Comments on: Behind the scenes

By: Layla Sheriff

Layla Sheriff — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:26:21 +0000

Hi there,
First of all, I would like to say that the negative response by certain individuals here can have a damaging affect not only on this event, but on the Muslim ummah in general. This conference is a great way for muslims to unite and discuss issues that affect all of us. On a final note, if we wish to better the current conditions that we muslims face, then it is up to us to unite as one and make our voice heard. But it is never helpful to sit back and criticise people who have put their heart and soul into making life better for all of us. So I say this to you now, if you wish to make a difference then get off the computer and attend this event, because it is only by doing this, that your voice can be heard.

By: Chris Paul

Chris Paul — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:47:58 +0000

school gates is good
not particularly in Hazel’s constituency though

By: Sofia

Sofia — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:17:14 +0000

totally agree about the looking and acting a certain way…
i always get really mad at these young muslim guys who hand out leaflets on Islam on the streets…well instead of talking about Islam and how wonderful it is,why not do something productive like taking kids off the streets (regardless of their religion or ethnicity)…surely actions speak louder than words…

By: AsifB

AsifB — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:15:05 +0000

Sofia (no 3) : A very good question “where do â€œordinaryâ€ Muslims congregate?.” I suggested the “schools, streets, shops and media where people live and socialise” and agree with you that in the main its not actually the mosque, just as it is not usally the church for others.

Obviously home and family are the other areas that count.

Agree that its a pity that women are pigeon holed by events such as this as only being interested in women’s issues. The same applies I think for Muslims.

Pigeon holing only serves an agenda where people do not ‘count’ as Muslims if they don’t look and think a certain way.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:42:40 +0000

The difficulty Asif, is where do “ordinary” Muslims congregate? People would say the mosque and to an extent that is true, but mainly that would be on a Friday or during Ramadan…for the younger generation. For the older retired generation who do “hang around” the mosques, I think they may not be receptive to new innovative ideas. For muslim women i think the mosque is not exactly a place they are going to looking to for forward thinking reform…It’s sad but I’m pretty fed up with mosques when it comes to representing women. If there by some miracle happens to be a woman on a mosque committee, she’s only there to represent “womens issues” something the conference mentioned in the post has done little to change either…are most of the speakers men? the women are mostly talking on womens’ issues again..do we have nothing else to contribute to??? are Muslim mothers not worth talking to? the ones that are bringing up the next generation..what about the female political thinkers..or don’t women think outside the kitchen?

By: AsifB

AsifB — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:36:10 +0000

Not one but 2 days with Hazel Blears, I don’t blame you for staying away Sunny.

There’s some good people there of course, but the schools, streets, shops and media where people live and socialise have more impact than opinion former conferences.

What you need to reduce alienation amongst young men is for more people (including Muslims) to see Muslims more as people and less as Muslims.

By: Sofia

Sofia — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 08:50:42 +0000

pity humera khan has been pidgeon holed into talking about women..she has a lot to say besides..even if she works for al nisa…esp when you look at the work they are doing with men…and its a pity orgs like the one she is part of weren’t listened to in the 80s when they were crying out for funding