Issue 2

Issue 02

April 2012

Spotlight on Cambridge Prince’s Trust Report Grooming

Deed of The Month – Forward Responsibility Sleep-Out at St Basil’s Regulars – Dua’s, Poems, Quizzes & Reviews

Stained glass panel by artish Huda

Awad

www.hudaawad.com

Fifteen21 inspires young Muslims to be proud of their British Muslim identity. The name Fifteen21 is derived from both the 15th century of the Islamic Hijri year and the 21st century of the Christian era. Fifteen21 aims to reconcile both Muslim and British identity.

Designed by Hafizur Rahman All views are of the authors alone and not necessarily of those held by Fifteen21

Dear Reader

Editorial

Asalamu Alaykum!

Thankyou so much for all your kind words and feedback on Issue 1, we hope that you enjoy Issue 2 even more. We have a jam-packed issue this month from art to poetry, culture and even your favourite subject Algebra!

With the upcoming local elections fast approaching Humza Yousaf, Shabnum Mustapha and Ruma Ahmed speak to Fifteen21 about why it is so important for young people to become more involved in their local communities through volunteering and community activism, whether We have enjoyed reading your book reviews that be presenting for your local community and this month feature award winning authors radio station to helping the homeless, and if you Sufiya Ahmed and Suma Din. With exams around are old enough; using your vote. It is not only the corner make sure to read our inspiring for what we do that we will be held responsible, articles that will help you achieve your goals but also for what we do not do. This is a gentle and increase your knowledge inshAllah with our reminder that we will be answerable to Allah featured duas. And don’t miss the deadline to (swt) for not only what we did do but also our apply for the Young Muslim Leadership Program lack of action too. in partnership with Oxford University and The Princes charities on page 47! Not forgetting 1.4 billion people around the world survive on Oxford’s great rival Cambridge, Iimaan Ismail less than £1 a day. Could you? Live Below the shares her experiences of moving to Cambridge Line challenges individuals and communities to embark on her studies in ‘My City.’ A city I around the world to live below the global recently visited myself and where this photo was poverty line of £1 per day for food for 5 days. taken.

This year this global campaign is taking place between 7th – 11th May and Sadia Kidwai talks Alyas Karmani explores the topic of grooming to Fifteen21 about how you can also sign up on in Issues 2 and 3. As Alyas explains by tackling page 46 to help eliminate global poverty. the issue of sexual violence in the UK Muslim community we are in no way assuming that it is endemic behaviour in the Muslim community and With Peace supported by any Islamic teaching. Our view is that one case of sexual grooming by a Muslim is Fozia Parveen one case too many. However as uncomfortable reading as it may be for some, nonetheless, safeguarding and protecting the most vulnerable and usually the youngest of our youth regardless of religion is paramount.

Contents 6 The Path of Knowledge

30-31 Be aware, stay alert, keep safe!

7 Prophets of Islam: Prophet Idris (PBUH)

32-33 Profile: Shabnum Mustapha

8 Deed of the month: Forward Responsibly.

9-11 Hadith 12-13 Lack of routine harms school grades and wellbeing – Prince’s Trust

34 Aunty’s Column 35 Book Reviews 36-37 Events 38-39 Are you a Parent or Carer

14-15 Profile: Humza Yousaf – MSP

40-41 The UK Youth Parliament

16-17 So Like, What’s My Purpose Again? Part 2

42-43 Healthy Living

18-19 Volunteering in the community

44-45 My City - Cambridge

20-25 Grooming By Alyas Karmani

46 Live Below the Line

26 Ruma Ahmed – Aspiring MP

47 Young Muslim Leadership Programme

27 Dua - Supplication For Studying

48 National Events

28 Poetry

49 Muslim Youth Helpline

29 Competitions

40

42

26

Young Muslim Leadership Programme

47

14 Part 2

16

29

In the name of Allah, the most beneficent, the most merciful.

Dear Reader

The Path of Knowledge

I would like to follow on from my previous article by focussing on one important Islamic figure who has had a great influence on the development of science and technology. Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (c.780 – c.850) a famous mathematician is believed to have been born in modern day Iran although few details of his life are known with certainty. He was a scholar at the famed House of Wisdom in Baghdad set up by the Caliph Harun Al-Ma’Mun. Along with being a mathematician he was also a philosopher, astronomer and geographer and wrote several books influenced by previous Indian and Greek writings.

However, the most significant works that can be attributed to him are his mathematical developments and texts. The current Arabic number system is derived from the work of Khwarizmi, who was influenced by an Indian mathematician; Brahmagupta. Brahmagupta created the decimal based number system and the number zero. However, Khwarizmi was one of the first mathematicians to use zero as a place holder to increase the value of a number, although it would take centuries for this idea to be accepted. Unfortunately, most of Khwarizmi’s work on this subject is lost and only known through mention in other texts. The word algorithm is also derived from the Latin translation of Khwarizmi’s name (Algoritmi).

He is also accredited with the notion of algebra which derives from the word al-jabr (restore) as used in the title of Khwarizmi’s book “The

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Comprehensive Book on Calculation by Completion and Balancing” (al-Kitab al-mukhtasar fi hisab aljabr wa’l-muqabal). Khwarizmi’s book was written using words not symbols, and he attempted to classify and solve a range of quadratic equations.

His work was largely influenced by Babylonian, Greek and Indian sources.

He defined three elements; the root (unknown i.e. x), the mal (wealth, the square of the root) and simple numbers (7 or 65). He then divided problems into six typical types (a, b and c are all positive numbers):

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Squares equal to roots. Example: ax2 = bx 2 Squares equal to numbers. Example: ax2 = b 3 Roots equal to numbers. Example: ax = b 4 Squares and roots equal to numbers. Example: ax2 + bx = c Squares and numbers equal to roots. Example: ax2 + c = bx 6 Roots and numbers equal to squares. Example: ax2 = bx + c

Khwarizmi’s understanding of negative numbers was limited so restricting the number of quadratic equations he could use. However, through experimentation and testing, Khwarizmi was able to show that quadratic equations could have more than one solution. All of Khwarizmi’s work was in text as the symbols used above had not been invented. Khwarizmi also used geometrical expressions to solve the equations. The above contributions to mathematics make Khwarizmi one of the greatest mathematicians of all time.

Sofairah Aziz, Leeds

Prophet Idris (Enoch) (PBUH ) was born and raised in Babylon (modern day southern Iraq) following the teachings and religion of Prophet Adam (PBUH).

He told the people to follow the teachings of Islam but many people did not listen to him and turned away.

Prophet Idris (PBUH) and the followers of Islam left Babylon and went to Egypt where he carried on telling people about Islam. He taught them about doing good deeds, prayers, fasting, giving some of their wealth to the poor (known as zakat) and staying away from alcoholic drinks.

It is reported that Prophet Idris (PBUH) was the first to invent the basic form of writing. He was also known for his wisdom, particularly his wise statements such as:

Allah (SWT) has praised Prophet Idris (PBUH) in the Qur’an describing him as being truthful and a Prophet.

“And mention in the Book, Idris. Verily!

He was a man a truth, (and) a Prophet.

And we raised him to a high station.”

(Qur’an, 19:56-57) We should also be following the teachings of Islam and aiming to do good deeds to please Allah (SWT) and inviting others to the religion of Islam.

Azizun Nessa, Manchester

“He who indulges in excess will not benefit from it.”

Prophets of Islam:

Prophet Idris (PBUH)

“Do not envy people for what they have as they will only enjoy it for a short while.”

“None can show better gratitude for Allah’s favours than he who shares them with others.” ‘images from Babylon period’

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Deed of the month: Forward Responsibly.

Alhamdulillah, we are in a time where sending messages to each other is quick and easy! We don’t have to even think about it much, just forward your Da’wah (preaching Islam) by the touch of a button. But, how many times do you get a text forwarded to you by your Muslim brothers or sisters with the following qualities:

like that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest.”

But, what if the message you are sending

• It has a beautiful text, associated with Islam.

• It states that if you say an Arabic phrase a number of times, you will either get rewards or go to heaven, yet no translation is included.

• It has no numeric reference, to either Surah or Hadith.

• It says that you must not break the chain, or else you will not get rewards.

If the message sounds good and it is related to Islam, there is no harm in passing it on to your fellow Muslims, right? After all, the hadith scholar Muslim (2674) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever calls others to guidance will have a reward

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a friend, who wouldn’t mislead us, we shouldn’t think twice about forwarding it to others, especially if we will get rewarded for our Da’wah. Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said

become the blind leading the blind. We have a responsibility to research these ‘Islamic’ texts we receive, by finding out the origin of the text, understanding which books or people said them and who the message was directed at in the first place.

In order to make sure that the information “(But) the things that my Lord has indeed has not been taken out of context, we forbidden are Al Fawaahish (great evil need to read other passages in the Holy sins) whether committed openly or secretly, Qur’an relating to that message, as well sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, as understanding the history surrounding joining partners (in worship) with Allah the matter. for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge” [Qur’an al-A’raaf 7:33]

is wrong? Often the qualities of the ‘Islamic’ messages forwarded in texts are vague, without proof or origin. In Quran, it says, “Say (O Muhammad): Produce your proof if you are truthful” [alBaqarah 2:111]. In order to know if the text is valid, according to Islam, you must research to find the truth.

The problem with the simplicity of sending texts is that many of us forget to think and research before we forward information about Islam. We assume that because the message sounds Islamic and it is from

Each forwarded ‘Islamic’ text we receive is an opportunity for us to be closer with Allah. We improve our Deen, through research and understanding. So, before you forward your next ‘Islamic’ text, think, research, edit, reply, then forward responsibly.

You would think that these texts forwarded to us, would help us to gain knowledge about Islam, but in reality, we

Michelle Blum, Bradford

Narrated Abu Hurairah: the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him said:

“One of the seven types of people who are given shade on the Day of Judgment are those who give charity ‘so secretly that their left hand does not know what their right hand has given”.

Hadith

Giving charity and taking care of the poor is the 3rd pillar of Islam: Zakat.

Every Muslim who can afford to do so is obligated by Allah to pay 2.5% of their earnings to one of 8 categories of people that are mentioned in the Qur’an: 1. The poor (Fuqara)-this refers to someone who has no income and lives in poverty.

2. The needy (Masakin) whose income is below the minimum requirement to live.

3. The zakat collectors themselves.

4. Non-Muslims, to show them the spirit of Islam.

5. To free slaves, ransoms and blood money.

6. Those who are in debt trying to meet their basic needs.

7. Fee Sabeelillah- for the Cause of Allah 8. Travellers in need

However, as Muslims we should not just stop at the obligation of Zakat. We should also give Sadaqah and do all that we can to help those that are in need, especially if we are not required to pay Zakat. Being charitable and giving money is not just an action, it is a great form of worship and one that gains much reward and the pleasure of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).

It is of every slave of Allah’s goal to attain righteousness so that we may enter Jannah (Paradise) and that our life on this Earth is guided and blessed by our Lord. We should remember that in the Holy Qur’an Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) tells us of the way to be of the righteous ones:

“By no means shall you attain Righteousness (Al-Birr) unless you give (freely as a charity) from that which you love; and whatever you spend Allah knows it well” [3: 92] Al-Birr here means Paradise (Tafsir Ibn Kathir). In this verse Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) is not talking about the obligatory Zakat, but rather giving in Sadaqah as we mentioned earlier.

The latter part of the verse tells us that “whatever you spend Allah knows it well”.

Therefore, we should know that all that we give in charity is seen by Allah and like all other good deeds it will be recorded by the angels, insha’Allah. Most importantly we can focus on the great reward, our ultimate goal, Jannah.

Continued

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What are the benefits of helping the poor and the needy?

Already we know that a way of reaching Jannah is through giving charity, but there are many benefits of giving Sadaqah. One of the blessings mentioned in the Quran is that a person will increase in wealth: “That which you lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: but that which you give for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied” [30:39].

Another benefit is the removal of sins. Allah (Glorified is He) tells us in The Holy Quran that: “...verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins). That is a reminder for the mindful (those who accept advice)” [11:114] Also ‘hardship and suffering’ are part of human life. Through Sadaqah, Allah protects you from them. The Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi Wassalam) said: “giving Sadaqah protects a person from seventy evil ways.” - narrated by Tabarani.

Benefits aside, the greatest reward will be in the one who does not do it for something

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in return, but for the one who gives and helps purely and solely for the sake of Allah in order to gain Allah’s pleasure.

Sadaqah is not limited to giving money.

Since Sadaqah isn’t limited to giving money, by the mercy of Allah, those who have no money are also able to gain rewards as though they did. Abu Hurairah narrated that “Abu Dharr said to the Messenger of Allah, ‘The wealthy people have all the rewards; they pray as we pray; they fast as we fast; and they have surplus wealth which they give in charity; but we have no wealth which we may give in charity.’

Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said: ‘Abu Dharr, should I not teach you phrases by which you acquire the rank of those who excel you? No one can acquire your rank except one who acts like you.’ He said, “Why not, Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)?”

He said: ‘Exalt Allah say: “Allahu Akbar” after each prayer 33 times; and praise Him say: “Alhamdulillah” 33 times; and Glorify Him say: “Subhan Allah” 33 times; and end it by saying, “La ilâha illallâhu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa yomeetu wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer.” Your sins will be forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea.’” a(Abu Dawud 1499).

In another hadith: Abu Dharr narrated that Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) said “In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah’s glorification is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him is an act of charity; every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity; every utterance of profession of His Greatness is an act of charity; enjoining good is an act of charity; forbidding what is disreputable is an act of charity; and two rak‘ahs which one prays in the aforenoon will suffice.”

(Muslim 1557).

The two rak’ahs which will suffice mentioned in the hadith is called the Dhuha prayer, which is prayed between Sunrise and Dhuhr. There is great reward and benefit from praying those two rak’ahs aside from the benefit mentioned in the hadith.

“And spend something (in charity) out of the substance which We have bestowed on you, before death should come to any of you and he should say, “O my Rabb (only God and Sustainer)! Why do you not give me respite for a little while? I should then have given (largely) in charity, and I should have been one of the doers of good.”

[Qur’an, 63:10] Giving Sadaqah brings happiness and peace of mind, as it allows you to contribute to and help society and alleviate the suffering of needy people. It also fosters brotherhood/ sisterhood and care within the community.

Zaynab, Edinburgh

Lastly, we should always remember this verse in The Holy Qur’an which should encourage us to give more in the way of Allah (Glorified is He).

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The Prince’s Trust – Inspiring young lives

‘The Prince’s Trust made me believe in myself. Gave me confidence.

Showed me I could achieve things.’

We give practical and financial support to 13-30 year olds, enabling them to develop skills that will help them to move into education, employment or training.

Since 1976 we have helped over 650,000 young people and we support 100 more each day. To continue our work, we need to raise £50 million this year.

You have the chance to make a difference. Please visit our website and show your support today: princes-trust.org.uk DSN0637/4 © Prince’s Trust 2011 - all rights reserved. The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter, in England and Wales (1079675) and Scotland (SC041198).

We give practical and financial support to 13-30 year olds, enabling them to develop skills that will help them to move into education, employment or training.

Since 1976 we have helped over 650,000 young people and we support 100 more each day. To continue our work, we need to raise £50 million this year.

Lack of routine harms school grades have the chance to make a difference. Please visit our website and You wellbeing – today: Prince’s Trust and show your support princes-trust.org.uk DSN0637/4 © Prince’s Trust 2011 - all rights reserved. The Prince’s Trust is a registered charity, incorporated by Royal Charter, in England and Wales (1079675) and Scotland (SC041198).

in a young life can have a devastating impact. Without the right support, directionless teenagers can become lost young adults – unconfident, underqualified and unemployed.

real-time effect the financial crisis had on young people and this year the research highlights an important link between educational attainment and wellbeing.

“Our in-school XL clubs give the hardest-to-reach young people intense, structured support – helping to prevent potential drop-outs and exclusions. Similarly, our Fairbridge programme builds self-esteem through one-to-one support outside the According to the research, which is classroom.” based on interviews with 2,136 16The report, carried out by YouGov, to-25-year-olds, more than a quarter shows how almost a third of young of young people (27 per cent) claim people (31 per cent) “always” or they did not have a set bedtime while “often” feels down or depressed, with growing up. This increases to 39 per this increasing to almost half (48 per cent among those who left school with cent) among those with fewer than fewer than five A*-C grades at GCSE. five A*-C grade GCSEs. One in three Young people with poorer grades are of those with lower qualifications also more than twice as likely as their (33 per cent) “always” or “often” peers to say they did not have regular feels rejected, compared to around meal times (30 per cent compared one in five young people (22 per with 14 per cent). cent) overall. Those with poorer qualifications also score a significantly The charity’s fourth annual Youth Index lower index number than their peers, - which gauges how young people suggesting they are facing issues feel about their lives across a range across a range of areas – from their of areas from family life to physical employment to their relationships with health - shows that young people who friends and even their health. claim to have “lacked structure and direction” while growing up are less Peter Kellner, president of YouGov, content and confident than their peers. said: “The results of the Youth Index Martina Milburn, chief executive of over the past four years can often be youth charity The Prince’s Trust, says: linked to larger issues in the wider “The absence of structure and routine world. Last year’s results showed the

“By keeping young people engaged in and out of the classroom, through the Fairbridge programme, XL clubs and other schemes, The Prince’s Trust is helping to create a more resilient generation, equipped with crucial skills for work and life.” According to the Youth Index, one in five young people (21 per cent) believe they did not receive the support they needed at school. This almost doubles to 40 per cent amongst those with poorer grades.

25/10/2011 14:49

The research marks the launch of The Trust’s largest ever consultation with teachers and practitioners on The Prince’s Trust website, exploring the support they need to help the hardest-to-reach pupils. The charity will be presenting the findings of the consultation, which is being run with The Schools Network, to Government later this year. The Trust will help 50,000 disadvantaged young people this year across the UK. Last year, more than three-quarters moved into jobs, education or training. For more information, call 0800 842 842 or visit www.princes-trust.org.uk

NOTES

Growing up without a daily routine or structure such as regular bedtimes and set meal times can harm a young person’s school grades and overall wellbeing, warns a new report. The Prince’s Trust Youth Index reveals how one in ten young people (10 per cent) feel their days “lacked structure and direction” while growing up, while those with lower school grades are more than twice as likely to claim this (26 per cent).

PT A5 SUPPORT POSTER OCTOBER 2011.indd 1

• The Youth Index measures how young people feel about the state of their lives today and how confident they are about their future. Survey respondents were asked to indicate how happy or unhappy they felt about the following aspects of life: their work (education or training if not in work), home or accommodation, community, family relations, relationships with friends, money, qualifications and physical and emotional health.

They were also asked how confident or unconfident they were about their future in the same areas.

• The responses are converted to a numerical scale (1-7) from which a percentage has been calculated to present a young person’s happiness and confidence as a number out of 100, where 100 is entirely happy or confident and zero is not at all happy or confident. The overall index number for young people’s happiness is 72. The index number for young people’s confidence about the future is 74. The overall Youth Index average is therefore 73.

• This year’s index number, 73, is two points higher than last year’s score of 71 and equivalent to the levels recorded the two years previously.

• For young people who feel their days “lacked structure and direction when growing up”, both the happiness index and confidence index numbers are lower - 62 and 65 respectively.

• For young people with fewer than five A*-C grade GCSEs the respective index numbers are 63 and 66 • The Prince’s Trust helps change young lives. It gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 13-30 year olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. The Prince of Wales’s charity has helped more than 650,000 young people since 1976 and supports 100 more each day. Last year, more than three in four young people supported

by The Trust moved into work, education or training. In April 2011, Fairbridge became part of The Prince’s Trust. The new united organisation will help 50,000 young people this year.

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Do you do any voluntary work?

Profile Humza Yousaf – MSP What do you do?

What got you involved with the SNP?

Currently I am a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the city of Glasgow.

It is difficult to say what a typical day involves, simply because there is no such thing as a typical day in politics. One minute we will be busy trying to deal with a constituent’s housing issue the next I may be on BBC News 24 talking about the independence referendum.

It is a very exciting time to be involved in politics and I hope I can contribute in a positive way – improving the lives of my fellow citizens in whatever way possible.

My dad was one of the first Muslims in the Scottish National Party, joining in 1974. He influenced me greatly but the turning point was the Iraq War. I didn’t understand why we had to send our brave sons and daughters into a war we

What do you like about your job?

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as a nation disagreed with. I know with independence that could never happen and since 2003 I have been actively involved.

“

Yes it is vitally important for young people to be involved. Youth bring energy, innovation and drive which can at times be missing from our politics.

“

The best part of the job is meeting a variety of different people. I come across some fantastic organisations that are helping people in so many different ways – be it youth groups to seniors’ forums. Seeing the fruits of their hard work is the most enjoyable part of my week. It sounds incredibly clichéd but when you get a good result for a constituent, the satisfaction you get from the role is very fulfilling.

I started off as a volunteer for Islamic Relief many years ago, in fact when I was round 12 years old. On top of that, I was also involved in the set-up of Radio Ramadhan in Glasgow, a community radio station which has now been going on for almost 15 years.

I still get involved in many voluntary organisations, it is the nature of the work I do!

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

The temptation is to say 100 more wishes! But if I had only one it would be for an end to injustice across the world.

What do you feel you have gained from being in government?

Although I am technically not a member of the Government I think the most difficult part of being a party of Who do you admire?

Government is making tough decisions My parents. My dad in particular came that can at times be unpopular. You from a difficult family situation, with his have to have a thick skin and roll with mother dying when he was in his teens; the punches if you think you are doing the right thing for the country. he had to make a life for himself and his siblings on his own. He put himself What has been your biggest through university while working the markets in his spare time and has had challenge or obstacle that you have overcome? a successful business for the last 30 years. However, throughout all of this the quality I admire the most about my Luckily, I have never had to parents is how they treat others. They are constantly putting others before overcome huge cutout difficulties themselves and that is an easy lesson outline in life – to forget. particularly Politically, I admire Malcolm X a lot particularly his journey towards the end compared to of his life when he rejected the politics many who are caring for of hate and embraced diversity, equality and fairness but while doing so was as robust as ever against the racist apartheid in the United States in the 1950s and 60s.

...relatives or are themselves suffering physically or indeed mentally. Being a young Asian Muslim involved in politics means I have had to navigate through some people’s prejudices and stereotypes but luckily that is a minority of people rather than the majority!

What are your hobbies?

I love my football. I am a Glasgow Celtic fan and go to games when I get the chance – which admittedly is now not very often! I also play on a Friday night with my friends usually at 10pm!

I also ride my motorbike when I need to unwind, but only if the weather is good which means I don’t get much time on it in Scotland!

16. For me it makes no sense that those aged 16 and 17 can get married, have children, join the army cadets and pay tax but not vote. I hope we will have equality in our voting system sooner rather than later.

Where’s the best place that your job has taken you?

I have had the privilege of travelling across Scotland and the UK with the work I do. Glasgow is the city I was born and bred in and will always be home and as they say home is where the heart is!

I was recently in Tunisia for two days meeting the President and other various Government officials post-revolution. It is a beautiful country with a lot of potential – I am sure they will be the major success story of the Arab Spring.

Do you think it is important for youth to be involved in politics? Isn’t 11yrs old Any final thoughts? too young to vote anyway?

Get involved! That doesn’t mean just Yes it is vitally important for young in politics but as part of your local people to be involved. Youth bring community. It doesn’t matter if you are energy, innovation and drive which can at Muslim, Christian or of no faith, we all times be missing from our politics. Eleven have a duty to help the most vulnerable years old is too young to vote, but if you in particular in our society so contribute are passionate then you should certainly in whatever way you can – everyone has get involved. I was sticking leaflets something to offer! through the doors with my dad at 10 One of my favourite quotes is: “Be the years old and it did me no harm! change you wish to see in the world.”

I am all for lowering the voting age at

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?

So Like, What’s My Purpose Again?

Part 2: Plan It and Take Action-NOW!

By Nadia Leona Yunis

Salaam and Welcome back to Part 2!

You had a whole month to think and reflect on Part 1 – have you started making some mental changes?

Have you started to write some notes down and start creating a plan of what you want to achieve in life and how you will achieve it? Need some help in making your plan?

Remember change will only come if we feel a deep spark inside of us and an inspirational light to want to change and do better in our lives.

Ready to make positive changes in YOUR life?

Good, good!

Every day at least three times look at it and reflect on it – it will strengthen your conscious and subconscious mind and help you work towards the akhirah insha’Allah.

Read on Bismillah Action Point and Tips

Well in this article (Part 2) 1 Write the above verse we will lay out some Action on our ultimate purpose on Points and Tips insha’Allah. a piece of paper and stick it on your bedroom wall, fridge, office (if you’re So grab a notebook and pen, read through this part a young entrepreneur) in full and then re-read it whatever. Get creative – make it into a little card and take notes.

16

and put it in your wallet or pencil case or (hand) bags.

‘We Be Inspired’ also run weekend kids clubs and girls circles and I got the girls to write it on coloured paper and stick it on their bedroom walls and memorise it – they memorized it!

If you have young

brothers/sisters/nieces/ nephews – then start NOW and get them to understand this verse.

Memorise it as a family – study it – reflect upon it.

2 Reflect on your life – how can you make positive changes? How can you live on the Deen and yet still grow and learn by living in the West? I mean, we only get one life and one chance to make our dreams a reality - so are you living that one vision you have always been

dreaming? What will YOU do to make your dreams a reality?

Why don’t you want to make positive changes?

Why don’t you want to work on your dreams? What is stopping you? Afraid? Why though? Do as I always do; ‘Take the Initiative and Be Bold’!

If you don’t act, you won’t know! So, go on, act today!

See Fifteen Twenty One issue 1 for part 1 of this article.

3 Grab a piece of paper and pen/colours (or your ipads/pods or whatever else it is) and in the middle right your name and then make lines out of it – a bit like a spider – and yes it’s called mind mapping.

pen or finger down.

Just write – let your mind flow freely and write.

your life – where you have been or want to go, the activities you have done or want to do , your experiences and then it will give you an idea insha’Allah.

Don’t rush this process but take it slow and allow that natural ‘I Got It!’ moment to happen.

When 15 minutes are up then group things together in similar colours – because many things will overlap, such A bit like this; as, painting, drawing, And now write down all writing or football, gym, 6 It’s ok to be multioutdoor activities. the things you’re good talented and have a at or would like to be couple of hobbies – I 4 What gives you the good at (just in case greatest happiness and do – but insha’Allah you say; ‘I’m not good they will be aligned at anything!’ – which, by what brings you closer with your ultimate the way, is so totally not to Allah? purpose and then make true!)

5 Repeat this exercise you yearn for your a few times if you have ultimate vision – Jannah Do this for 15 minutes solid and don’t put your to and really reflect on al-Firdaus.

7 Scratching your heads on the above?

Need to talk and work through this? Email me on webeinspired@selfaware.com

Your Name

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Volunteering in the community St Basil’s Charity Sleep-Out It was with excitement and an old feeling of familiarity that I got into my sleeping bag, inside a cardboard box, said goodnight to my son and friends and bedded down for the night! Before you start to wonder what I’m talking about, I’ll just clarify I was taking part in the annual St Basils charity sleep out. For the last five years, I have been part of a large group of people raising money for a homeless shelter called St Basils based in Birmingham. The concept is simple, to raise money for the shelter by sleeping outside in the car park as an organised sponsored sleep out. St Basil’s is a charitable organisation based on the outskirts of Birmingham. It caters for young people between

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the ages of 18 and 25.

The services offered range from mediation between young people and parents, actual accommodation, assistance to continuing with studying and training programmes to support young people.

Homelessness is an international issue, it can affect anyone at any time, and the reasons for it are diverse from health issues, addiction, debt issues and national disasters.

My group consisted of my 19yr old son Haroon, my friend’s 13yr old son Faisal and my colleague Uma. Being seasoned participants, my group and I dressed in lots of layers and our wellington boots. Haroon and Faisal took their usual supply of drinks and chocolate bars and munched away all night. The weather was as expected, very windy and wet, it had rained the previous night, and therefore the floor was damp and cold. We got to the shelter at about 7.30 pm with our sleeping bags and collected our box and plastic sheets from the makeshift reception.

We set up our box This year the sleep out was houses near the walls, we on the 2nd of September. are certainly creatures

of habit; we always set up in the same area. The atmosphere was social and light hearted; people of all ages were here sleeping, talking and socialising. People tend to walk around and chat to each other, there is alot of goodwill and camaraderie amongst us all. I saw people this year that I recognised from previous sleep outs. This year my sister and my close friend also surprised me by coming to visit, to provide support and snacks!

As usual there was a presentation from the actual users of the St Basil’s service at around 9.30pm and then talks by the chairman and a short speech by the lord

off and people are encouraged to try and sleep or to remain quiet. I always spend this mayor. Hearing from the time reflecting, being service users is what gets grateful for the bounties me through the night, there that Allah (swt) has is a point about halfway blessed me and my loved through where I feel like ones with. We stuck it giving up and going home out at night as we have to sleep in a warm bed, every year and collected but then I am reminded certificates in the morning; that so many people then it was on to start the around the world have arduous task of collecting no choice but to live like the actual money pledged. this. This motivates me to Every year my Mother continue, so I can make sure suggests to me that I should to honestly collect from all just donate money, instead my lovely family/friends/ of sleeping out but the colleagues who start to experience is as important avoid me around October as the donations so I to December as they know continue to do it. So far my I will be bending their ears group and I have collected about sponsorship again! approximately £1,200 this year.

After 12 the lights are dim Rukhsana Ahmed, Solihull and the music is switched

Volunteering with Churches Together The look on their faces, the warmth in the room, the kindness shown by the volunteers and the sacrifice they were making for Now a Muslim and with others on that day – was four children of my own all so moving and touching I felt it was a good to me. To look around at opportunity to give back so many great elderly and to do something people, imagining how worthwhile on Christmas much they had contributed Day. With my own to the world, trying to children we still of course have connections and links picture what their lives had with Christmas and in fact involved. I am so glad I one of our favourite times was a part of it and yes, A few months before I have already put down of the year is the annual Christmas I asked family get together around my name to do it again in around my local area 2012!

Christmas – 26 of us this for any opportunities for year, chaotic but great fun! volunteering on Christmas It is always so fulfilling Day. I was put in touch to work with good So I arrived at the with ‘Churches Together people, whatever faith community centre. The in Maidenhead’. One or background. Bringing room was decorated and of their annual activities us closer to God and everything well planned is to provide a Christmas remembering how easy it Lunch for elderly people in and very well organised.

The elderly people, about is to give of our time, even the community who would if we don’t have money to otherwise be on their own 100 of them started arriving and were greeted give. Christmas is a time on that day. by volunteers and shown to of giving and I for one have made my resolutions their tables. A wonderful I was brought up in a to give more time in 2012 three course meal was family that celebrated to those not as fortunate as served on china plates Christmas and like all me. with mince pies and tea children I loved it! Such to round things off while a great time of year to watching the Queen’s spend with family and Julie Siddiqui, Slough speech. friends and of course

Helping The Needy – Humza Yousaf MSP

there’s lots of present giving and lots of food to eat!

The sound of belts loosening after a hearty meal is an intrinsic part of any festival be it Easter or Eid. However, during the festive period there are those who struggle for a hot meal, not in some remote village in Africa or Afghanistan but right here on our doorstep.

Al-Khair Glasgow has teamed up with Emmaus House a charity working with Glasgow’s homeless community and once a week provides food for the local soup kitchen. In addition, they also offer to cover the street work

during the festive period taking food out to those sleeping rough and in temporary accommodation without a permanent home.

As a politician it can often be easy to get lost in our bubble be it in the Scottish Parliament or Westminster.

So going out with local projects is an important part of my job, so I never lose touch with what is happening on the ground.

The Muslim community has always been very generous for international causes whether it be building schools in Pakistan or giving donations to

victims of natural disasters.

However, we are quick to forget those who live in the country we were born in and call home.

For that reason, it was great to see those with long beards, brown skin and shalwar kameez talking and more importantly listening to the most vulnerable in our society, while handing over a portion of curry and rice of course!

This image will stay with me for a long time.

Scots are known for their egalitarian spirit, it is something that has never left us as a nation.

Whether you are religious or not, compassion for your fellow man is an ingrained part of what it means to be human – that is something we should never forget.

Humza Yousaf, Glasgow

If you would like to share your volunteering stories with us please email events@fifteen21.com

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Grooming

Tackling Sexual Violence in the Muslim Community

By Alyas Karmani

By tackling the issue of sexual violence in the UK Muslim community I am in no way assuming that it is endemic behaviour that is sanctioned and supported by any Islamic teaching.

Rather it is evident that this is reprehensible and explicitly forbidden and the core teaching of Islam is to protect and safeguard women from all forms of violence.

That is purer for them. Verily, Allâh is All-Aware of what they do.

24:30 And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah [i.e. anything that transgresses its limits (a great sin)], and an evil way.

17:32

The believers, men and women, are Auliya The concept of prevention is better than (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) cure is reflected in the injunctions in the of one another Quranic verse below: 9:71 Islam also promotes a strict moral code of conduct on men that is to be reflected in chastity, modesty, fidelity and the forbiddance of any sexual activity outside of marriage and the active prevention and avoidance of any behaviour which can lead to inappropriate and unacceptable sexual behaviour and indecency (fahisha):

Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.).

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Verily, Allah enjoins justice and excellence giving assistance and support to your family and forbids sexual indecency, wickedness and oppression of others He admonishes you, that you may take heed.

16:90

Not only are we to enjoin the best and Health Organisation similarly defines most morally upright character and sexual violence as: enable it to be implemented amongst individuals and society but we are also Any sexual act, attempt to obtain a required to actively prevent anything sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or which obstructs this in particular advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise indecency and oppressive behaviour. directed, against a person’s sexuality Clearly this includes opposing all forms using coercion, by any person regardless of oppressive violence including sexual of their relationship to the victim, in any violence. Hence one can say for Muslims setting, including but not limited to home to take a stand against sexual violence and work World Health Organization, and tackle its roots and promote Islamic World report on violence and health values is a Jihad (struggle) that is most (Geneva: World Health worthy for the development of society Organization, 2002) as a whole.

Within the Sharia (Islamic Law) Rape When we talk about Sexual Violence is also seen as reprehensible and to we are referring to any sexual act or be treated with the most severe of attempted sexual act that is forced, punishments: against someone’s will as a way of dominating, disempowering, punishing, The Arabic word Ightisaab refers to controlling, humiliating and degrading taking something wrongfully by force. others; predominantly women. It It is now used exclusively to refer to includes exploitation and trafficking transgression against the honour of and is regardless of the relation of women by force (rape). This is an the perpetrator to the victim or where abhorrent crime that is forbidden in all it occurs; it can be physical, verbal, religions and in the minds of all wise psychological and emotional. Rape is people and those who are possessed the commonest form and we recognise of sound human nature. All earthly that this occurs in a variety of ways that systems and laws regard this action are all underpinned by the need of the as abhorrent and impose the strictest perpetrator/s to exert their power and penalties on it. We do not know of control over their victim. The World any love or compassion that could exist

between the aggressor and his victim, especially since the pain of rape cannot be erased with the passage of time.

Islam has a clear stance which states that this repugnant action is haram (prohibited) and imposes a deterrent punishment on the one who commits it.

Islam closes the door to the criminal who wants to commit this crime. (Sheikh Al Munajjid, Fatwa 73228 http://www. islam-qa.com/en/) Furthermore the five core Maqsid (Objectives) of Islam and the Sharia are: 1. Protection of 2. Protection of 3. Protection of 4. Protection of 5. Protection of

Life Faith Family/Lineage Intellect/Sanity Property

Hence sexual violence clearly violates the fundamental rights of women that Islam affords them; of interest I found that Amnesty International similarly defined violence against women: It is a violation of women’s fundamental human rights, including the right to life; the right to health and physical and mental integrity; and the right

to be free from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.

‘Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.’ (http://www.amnesty.org.uk) Regrettably there have been cases of sexual violence in the UK Muslim community and my view is that one case of rape and sexual abuse would be too many however there is worrying pattern of increased numbers of cases across the UK in localities which have a high percentage Muslim population. What is even more demeaning for the community as a whole is that some of this violence has been perpetuated by individuals claiming to be practicing and observant Muslims and even more disgracefully by individuals who are Imams who committed their abhorrent acts in the Mosque on vulnerable children under their care.

Yes we could say these cases are one off’s but equally we cannot live in denial; the same denial we had in

relation to drug dealing and drug abuse issues in sections of the Muslim community across the UK which have now become commonplace and reflected in the wildly disproportionate numbers of Muslims in the criminal justice system for drug related crime; again sadly some convicted individuals have been so called practicing Muslims who have used a distorted and corrupted understanding of Islam to justify their criminality and drug dealing. I recall one convicted individual justifying his actions to me by saying “I only sell to Kuffar (Non Muslims)”; he was completely oblivious to the social destruction, family breakup and moral decline he was causing across the whole of society as well as the negative impact on the Muslim community. Furthermore nothing from the teaching of Islam can legitimise oppressive and harmful treatment of non-Muslims in this way.

I ask can we remain in denial of the worrying trend of increased sexual violence in the Muslim community; certainly I have decided to proactively address the issue from its root causes as the objective of the sharia is: Prevention is better than cure

I was prompted to act on the issue after two high profile cases that featured on front pages and TV news across the UK in the previous two years: • Stoke-on-Trent imam guilty of sexually abusing boys: A Muslim cleric has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two boys at a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent, 1st Feb 2011, BBC Online • Muslim worship leader ‘raped boy at mosque’- A Muslim worship leader allegedly raped a young boy on numerous occasions as he attended a mosque for religious lessons, a court heard today. Mohammed Hanif Khan, 42, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the boy, who was 12 years old at the time, inside the mosque on Capper Street, Stoke on Trent, where he was employed as the Imam. He is also charged with the attempted rape of and sexual activity with the boy’s cousin, who was 15 at the time, as he stayed over at his home one evening. (The Independent 12 January 2011) • Youngest Rapist in Britain- Balal Khan - thought to be one of the youngest convicted rapists in Britain - targeted the 20-year-old as she walked home.

He subjected her to a severe beating

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then screamed at her ‘Do what I say or I’ll kill you’, before putting her through the ordeal of a terrifying sex attack.

He punched and kicked her as she lay on the ground before raping her. (Metro 26th January 2010)

Let me reaffirm that by highlighting these cases I am in no way saying this behaviour is endemic in the Muslim community in the UK but let’s be honest and not live in denial; in my interaction with Muslims across the UK many Muslims I talk to have some knowledge of abuse • Balal Khan - thought to be one of the and sexual violence cases like these youngest convicted rapists in Britain and are aware of similar incidents in targeted the 20-year-old as she walked their communities and many cases of home. He subjected her to a severe sexual violence perpetrated against beating then screamed at her ‘Do what Muslim women and girls. Of course no I say or I’ll kill you’, before putting her one wants to talk about the elephant in through the ordeal of a terrifying sex the room but surely even if there was attack. (Daily Mail Jan 2010) just one case a year this is one case too many. The reality is that there is more • A Tory MP was plunged into a race than just one case and just in the last row after he accused some ethnic month I have personally identified three communities of importing ‘barbaric cases of Muslims being convicted for and medieval’ views about women into sexual violence and offences in West Britain. David Davies, a member of Yorkshire; these are just the ones I have the Home Affairs select committee, was become aware of, maybe there are accused of a ‘crass misunderstanding’ more? of the issues after his comments over a rape by 13-year-old Asian Balal For a community that prides itself on Khan: ‘What is it about this young its moral values where chastity, fidelity, man’s upbringing... his community or and modesty are core Islamic values his parental upbringing, that led him and behaviours, we need to protect and to think that women are second-class preserve this by challenging anything people whose rights can be trampled which threatens this. It is also imperative over like this? (28th January 2010 on us to represent the true message of Daily Mail) Islam and the way of life it promotes by sending the unequivocal message

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that sexual violence has no place in Islam and can never be justified by any Muslim.

Reading these headlines I am sure I mirror the views of the whole of the Muslim community in how abhorrent these cases are and why did this happen and how could this have been prevented?

For the names Mohammed and Balal to be associated with such despicable crimes; dishonouring these noble names as well as destroying the lives of their victims, their families and the Muslim community in the UK as a whole.

negative experience they had of going to the Mosque as children (I don’t mean abuse). When I ask them ‘would you go to an Imam for advice’ they don’t hesitate in saying ‘no way’ when the reality is the Imams role is to safeguard, nurture and sincerely advise their flock and provide pastoral care and support.

What has happened to this 13 year old that he could rape a women and evidently not seem disturbed about it but rather brag to his friends; what kind of parenting, education and socialisation has he had and why didn’t his inner voice, his conscience and morality kick in and make it evident to him his actions are wrong. I could understand it if Balal was off his head on drugs or had been the victim of perverse abuse himself, this does not excuse his behaviour but gives us some explanation. However this was not the case with Balal who appears to have come from an average Asian family and his image over the front pages that day didn’t show a monster but an average looking Asian teenager (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/ news/article-1246195/Boy-13-rapedwoman-friends-jailed-just-years.html).

How could an Imam who has a privileged position of trust and respect in the community completely abuse this and commit such heinous acts and worse still in the Mosque and on children in his care. Such acts not only reinforce distorted misconceptions in the mainstream community but also disillusion many amongst the Muslim community who lose their confidence and trust in the institution of the Imam and Mosque. I don’t know how many times I have spoken to young Muslims who want nothing to do with the Mosque Relating to David Davies’ comments; and Imam’s because of the generally yes we are outraged when a non-

Muslim generalises about the Muslim community as a whole and reinforces the misconception that Islam oppresses women and somehow this is sanctioned

by Islamic practice when this could not be further from the truth and the reality of what Islam teaches. Similarly when Jack Straw made comments relating to a predominantly Pakistani male sexual grooming ring in Derby that they saw ‘white girls as easy meat’ and there were cultural factors that caused their behaviour we all felt this was out of order. However we must ask ourselves what we have done to send out the strong clear message that sexual violence is unacceptable in the Muslim community and the Islamic imperative is one which protects and safeguards women from abuse, violence, sexual grooming and prevents the risk factors that cause this. This is reinforced in the following ahadeeth (traditions) from the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Take my advice with regard to women: Act kindly towards women (Bukhari & Muslim)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The believers who show the most perfect Faith are those who have the best behaviour, and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives” (At Tirmidhi)

Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin ‘Amr AlKhuza’i (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “O Allah, I declare inviolable the rights of two weak ones: the orphans and women”.

(An Nasa’i) What kind of a society is it that cannot protect women, daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties and elders; in Islam we recognise that a woman is the mother of her nation and if she is not safeguarded then the whole nation is violated. By extension the distorted notion that somehow ‘other women’ are lesser and not as deserving of protection has no basis in Islam. All women are to be seen equally and afforded the same protection and we cannot dehumanise and discriminate one group of women to the exclusion of others.

Tip of the Iceberg

harassment, infidelity and adultery are on the increase in the Muslim If we are honest as a community we community. Behaviour and actions that must realise that the issue of sexual many would conceal and hide due to violence is a reality in the Muslim embarrassment and shame ten years community and across the Muslim ago are now being practiced openly world. We must analyse the reasons and with a disregard to how they are why and inevitably they are because seen by the community and before we have gone away from our deen Allah. Muslims are also becoming and practicing what Islam requires us increasingly vulnerable to the risk to do in terms of our moral and social factors that lead to sexual violence and conduct. We have also allowed overthese risks and vulnerabilities are more sexualisation and spread of violent apparent and increasingly threatening pornography to occur in our communities Muslim communities and so we cannot and families and as a result corrupt be complacent in thinking these issues and destabilise Muslim societies. I call do not affect the Muslim community; it this the ‘P- Bomb’; the porn bomb which is precisely this denial which has caused landed through social media, satellite this proliferation in the first place.

TV and the Internet and has decimated the social fabric of socially conservative Are we reaping decades of neglect in Islamic societies, kills modesty (haya) terms of facing up to the challenges of and chastity and corrupts the fitra (pure nurturing and protecting our communities natural inclination) of our youth. from this assault and at what point are we going to respond to the challenge I feel like many that what we are seeing of protecting the community from these in terms of convictions and arrests for threats that undermine our identity and sexual violence in the UK is just the way of life? The first part of this is to tip of the iceberg in terms of sexually recognise the problem and then to face inappropriate behaviour and conduct it head on with wisdom, knowledge and in the Muslim community. The reality insight. is that sex outside of marriage; STI’s, abortions, unwanted pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, lewdness, sexual

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Abandoning the Practice of Islam Fundamental to any approach which addresses sexual violence is to return people to the practice of Islam and correct any distortions and corruption they have through an Islamic framework.

Even so-called practicing Muslims have succumbed to sexual dysfunction and sexual violence due to the pervasive nature of these issues and this is why following Islam comprehensively and completely is critical and this requires development of the Islamic creed and firm belief, Islamic practice and pure and sincere Islamic character and adhab (manners) which requires the soul to be purified and the desires to be conquered.

He is to you a plain enemy.

(Qur’an 2:208)

“The only reason I have been sent is to perfect good manners.”

O you who believe! Enter perfectly in Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) and follow not the footsteps of Satan. Verily!

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themselves (to Allah as Muslims) (Qur’an 16:89)

There is no shyness in seeking knowledge Establish the prayer (five daily salat) Verily the prayer prevents from sexual indecency and transgression and the remembering of Allah is greater indeed and Allah knows what you do.

(Qur’an 29:45) Islam provides us a comprehensive solution to life’s challenges and it is required for us is to infuse and promote this conduct amongst the Muslims and thereby enjoin the greater good in society as a whole.

Denial, Stigma and Taboo

The Prophet sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam said:

manner and conduct and as the Messenger said:

Tackling issues that threaten the core values and morals of the community cannot be something we perceive as a taboo and stigmatise; rather they have to be faced head on. Islam addresses all issues with clear Basserah (Insight, Wisdom and Guidance). Islam is not prudish but mature, upfront and open to discuss all issues. We shouldn’t shy away from addressing any issue but must recognise there is an appropriate

Where the seeking of beneficial knowledge elevates the faith and piety of a Muslim then to be shy and reframe due to sensibility from seeking that knowledge and guidance can be sinful.

Furthermore removing harm and oppression (dhulm) from society is an Islamic imperative and should not be prevented because some wrongly perceive discussion on sexual issues as a taboo or are in denial of the issues for fear that they may expose even more abuse in the community some of which may be too close to home.

Islam is a complete way of life perfected by Allah and being holistic deals with every aspect of the life of a human and provides comprehensive guidance.

And We have sent down to you the Book (the Qur’an) as an exposition of everything, a guidance, a mercy, and glad tidings for those who have submitted

O you who believe! Enter into Islam perfectly (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the Islamic religion) (Qur’an 2:208) Abu Hurayrah (May Allah be pleased with Him) relates the Messenger of Allah said; The best speech is the speech of Allah and best guidance is that of Muhammad (Agreed Upon) And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it) (Qur’an 59:7) Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much. (Qur’an 33:21)

For further information please contact | Alyas Karmani, Bradford | Email: a_karmani@streetonline.org

Way Forward Like the vast majority of people of Muslim background I was deeply outraged and appalled by the high profile stories about child sexual exploitation and sexual violence that have been perpetrated by men of Pakistani Muslim origin. This prompted me to develop and deliver our ground breaking workshop programme with young people at risk of sexual violence in London and West Yorkshire as well as send out a strong and clear message that sexual violence in all its forms is unacceptable and needs to be vigorously challenged by the community.

Our workshops are unique in that they address challenging Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) issues with groups that are perceived by many as ‘hard to reach’ and ‘socially conservative’ where SRE issues are seen as a taboo issue which are rarely addressed in an open and uninhibited forum.

We create an emotionally safe space for young people to explore SRE issues facilitated by experienced counsellors and mentors who have an in-depth understanding of the lived reality of young people, issues at the street level as regards ‘at risk’ behaviour, an ability

to connect with young people through motivational workshop resources and materials and a deep understanding of cultural and Islamic sensitivity. Through this approach we have demonstrated that our SRE workshops have had a direct impact on challenging negative ‘at risk’ behaviour, developing resilience to sexual violence and developing positive attitudes and behaviours relating to sex and relationship issues.

Our workshop on sexual violence and street grooming addresses the following: • To establish a clear and strong message of the unacceptability of sexual violence and how to be resilient to it and how to challenge it in society • How to develop positive, caring, emotionally supportive and protective relationships with women • Developing self esteem to challenge peer pressure and negative social influences • To explain what is sexual violence and what the moral, legal and social implications of it are • The reasons why sexual violence occurs • The forms of sexual violence • Focussing on rape and the forms rape takes such as date rape, statutory rape and gang rape • The impact of sexual violence on victims

• To explore the risk factors associated to sexual violence and who is ‘at risk’ of perpetrating sexual violence and sex offending • Understanding what is ‘street grooming’ and the forms it takes • The sexual grooming process and the victims of grooming • How to prevent sexual violence and ‘street grooming’ • Exploring ‘pimping’ and prostitution • Exploring men’s view of women and the impact of over-sexualised society • Clarification of moral, legal and social boundaries • Exploring issues from a cultural and Islamic faith perspective

There should be more sessions like this because there are so many young people who need this information and to discuss these issues; otherwise you learn on the street from your friends or from the internet There are so many negative influences on the street and on the internet that view women as sexual objects; sessions like this make us think about the way we view and respect women and society After the session I was able to have a one to one session with the counsellor to talk about a personal issue; this was the first time I felt I got support and this helped me to deal with troubling issues

Evaluation by workshop participants has shown that 90% of participants rated After the session I recognised that having the workshop sessions as very good self esteem was not doing what the crowd to excellent, 85% rated them as their does but standing up for positive values preferred format for receiving guidance that respects women and shows you on SRE issues, 80% felt that they would respect yourself be able to educate and raise awareness amongst their peers relating to SRE The session explained to me the legal issues and 80% of participants felt issues and how abusive street grooming is more confident to challenge ‘at risk’ as well as the clear boundaries of behaviour amongst their peers. Some right and wrong. of the comments from participants that reflect this: I felt I was able to talk about any issue Alyas Karmani, Bradford and get the guidance I wanted; this is unlike school where I felt embarrassed and did not feel like asking a question

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Profile Ruma Ahmed – Aspiring MP My family migrated from Bangladesh, when I was a baby. I was one of 6 siblings & I suffered a lot of hardship, pain & tears, whilst growing up. The girls in my family were always treated less favorable to the boys. I realized at an early age that I needed to speak out in order to make change happen.

I was bullied a lot at school & even got into fights. I left school at the age of 15 & started working. Most of the work I was offered was either voluntary or temporary. But I never gave up & worked hard to secure full time, permanent employment. There were many struggles, mistakes & lessons learned on my journey.

But those experiences have not broken me, they have made me stronger & wiser. Today I am better, healthier & happier than ever before. This is the reason I am driven to help others & I never get tired of making a contribution big or small. I have now stopped looking for role models! I have decided I will become the role model myself, so others can follow me.

However there were a few triggers which helped me realize a few things, about what I wanted to do & where I wanted to be.Whilst at work a colleague of mine spoke out against racism & discrimination. He resigned from his job & stood as a councilor so he could implement change. He is now a senior councilor & many positive changes have happened since he has been in power. That was the first time I was encouraged to do more. I started campaigning for the Labour Party. It started off gradually, at first it was an interest, then became a hobby, then became a passion after that an obsession & finally it is now an addiction. Politics has taken over my life & I love every aspect of it.

Through politics I found a powerful voice waiting to come out! A voice that others will listen to & not only can I speak for myself, I can speak on behalf of others.

Becoming a member of the party gave me opportunities to work with councillors, represent trade unions & meet MP’s. I have given speeches on a national platform infront of thousands about things that matter to the local community.

Despite having a full time job, I contribute all my spare time to charity work & community engagements. I love community work & helping others. Simple things go far, like helping someone fill in an application form or getting their child a school place. These are the most rewarding things you can do.

I am also a school governor at 2 local primary schools & vice chair of The Black Workers group, as well as being a member of various charities.

I have campaigned for many MP’s & Leicester’s First Elected City Mayor (Sir Peter Soulsby). This sort of campaigning experience was an excellent opportunity for me to showcase my passion. I am now a youth officer for the party.

In 2011 the Labour Party introduced a Future Candidates Programme. They were looking for unique individuals, to receive parliamentary training to become successful candidates in future elections.

Thousands of people applied & only a few lucky people were selected.

I was one of those lucky persons & with this my political career has begun. I am ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime!

I have a dream & nobody can break it. I have ambition & nobody can take it. I have freedom & I will never give up.

Ruma Ahmed, Leicester

For more information on Young Labour please visit www.younglabour.org.uk

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Dua - Supplication For Studying Fifteen21 wishes all its readers success with their exams

Allahumma la sahla illa ma ja’altu sahla, wa ‘anta taj-alul hazna idha shi’ta sahla O Allah! There is nothing easy except what You make easy, and You make the difficult easy if it be Your Will.

Farzanah Ahqir, Glasgow

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Over the years the American’s have created so many fictional heroes & villains; From ‘Superman’, ‘Batman’, ‘Iron man’ to ‘Spiderman’ They even named one after a fruit known as ‘’Banana-man’ I had forgotten but reminded there’s a ‘He-man’ They got sidekick heroines ‘Catwoman’ and ‘Wonderwoman’ Pretty ones like ‘Supergirl’ to ‘Hawkgirl’ You’ll find there’s a ‘Ghostrider,’ ‘Wave Rider’, Add that you get the ‘Silver Surfer’ They got the ‘Hulk’ an ugly looking thing Then a useless ‘Green Lantern’ wearing Ring A man who runs so fast he called the ‘Flash’ Fry him up, he’ll slow down and Crash!

What about the man with archery? Yeah he the ‘Green Arrow’ Next one who comes up may be a ‘Gunda Sparrow!’

Moving on there’s ‘Elektra’ to ‘Spectre’ ‘Hawkeye’ to ‘Jean Grey’ ‘Hiro Nakamura’ to ‘Zatanna’ Arnold Schwarzenegger play ‘Terminator’ While ‘Rambo’ by Sylvester Certainly can’t forget Heath Ledger Father carved his face he became the ‘Joker’ All those people collecting your cash, all those Money Maker They might as well try out that clown against ‘Lex Luthor’ Then there’s group heroes like ‘X-Men’ to ‘Watchmen’ Seriously, how many more ‘X, Y, Z’ Men?!’

So anyway go to the Mexicans, they have ‘Zorro’ The Japanese have ‘Naruto’ Come back to America you find metal men like ‘Magneto’ There’s even a guy called the ‘Daredevil’ Oh yeah he another one by that comic ‘Marvel’ You even find good guy play ‘Hell Boy’ All these action figures as kid’s Toy T.V. programmes continue playin ‘Power Rangers’ With more villains & uncommon strangers!

Oh let’s not forget ‘The Fantastic Four’ Now a date set to release the Movie ‘Thor’ (Now released)

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Right! Easy, Bruce Lee a ‘Green Hornet’ was he, Hollywood couldn’t pay his fee, Left for China to start in ‘Golden Harvest’, To show he the ‘Kung Fu’ hardest, But had to die to leave, regardless!!

Now have you heard of ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ doing the ‘Ninjitsu?!’

Man where do they get these ideas?!

Surely Satan giving them this clue!

And now it’s no longer ‘Man’ Heroes… …Its Cars into ‘Transforming’ Heroes! (I.e. the Transformers)!

poetry

Superheroes ‘N’ Villains

Most of these present as computer games in ‘PS3’, ‘X BOX,’ ‘Nintendo Wii’ and what not With effective blast in your ears by explosives, knives and gunshot You’re being robbed oh brother and sister!

So fast like I can only compare it to a stormy twister!

We Muslims are fortunate to have a real Hero…

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wassallam) Yeah he’s no ‘fictional man-made’ character!

He a ‘real man’ made by Allah Ta’ala!

And if you don’t know already Soon we all be faced with our enemy Oh yes our prophet warned us about the one-eyed man He the real ‘Villain’ not some outer space ‘Martian Man’

People know your History!

Before your minds become consumed with all those Fictional Fantasy!

Coz’ your kids growing up thinking why Santa Clause a ‘Mystery’ Wondering when they’ll next see the ‘Tooth Fairy’ Tell your child Cinderella don’t exist...yeah I read it & gave it a miss She lost her glass shoe I’m sure…

She married no frog prince though Those books such a cliché’ a fable full of bore!

I’m going to end it now, surely you’re all aware there’s more And in future I won’t be surprised coz’ for us they got loads in store Save yourself from this fantasy world…

Coz’ it’s full of NONSENSICAL FLAW!!!

SparkaPoet (Shohima Abdul Rahman)

For one of 5 copies of Sound of a Rebel CD by Outlandish please email us

one short Dua you have learnt in the last week?

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To win a copy of “Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists” (Author Michael H. Morgan)

which year was Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi born?

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Competitions To be in with a chance of winning a copy of A Picnic of Poems: In Allah’s Green Garden (Hardback) +CD by Dawud Wharnsby Ali

who is the real hero in Shomima’s poem Superheroes N Villains?

All answers to be emailed to competitions@fifteen21.com

by Friday 25th May 2012

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So be aware, stay alert and keep safe – use our top tips to protect yourself from exploitation.

Three top tips to keep safe

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Trust yourself to know when something is wrong. If someone makes you feel unsafe, pressured or frightened, follow your instincts and seek help.

Don’t trust people you don’t know, even if they seem friendly – and make sure you know who you are talking to online. Never give away personal details or agree to meet someone who you have only talked to online.

Be aware, stay alert, keep safe!

If you are worried about a situation that you or a friend is in, talk to an adult that you trust as soon as you can. People who can help you include teachers, parents, carers and social workers.

You may also want to contact one of Barnardo’s specialist sexual exploitation projects for advice, or to talk to someone about what you’ve been through:

How to keep you and your friends safe from exploitation

www.barnardos.org.uk/specialist_ sexual_exploitation_projects If you, or a friend, are in immediate danger or want urgent help, call 999 or contact your local police.

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Don’t be tricked into doing things that are unsafe, even if they seem like fun. What might look exciting at first could be more dangerous than you realise.

Keep safe

www.barnardos.org.uk Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG Tel: 020 8551 0011 Fax: 020 8551 8267 Barnardo’s Registered Charity Nos. 216250 and SC037605

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Think about all your different relationships.

They could be with close friends, a boyfriend or girlfriend – and maybe groups of friends from school or the area you live in.

As we grow up, we develop relationships with lots of different people. It’s how we learn to enjoy healthy relationships, and that’s a great skill to have.

But things can go wrong along the way, and people might try to take advantage of you, forcing you into dangerous situations before you know it.

That’s why you need to be aware of warning signs that someone may want to exploit you – and to be very careful who you trust.

Sexual exploitation – how much do you know?

Who can you trust?

It’s not always easy to tell.

Sexual exploitation can be hard to recognise because you often believe you’re in a good relationship with the person – or people – who want to abuse your trust in them.

Sexual exploitation can happen to you, no matter what your gender, age or background – so you need to be careful who you trust.

It could be a friend, or group of friends. It could be someone you think of as a boyfriend or girlfriend. It could be a person or a new group of people you’ve only just got to know.

It could be someone you’ve talked to online.

And that means looking out for warning signs that someone might want to take advantage of you, whether you’ve recently met them or they belong to an existing group of friends.

But whoever it is, they could use clever ways to take advantage of your relationship – and that means you can be harmed almost before you know what’s going on. For example, someone might give you money, drugs, alcohol, gifts or somewhere to stay and then force you to do one or more of these things in return: Q Have sex with them Q Do something sexual to them Q Be touched inappropriately, in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable Q Look at sexual images – including films or pictures Q Watch them do something sexual, including having sex or touching themselves sexually.

One warning sign is when someone tries to get to know you better by giving you lots of attention and making you feel really special.

They might buy you gifts or involve you in activities that seem exciting or fun.

That’s why it’s so important to look out for the warning signs that someone’s behaviour towards you may not be all it seems.

It becomes a problem if that person starts to try ways of controlling you, such as making promises they can’t keep, threatening you, or even becoming violent if you don’t do what they want.

They might also try and isolate you from your friends, family and other people who care for you. When that happens, it’s easier for an abuser to put you in dangerous situations or force you to do things you don’t want to do – with them or other people they know.

That’s not doing you a favour – that’s exploitation.

Sadly, individuals who have fewer people looking out for them are even more vulnerable to sexual exploitation.

Jessica was one of them.

Jessica’s Story ‘My mum wasn’t around any more, my dad was drinking and my sister was skipping school. I was 15 and got involved with a group of friends outside school – they were older. At first I thought it was really cool to have older friends, I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it – they were drinking and there was a lot of drugs around.

‘I thought, if they were doing it – then it must be okay. There was a lot of peer pressure to get involved. But nothing told me it was wrong. Anyway, at first it was okay – I could get the money from my dad. But after a couple of weeks, I was getting hooked and there wasn’t enough money.

‘My new friends said that it was fine and introduced me to a new male friend.

They said he fancied me, they said that I should go out with him. I didn’t realise what was happening – I was being set up. After I had slept with him – I realised that I’d been used but it was too late, I was hooked on drugs. The need and the want became more and more.’

Barnardo’s now works with Jessica to help her recover her confidence and break free from the cycle of abuse.

But her story shows how difficulties at home and the excitement of older ‘friends’ meant she was quickly drawn into an abusive situation.

Profile Shabnum Mustapha – Human Rights & Political Activist What do you do?

I’m the Director of the Scotland office for an international human rights NGO. In my political life, I’m a Vice-Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrats; I’m Chair of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Conference Committee (I oversee the two party conferences we have every year); and I’m also a member of the Scottish Liberal Democrats Home Rule and Community Rule Commission chaired by Sir Menzies Campbell MP. The Commission was set up to look at more powers at national and local level in Scotland.

What do you like about your job?

I’m very passionate about my day job, campaigning to uphold human rights whether it’s in Scotland, China or Syria.

In my political life, I get a buzz out of organising the bi-annual party conferences: working with Cabinet Ministers, finalising the policy motions for debate, finalising the agenda; right through to making sure the stage-set is how we want it. It’s a big responsibility but incredibly exciting to be part of.

What got you involved with politics?

Politics was always being discussed at home and me and my brother were always encouraged to watch the news and read the newspapers from a very young age. I studied Politics at University but I didn’t join the Liberal Democrats until 2006 because of the Party’s stance on the war on Iraq. with fellow LibDem councillors & MSP’s

project work in Gambia Salubeni health committee in Malawi

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“

“

When I worked for Oxfam I had the privilege of working in Malawi, Zambia and the Philippines

What has been your biggest challenge or obstacle that you have overcome?

My current roles with the Liberal Democrats are all voluntary so it takes up a lot of my free time in the evening and weekends.

Re-building the Party following the poor election results at the Scottish Parliament elections in 2011. It was painful seeing I’m also on the Board of the Coalition for colleagues lose their seats, however, with Racial Equality and Rights and I’m involved our new leader, Willie Rennie MSP, we are with a new Muslim women’s group being set working towards regaining the trust of the up in Scotland. electorate again.

Ordinary women and girls in the Middle East and North Africa who have been protesting to demand change and to have their voices heard.

“

I want to see more Muslim women get involved in politics.

If you were granted one wish, what would it be?

“

Who do you admire?

And your biggest achievement?

That human beings stop being so inhumane to each other. What’s happening in countries such as Syria is abominable.

What do you feel you have gained from being engaged politically?

Making a contribution to the Party in Scotland and the UK and helping to shape party policy that we can now implement as part of the UK Coalition Government.

When I worked for Oxfam, I lobbied the Scottish Government to increase their international development budget. They committed to double the aid budget which meant countries such as Malawi benefited from increased financial support.

What are your hobbies?

art galleries, good comedy shows, Italian and Japanese cooking and making cakes.

Do you think it is important for youth to be involved in politics? isn’t 11yrs old too young to vote anyway?

Yes. The earlier people get involved in politics, whether it’s mock elections at schools or with a political party, it helps young people understand how decisions in this country are made and how they can be a part of it or influence it.

The Liberal Democrats back votes for 16 and 17 years olds for all elections.

the new Victoria Hospita

Where’s the best place that your job has taken you?

When I worked for Oxfam, I had the privilege of working in Malawi, Zambia and the Philippines.

In my political life, I spend a lot of time at Scottish Lib Dem HQ in Edinburgh!

Any final thoughts?

I want to see more Muslim women get involved in politics.

“

me and my brother were always encouraged to watch the news and read the newspapers from a very young age.

“

Do you do any voluntary work?

Catching up with friends, cinema, reading,

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… e u s s ext I t)

Aunty’s Column Assalamualaikum and welcome to Aunty’s advice column where no problem is too big or too delicate for me to tackle! But first, I’ll tell you a little bit about me. I work as a senior social worker in a busy hospital setting specialising with elderly people and stroke sufferers. I find this both challenging and rewarding and thoroughly enjoy the multi dimensional aspect of a hospital environment. I have done this for a number of years yet no case is the same, and each new patient brings up new and exciting and yes, sometimes challenging decisions. Aswell as my job, I am also a mother to three very different children who have all individually taught me new things about the world and about myself. I have always been an empathetic person and tend to listen to both sides of a story and always give the benefit of the doubt before making up my mind about a situation. I have a strong social conscience and for the last 5 years have taken part in a sleep out to raise money for a local homeless shelter, which aswell as educating me about the plight of the homeless in my city has made all my family and friends dread the end of the year when I come round collecting sponsorship. A few years ago finding I had abit more time as one of my children flew the nest I became a volunteer counsellor. This reinforced my passion for providing an ear to those in need. In my spare time I enjoy reading, holidays with friends, spending time with my family and continuing my investigation into finding the hottest chillies to eat! So enough about me, from now on I’m here to lend an ear and hopefully some practical advice on anything from marriage to health problems, school to family and parents to pesky younger siblings!

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I look forward to reading all of your letters, to contact me you can email aunty@fifteen21.com

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Book Reviews

A Servant to the World’s Poorest People by Suma Din Dr Hany El Banna I found the book wonderful and very exciting to read!

It’s brilliant the way Dr Hany El Banna travels around the world and helps people who are poor and are in need. This shows so much dedication and concern on his behalf mashallah. I understood the verses from the Quran which have been mentioned in the book, this has inspired me to help out in charity organizations and to give lots of charity too. It has made me think about all the things that I can do to help the poor and needy, as well as learn the importance of doing this

highly rewarding deed which is an obligation on Muslims. The reason why I would suggest you read this book is because I want the youth like myself and you, to benefit. We are the future ummah and we can gain valuable lessons from it. It can be a source of guidance, a pathway to success inshallah. This book is very interesting so I would honestly recommend you to read it.

Meryem Osmani, Southall, aged 11

Secrets of the Henna Girl Sufiya Ahmed When I was given ‘Secrets of the Henna Girl’ to read, I was not expecting to be hooked on the story.

It was brilliant!

The book follows 16 year old Zeba from Yorkshire who goes to Pakistan in the school holidays under the impression that it’s just a holiday and she will be home to start her A’levels after a few weeks. However when she gets there her parents tell her that she has to marry her cousin. It’s not what Zeba wants and the story is about how she fights to escape.

I also really liked her friend Sehar

and I couldn’t believe what happened to her.

It was so sad.

This book is easy to read and hard to put down. In fact I finished it in two days.

Now my brother wants to read it because he wants to know how Zeba escapes. Great book. I give it 10 out of 10.

Review by Asma, London, aged 15

The Sociopath Next Door Martha Stout Sociopath. What’s the first thing that comes to mind? Craze driven murderer who is abit like Jigsaw from SAW? Maybe someone who is extremely antisocial, who is so socially secluded that they seem extremely creepy?

People that do wicked things behind closed doors and appear normal in the public domain? The Sociopath Next Door explores the 4% of people in society that do not have a conscience. Yes people who have no feelings of guilt or emotion and may live possibly amongst the local community; or as the title suggests, they may even be your next door neighbour. This book is an informative guide into the psyche of a “sociopath” using case studies to explore what differentiates between sociopath and a normal person who has a conscience.

Stout also explores how even normal people’s conscience can falter. This is established when they are confronted with a sector of people for example a terrorist or a dictator, and the idea of how they are dehumanised.

Therefore making it acceptable to see them in pain and valid to rejoice in their suffering as they are a terrorist or a mass murderer.

What I found extremely interesting was the idea of “to kill a stranger,

normal human beings must be carefully taught, psychologically conditioned, and commanded by authorities on the battlefield”. In this current day and age the exposure to video games that include shooting e.g.

Call of Duty, is widespread. Stout could suggest how virtual games, psychologically conditions the player to have no remorse and make it acceptable to use a gun (even if it’s not real).

One case study talks about a CEO of a well-known large successful business and how someone like him can be classified as a sociopath, not just due to their personality, but how he is with his work colleagues; how he was as a child and growing up in a very rich household, what characteristics he had at a young age that wasn’t normal.

Stout goes into in-depth detail describing the many characteristics that denote a sociopath; including someone who has no value of relationships.

In conclusion I would say this book is a must read, especially if you’re like myself; fascinated by how the minds of people with no conscious work, and how to identify such people around you.

Samina, Cambridge

Events

An Evening with Hamza Tzortsis (Tuesday 20th March 2012)

It began on a note of energy, exhilaration and excitement and ended on a note of awe-inspired, admiration and amazement.

As he stood there and addressed the topic of Atheism vs. Creationism in the most eloquent and intellectual manner, covering a range of rational and logical justifications for why Islam is the truth and why there must be a unique and supreme creator, he engaged the audience of Brunel students with thought-provoking and sometimes challenging questions and analogies. He energetically stood on the table and openly challenged the sceptical Atheists that we Muslims have more reason to believe that Muhammad (saws) was our Prophet than they have to prove that their mother is really their mother. Confused? Well, so were we. But being the excellent da’ee that he is, he left the sceptics with no other defence than: “define mother?”

As the evening progressed and the

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seminar came to a pleasant end, he opened the platform for questions & answers. From amongst the sceptics came a voice with a sincere question: If God really wants me to believe then why doesn’t he show me a real sign, like why doesn’t he send down an angel right here, right now?”

Brother Hamza answered that there were other signs, like the scientific and historical miracles illustrated in the seminar, fulfilled prophecies, the Quran and the design of the universe itself. But the questioner was looking for a more obvious sign; he was adamant on his argument that if God really did exist, He would send down an angel right then, in the lecture centre.

Just before the end of the Lecture, a brother from the ISOC stood up to make final announcements and bring the event to a close.

Before ending, he humbly requested to add to Brother Hamza’s response to the question regarding Allah sending angels as a sign. He proposed that if the Qur’an was really from the Divine, then it would know us better than we know ourselves… So he put the following verses on the projector: “And they say, ‘Why was there not sent down to him an angel?’ But if We had sent down an angel, the matter would have been decided; then they would not be reprieved.” (Qur’an 6:8.)

In the words of Brother Hamza, himself: You should have seen their faces, pin drop silence and silent gasps. Amazing. Alhamdulillah the brother took his shahada the following week. And all praise is due to Allah (swt).

Moshgan Ahmadi Brunel University Islamic Society

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What can I do as a parent or a carer?

As a parent or carer, it is important to discuss with children the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships to help highlight potential risks to them.

There are also a number of practical steps you can take to protect children such as:

Barnardo’s has launched its Cut them free campaign to reduce the number of children experiencing the horror of sexual exploitation in the UK. You can find out further information about sexual exploitation and show your support at: www.barnardos.org.uk/cutthemfree.

staying alert to changes in behaviour or any physical signs of abuse such as bruising Q being aware of new, unexplained gifts or possessions and carefully monitoring any episodes of staying out late or not returning home Q exercising caution around older friends your child may have, or relationships with other young people where there appears to be a power imbalance Q making sure you understand the risks associated with your child being online and putting measures in place to minimise these risks.

Q

If you are concerned that a child is at risk of sexual exploitation, you may want to contact one of our specialist sexual exploitation projects for advice: www.barnardos.org.uk/ specialist_sexual_exploitation_projects.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 or contact your local police.

www.barnardos.org.uk Head Office Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG Tel: 020 8551 0011 Fax: 020 8551 8267 Barnardo’s Registered Charity Nos. 216250 and SC037605

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Are you a parent or a carer?

Help cut children and young people free from sexual exploitation

Sexual exploitation affects thousands of children and young people across the UK every year. As a parent or carer, you could have an important role to play in protecting children from exploitation, helping to cut them free from this horrific form of child abuse.

What are the signs?

Children and young people that are the victims of sexual exploitation often do not recognise that they are being exploited.

However, there are a number of telltale signs that a child may be being groomed for sexual exploitation. These include:

What is child sexual exploitation?

Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse, in which a young person is manipulated, or forced into taking part in a sexual act. This could be as part of a seemingly consensual relationship, or in return for attention, affection, money, drugs, alcohol or somewhere to stay.

The young person may think that their abuser is their friend, or even a boyfriend or girlfriend. But they will put them into dangerous situations, forcing the young person to do things they don’t want to do. The abuser may physically or verbally threaten the young person or be violent towards them. They will control and manipulate them, and try to isolate them from friends and family.

Who does it affect?

This type of abuse could happen to any young person from any background. It happens to boys and young men as well as girls and young women.

The victims of abuse are not at fault.

Abusers are very clever in the way they manipulate and take advantage of the young people they abuse.

Q Q Q

How does it happen?

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Many young people Barnardo’s work with have been ‘groomed’ by an abusing adult who befriends the young person and makes them feel special by buying them gifts or giving them lots of attention. Young people may be targeted online or in person. Sexual exploitation can also occur between young people of a similar age.

In most cases, the abuser will have power of some kind over the young person. It may be that the abuser is older or more emotionally mature, physically stronger, or that they are in a position where they are able to control the young person.

There are some situations that can make young people more vulnerable to exploitation; by becoming distant from the people who would usually look after them. Young people who are having difficulties at home, regularly go missing or have experienced care may be particularly vulnerable.

Q Q Q Q Q

going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late regularly missing school or not taking part in education appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions associating with other young people involved in exploitation having older boyfriends or girlfriends suffering from sexually transmitted infections mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing drug and alcohol misuse displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour.

Want to get your voice heard and make a difference?

Join the UK Youth Parliament!

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better. Run by young people for young people, UKYP provides opportunities for 11-18 yearolds to use their voice in creative ways to bring about social change.

Fozia Parveen about to deliver a workshop at annual UKYP sitting 2011

visit www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk

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How does it work?

How do I get involved?

The UK Youth Parliament has 600 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) aged 11-18. MYPs are elected in annual youth elections throughout the UK. Any young person aged 11-18 can stand or vote. In the past two years one million young people have voted in UK Youth Parliament elections.

Any young person who is a resident of the UK, and aged between 11 and 18 years old has the right to stand for election as an MYP and the right to vote for their MYP. If you want more information about standing as a candidate in your local area visit: www. ukyouthparliament.org.uk/contact Don’t want to become an MYP? No problem! There are loads of other things you can do, like supporting our campaigns, debating in our online forums and taking part in consultations.

Once elected, MYPs organise events and projects, run campaigns and influence decision makers on the issues which matter most to young people.

All MYPs meet twice a year at the UK Youth Parliament regional and national annual sittings.

What does the UKYP believe in?

The views of young people are represented in the UK Youth Parliament Manifesto, which contains statements on the issues MYPs think are most important.

The Manifesto tackles a wide range of topics affecting young people, from child poverty to public transport costs, from class sizes to mental health provision. Check it out at: www. ukyouthparliament.org.uk/myps/ manifesto

Jemma Roche, British Youth Council

Visit: www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk get-involved to find out more.

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Healthy Living

Keep on Running……

Forward……not sdrawkcab

leave behind his place of birth and childhood and migrate in order to start anew with those who believed with him This may sound obvious to and in order to escape some of you, but for others, persecution. He didn’t this is a challenge in itself. fail from there either, despite future trials and Many carry the worries tribulations. and pains of yesterday anticipating the worst for Musa (AS) did so when he tomorrow whilst many carry the joys of yesterday led the Children of Israel feeling invincible from the from Egypt as they fled from Pharaoh and spent future. time in the desert. In fact, I’m not saying to the latter he grew up amongst his enemies. group to start fearing the future, remember, Okay, so perhaps we’re we should only fear The not in a situation where we Almighty. are being forced to leave our homes, our families This is what the Prophet and loved ones, but how (SAW) did. He had to Sometimes, just sometimes, you have to leave some things behind in order to move forward.

many of us are now at a point where the next step forward is a challenge and deep down inside of ourselves, we now feel a level of discomfort?

How many of us are yearning to achieve something good, something great with our lives, yet are afraid to make even the necessary first step in order to get the ball rolling as they say?

Can you think of a project or task you’ve started… …and have never finished?

Have you already broken your New Year’s resolution or have you not bothered

to make one because you broke them in the previous years?

shapes your judgments on new experiences?

Just as I thought! Your project never started, your healthy eating resolution ended with Friday through to Sunday living off takeaways and you’ve not stopped biting your nails instead of clipping them.

Coaching is helping someone to move from where they currently are in their lives to where they want to be.

So what are you afraid off? More importantly, why are you afraid? What could be so frightening for you that it keeps you from achieving your goals and bringing you steps closer to achieving your dreams? Is it a lack of confidence? Is it a previous experience which now

Whatever it is, whoever it is, it is time to challenge it, confront it – unless of course it is a person, in which case, better

to approach them and have an open and honest conversation with them.

Only by confronting your fears you make the first step to overcoming them. Only by working to overcome them are you then strengthening your tenacity and steadfastness.

Only by strengthening your resolve, does your faith become stronger and run deeper within you.

I suppose you may be wondering how to go about confronting your fears and doubts?

Tip 1: Whenever you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.

indecisive moments and your own development.

You are not the only one who has ever had to face Tip 2: Coaching - Having a difficulty in your life someone coach you through and unfortunately, you will your life, your career or not be the last. This does your studies where you are not make you any less helped to find solutions special, it just means that to your situations, take you are not as alone as control of your doubts you perhaps feel at times. so you can work towards Remember, the prophets your goals and achieve went through alot worse. them is a popular choice They did not have modern amongst many people technology and high speed and businesses today. transport to ease their Coaching is a helping hand workload and quicken their and a way for you as an journeys but they always individual to self-reflect, had faith. assess your situation as you know it best and find Remember too that the sky a way of working yourself is not the limit, beyond the through it. skies is an ever expanding universe and beyond Coaching is helping that there are the seven someone to move from Heavens so know that where they currently are the possibilities too are in their lives to where they limitless, after all Allah want to be.

Almighty can do anything, all you have to do is ask.

Coaching helps with accountability – taking If you still find it difficult responsibility for your to find solutions, know that actions, inactions, choices, there is always help at

hand. Call upon your faith at all times, in times of certainty and uncertainty and know that you are never alone in your journey.

Allah (SWT) helps those who help themselves. Make the first step and you’ll see how He then guides you to the next step and helps you complete your journey.

Know that all things happen by Allah’s Will, however, He too has given us free will and where there is a will, there is a way; we just have to want to find that way.

“Verily, Allah will not change the good condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”

(Holy Quran 13:11)

Saira Nisa

Saira Nisa is the Founding Director of Living Wellbeing Ltd, runs Living Wellbeing (www. livingwellbeing.co.uk) and is also a Trainer for a London based firm. Originally from the West Midlands, born and raised in Birmingham, she now spends her time skilfully enjoying juggling family, friends, work and business between Birmingham and London.

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My City - Cambridge Cambridge University has recently been in the spotlight due to allegations that enough is not being done to increase the number of Black and Minority Ethnic students studying there. Irrespective of whether this accusation is in fact the case, I am the first to admit that Cambridge as a city seems to be lacking somewhat in the ‘multiculturalism department’.

did I feel like I did not belong, I also physically stood out and for those who had never really interacted with a Muslim before, I seemed to shape their view on Muslims, carrying the heavy burden of representing the world’s community rather than just myself.

I realise that my account of Cambridge may be alittle harsh. I come from Manchester, you see, which is host to one of Britain’s most multicultural societies.

When I first arrived there for my studies In Greater (central) Manchester, it is in October 2010, I felt completely out of place with my brown skin colour and impossible not to find Muslims. I often headscarf. I was never treated any think of the racist EDL and BNP types differently by my peers, but my racial, who must really hate what the city has cultural and religious differences to become. It boasts a Muslim population that of the majority demographic was of all ages; from the very young to the something I was constantly highly aware very old; and one that includes all races, of, and when I started wearing the a spectrum of colours from the very dark full hijab (long dress) I was convinced to the pale white. I don’t have to actively that I was being stared at by people try to spot Muslims in Manchester, as everywhere I went. This is not to say I am constantly surrounded by them. that these stares were meant in a So this intense multiculturalism in my particularly negative way, it is most hometown is now my justification for why likely that they were due to curiosity. my experience here in Cambridge seems When on the bus, I would play a game to be so exaggerated. Because in actual in my head, counting the number of fact, figures tell me that in this small city, recognisable Muslims I saw. My grand there is a population of an estimated total was never very grand and I was 6,000 Muslims, and that figure excludes saddened by the fact that not only the Muslim student population among

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which 70 countries across the world are represented, as well as the slowly but surely increase in the rate of conversations among undergraduates.

I attend the jummah prayer organised by my university’s Islamic Society, and I have often been surprised by the turnout of around 100 people as I had never had any indication that there was a Muslim population of that size. What I also didn’t know was the situation of jummah at the small local mosque on Mawson Road, where over 700 people turn out to pray weekly.

With the building being unable to cater for a congregation of this size, the prayers are organised in shifts and people are forced

to pray in the streets. I’m sure you can tell from my account of multiculturalism in Cambridge that I had absolutely no idea about the size of its Muslim population.

It seemed that I had indeed been too damning, too quickly, and in my constant comparison of Cambridge to Manchester, I had failed to realise that this small city too has a flourishing Muslim community, and to solve the problem of overflowing mosques the Cambridge New Mosque Project has been introduced.

The project aims to raise £13 million to build the city’s first purpose built mosque. What exactly is costing £13 million you ask? Well the mosque will be home to more than just a prayer hall. This hall will hold a capacity of 1,000 male and female

worshippers, a restaurant, a garden with trees and a fountain, an underground car park, a vestibule and an atrium. The building will also be eco-friendly with heat pumps, will recycle water used to make ablution, and the use of glass will be used to conserve heat and increase energy efficiency. The grand mosque has been designed by Marks Barfield, the designers of the landmark that is the London Eye. Around a third of the money required has so far been raised.

Despite the excitement and positivity being displayed by local non-Muslim residents as well as the wider Muslim community surrounding the mosque’s construction, the project has not managed to avoid scrutiny and causing a minor controversy. In June 2011, the English Defence League revealed their intention to march through Cambridge in protest against the plans for a new mosque, though in the end the march never took place. Other critics wonder whether it is necessary for such an extraordinary amount of money to be spent on building a new mosque. For some, this concern may be based on the fact that they simply do not want to see more mosques being built in Britain. For others, their concerns lie with the belief that a mosque should be simple, and that additional luxuries

are not required – £13 million could go a long away in tackling world hunger and poverty, or even in building up, on a lesser scale, the hundreds of mosques around Britain that are falling apart.

On the other hand, this building will ensure that Muslims will always have a place to worship when in Cambridge, and could even do positive things in educating the local community on Islam.

The mosque will never be built if people do not continue to donate to the cause. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to contribute to the construction of a mosque and as Muslims we know that our rewards for this action will increase in abundance long after we are dead. It is likely that it will become a tourist attraction and will bring to Cambridge from around the globe Muslims and non-Muslims alike, making the city that little bit more multicultural for the next generation of Muslims who study here.

Iimaan Ismail, Cambridge

To learn more about the new mosque and how to donate if you wish please visit www.cambridgemosqueismoving.org.uk

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1.4 billion people around the world survive on less than £1 a day.

Could you?

In Surah Ar-Rad, Allah (swt) tells us that

will be destroyed by the floods and droughts that have been occurring due to climate change? The reality is that “God will not change the condition of a people unless they the charity which we give to these farmers is nothing change what is in themselves,” compared to what we take away from them.

(Qur’an 13:11) Which is why we, at MADE in Europe, believe that We live in a world where, unfortunately, 1.4 billion change needs to begin with ourselves. That global around the world are living in extreme poverty. And poverty cannot just be tackled with money – it needs while here in the UK we throw out £10billion worth of action. And MADE in Europe believes that the young food every year, each night 1 billion people around the Muslims of Europe can and must play a central role in world go to bed hungry. tackling the long term causes of global poverty. We work to inspire and mobilise young Muslims to lead social We live in a world of global imbalance, where injustice change right here in the UK. We seek to achieve this by is rife. And as a Muslim community, many of us are running innovative campaigns on global development upset by the poverty which we see on our television issues, such as climate change, trade justice, maternal screens, or at the charity dinners. Indeed, within Islam we healthcare, and the food system; by providing training are commanded to give generously to those suffering and education to young Muslims on how to become poverty, through zakat and regular sadaqah, and successful campaigners; and through providing overseas mashaAllah our Muslim community in the UK alone volunteering opportunities, such as our annual trip to donates millions of pounds to worthy causes around the Bosnia. world.

We believe strongly in being a service to young people, But how often do we reflect on the ayah above: that giving them the knowledge, experience and courage Allah (swt) will not change the condition of a people to contribute positively not only to their local Muslim unless they change what is in themselves? When we think communities, but to society at large, by fulfilling their of the poverty that riddles our world: how often do we duties as khilafahs of this earth and as protectors of their think that it is us who need to change? How often do we brothers and sisters around the world. reflect on the fact that in fact, our lifestyles in the UK are contributing to global poverty? Even something as simple To ensure that we can continue providing these services to young Muslims, this year MADE in Europe is taking part in as filling our car with petrol: do we consider the impact an innovative and exciting fundraising activity called Live our choice will have on global warming, and how many Below the Line. Live Below the Line challenges individuals farmers’ livelihoods in Bangladesh, Somalia or Kenya

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and communities around the world to live below the global poverty line of £1 per day for food for 5 days.

This is to help raise awareness about the 1.4 billion people currently living in extreme poverty, and raise money for charities like MADE in Europe who are working to eliminate global poverty.

And we would like to invite you to participate! By joining over 20,000 people around the world in this unique initiative from 7th - 11th May 2012, you can help build a movement of passionate people who want to change the way we think about extreme poverty. More than that, your sponsorship contributions will go towards providing young Muslims like yourselves with the campaigning, education and volunteering experience they will need to become leaders in the global fight against poverty.

So sign up now at www.livebelowtheline.com/uk-made, and join us in the global movement for change!

Sadia Najma Kidwai, Cardiff

Young Muslim Leadership Programmee

In cooperation with the Prince’s Charities, and with the support of the Amanah Foundation, the Centre organises each year the Young Muslim Leadership Programme to encourage greater participation

by Muslims in public life. This two-week residential summer school is held at Oxford and is attended by young British Muslims, men and women between the ages of 20 and 29, who have demonstrated leadership potential in their chosen career-paths. They are drawn from a variety of backgrounds and interests, including national and local government, academia, the legal profession, media, and the voluntary sector.

The course consists of workshops, seminars and institutional visits. Presentations are made by Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and academics, as well as representatives of the media and community organizations. In evaluating their experience, participants welcomed the opportunities to discuss the challenges facing Muslims in relation to education, employment, housing and foreign policy.

To apply please go to www.oxcis.ac.uk/ymlp.html

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National Events

To add your local study circles, conferences, events or courses please email events@fifteen21.com

Birmingham

Leicester

The Zawiya Centre T: 0121 766 8364 W: www.thezawiya.com

Masjid An-Noor T: 0116 262 5440 W: www.idauk.org

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

Monthly Youth Programme for boys, starts first Saturday of each month

Bradford

York

Islam Bradford Centre T: 01274 395521 E: info@islambradford.com

York Central Masjid T: 01904 413 123 E: contact@yorkmosque.org

Study Circles, for brothers and sisters (separate classes), various days & times

Brothers Qur’an Circle, every Friday, between Maghrib and Isha Salah Sisters Qur’an Circle, every Sunday, 11am to Dhuhr Salah

… e u s s I e Next

Cambridge Cambridge Masjid T: 01223-350134 E: cambridgemosque@gmail.com

In Th

Arabic, Study Circles, Qur’anic Studies for both Brothers & Sisters, varies days & times

*NEW*

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•

Edinburgh Edinburgh Central Mosque T: 0131 343 3802 E: edinburghmosque@hotmail.com

Arabic, Tajweed, Youth activities & Study circles for both brothers and sisters, various dates

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