Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

Top Menu

  • About US
  • Join US
  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Comment
  • Question and Answer
  • Watch us Live

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Viewpoint
  • Islamic Culture
  • Da’wah
  • Media
  • People
    • Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani (Founder)
    • Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum (Successor)
    • Sheikh Ata Abu Rashta (Ameer)
    • Abdul Wahid
    • Abu Yusuf
    • Jamal Harwood
    • Taji Mustafa
  • Books
  • Youth
  • Covid-19
  • About US
  • Join US
  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Comment
  • Question and Answer
  • Watch us Live

logo

Header Banner

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

  • Home
  • Viewpoint
    • Making Sense of Pakistan

      April 16, 2022
      0
    • How Should We View the War in Ukraine?

      March 30, 2022
      0
    • The India Hijab Issue from an Islamic Perspective

      March 24, 2022
      0
    • DEEP DIVE: The Weaponisation and Politicisation of British Citizenship Laws

      March 12, 2022
      0
    • Our Role in the Ukraine war is to Expose the Propaganda

      March 2, 2022
      0
    • Muslims Should Rejoice Over the Islamic Ruling System

      January 21, 2022
      0
    • Another Warmonger Honoured for Serving the British Elite

      January 2, 2022
      0
    • The Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh Victory Day (Bijoy Dibos): a cause for ...

      December 13, 2021
      0
    • Playing Politics with the Uygher Muslims

      December 2, 2021
      0
  • Islamic Culture
    • Reading Quran

      The story of the man who was told to “Enter Paradise” and ...

      January 24, 2022
      0
    • Significance of Rabi’ul-Awwal

      October 10, 2021
      0
    • Virtues of the Month of Muharram

      August 10, 2021
      0
    • The significance of first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

      July 10, 2021
      0
    • The Honour of the Prophets

      April 30, 2021
      0
    • A to Z of Ramadan

      April 19, 2021
      0
    • The Dawah to Allah (swt)

      December 29, 2020
      0
    • Miracle of the Quran

      Q & A - Compilation of The Holy Quran During the Reign ...

      December 27, 2020
      0
    • Imam Bukhari: A Role Model for the ‘Ulema and Da’wah Carriers to ...

      November 17, 2020
      0
  • Da’wah
    • Public Demonstration - Independence Not Intervention

      April 22, 2022
      0
    • VIDEO : [LIVESTREAMED] Pakistan in Crisis: The Players, Politics, and People

      April 20, 2022
      0
    • Ramadan Message: The World Needs Islam - We Must Work for the ...

      April 1, 2022
      0
    • The India Hijab Issue from an Islamic Perspective

      March 24, 2022
      0
    • Ramadhan event: Kyiv to Kabul: The World Needs Islam

      March 20, 2022
      0
    • Obituary of a Dawah Carrier Dr. Youssef Haj Youssef

      December 30, 2021
      0
    • Open Letter to Imams and Muslim Leaders

      September 28, 2021
      0
    • Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain Sends Delegation to Chinese Embassy Condemning the Inhumane Treatment ...

      June 30, 2021
      0
    • Jahangir Raja: Obituary of a Da’wah Carrier

      June 28, 2021
      0
  • Media
  • People
    • Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani (Founder)
    • Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum (Successor)
    • Sheikh Ata Abu Rashta (Ameer)
    • Abdul Wahid
    • Abu Yusuf
    • Jamal Harwood
    • Taji Mustafa
  • Books
  • Youth
  • Covid-19
Press Releases
Home›Media›Press Releases›Letter to Members of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB)

Letter to Members of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body (MINAB)

By Editor
November 29, 2007
823
0
Share:
To the Founding Organisations of MINAB

 

 

Asalasmu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu

 

Re: Mosques and Imams National Advisory Body

 

The launch of MINAB on 29th November 2007 places upon its founders an enormous test. They have declared MINAB an independent advisory body whose aim is to seek to improve the mosques in this country. It has not declared itself to be a self-appointed or undisputed governing body for mosques, and some of the founding organisations have made great efforts to distance it from any government agenda.

However, set against what may seem to some generally reasonable aims are the harsh realities of today’s political climate. Government ministers past and present have virtually claimed the strategy as their own, suggesting that this strategy is an essential part of their ‘war on terror’ and ‘hearts and minds’ policy – born as it was out of an idea that came from the government’s own working group in 2005. It is striking that statements of politicians about MINAB have suggested this and have been reinforced by the media coverage of the launch. Former Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly even spoke about establishing a British form of Islam when she launched a very prescriptive agenda for mosques, Imams and madrassahs in April 2007.

 

It is a feature of many politicians, media commentators and policy advisors that they consistently conflate security matters with matters of the beliefs and values of Muslims. Similarly, they have mixed security policy with policies claimed to be for improving community relations. These misguided and misleading strategies are at best irrelevant to security and counterproductive to good community relations. They have seamlessly linked the threat of violence in the UK, which none of us stand for, to widely held and core Islamic beliefs and legitimate political concerns, now labelled as extremist ideas. They then link policies for better community relations to the control and suppression of these beliefs and concerns. Shariah, Khilafah, the honour of the Prophet (saw) and his family, aspects of Islam that differ with western liberal values, concerns about western foreign policy in the Muslim world – all of these are regularly labelled as problem ideas.

 

Any initiative which is sincerely based upon firm Islamic criteria that works towards improved governance in our mosques, better access for youth and women, or improvements in madrassah curricula and teaching styles would be valuable. Good governance in mosques, transparency in decision making, accountability of mosque committees, wider consultation, and engagement in community dawah so people can see the beauty of this deen, and how it can better the general community, are all noble Islamic aims if aimed towards achieving the pleasure of Allah (swt).

 

However, any initiative subverted by another agenda, used to perpetuate a false myth that mosques breed violence, or preach hatred would be harmful for our community. It would further the McCarthyist atmosphere that has developed. Would the hijacking of the agenda to preach a ‘reformist’ message to somehow distort Islamic ideas to suit a liberal agenda earn the pleasure of Allah (swt)? It is not fanciful to think that politicians could hijack even well intentioned actions.
Machiavellian politicians of all parties would seek to run rings around us if they see any exploitable opportunity, using mosques as pawns in their own misguided policies. Haven’t we seen matters hijacked before – a message for Muslims to be vigilant spun as a call for Muslims to spy on each other; a message that Muslims want to end an attack on Afghanistan spun as an endorsement of the attack?

 

Some of the government’s proposed interventionist policies are similar to the control of mosques and Imams by regimes in the Muslim world. However, establishing a ministry of ‘Awqaf’ would not be a very British thing; even an ‘Arch-mufti’ of Canterbury is some way off. Though, there is a track record in the Indian subcontinent of trying to control religion, different methods of state control exist today. Universal registration of mosques allow policing by the charities commission; threats of mosque closure would follow non compliance to standards set by a government regulatory body; financial incentives would promote dependency upon government, as the one who pays the piper calls the tune. All of these are methods that have been used in many other areas of life but can lead to every bit as much control without appearing as draconian as what happens in the Muslim world.

 

Britain’s history not only shows how religion was controlled in the colonies but how it was made subservient to the state here: sometimes through constitutional means (the break from Rome and the formation of a state-established church), sometimes through oppression and sometimes through manipulation of religious texts. Were this to happen to Islam and Muslims in Britain it would rightly be seen by the Muslim community as a betrayal of what is right. The Muslim community, who feel pressure from the anti-terror laws and relentless anti-Islamic propaganda in the media, would be let down by any who allowed this.

 

Our view is that our mosques, run in an inclusive and transparent manner could empower our community acting as the hub for community life. Silencing a voice for Muslims in our mosques would inevitably lead to frustration. Allowing discussion and debate becomes a channel and a vent for people’s feelings. They could be opened for non-Muslims to come and ask and learn about Islam. It is my hope and prayer that this is what will be achieved.

 

My sincere advice to you brothers and sisters engaged in this venture is to be prepared for almost unbearable pressure upon you to divert from your independent advisory role, towards becoming a body that becomes financially dependent, and that seeks to directly or indirectly promote the state regulation of mosques. Such pressure will come from people within your organisation as well as people outside it. Pressure will come from the media scrutinising MINAB to see if it is successful in secularising the mosques in Britain. We ask Allah (swt) to keep you on the straight path and to keep you away from pitfalls in your way.

 

"O believers! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm" – [Surah Muhammad Ayat 7]

 


Wasalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatahu

 

Abdul Wahid

Chairman UK Executive Committee

Hizb ut-Tahrir

 

19th Dhul Qada 1428

29th November 2007

Previous Article

Hundreds to attend London Conference titled ‘Pakistan: ...

Next Article

Bangladesh in Crisis: Cyclone Appeal

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Press Releases

    Thousands Demonstrate Calling on Muslim Armies to move to Defend Gaza

    January 5, 2009
    By Editor
  • Press Releases

    PK: The kidnapping of a Hizb ut-Tahrir member can not prevent the re-establishment of the Khilafah

    September 27, 2008
    By Editor
  • Press Releases

    Appeal judge’s ruling is proof that thought policing of Muslims exists in Britain

    February 13, 2008
    By Editor
  • Press Releases

    Obama’s troop increase will only bring more terror to the region

    December 2, 2009
    By Editor
  • Press Releases

    Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain Comments on Gordon Brown’s Speech

    February 13, 2006
    By Editor
  • Press Releases

    Clinton pledges money for rebuilding Gaza – then pledges weapons for Israel’s bombing of Gaza

    March 6, 2009
    By Editor

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Liberate Al Aqsa

Join US on Telegram

Podcast

Latest Posts

Press Releases

Protest in London Says No To More Democracy, Yes to the Khilafah

Members of Hizb ut Tahrir in Britain, alongside supporters from the Muslim community, gathered on Saturday 7th May 2022 at the Pakistan High Commission in London to protest against US ...
  • Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain to Protest American Interference in Pakistan’s Politics

    By Yahya Nisbet
    May 1, 2022
  • Public Demonstration – Independence Not Intervention

    By Editor
    April 22, 2022
  • VIDEO : [LIVESTREAMED] Pakistan in Crisis: The Players, Politics, and People

    By Editor
    April 20, 2022
  • The Geopolitics of Badr

    By Editor
    April 17, 2022
  • Making Sense of Pakistan

    By Editor
    April 16, 2022
  • Muslims in Britain Should Speak Out Against the Pakistani Leadership’s Surrender of Kashmir

    By Yahya Nisbet
    April 15, 2022
  • Muslims in Britain should support the call for the Khilafah in Pakistan

    By Yahya Nisbet
    April 12, 2022
  • Press Centre