Mosques, Faith and the Pandemic

Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, Tilford Mosque A recent story in the media focused on women being excluded from mosques during Ramadhan; this and the pandemic situation in the past year has made me think about women, mosques and adapting the way we pray together. My local mosque is in Tilford near Farnham and I have been …

Cycle of Conflict

This year has been a difficult one with Covid-19 causing so much fear and anxiety in people around the world; as the virus dominated the news with reports of infection rates and restrictions, it sometimes felt as if all other news had faded into the background. When we have a common enemy this great we …

Ramadan, Lockdown and a Confusing Time

My Day in a Surreal World, by Danila Laughter erupts from the other room, where the TV is playing and the household members without work enjoy their luxury to the utmost. I ignore my every instinct to go and see what's funny, and plough on with my school work. It sounds sad enough, but it's …

The Girl Child

I grew up as a Muslim in Britain, was educated here and, in fact, teachers told girls at my school they should strive to be whatever they wanted in their lives, regardless of whether the profession was traditionally thought of as a boy's job. In history, however, it was a different story as the treatment …

Waving The Red Flag: Free Speech or Malice?

Things must have been a little too quiet for Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders lately, after all US President Donald Trump has been more a public anti-Muslim irritant since he ran for President. Not one to be overshadowed where Islam and Muslims are concerned Wilders has once more decided to stir things up by holding …

A Little Thought and Understanding About Fasting and Periods

“O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” In the Holy Qur’an, chapter 2, verse 184 God has given the command to fast and so every year Muslims around the world fast every day during the month of Ramadhan. I've …

As A Matter Of Fact, Mr Cameron

Response to remarks made by the PM on 18th January, about Muslim women. When David Cameron wrote his article in The Times about English lessons for Muslim women it grabbed the headlines, often accompanied by a photo of a veiled Muslim woman. If the intention was publicity it certainly succeeded. English Lessons Let’s look at …

Muslims For Remembrance

The red poppy has become the symbol of remembrance since WWI and is worn on lapels and laid in wreaths on memorials across the country; the first poppy appeal was held in 1921 and has been going ever since with proceeds going towards assisting service personnel and their families. Poppies grew freely in war torn …