Immigration policy is a political hot potato, particularly in the months preceding an election. Enforced deportations, loss of control of asylum seekers, loss of benefits for refugees until they are accepted all stand to damage the reputation of the UK in the world. Great Britain is generally well respected for its models of good practice in interfaith relations and its appreciation of other peoples’ cultures. It is also noteworthy that major religions praise the values of hospitality and sanctuary. This permeates our legal and moral framework not just in the UK but in the European Union.
Britain has hosted several waves of immigration throughout its history. These give rise to greater tensions during a time of economic recession. While we have benefitted from substantial number of professionals and others from around the world, there is a sense of tension over lack of job opportunities, rising house prices and lack of resources and availability of public services in some specific areas. There seems to be a need for mature discussion about these issues, in such a manner as not to jeopardize the good community cohesion measures in place. On the other hand, we should never lose sight of the great contribution immigrants have made over the years, to the United Kingdom. Our distinguished panel of speakers will illuminate on these issues and the topics.
As there is a great interest in this event, please (RSVP) reserve a place by return email or phone call. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on November 24th.
Robin Marsh Cllr. Margaret Ali – Chair of Community Cohesion Working Group
07956 210 768 0207 -262 0985 / / 07723024750
On behalf of Community Cohesion Working Group committee members: Ms. Vanessa Edwards: CCWG Secretary; Cllr. Liaquat Ali: former Mayor of London Borough of Waltham Forest; Mrs. Ruth Louise Barnett: Holocaust educator; Cllr. Janet Baddeley: Watford Borough Council; Cllr. Mushtaq Lasharie: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea & Chair of 3rd World Solidarity; Mr. Alan Rainer: Interfaith activist & Religious Education teacher, Angad Kaur of Guru Ram Das, project, Mr. Tim Miller: Chair of Hastings Interfaith Forum; Mr. Brij-Mohan Gupta:Co Chair of Hindu Council UK – Cllr. Faizullah Khan: Former Speaker of London Borough of Hackney; Mr. Edwin Shuker: Vice President of the World Congress of Sephardic Jews, Mr. Sukhbir Singh, of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sevak Jatha;
UPF Patron: Lord King of West Bromwich;
Advisor: Imam Dr. Abduljalil Sajid.
Upcoming UPF Events
Universal Peace Federation - UK www.uk.upf.org
Tel: 44 (0) 207 262 0985
43 Lancaster Gate, London W2 3NA
Peace and Development Network:
UPF is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
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London School of Islamics is an educational Trust. Its aim is to make
ReplyDeleteBritish public, institutions and media aware of the needs and demands of the
Muslim community in the field of education and possible solutions.
The demand for state funded Muslim schools is in accordance with the law of
the land. Muslim community is not asking for any favour. Muslim community
pays all sorts of taxes and is contributing for the economic, social and
spiritual prosperity of the British society.
Bilingual Muslim Children need state funded muslim schools with bilingual
Muslim teachers as role models during their developmental periods. There is
no place for a non-Muslim child or a teacher in a Muslim school. It is
better to put your children in a toilet instead of in a state school. At
least if you put them in a toilet you can wash them after. If you put your
children into state schools, you are sending them to be indoctrinated with
the common views and beliefs of a society.Children are young and
impressionable. There is a danger that liberal, feminist, radicalist and
homosexual and lesbian teachers are implanting their values into children.
It is a well known fact that children tend to listen to their teachers
before their parents. There are hundreds of state and church schools where
Muslim children are in majority. In my opinion, all such schools may be
designated as Muslim Community schools.
A Muslim is a citizen of this timy global village. He/she does not want to
become notoriously monolingual Brit. A Muslim needs to learn and be well
versed in Standard English to follow the National Curriculum and go for
higher studies and research to serve humanity. At the same time, he/she
needs to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community
languages to keep in touch with their cultural roots and enjoy the beauty of
their literature and poetry.
Iftikhar Ahmad
http://www.londonschoolofislamics.org.uk