1. the6thestate asked Abdul Muhammad Bari: "Do you have a long term strategy for reducing levels of extremism in UK Mosques?"
2. Abdul Muhammad Bari answer: "The current discourse about terrorism is dictated by a 'terrorism industry' who – without any evidence base – make the outrageous claims that British mosques are bastions of extremism. Whilst I await ..." Show more»" The current discourse about terrorism is dictated by a 'terrorism industry' who – without any evidence base – make the outrageous claims that British mosques are bastions of extremism. Whilst I await for that evi-dence to be forthcoming (number of mosques? Which mosques? What message?), I think you will find that the scourge of extremism is a very modern phenomenon. This requires a collective response. Because of the inability of a lot of our mosques to reach out and empa-thise with young people, demagogues outside the mosque, in youth clubs, cafes and increasingly on the internet, prey on our young. They capitalise on the inability of our mosques and pointing to the demonisation Muslims face in the media, arguing that Muslims have no place in this society. Internally, the MCB and the community in general are looking at strength-ening our internal capacity to ensure that mosques follow good practice. That they can empathise with the young and are welcoming of all. This has less to do with theology and more to do with capacity building. Mosques up and down the country have been set up by local communities, in homes, converted warehouse and shops. With meagre resources, they have tried to provide the most basic of religious services, but in a lan-guage that caters for the first generation. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Oct 09 2007 2:15:25 PM

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1. rtatoud asked Abdul Muhammad Bari: "Leicester will become the first "non-white" British town in a few years (The Guardian, Sept. 11) with a large proportion of Muslims. How prepared are you to respond to the many questions and fears that..." Show more »"Leicester will become the first "non-white" British town in a few years (The Guardian, Sept. 11) with a large proportion of Muslims. How prepared are you to respond to the many questions and fears that this information will probably triger?" Show less »
2. Abdul Muhammad Bari answer: "– Well, any fear that will come about will be generated form the outside and by the media. In Leicester now, all faith groups and all ethnic groups are demonstrating good practice in working and living..." Show more»" – Well, any fear that will come about will be generated form the outside and by the media. In Leicester now, all faith groups and all ethnic groups are demonstrating good practice in working and living together. And this will continue whomever the majority will be. We all have to work together to repudiate the merchants of hate and doom. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Oct 09 2007 2:14:42 PM

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1. Londontowner asked Abdul Muhammad Bari: "Which branch of Islam (Sunni or Shia) has done the best job of maintaining its religious principles and independence while still integrating successfully into UK society? Is one sect more disposed theologically..." Show more »"Which branch of Islam (Sunni or Shia) has done the best job of maintaining its religious principles and independence while still integrating successfully into UK society? Is one sect more disposed theologically to living successfully in western democracies or is there no difference?" Show less »
2. Abdul Muhammad Bari answer: "There is no difference. Both branches of Islam and the various schools of though emanating from it have been very successful in promoting an idea that Muslim are part and parcel of British society and..." Show more»" There is no difference. Both branches of Islam and the various schools of though emanating from it have been very successful in promoting an idea that Muslim are part and parcel of British society and that our faith requires us to reach out, and ensure a Britain at ease with itself. The MCB is a testament to that, member organisations from both branches par-ticipate actively within the MCB – a model for co-operation and coalition building. And with that model we have reached out to the rest of Britain. But we still have a lot to do. Positive social integration of various sections of the Muslim community in Britain is complex and it is not necessarily about who is Sunni or Shia. Given the fact that the Muslim community is relatively new and evolving it has rather done quite well compared to oth-ers. The Gallup poll a few months ago testified this. We have to remember that integration is a two way process. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Oct 09 2007 2:14:07 PM

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1. oneill asked Abdul Muhammad Bari: "What's your view on the story in The Times today (Friday 7 September) about Deobandi extremists infiltrating up to half of British mosques? It seemed rather disturbing."
2. Abdul Muhammad Bari answer: "The MCB has spoken out against extremism and has tackled terrorism: http://www.mcb.org.uk/article_detail.php?article=announcement-656 We do not tolerate extremism. But we're equally vigilant against..." Show more»" The MCB has spoken out against extremism and has tackled terrorism: http://www.mcb.org.uk/article_detail.php?article=announcement-656 We do not tolerate extremism. But we're equally vigilant against the hysteria and the witch-hunt gener-ated by the media. The article you refer to is rather disturbing and highly sensationalised. It's a shame that The Times chose to publish this poorly researched article. Our response is here http://www.mcb.org.uk/media/presstext.php?ann_id=267 I would urge you to research more about the Deobandi movement before passing judgments. You'll find, amongst other things, that some of their leading lights were contemporaries and supporters of Mahatma Gandi. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Oct 09 2007 2:12:34 PM

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1. ryanscribe asked Abdul Muhammad Bari: "Dr Bari, why is it that in America, Muslims seem to have prospered far better than in Britain? There is a lot of blame, it seems, from the Muslim community "outwards" as to their problems and sometimes..." Show more »"Dr Bari, why is it that in America, Muslims seem to have prospered far better than in Britain? There is a lot of blame, it seems, from the Muslim community "outwards" as to their problems and sometimes references to us (non-Muslims) as "kuffar", the unbelievers. Is this likely to change? How can we avoid the politics of separation?" Show less »
2. Abdul Muhammad Bari answer: "Well firstly we have to remember that the proportion of middle-class Muslims are higher in the US than it is here in Britain. More immi-grants with professional backgrounds went to the other side of the..." Show more»" Well firstly we have to remember that the proportion of middle-class Muslims are higher in the US than it is here in Britain. More immi-grants with professional backgrounds went to the other side of the Pond. Aspiration is higher and opportunities for succeeding more attainable. This is only half the explanation. Yes, there are sections of our community who could be inward looking, but this would be more for socio-economic reasons. There are obstacle to success and we should all work towards removing any barriers. And I would contend that our faith repudiates the politics of separation. We are called upon by our faith to reach out to our neighbours, whatever their faith will be. In fact, Islam places an obligation on Muslims to look af-ter neighbours. Please refer to my book 'Race, Religion and Muslim Iden-tity in Britain' published by Awakening in 2005. Those who use derogatory terms such as 'kuffar' and seek the politics of separation are in a minority, misguided and are not aware of their own faith. For every one person who follows this path, there would be two more who would passionately argue against it. People such as those volunteers behind the www.islamispeace.org.uk campaign. Proud to be British, Proud to be Muslim, and committed to success. We need to encourage that. "Show less«
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4. 0 comment   |  Topic: Politics   |   Email to friends   |   Oct 09 2007 2:05:36 PM

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