The following article was published in the Passion Islam Magazine Spetember 2009 edition. The article was written for this blog by one of the contributors.
Read the Article ONLINE on pages 24-26. To read the full article by Zaythoun Suleman, please CLICK HERE.
By Majed Iqbal- The second presidential election in Afghanistan under the new constitution, designed after ‘liberation’ in 2001 was held on August 20, 2009.
The much awaited election has been at the forefront of international observers from the west. An election result which must prove that democracy has now been embedded in Afghan society and a living showcase to the world that the troops sent thousands of miles away from across the world were not fighting in vain.
The fight for ‘people power’ took a new form, away from the battlefield where western troops are fighting the ‘insurgency’. The fight to establish people power was now through Television allowing Afghanis to digest democracy through voting for their favorite singing stars by text messaging, in the form of the countries own version of Pop Idol.
The program titled “Afghan Star” drew viewing figures of 11 million people (a third of the population) who tuned in to watch the finale, gathering in homes, fruit shops, coffee houses and military barracks. The six-month-long television show, running for the third season would name the final two contestants, based on votes sent in from viewers via text message and offering a grand prize of £2,500 for the winner. Read the rest of this entry »
Pubished on the Asian News Website-
By Majed Iqbal- A report released last week by think-tank the New Local Government Network (NLGN) has criticised the flagship £70 million Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) programme launched by the government two years back because it alienates Muslims.
Community groups across the North West and Yorkshire have refused to join a Government-funded scheme to prevent violent Islamic extremism because it “victimises” Muslims, it has been claimed.
The PVE programme was modeled to “promote shared values, support local solutions, build civic capacity and leadership and strengthen the role of faith institutions and leaders”.
The generic nature of the strategy was welcomed initially at the first look but rejected once the details became further apparent. The plans were considered divisive and an effort to divide the Muslim community on the lines of moderates and extremists by branding what ideas of Islam will be acceptable in Britain and what won’t. Read the rest of this entry »
On Sunday morning 19 July i participated in the BBC programme, The big Questions’. The show can be seen on the link HERE. my comments appear at 36.30 during the show.
Three areas were looked at- 1. Should the Government introduce marriage 2. Are Faith schools divisive and 3. Is there a North and south Divide. All three areas were topical and i had plenty of views that i would have liked to express in each area. Read the rest of this entry »
By Zaythoun Suleman- Imagine being handed a lump of clay with the challenge of moulding it into something beautiful. You have seven years “wet” time when it will be easier to mould, followed by seven years “drying” time when you are able to correct those imperfections made during the wet period followed by a lifetime of back seat viewing to be there for when the finished product needs attention.
Although, you have absolutely no idea on how to mould clay, you naturally accept the offer as it resembles you or your partner. After an undefined amount of time (1 day – many years), the rightful owner will take it back and you will be asked about how you dealt with the challenge.
Yes, the lump of clay is a baby. Even though we carry them for up to 42 weeks whilst fathers wait eagerly, nothing can prepare us for the first time we lay our eyes on them. Although, they are purple and look like something out of a science fiction movie, to us they seem like the most beautiful person ever. Read the rest of this entry »
By Zaythoun Suleman- Imagine being handed a lump of clay with the challenge of moulding it into something beautiful. You have seven years “wet” time when it will be easier to mould, followed by seven years “drying” time when you are able to correct those imperfections made during the wet period followed by a lifetime of back seat viewing to be there for when the finished product needs attention.
Although, you have absolutely no idea on how to mould clay, you naturally accept the offer as it resembles you or your partner. After an undefined amount of time (1 day – many years), the rightful owner will take it back and you will be asked about how you dealt with the challenge.
Yes, the lump of clay is a baby. Even though we carry them for up to 42 weeks whilst fathers wait eagerly, nothing can prepare us for the first time we lay our eyes on them. Although, they are purple and look like something out of a science fiction movie, to us they seem like the most beautiful person ever.
I remember the first time I saw my eldest son, he was so small with shiny black hair and as his little eyes scanned the surroundings, I found myself repeatedly saying “You are so beautiful!” Read the rest of this entry »
Campaign stalls have been running for 2 weeks highlighting the growing concern on Government plans to introduce Sex Education for 5 year old children.
The slideshow shows the Weekly Saturdays Stall for the SRE Campaign that is growing in support in Rochdale Read the rest of this entry »
(Part of Al-jazeerah publishing)- CAIRO - With the British government planning to offer sex classes in primary schools, a campaign has been launched on the world’s largest social network Facebook to counter the move, reported the Rochdale Observer on Saturday, April 25.
“We believe the teaching of SRE (sex and relationship education) in schools is inappropriate, both in terms of the philosophy which underpins the way it is approached as well as the resources used,” campaigner Majed Iqbal said.
Iqbal, a British Muslim, has launched a Facebook group themed “Rochdale Muslims against Sex and Relationship Education for 5 year olds” to campaign against plans to introduce sex classes in primary schools.
“There is a misguided belief that children will engage in sexual relations, all of the solutions look at making this behavior ‘safe’ rather than challenging the lack of values which make this behavior acceptable.”
The government has unveiled plans to offer sex classes for pupils as part of efforts to protect children from early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and substance abuse. Read the rest of this entry »
The UK Youth Parliament has been a key force behind the introduction of Sex and Relationships Education for Primary Schools. As a body, they firmly believe that learning around this topic for children as young as five years could provide the answers for the serious social problems that Britain is facing today.
Unfortunately, none of the Muslim Representatives of the Youth Parliament have raised any concerns or issues about the proposals. Despite the Youth parliament having 15 Muslim members, with 7 alone in the North West and Yorkshire region, protest against this new project has been absent. Read the rest of this entry »
The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper tackling the response of the Muslim Community up and down the country so far on the Sex and relationship education proposals for five year old Primary School Children.
The full article canbe read HERE. Access the Asian Leader Newspaper to read online on the Look Asia Website. Read the rest of this entry »
By Majed Iqbal- Government plans to introduce Sex and relationship education to five year old primary school children have been heavily contested by campaign groups up and down the country by the Muslim community.
Once these studies are in fruition, parents will not have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons which will teach that Gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-sexual relationships are perfectly normal.
The studies were designed with the perceived wisdom that ‘good sex education’ leads to better informed children and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) and teenage pregnancies.
The sexualisation of society in the form of media, film, songs and the internet has opened up a new wave of issues for everyone. Britain remains the lead country in Europe with the highest figures of teenage pregnancies whilst number of abortions carried out on girls aged under 18 in Wales was at a five-year high, in new government figures released this week
A recent UNICEF report placed Britain at the bottom of the league of 21 developed countries for children’s well-being. The Independent Advisory Group on Sexual Health and HIV reported in June 2007 that UK teenagers are facing a “sexual health crisis”, describing the increase in sexually-transmitted infections and high teenage pregnancy rates as “disturbing”. Read the rest of this entry »
A campaign has been launched in Rochdale following a new government project for primary schools which is set to be rolled out later this year.
The controversial Sex and relationships (SRE) studies, aimed to open up the minds of five year old primary school children towards understanding sexual behaviour, orientation and managing relationships is currently in the consultation process but has already sparked debate in many communities across the UK.
Rochdale residents have shown growing concern as many people had not been made aware of these plans for their children’s education.
Further, once in fruition, parents do not have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons.
The studies were designed with the perceived wisdom that ‘good sex education’ leads to better informed children and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), teenage pregnancies.
Britain remains the lead country in Europe with the highest figures of teenage pregnancies whilst number of abortions carried out on girls aged under 18 in Wales was at a five-year high, assembly government figures show.
Majed Iqbal, a Rochdale based blogger and community activist has embarked on a campaign to challenge the SRE project to be taught at primary schools. Read the rest of this entry »
Th Rochdale Muslim community is planning to challenge the Sex and Relationship education which is set to be delivered to Primary School children as young as five years old. Watch the Video Advert. Want to join the campaign?
Simply fill in your contact details on the contact tab on the blog and join in a host of activities which include firstly to raise awareness on this issue, get petition signatures, mobilise women to take an added interest in their children’s education and the values departed to them at school, engage with religious institutions like mosques and churches to challenge the social values presented in the studies, attract the online community through a face book campaign and posting video adverts on YouTube and distributing and posting leaflets in English, Urdu and Bangla throughout Rochdale.
The following article was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper drawing attention to a new project on Sex and relationship education (SRE) to be rolled out at primary level and to be taught to 5 year olds.
The full article can be read here. The newspaper can be read online on the Look Asia Website.
By Majed Iqbal- Muslim parents who withdrew their children out of school to prevent them being taught about lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gender relationships are facing prosecution.
The East London primary, George Tomlinson School, has hit the headlines when around 30 pupils were absent from a week of special lessons to highlight non-heterosexual partnerships.
The row has once again bought the debate forward to the suitability of such explicit subjects, which were once introduced in the late years of High School some years back and are now being exposed and presented to young children at Primary Level.
As part of the ‘learning’ process, students were planned to watch a special adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet retitled Romeo and Julian. Stories covered in the lessons at George Tomlinson School included a fairytale about a prince who turns down three princesses before falling in love with one of their brothers and the tale of Roy and Silo – two male penguins who fall in love. Read the rest of this entry »
By New Blog writer Zaythoun Suleman- I completed this article four hours before Death came to take Jade Goody’s life, hearing the news of her death this morning sent chills down my spine as I truly felt that Death was in the air when I clicked the send button at around 11.30pm. I had introduced this article with the question of not knowing how long she had left in this world…
Jade had prepared for death, by requesting that she be buried in her £3,500 ivory silk wedding dress worn at her wedding to Jack Tweed and having her funeral cortege travel through Bermondsey in South London. It makes me think how long we have and what preparations we are making for our own death.
We watch others dying every day. The harrowing pictures of innocent brothers, sisters and children from Gaza murdered by the Israeli army are still imprinted on the minds of many.
Quite recently, Natasha Richardson who starred in Parent trap lost her life after a skiing accident. Wendy Richard from Eastenders lost her life to cancer and Tony Hart from Take Hart and Hartbeat (The kids programme with Morph the movable plasticine figure who lived in a wooden pencil box!) helped many kids to draw, died from fading health after suffering strokes.
We hear songs about it, one of my favourites is Ahmad Bukhatir‘s chilling “last breath”. It reminds me of the loss of loved ones that leaves us with an empty space. No matter how hard we cry they cannot return. We can almost visualise the soul flying from the body as the heart monitor makes its monotonous rhythm and all that remains is the outer case. We never forget the ones who leave us; we just learn to live without them. With the loss of parents, it feels like the shade that was once there is lifted and the rain falls directly onto our heads. Read the rest of this entry »
The Special Report below takes a critical look at certain values which is believed to be having a detrimental effect upon society. Certin realities are posed and presented and fresh angles are given to offer a critique on what alternative set of values may offer solutions to the problems faced.
The Special Report looks at the issue of Crime and social Responsibility in Britian today. It goes on also to map out how the values of Islam when applied in a society can be one of the effective mechanisms deployed in fashioning a society where responsibility on all indiviual citizens is the cornerstone and norm for all.
The document can be downloaded in PDF format to print out and read. Please click here to download your Copy. The Special report can be read below. Click more for the article to appear in Full.
Individualism OR Collective responsibility? By Majed Iqbal
On 16th of July, Gordon Brown announced the first ever cross-government youth crime plan with new enforcement measures and improvements to sentencing. It would include and a new approach to youth crime prevention – including “tough parenting” programmes targeted on areas with the most problems.
“I know the police are doing everything in their power to bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
In the same week, David Cameron launched his party’s campaign in what he called Britain’s “‘Broken society by-election’. Read the rest of this entry »
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