjem Choudary

Anjem Choudary and prison radicalisation issues - selected links on my Virtually Islamic blog

Going undercover against extremism

BBC News, Going undercover against extremism, 18 Aug 2016 "A long-running undercover police operation in the Bedfordshire town of Luton, which has contributed evidence to two recent counter-terrorism trials, helped build up an incredibly detailed picture of the depths of loathing for Britain felt by the men at the heart of the investigation."

Desert Island Discs, Nadiya Hussain

Desert Island Discs, Nadiya Hussain "Kirsty Young's castaway is the baker and winner of The Great British Bake Off in 2015, Nadiya Hussain."

Anjem Choudary

Dominic Casciani, BBC News, How Anjem Choudary's mouth was finally shut "For 20 years Anjem Choudary stood on street corners, in shopping precincts, outside mosques, embassies and police stations and used his megaphone to drive a wedge between Muslims and the rest of Britain. Now he has been convicted of inviting others to support the Islamic State militant group."

 Mail Online, Fanatic's web of hatred: From 7/7 bombers to Lee Rigby's killers, how vile preacher's network of radical connections was like a who's who of Islamic terrorism - with links to 15 plots and 500 jihadis

Daily Mirror, Anjem Choudary's 'perfect Sharia Britain' included no queues, tax or air stewardesses...and instructions on biscuit-making

BBC News, Anjem Choudary case raises terror law questions

Miqdaad Versi, Independent, Anjem Choudary inspired terrorists around the world – and the media shares some of the blame [opinion piece]

Kadiza Sultana

Guardian, Isis promised Kadiza Sultana utopia, but in Syria she found fear and death, 12 Aug 2016

Birmingham 'street preacher' case (ongoing)

MailOnline, Islamic street preacher, 31, arrested after screaming abuse at officer "An Islamic street preacher has been arrested and charged after allegedly screaming abuse at a woman for wearing 'tight jeans' and shouting 'Allahu Akbar' in a police officer's face."

Amina al-Jeffery case (ongoing)

Press Association/Guardian, Man who 'imprisoned' daughter loses legal bid to restrict media, 29 Jul 2016 "Amina al-Jeffery – who grew up in Swansea and has dual British and Saudi nationality – said her father, Mohammed, locked her up because she “kissed a guy”."

Pakistani clerics declare transgender marriages legal in Islam

Telegraph, Pakistani clerics declare transgender marriages legal in Islam, 27 June 2016

Chakrabarti Inquiry

Keith Kahn-Harris, Guardian, CIF, This antisemitism report deserves Labour’s calm, close attention. No chance opinion piece: "It’s a measure of how intense the last week has been that the antisemitism controversy that engulfed the Labour party in the spring seems a long time ago. Thursday’s publication of Shami Chakrabarti’s inquiry into antisemitism in the party seems in some ways to be a jarring voice from the past. Inevitably though, given the civil war in the party, some will try to use the report as a tool in this conflict." A copy of the report is here. Details of the press conference here: Standard Labour MP Ruth Smeeth storms out of anti-Semitism report launch 'in tears'

Tell MAMA Report

Guardian, Incidents of anti-Muslim abuse up by 326% in 2015, says Tell MAMA, 29 June 2016 "“The statistics paint a profoundly bleak picture of the explosion of anti-Muslim hate both online and on our streets, with visible Muslim women being disproportionately targeted by cowardly hatemongers,” said Shahid Malik, chair of Tell MAMA." Also see the Report, which is here [pdf] Also follow Tell MAMA on Twitter

Halal butchers firebombed with Molotov cocktail

Independent, Halal butchers firebombed with Molotov cocktail, 28 June 2016 "Kashmir Meat & Poultry in Wednesbury Road, Walsall, West Midlands, was left badly damaged after the man threw a lit bottle of "accelerant" at a staff member around 5.25pm on Monday."

UK faith leaders unite in condemning post-referendum rise in xenophobic abuse

Guardian, UK faith leaders unite in condemning post-referendum rise in xenophobic abuse also see BuzzFeed, We Spoke To Victims Of Racist Abuse After The Brexit Vote

Post-Referendum Blues

 Selected headlines on the repercussions of #Brexit

Guardian, Cameron condemns post-Brexit xenophobic and racist abuse "PM says government ‘will not tolerate intolerance’ after reports of hate crimes and abuse after EU referendum."

 Independent, Brexit: Welsh Muslim told to 'pack bags and go home' after campaigning for Remain

Middle East Eye, British Muslims voice fears about life after Brexit

Miqdaad Versi, Guardian, Comment is Free, Brexit has given voice to racism – and too many are complicit

MCB,  Hate Incidents After European Referendum Results: A Compilation; also see This Is What You Have Done

After Brexit: Conservative bigwigs set to shape Middle East policy

Middle East Eye, After Brexit: Conservative bigwigs set to shape Middle East policy

BBC announces plans for reality show following Muslims living together

Standard, BBC announces plans for reality show following Muslims living together "Muslims Like Us will invite 10 members of the public including Sunni, Shia and those who have recently converted to the faith, to live in a house."

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi defects from Leave to Remain

Independent, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi defects from Leave to Remain "Former Conservative Party chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi has defected from the Leave campaign and opted for Britain to remain within the EU.

"She cited "hate and xenophobia" as the reasons for changing her position."

New and Noted: Constructing “British Values” Within a Radicalisation Narrative

Elizabeth Poole, Constructing “British Values” Within a Radicalisation Narrative, Journalism Studies, "This article examines the reporting of the “Operation Trojan Horse” affair in two British newspapers, the Daily Mail and The Guardian, in 2014. I argue that this high-profile case was a vehicle for the Conservative-led Government, and parts of the United Kingdom’s press, to advance their doctrine of muscular liberalism, an ideology that locates the rise of extremism in the policies of multiculturalism. In this interpretation of the event, it was argued that, under a Labour council, schools in Birmingham had been given the freedom to practise a segregationist agenda, resulting in an infiltration of Islamist ideology. Through a radicalisation narrative, that locates the causes of terrorism with extremist thought, an issue of local governance and agency was transformed into an argument about terrorist radicalisation. This allowed Government agencies to intervene, at a local and national level, promoting an assimilationist agenda through conceptualisations of national identity, here constructed as “British values”."

Jo Cox was working on report on anti-Muslim attacks before her death

Guardian, Jo Cox was working on report on anti-Muslim attacks before her death, 20 June 2016 "She was planning to address parliament later this month to introduce a report she had been working on with the Islamophobia watchdog Tell Mama (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks), the group’s director said. The study is expected to conclude that there were about 80% more attacks on Muslims in Britain in 2015 than the year before."

Key facts about the world’s refugees

Pew Research, Key facts about the world’s refugees "The United Nations adopted a resolution in 2000 marking June 20 as World Refugee Day. With the number of displaced people at a record 65.3 million in 2015 – a total that counts both those living inside and outside of their home countries – World Refugee Day has gained new prominence as countries, including the U.S., have taken in large numbers of people."

'Bradford comes of age'

Akbar Ahmed, thefridaytimes.com, Bradford comes of age, 17 June 2016 "For several decades, the image of the Muslim community of Bradford, and the region around it, has been depicted in the media as that of angry-looking, white-bearded Pakistani men dressed in shalwar-kameez demanding the death of Salman Rushdie. Today, however, it is that of educated, intelligent smart women – also with a Pakistani background."

Yusuf Islam: Some will associate Orlando with Islam - that's criminal

Standard, Yusuf Islam: Some will associate Orlando with Islam - that's criminal

Ramadan 2016

Gov.uk, Ramadan 2016: David Cameron’s message

also see Muslim News, Ramadan messages from UK political leaders

 Sadiq Khan, Guardian, Fasting for Ramadan won’t be easy – it’s the coffee I’ll miss the most

The chronicles of Nadiya

HP, Can We Please Talk About Nadiya's AMAZING Times Magazine Cover? 

Women are the first to pay the price of Islamophobia

European Network against Racism, Women are the first to pay the price of Islamophobia



"Muslim women experience the same inequalities as other women in
employment and in relation to verbal and physical violence, but they are
compounded by additional factors of (perceived) religion and/or
ethnicity. However, very little is done to collect comprehensive data
and tackle this intersectional form of racism. This is the conclusion of
the European Network Against Racism’s new report “Forgotten Women: the impact of Islamophobia on Muslim Women”, covering eight European countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom."

#BritainsBiggestMosque

#BritainsBiggestMosque is currently trending, based on Channel 5's programme this evening

'Britain First announce 'direct action' against elected Muslim politicians' such as Sadiq Khan

Metro, Britain First announce 'direct action' against elected Muslim politicians such as Sadiq Khan, 24 May 2016 "Their call to action described Muslims in positions of authority as ‘occupiers’ and urged people to ‘focus on all aspects of their day-to-day lives and official functions, including where they live, work, pray and so on.’



"It appears to be a genuine document and has been widely shared online, but the group has not yet responded to Metro’s request for confirmation."

UK attitudes towards Islam 'concerning' after survey of 2,000 people

BBC, Newsbeat, UK attitudes towards Islam 'concerning' after survey of 2,000 people "Just over two thousand British adults were questioned online by ComRes for the charity Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association." Not sure how the survey was constructed...

Islamic State group recruited practising NHS doctor

Islamic State group recruited practising NHS doctor - BBC News

Amsterdam, Europeans - The Roots of Identity - BBC Radio 4

Amsterdam, Europeans - The Roots of Identity - BBC Radio 4



interesting discussion on identity issues

Anti-radicalisation chief says ministers' plans risk creating 'thought police'

Guardian, Anti-radicalisation chief says ministers' plans risk creating 'thought police', 24 May 2016

Inquiry launched into running of Islamic faith schools in Luton

LutonToday, Inquiry launched into running of Islamic faith schools in Luton "An inquiry has been opened into the running of a charity which operates two Islamic faith schools in Luton, it has emerged."

Two British mums tried to take their children to Syria in 'babies for ISIS' plot

Mirror, Two British mums tried to take their children to Syria in 'babies for ISIS' plot, 23 May 2016

Sharia students loans

Daily Mail, Sharia students loans that do not conflict with the rules of Islam to be offered for the first time in drive to get more Muslims to university, 18 May 2016 "The Government confirmed on Monday that a new ‘halal’ finance model will be introduced which does not conflict with the rules of Islam."

Gani sues Fallon

Guardian, Suliman Gani sues Michael Fallon over claim he backed Isis, 11 May 2016 "Defence secretary is facing legal action after saying, during London mayoral race, that Muslim cleric supported Islamic State."

'ISIS cell' prosecution in UK

Evening Standard, Isis-inspired Muslims 'plotted to behead British citizens after fatwa issued', 10 May 2016 "The alleged terror cell shared gruesome pictures of beheadings they had downloaded from the internet as well as images of the killers of Drummer Lee Rigby, the Old Bailey heard."

Police apologise

Independent, Police apologise for making fake suicide bomber shout ‘Allahu Akbar’ in Trafford Centre counter-terror exercise, 10 May 2016

On the Buses

Evening Standard, London buses to carry 'praise Allah' adverts during Ramadan "London buses will carry adverts praising Allah as part of a drive by Britain’s biggest Muslim charity to help victims of the Syrian civil war during Ramadan."

Sadiq Khan

Clearly, it's not possible to put the complete coverage of Sadiq Khan into this blog. here are a few recent links which caught my attention:

BBC, Sadiq Khan dismisses Donald Trump's Muslim ban 'exception'

Sadiq Khan Twitter

Time, Exclusive: London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Religious Extremism, Brexit and Donald Trump  

Huffington Post, Britain First’s Paul Golding Turns His Back On Sadiq Khan During London Mayoral Election Speech

 Evening Standard, Activist murdered in Pakistan hours after Facebook post praising Londoners for electing Sadiq Khan

The Nation,  Sadiq Khan is London’s success story, not Pakistan’s

IS phone scam

BBC News, Gang jailed over pensioner phone scam, 4 May 2016 "Eight men from London have been jailed for a phone scam that defrauded UK pensioners out of more than £1m.

"Police say some of the money funded travel from the UK to Syria. There are fears some of those who travelled had links to so-called Islamic State."

IS Files: The Families UK Jihadis Left Behind

Mark White, Sky News, IS Files: The Families UK Jihadis Left Behind, 4 May 2016 "Sky News knocks on the doors of addresses in the documents and finds relatives of British recruits are confused by their leaving." Report + videos

Imam accused of being an ‘Isis supporter’ demands apology from David Cameron

Independent, Imam accused of being an ‘Isis supporter’ demands apology from David Cameron " Imam Suliman Gani demanded 'a serious, immediate apology' from the Prime Minister"

Revealed: UK's covert propaganda bid to stop Muslims joining Isis

Guardian, Revealed: UK's covert propaganda bid to stop Muslims joining Isis, 2 May 2016 "In a sign of mounting anxiety across Whitehall over the persuasiveness of Islamic State’s online propaganda, a secretive Home Office unit has developed a discreet multimillion pound counter-messaging operation that it says privately is running at “industrial pace and scale”."

Altab Ali: The racist murder that mobilised the East End

BBC News, Altab Ali: The racist murder that mobilised the East End, 4 May 2016 "On the 4th May 1978, a young Bangladeshi textile worker was murdered in east London. It was a racially motivated killing - not unique at the time - but one that awoke a community. Now locals are dedicating a day in memory of Altab Ali." Also see Altab Ali Foundation

'Citizen Khan'

BBC News, BBC sitcom Citizen Khan 'Islamophobic', says MP, 14 Apr 2016 "A BBC sitcom has been criticised as "Islamophobic" during a Commons debate about whether the BBC's programmes and staff reflect UK diversity."

Counter-terrorism drive

Guardian, Counter-terrorism drive for public to report online Isis propaganda, 15 Apr 2016 "British counter-terrorism officials are launching a campaign to try to drive back Islamic State’s efforts to use the internet to foster extremism. Isis has turned the internet into a frontline of its jihad, using it to spread propaganda to gain recruits and embolden its supporters. However, 300 items a day are being taken down by a special police unit."

#towerlives - focus on Butetown

BBC Wales, #towerlives: Butetown's festival of storytelling - links through to several interesting videos, interviews and discussions relating to Butetown. Also see #TowerLives on Twitter "#towerlives is a week-long festival of storytelling and music, on air and on the ground, around the council estate tower blocks of Butetown in Cardiff." also see the photos here Recommended!!

'Drama in the age of Prevent'

Guardian, Drama in the age of Prevent: why can't we move beyond Good Muslim v Bad Muslim?

'What British Muslims really think about Channel 4's show'

Guardian, What British Muslims really think about Channel 4's show, 14 Apr 2016 "We asked British Muslims to review Channel 4’s show: What British Muslims Really Think. Here’s what they said." Some excellent comments here. They should be read by anyone planning to research/write about Muslims in the UK.

So, What Do British Muslims Really Think?

Kenan Malik, Pandamonium, So, What Do British Muslims Really Think?
opinion and analysis

The Deobandis, Episode 2

BBC Radio 4, The Deobandis, Episode 2 "In part two of The Deobandis, the BBC's former Pakistan correspondent Owen Bennett Jones reveals a secret history of Jihadist propagation in Britain."

#WhatBritishMuslimsReallyThink

BBC News, What some Muslims think of 'what British Muslims really think', 11 Apr 2016 "What do British Muslims really think? It's a question that news organisations have repeatedly tried to answer since the terror attacks of 9/11 and 7/7, and one that suggests that maybe the person asking isn't a British Muslim." Also see Channel 4, What British Muslims Really Think

'Kill Ahmadis' leaflets found in UK mosque

BBC News, 'Kill Ahmadis' leaflets found in UK mosque, 10 Apr 2016 "Leaflets calling for the killing of a sect of Muslims have been found in a south London mosque."

Anti-Radicalization Website Controversy

Vice News, Exclusive: UK Did Not Consult Any Muslim Organizations About Flagship Anti-Radicalization Website "A Freedom of Information (FOI) response shows that the government consulted 29 organizations including government departments, faith-based groups, various teaching associations, and charities over the content of the Educate Against Hate website — but none representing Britain's Muslim community."

'Life as a Muslim schoolgirl in Manchester'

Manchester Evening News, Feminism, the Kardashians and being dissed on the tram - life as a Muslim schoolgirl in Manchester 


 

"It’s an attitude that seems to pervade at Manchester Islamic High School for Girls.

"They might all wear head scarves and pray five times a day - but one label they can’t stand is oppression."

ISIS UK Threat video

Independent, Isis supporters threaten UK with terror attacks in new propaganda video, 4 Apr 2016

Women and discrimination

The Conversation, Hard Evidence: Muslim women and discrimination in Britain

Masood Azhar

BBC News, Masood Azhar: The man who brought jihad to Britain "Masood Azhar, today the head of one of Pakistan's most violent militant groups, was once the VIP guest of Britain's leading Islamic scholars. Why, asks Innes Bowen."

'The Deobandis'

BBC Radio 4, The Deobandis "The BBC's former Pakistan correspondent Owen Bennett Jones investigates which strands of Deobandi opinion have influence in the UK, speaking to people from within the British Deobandi community, from scholars to missionaries to madrassa students.

"In the first of two programmes he explores claims that Deobandi Islam is intentionally isolationist and that its strict beliefs put it at odds with mainstream British culture, leaving the community segregated from wider British society. Though if true, is that really the fault of Deobandi Muslims?"

This is worth a listen, with some interesting points on religious authority, gender and education.

Reading List: Sufis, Salafis and Islamists

Sadek Hamid, Sufis, Salafis and Islamists: The Contested Ground of British Islamic Activism (IB Tauris) "British Muslim activism has evolved constantly in recent decades. What have been its main groups and how do their leaders compete to attract followers? Which social and religious ideas from abroad are most influential?"

Muslim Women’s Guide to Mosque Governance, Management and Service Delivery

Faith Associates, Muslim Women’s Guide to Mosque Governance, Management and Service Delivery

Butlin's

Mirror, Watch Butlin's 'race hate' wrestling show as families asked to cheer Union Jack-clad 'good guy' fighting flag-waving Muslim "Butlin's has apologised after families were asked to boo bearded baddie 'Hakim' and chant "En-ger-land" at opponent Tony Spitfire wearing Union Jack shorts"

Police probe Scottish mosque figures' links to banned sectarian group

BBC News, Police probe Scottish mosque figures' links to banned sectarian group "A BBC investigation has found that Sabir Ali, head of religious events at Glasgow Central Mosque, was president of Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP)."

‘European Islamophobia Report’

The ‘European Islamophobia Report’ is available as a PDF, having been launched by SETA today.

This Orient Isle: Elizabethan England and the Islamic World

Independent, This Orient Isle: Elizabethan England and the Islamic World by Jerry Brotton, book review "With Henry VIII's break with Rome and then (in 1570) Elizabeth's excommunication as a "heretic" by Pope Pius V, England found itself shunned as a rogue state by Catholic Europe. It needed friends with clout in strategic locations. Around the Mediterranean and the Middle East, only the lands of Islam could supply them. Thus the stage was set for an extraordinary half-century of adventures, deals, conspiracies and misunderstandings: a little-known story that Brotton chronicles with scholarship, assurance, and not a little charm."

Universities as 'free space' - opinion piece

Nick Cohen, Spectator, The idea of a university as a free space rather than a safe space is vanishing, 18 Mar 2016 opinion piece

"Hurtful" Islamiphobic posters appear at Lincoln Mosque

Lincolnshire Echo, "Hurtful" Islamiphobic posters appear at Lincoln Mosque, 18 March 2016 "The two-storey building comprising will be open for worship by greater Lincoln's 1,000-strong Muslim community and for recreational use by the wider public."

Deradicalising Britain: the activists turning young Muslims away from extremism

Guardian, Deradicalising Britain: the activists turning young Muslims away from extremism, 18 March 2016

The British Islam Conference 2016

The British Islam Conference 2016 "This is a weekend event to promote collaboration and thinking around the idea of a British Islam and to encourage the development of British Muslim thought, identity and culture; to create a space for development of networks and partnerships."

Shah Jahan in Salt Lake City

getsurrey.co.uk, Salt Lake City mosque to be based on Woking's Shah Jahan "Principal architect Kimly C Mangum said it was an Islamic Society of Greater Salt Lake director who had his eye on the Shah Jahan."

Trainee teacher from Walsall found guilty of terror offence

Guardian, Trainee teacher from Walsall found guilty of terror offence, 23 Feb 2016

Lit. Review

Ron Geaves, Review of the Contemporary Literature on Islam and Muslims in the UK through the Lens of Immigration Issues, Civic Participation and International Constraints, Fieldwork in Religion, September 2015

'Mosque to be built on the set of EastEnders'

Telegraph, Mosque to be built on the set of EastEnders, 23 Feb 2016 " A new set design costing £15m will include the religious building on a street that leads to Albert Square, according to a report in The Sun."

Rochdale: Imam murder - update

Guardian, Imam murder: police arrest two in Rochdale, 22 Feb 2016 "A 21-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of an imam in Rochdale." [the 31 year old man arrested on Friday has been released without charge]

'Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World'

The new edition of the 'Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World', edited by Richard C. Martin (Gale, 2016) is out. It includes a small contribution from myself, on Islam and social media.

'Normative Islam' report

rt.com, 94% of influential British Muslims say ISIS is ‘illegitimate’ – report "The report, released by Islamic forum 5Pillars on Wednesday, found that more than 90 percent of high-profile British Muslims agreed that killing civilians is unlawful, and that Islam promotes “compassion and justice for all people regardless of religion, social status, race or any other context.”" The 'Normative Islam' report is here [pdf]. Also see: 5PillarsUK. I have yet to read the report.

'Freesia' - film

Keighley News, Theatre company in Keighley makes feature-length film tackling the subject of Islamophobia "Arakan Creative has made Freesia. The film had a £27,000 budget and features a 34-strong cast."

Sunni Shia Splits?

Radio 4, File on 4, Sunni Shia Splits?    "Are international conflicts creating tensions between Sunni and Shia Muslims in the UK?

"Shabnam Mahmood reports from both Sunni and Shia communities and reveals how divisive messages from the Middle East are fuelling intolerance here."

I thought this was a useful programme. There was some content in relation to the role of the internet in promoting diverse agendas (and in some cases discord)

Rochdale Mosque

BBC News, Murder arrest after prominent Rochdale mosque member's death, 19 Feb 2016 " ... a Facebook post on Friday from Jalalia Jaamé Mosque said Koran reader Jalal Uddin "passed away last night"."

Hafiz Patel Funeral

Yorkshire Post, 20,000 people expected at Dewsbury man’s funeral "20,000 people expected at Dewsbury man’s funeral"

preventresources.com

preventresources.com "For the public interest, CAGE presents this website in order to provide the raw materials for academics, researchers, campaigners, journalists and students to study and analyse."

'Why British Muslims should vote to leave the EU'

Telegraph, Why British Muslims should vote to leave the EU " Muslims for Britain is a new campaign group that aims to win support for Brexit among the UK's 3 million Muslims."

' Two British Members of Islamic State 'Beatles' Have Been Identified'

Vice News, Two British Members of Islamic State 'Beatles' Have Been Identified, 7 Feb 2016 On Sunday, a Washington Post and BuzzFeed investigation named a member of the group known as "Jihadi Ringo" as 32-year-old Londoner Alexanda Kotey, while an ITV News investigation also named Kotey as well as identifying a third member of the group as Aine Davis, a drug dealer who converted to Islam and left the UK in 2013.

Mosque 'Open day'

BBC News, Mosques across UK open doors to public, 7 Feb 2016 "More than 90 mosques across the UK have opened their doors to visitors to allow Muslims to "explain their faith beyond the hostile headlines"."

Muslim women 'stopped from becoming Labour councillors'

BBC News, Muslim women 'stopped from becoming Labour councillors', 5 Feb 2016 "A Muslim women's group has written to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn claiming women have been stopped from becoming councillors by Muslim men in the party."

'Narratives of Conversion to Islam in Britain'

HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre of Islamic Studies (Cambridge), Narratives of Conversion to Islam in Britain: Male Perspectives "Narratives of Conversion to Islam in Britain: Male Perspectives brought together forty-six male Muslim converts to discuss aspects of their conversions to Islam, to reflect on their journeys
and experiences and to produce a report to inform Muslims and non-Muslims about the topic."

'The Jihadis Next Door'

Independent, Watch the moment ordinary Muslims shut down ‘jihadis’ trying to spread radical message outside mosques, 20 Jan 2016 "The protest, outside Southall Mosque on Pakistan Independence Day, was filmed as part of Channel 4 documentary, The Jihadis Next Door, in which filmmaker Jamie Roberts investigates British fundamental Muslims as the government continues to clampdown on radicalisation in the UK."

'What It’s Like Being Muslim In 2016'

Afroze Zaidi Jivraj. mediadiversified.org, What It’s Like Being Muslim In 2016 research on 'Islamophobia'

Nottinghamshire man helped teenage jihadi join Islamic State fighters in Syria, court hears

Chad, Nottinghamshire man helped teenage jihadi join Islamic State fighters in Syria, court hears

Controversial Newcastle 'Not a terrorist - until proven... Muslim' event goes ahead

chroniclelive.co.uk, Controversial Newcastle 'Not a terrorist - until proven... Muslim' event goes ahead "An ex-Guantamano Bay detainee spoke alongside journalist Yvonne Ridley at a North East meeting on “the rise of Islamophobia”."

Victorian Muslims

pri.org, In 1815, six Muslims landed in London for the first time. Here's what they can teach us.