FW: MCB Press Release
- From: "I Khan" <no1khan@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <imran_dist@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 1 Apr 2004 00:52:39 +0100
FW From JIMAS,
Assalaam 'alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu.
Innal hamdalillaah was-salaat was-salaam 'alaa rasoolillaah.
==================================================
THE MUSLIM COUNCIL OF BRITAIN
31 March 2004
Press Release
MCB Community Guidelines
to Imams and British Muslim Organisations
The Muslim Council of Britain is contacting mosques
and community leaders in the UK urging a concerted
effort to work for the peace and security of all in
our country.
Please find below the full text of the letter to be
sent today to UK Imams, Ulema, Chairs and Secretaries
of Mosques, Islamic Organisations and Institutions.
[Ends]
Note for Editors:
1.. The Muslim Council of Britain (www.mcb.org.uk)
is the UK's representative Muslim umbrella body with
over 400 affiliated national, regional and local
organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
31 March 2004
To: Imams, Ulema, Chairs & Secretaries of Mosques,
Islamic Organisations and Institutions
Dear Respected Colleague
As salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah
The last few weeks and days have been fraught with
tragedies and dangers. I am sure you are fully aware
of the serious concerns expressed by the Prime
Minister and the Police Authorities about the high
probability of an imminent terrorist outrage in the
UK.
I have no doubt that as a leader in the community you
are already discharging your Islamic duty in helping
to preserve the peace of the nation as well as
protecting the community against falling into any
trap or provocation.
Following the criminal terrorist attack on the Madrid
trains, and despite our immediate, public and
unequivocal condemnation of those atrocities some,
however, continue to associate Islam with terrorism
by using such misleading terms as 'Islamic terrorist'.
The words of the Qur'an are clear:
"He who killed any person, unless it be a person
guilty of manslaughter, or of spreading chaos in
the land, should be looked upon as though he had
slain all mankind, and he who saved one life should
be regarded as though he had saved the lives of all
mankind."(5:32)
We therefore urge you to take the following actions:
1) To provide the correct Islamic guidance to the
community, especially to our youth as to our
obligation to maintain the peace and security of
our country
2) To observe the utmost vigilance against any
mischievous or criminal elements from infiltrating
the community and provoking any unlawful activity
3) To liaise with the local Police and give them
the fullest cooperation in dealing with any criminal
activity including terrorist threat
"Help one another to virtue and God-consciousness
and do not help one other to sin and transgression."
(5:2)
4) To proactively engage with the media in order to
refute any misconception about Islam and the Muslim
community
5) To develop active contacts with other faith
communities and civic organisations in order to help
maintain social peace and good community relations.
6) In the event of any tragic incident taking place,
give the fullest cooperation to the Police and other
concerned authorities.
7) Lastly, but most importantly, seek Allah's help
and support and pray for His guidance and protection
all the time.
We also urge you to convey the above message in your
Friday sermon and bring awareness to our community of
our duties and obligations in combating any threat to
peace and stability. By doing so, insha'Allah it will
help to dispel the misrepresentation.
There is no need however to be daunted or intimidated
by any Islamophobic propaganda and we should continue
with our daily lives - normally and in accordance
with the tenets of Islam.
All of us as Muslims will have been appalled to see
some of the headlines in today's newspapers (for
example 'Islamic Bomb Plot Foiled' - Daily Telegraph;
'The Truck Bombers of Suburbia', The Times 2004).
This kind of sensationalised reporting has done
immense damage to British Muslims as well as to
community relations and we assure you that the
MCB's Media Committee will be taking this matter
up urgently with the editors concerned.
You will no doubt recall that in November 2002
the police made high-profile arrests of six
Muslims accused of plotting to release cyanide
gas into London's Underground system. Yet nearly
18 months later, none of the men have been charged
with any crime, let alone being convicted of
terrorist activity. There are other examples of
incidents that have received prominent media
attention only for the individuals to be
subsequently released without any charges brought
against them. The impact of such ordeals on the
persons concerned and their families is unbearable.
Therefore we urge against hasty pronouncements of
guilt.
The Muslim Council of Britain is planning to
organise a number of events and meetings of
which we shall keep you duly informed.
"O believers, be patient and let your patience
never be exhausted. Stand firm in your faith
and fear Allah, so that you may triumph." (3:200)
May Allah protect and guide us.
Yours sincerely
Iqbal AKM Sacranie
Secretary General
The Muslim Council of Britain
====================================================
Wassalaam 'alaikum wa rahmatullaah.
--
"Take benefit of five before five: your youth before
your old age, your health before your sickness, your
wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your
preoccupation, and your life before your death."
[Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam - al-Haakim,
al-Baihaqee: Saheeh]
JIMAS
PO Box 24, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 8ED, UK
Tel/Fax: 01473 251578
http://www.jimas.org
http://www.islaam.com
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