MACRON URGED TO UNITE FRANCE, NOT FUEL ANTI-MUSLIM RACISM
Some of Europe’s most influential faith-based institutions and human rights groups have urged French President Emmanuel Macron to become a unifying figure and resist the temptation to malign Islam. Twenty-four organisations with decades of experience in inter-faith work and building bridges between communities across Europe raised concerns about Macron’s handling of the violent incidents that has rocked France over the past few weeks. In their open letter to Macron appealing for “wisdom” and “leadership”, the groups urged Macron not to “malign Islam” and Muslim citizens of France.
The signatories include Britain’s Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), the Muslim Women’s Collective in the Netherlands and the Muslim Association of Ireland Youth. “This is a moment in which French citizens looked up to you to provide strong moral leadership,” said the groups. “Yet, unfortunately, there has been neither wisdom nor moral leadership in your response.” The letter condemned the clampdown on France’s Muslim community following the horrific murder of Samuel Paty and the deadly attack on a church in Nice. Both were carried out by apparently lone killers and were denounced by Muslims in France and abroad.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT AFTER GALLIPOLI MOSQUE VANDALISED
Sydney’s community were stunned after an attack on Sydney’s iconic Gallipoli mosque situated near Auburn train station around 6.30 pm on October 25. Antique chandeliers, a plasma television, and 13 large windows were vandalised. The same night a 20-year-old man was arrested and is undergoing mental health assessment. Dr Abdurrahman Asaroglu, chair of the Gallipoli Turkish Cultural Foundation, which manages the Gallipoli mosque operations, said the mosque “serves the needs of our local community here in Sydney, including the promotion of peace and harmony between all communities calling Australia home.” NSW acting minister for multiculturalism Geoff Lee labelled the incident “disgraceful.” “I strongly condemn the incident which recently took place at the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. It was disgraceful, offensive and not Australian,” he said.
LONDON MAYOR FOR INQUIRY INTO COVID-19 DISPARITIES
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has succeeded in convincing the Equalities watchdog to undertake a statutory investigation on the issue of Covid-19 disparities. “The Equalities and Human Rights Commission have agreed to my request for a statutory investigation,” Khan said. “There are two things about this pandemic, it’s not great leveller. It’s both shining a spotlight on the inequalities but it’s also exacerbating them as well,” the Mayor said. The Mayor confirmed that the Government wanted him to extend the congestion charge up to the North Circular and South Circular, saying that it would mean an additional four million Londoners having to pay £15 a day from areas like Harrow, Brent, Lambeth and other parts of the city.
MUSLIMS SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATS FALLS, MAJORITY BACK BIDEN
Support for the Democratic Party among American Muslims has fallen in the last 2 years, while the Republican Party gained 2 per cent, according to a poll by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Although 7 of every 10 respondents said they intend to vote for Democratic nominee Joe Biden, the results released show that Muslim voters who identify as Democrats decreased (by 12%) to 66 per cent over the past two years, while those supporting the Republican Party slightly moved up to 19 per cent. Some 18 per cent preferred not to answer. 45 per cent found the Democratic Party to be Muslim friendly, followed by 44 per cent who feel that it is neutral, and 14 per cent who feel that it is unfriendly.
MUSLIM HEROES OF THE PANDEMIC HONOURED IN UK
From a programmer who developed a CPR alert app, to a TFL worker who provided extra transport service for vulnerable people, to a centenarian fundraiser, unsung Muslim heroes who went beyond the call of duty to help others during the pandemic are included in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Sixty-three members of the UK’s Muslim communities (5 CBEs, 14 OBEs, 28 MBEs, 14 BEMs, a Police Medal and a Volunteer Reserves Medal) were awarded, more than double last year’s tally of 25. This year’s list has the highest ever number of Muslim honours recipients on record. Among them is a 100-year-old man who raised thousands for Covid-19 relief while fasting during Ramadan. Dabirul Islam Choudhury, who raised over £420,000 by walking 970 laps of his garden in east London, has been made an OBE.
MPS SET UP ALL-PARTY GROUP ON MUSLIM WOMEN IN UK
A new All-Party Parliab mentary Group on Muslim Women has been formally established and has appointed the national, award-winning charity Muslim Women’s Network UK, as its Secretariat. “The purpose of the APPG on Muslim Women is to support social justice and equality for Muslim women by debating, scrutinising, investigating and raising awareness of issues affecting them,” said Co-Chair of MWNUK, Nazmin Akthar. “The overall aim is to influence practice, policy, legislation and attitudes across all spheres, so as to be able to transform the lives of Muslim women in the UK for the better,” Akthar added. Conservative MP, Caroline Nokes, also the current Chair of the Women’s Equality Committee will be one of the first Co-Chairs of the APPG along with Labour MP Naz Shah, currently Shadow Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
TURKEY’S DEFENCE FAIR TO START NEXT WEEK VIRTUALLY
Turkey’s largest defence fair SAHA Expo will start next week virtually. Organised by SAHA Istanbul Defence and Aerospace Cluster Association, the 3D virtual event will be held using the XperEXPO, an application developed by Turkish technology firm BITES, an affiliate of the Turkish defence giant Aselsan.
According to the organiser, it will be the world’s first 3D virtual defence fair. The first week of the five-month event – between Nov. 9, 2020 and April 9, 2021 – will host video conferences with 300 participants. The event will exhibit several defence products, including Akinci and TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV), and Atak helicopter. As part of the event, firms and officials from several countries will make B2B meetings. The event was planned to be organized physically in Istanbul on Nov. 9-13, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event will be held virtually.
ISLAMIC COLLEGE OF BRISBANE: A QUARTER CENTURY OF GROWTH
The Almighty blessed efforts of the early pioneers and subsequent contributors in development of the first Muslim school in Queensland, The Islamic College of Brisbane. It opened in 1995 and now has 1267 students. It was part of the growing movement in Australia to develop Islamic schools for the burgeoning Muslim community. Great benefits include providing Islamic teachings, strengthening Islamic identity and inter-ethnic relations, and Muslim employment. The school is an initiative of Brisbane-based Muslims. The school was opened on 30 January 1995 by respected Imam Abdul-Raheem Rane. Stephen Robertson MLA also attended. Dr Habibullah approached Bosnian Islamic Society who generously provided their facilities as classrooms until the move later that year to demountable buildings on the permanent site.
UFC CHAMPION KHABIB NURMAGOMEDOV RETIRES UNDEFEATED
Khabib Nurmagomedov, a Muslim athlete and champion fighter from Dagestan, was dominant once again as the lightweight champion in UFC, winning his fight against Justin Gaethje undefeated and unmatched in his 29th victory. This was his first fight without his father by his side. His father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov died early July due to complications stemming from a COVID-19 infection that had seen him hospitalised since April. Khabib broke down in tears after clinching the title bout, announcing the end of his career. “I talked to my mother three days [ago]. She didn’t want me to go fight without my father, but I promised her it’s going to be my last fight, and if I give my word, I have to follow this,” an emotional Khabib said in the octagon.