Remembering Documenting Protesting the Forgotten the Devastation Together PAGE 6 PAGE 8 PAGE 9

VOLUME 10 - RAMADAN 1430 / AUGUST 2009

In the name of Al-laah, The-Source-Of-Mercy, SHE IS THE The-Especially-Merciful.

THE AIMS OF THE ISLAMIC HUMAN FACE OF RIGHTS COMMISSION ARE: I To champion the rights and duties GAZA revealed for human beings. I To promote a new social and international order, based on truth, justice, righteousness and generosity, rather than self-interest. I To demand virtue and oppose wrongdoing in the exercise of power (from whatever base that power derives - e.g. g r

political, judicial, media, o . c economic, military, r h i

. WILL YOU BE personal, etc.). w w

I w

To gather information , C

about, and to publicise, R H atrocities, oppression, I © :

discrimination, and other o t

o HER HELPER? abuses of divinely- h granted rights. P I A 13 year old member of the al-Samouni family who saw members of her family executed in front of her, in Gaza this year. To campaign for redress, and to support the victims of such “How many a small group has overpowered a large group by Allah’s help, crimes. and Allah is with the steadfast.” [Quran: 2:249] I To campaign to bring hristmas 2008 and New our lands and its people. Today we experienced in all the years of IDF, but when they were finally the perpetrators and Year 2009, Israel slaugh - do not have the images of death occupation and suffering. Today, given permission they found the their accomplices to ters 1,300 people, men, and destruction beamed to our Gaza is the biggest open air prison children clinging to the corpses of justice. Cwomen and children screens, and no more are our fel - in the world with 1.5 million peo - their parents. I over a period of three low brothers and sisters active. ple. It is the most densely popu - The Zionists are the colonizers To cooperate with weeks. The massacre codenamed: When will we maintain this fight lated area in the world with and oppressors of Al Quds, and other groups and Operation Cast Lead. At its dis - consistently? 800,000 children. Gazans narrated they have a predatory presence. posal, the most sophisticated and In the aftermath of the assault accounts of how civilians were The invasion is on all fronts, they individuals where such destructive weapons supplied by its on Gaza, two of the IHRC team vis - specifically targeted and even ani - have overpowered Palestinians not cooperation is likely to allies. Surprised at this savage ited Gaza to carry out field work mals in Gaza Zoo were not spared. only with physical space but also further the achievement attack, well don’t be. We witness yet and research. The purpose of the Reports of how the Israel Defense the historic and cultural spaces, of these aims. another onslaught on the inno - visit was to collect testimonies and Force (IDF) soldiers ordered civil - control of the economy and cents in Palestine. As long as this evidence of the horrific crimes ians to evacuate their homes, only through class domination of the Zionist entity exists, this will repeat committed by the Zionists in Gaza. to execute them afterwards and invaded. An Israeli Defense Chief The Islamic Human itself. Muslims around the world This task was carried out at the ear - then to destroy their homes. of Staff has said: “The Palestinians Rights Commission is jump up from their seats with liest opportunity to try and collect Toddlers were murdered not by must be made to understand in the an NGO in Special anger, their outrage drags them to evidence. Once they entered Gaza, shrapnel, but by bullets shot delib - deepest recesses of their conscious - the streets of every major city in the they were warmly greeted by the erately in the head and hearts. For ness that they are a defeated peo - Consultative Status world in protest of the crimes being official Delegations Welcoming those children that survived sat ple.” The Muslim Ummah and its with the Economic and committed. But the sad reality is, in Committee. They described the without food and water, sur - leaders have stopped fighting this Social Council of the many cases the motivational factors recent events in Gaza as genocide rounded by the bodies of their grave injustice and to the contrary United Nations behind Muslim activism is the and slaughter on a scale the dead family members. Paramedics images of death and destruction of Palestinians had never before were initially refused access by the Continued on page 3 ISLAMIC HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION PO Box 598, Wembley HA9 7XH, UK - Tel: 020 8904 4222 www.ihrc.org 2 IHRC FIGHTING RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION AND HATRED

ritish Muslims today are out of the massive amounts of greater numbers of complaints In the employment field we a diverse multi-ethnic “intelligence” gathered and hun - from Muslim prisoners. Their are seeing greater discrimination community, continu - dreds of highly publicised arrests, complaints have ranged from during the recruitment process Bously growing changing they have a mere 13% conviction guards withholding prayer mats as well as in the way Muslim staff and evolving. We see a rate. and religious books to physical are treated and dismissed. We more established, mature and pro - An example of police abuse is abuse. have seen greater numbers of gressive community developing in the case of Babar Ahmed. He was- There are growing reports of employers imposing discrimina - the UK. Our success as a commu - arrested in 2003 as a terror sus - Muslims being stopped and ques - tory policies with regards to reli - nity has put us in a unique position, pect. During his arrest Babar sus - one where we are able to help fel - tained 50 injuries, two of which Daily Express Front Cover calling low Muslims all over the world. were described by doctors as life for Burka ban From ambulances for Palestine to threatening. His complaint against Even more worryingly, a ttacks on hospitals for Kashmir to food for the police was initially dismissed by women wearing headscarves in the Darfur. Our reach seems unlim - the IPCC stating that his claims streets of Britain are still regular ited. Yet we face continuous attacks were unsubstantiated. This, in occurrences. on our person, identity and belief spite of photographs showing his The above is a brief description from all quarters of British society. injuries and a report by a doctor of what the Muslim community We are yet to develop a strategy to stating "there is clearly unequivocal faces. The victims have no voice; help those Muslims facing evidence that he [Babar] was sub - they suffer in silence with very few Islamophobia and oppression here jected to a harrowing physical and places to turn to. The IHRC has in the UK. psychological assault by police offi - Another media 'poll' over hijab and identity been working tirelessly to help We see a malicious and system - cers". In March 2009 he accepted some of the victims. From making atic attack by the media on the £60,000 from the Metropolitan tioned under Anti-terror legisla - gious holidays, prayer times and complaints on behalf of individuals Muslim identity. Everyday we see a Police Service as a result of taking tion at airports. Law abiding even handling grievances raised by to publicising their cases, we seek new article, programme or docu - them to court. But this is a bitter Muslims whose only crime it seems Muslims. to redress the wrongs committed mentary in which our identity and victory for Babar and the Muslim is their names and the countries The veil is the most powerful against our community. Due to a loyalty is scrutinised and ques - community. Despite the judge - they visit. Every aspect of their lives symbol of Islam in Britain today. lack of funding and manpower our tioned ever more forcefully. ment, none of the officers have is scrutinised without being told And Muslim women are bearing work is heavily reliant upon the The police seem unable to been arrested or punished. Clearly why or even who is conducting the the brunt of the Islamophobia generous help of the public. understand the genuine fears and the police view themselves as above interrogation. There are reports faced by our community. Muslim As we go to press a number of concerns the Muslim community the law, and feel they can abuse that MI5 have tried to recruit women wearing the hijab and arson attacks against Muslim cen - has about dawn raids and discrimi - Muslims with impunity. Muslims during these airport niqab are facing an uphill strug - tres, mosques and organisations in natory stop and search policies. The abuse does not stop at the interrogations, to spy and report gle in the employment sector. the UK have taken place, and a Fears compounded by the fact that arrest procedure. We are receiving on other Muslims. There are growing reports that new furore over the burka and The attitudes displayed on an employers are discriminating nikab has raged in the British institutional level by the govern - against Muslim women because press. Given the murder of Merwe ment, police and media are filter - of the headscarf. It seems El-Sherbini in Germany, we can ing down and affecting Muslims on employers feel emboldened by only hope that politicians and a personal level. We are seeing the general sentiments against media alike begin to understand greater discrimination by employ - the hijab that exist in the wider the consequences of such dis - ers and individuals as well as British community. Women course. organisations offering products wearing hijabs have even been www.ihrc.org and services. denied services by businesses. Abed Choudhury The Islamic Human Rights Commission is delighted to announce to its worldwide audience the launch of its newly updated website. This new website accommodates additional facilities which the Islamic Human Rights Commission hopes will assist its activists in their noble efforts. We now offer multimedia facilities such as a photo gallery and video clips which we know will be of interest to all. By embracing these new methods of delivering the message of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, we hope to engage a wider audience. We are in the process of uploading photos and videos of most past events and will be attempting to do the same for those upcoming. The funeral of Merwe El Sherbini Since its inception the Islamic Human Rights Commission has been engaged in the struggle for justice working with its loyal activists and supporters and shall continue to do so with the ultimate aim of bringing justice for all. ANNUAL AL-QUDS DAY 2009 Islamic Human Rights Commission PO Box 598, Wembley HA9 7XH, UK MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE Tel:020 8904 4222 Fax: 020 8904 5183 Sunday 13th September, London, UK Email: [email protected] Assemble at 1.30pm at Marble Arch to march IHRC is a company limited by guarantee. to Trafalgar Square Company No: 04716690 Website: www.ihrc.org Please call 020 8904 4222 for details of coaches from other cities or email [email protected] IHRC 3 Anti-terrorism 2009 : ISLAMOPHOBIA Anti Terror laws 2009

‘.. It is the first duty of Muslim every week until they plans for violent activities. Government to protect citizens leave our country’. Other high The leaked document of the Awards from harm ….but it does not profile targets have been the counter-terrorism strategy, excuse the endless excesses and bombing of the respected charity named Contest 2, broadens the acts of lawlessness committed in Islamic Relief in Glasgow. Far scope of the definition of extrem - the name of the war on terror… right groups have capitalized on ism to such lengths that would Yes, theyʼre back Surely, objectively speaking, the the climate of fear and effectively deem the entire Bill can be seen to be an attempt Islamophobia to terrorize and Muslim as well as faith based com - to lead the public to think that it further alienate the Muslim com - munity as extremist. The final is a serious attempt to improve munity. counter-terrorism strategy docu - security. It does nothing of the IHRC has previously noted ment released in March 2009 did kind.’ that the police have stopped and not include the problematic areas Lord Steyn searched almost 180,000 suspects of Contest 2 but does represent and have detained 255 for terror - the thinking behind such strate - he pretext of improving ist related offences without result - gies which has gone far beyond security has lead to dra - ing in a single conviction. Lord just anti-terrorism but seek to conian sets of legislation Carlile, the independent marginalize any criticism of for - The Islamophobia Awards 2008 our website Tand policy which has not reviewer of British anti-terrorist eign policy and exclude main - winners announcement www.ihrc.org.uk/islamophobia only proved to be largely laws, in his most recent report has stream Muslim voices. coincided with the start of the and people can vote freely for ineffective but managed to create finally come to the conclusion Cases like Andrew Ibrahim of Gaza. It was of course their choice. an environment of fear in relation IHRC has been advocating; that Bristol have shown that despite inappropriate to publicise them As regards the overall then. Subsequently we have Islamophobe of the year award, to the Muslim community. New the stop and search provision of the vast civil liberties-eroding- decided to roll 2008 and 2009 previous winners have included statistics reveal a catalogue of fail - section 44 is completely ineffec - anti-terror legislation, and into one announcement this year, George Bush, George Bush, ures by the anti-terror legislation. tive. He remarks that “None of despite the alienation of the so.... in case you don't already Tony Blair and er… George The comprehensive set of meas - the many thousands of searches Muslim Community, it was the know, comedy, hilarity, satire and Bush. ures established to combat, dis - has ever resulted in a conviction Muslim Community itself that all things funny, the ‘Awards’ On a more serious note, the rupt and tackle terrorism has for a terrorism offence. Its utility help thwart potential terror acknowledge, with a reluctant awards also showcase and only comprehensively managed has been questioned publicly and attacks rather than the 2.5 billion smile, the severity of anti-Muslim recognise the work of people to demonise the Muslim commu - privately by senior Metropolitan pounds spent on anti-terrorism. prejudice in the world today. dedicated to challenging nity and inculcate a climate of police staff with wide experience IHRC has consistently Nominate your regional Islamophobia. If you know of Islamophobia within the popula - of terrorism policing," criticized the erosion of civil Islamophobes by sending us someone you think should be their names and the reason you recognised for their work, let us tion. Muslim communities are The IHRC feels that the liberties and has documented are nominating them. We’ll add know also by email to profiled, stopped and searched, resulting failure of the policing the abuse of powers since the them to the nominations page on [email protected]. detained at airports all under the measures in terms of convictions, enactment of the legislation. pretext of fighting terrorism. particularly terrorism related IHRC welcomes the recent This targeting has been con - convictions should be manifest in decision by the North WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED firmed by the Metropolitan Police a change of policy. The erosion of Hampshire Police to suspend Authority report which stated civil liberties in the name of section 44 stop and search, it also IN DECEMBER that arrests were "influenced by national security was never con - welcomes the downgrading of racial bias". IHRC feels that such vincingly justified and reports the terror alert but hopes that all HAVE YOU BEEN A VICTIM OF ISLAMOPHOBIA? policy and strategy have criminal - and statistics confirm this view. this reflects a shift in the policy of HAVE YOU BEEN ABUSED, DISCRIMINATED ized the Muslim community Since the Terrorism Act of 2000, targeting the Muslim AGAINST, VILIFIED OR EVEN ATTACKED which has affectively inspired vio - one third of those arrested were community to working in a lence and terrorism towards it. released without charge and less productive engagement strategy BECAUSE YOU ARE MUSLIM? A recent example, Neil than 5% have been convicted of with the community. Lewington, attempted to bomb a terrorism related offences, a frac - Report it in confidence through IHRCʼs on-line reporting form at: mosque and promised to ‘slay a tion of these actually involve any www.ihrc.org.uk/incidents Massoud Shadjareh

It is important to report these incidents, even if you do not want your liousness [which] is the indispensi - hate crime against her. It was the identity to be known and you donʼt want any further action taken. Continued from page 1 So long as a record is made, we can build up a true picture ble starting point; it is the eruption defendant in that case who of the type of hostility that Muslims face today. have adapted and settled to the of just ire, but it is not enough. stabbed her 18 times in front of THIS SERVICE IS ENTIRELY CONFIDENTIAL. reality of the environment of what Rebellion, while denunciation, must her three year old child. Marwa’s Palestinians face, a reality that is expand into a more radical and crit - husband intervened in the attack not questioned. We refer to ical position, a revolutionary one, to save his wife. He was both numerous hadiths that mention one that fundamentally announces. stabbed by the assailant wounded the liberation of Al Quds, believing Changing the world implies a by the courtroom police who such a utopia will dawn upon us dialectic dynamic between denunci - reportedly mistook him for the soon, hadiths of the likes of: ation of the dehumanizing situation attacker. What commentary can Shadad Ibn Aws (ra) reports and the announcing of its being be given about such an incident? that the Prophet (saw) said, "l-Sham overcome, indeed, of our dream” What more can be said? The will be conquered and Al-Quds IHRC has been producing a Holy Qur’an (4:75) states: (Jerusalem) will be conquered and continuous stream of campaign “And what reason have you that you or your sons will be Imams letters, alerts with sample letters, you should not fight in the way of there, if Allah will". (Tabarani) and press releases, organised Allah and of the weak among the But when will we realize that numerous events, like demonstra - men and the women and the chil - the future does not come into tions and vigils etc. Also soon after dren, (of) those who say: Our Lord! being without us struggling to the return of the IHRC team from cause us to go forth from this town, make our dreams a reality. The Gaza a round-table meeting to dis - whose people are oppressors, and unjust apparatus of Israel have to cuss the ‘Rule of Law and Israeli give us from Thee a guardian and be dismantled, because this dehu - War Crimes in Gaza’ was organ - give us from Thee a helper.” manizing injustice of the men, ized. Representatives from NGOs, Now more than ever we must women and children of Palestine lawyers and politicians, attended ask ourselves, what reason indeed? cannot go on, whoever they are from across the world. Please You can read about our work this Muslim or not. invest in this noble cause, as only last year in this issue. Please help Our outrage and anger cannot together can we make a difference. us fulfil our duties towards the stop when the media stops report - If we do not value the life and oppressed. Whether it is a desire to ing it. Our anger must be chan - blood of the innocent, then who is help refugees in Libya or work nelled. This anger that we have, is going to? against hate crime in Europe, or a tool that will enable all those who At the time of writing, here in oppose kangaroo courts in yearn for social justice to recapture Europe, the funeral of 32 year Nigeria, or campaign against our human dignity. We have the old Marwa El-Sherbini had just unjust laws wherever they are, right to be angry and express that taken place in her native Egypt. please do something that makes anger, this should be the motiva - She was killed in a frenzied attack you a ‘helper’. In doing so please tion to fight for justice. Paulo in a courtroom in Germany join us in the struggle for justice. Freire, an educator and influential where she had just finished giv - Join IHRC. theorist of critical pedagogy says: ing evidence against a man “Anger animates a form of rebel - accused of an anti-Muslim verbal Ahmed Uddin 4 IHRC

physically abused on many occa - tarian provocation and violence ed youth, we have been researching suggesting his affiliation to the mili - Prisoners of Faith sions. He has had his religious which had previously occurred in and building a case to take to the tary, while several expert witnesses Imam Jamil Al-Amin, Sheikh Omar rights violated and has been sub - Sokoto. UN. affirmed this status was awarded to Abdul Rahman, Khairat Al-Shater, jected to strip searches every time On 6 January 2009, while mem - In Libya, due to the continued military and civilians alike and is no the Morocco 12 – prisoners of faith he had a visitor. He stated in the bers of the Muslim Brotherhood and concerted efforts of IHRC cam - way indicative of a military affilia - continue to pay daily the ultimate telephone conversation to his fami - were commemoratin g Ashura with a paigners and other, many of the tion. Unfortunately, the baseless price for speaking the truth at cer - ly that “There is nothing but the procession through the streets of refugees detained at Misratah, have terrorist-stigma which the govern - tain crucial moments, and they are Quran to stave off the madness”. Zaria, the convoy of Alhaji Shehu been removed and resettled in other ment attached to Mousavi remains far from forgotten. Reports revealed that Sheikh Idris, the emir of Zazzau, was countries. Some have been resettled with him. Imam Jamil Al-Amin currently Omar’s family planned to request attacked with stones. Though both in Romania, others in the On 8 January 2009, Mousavi lives under permanent 23-hour permission to visit him in USA, and members of the Muslim Brothers and Netherlands, others in Sweden. was transferred to America’s solitary confinement at Colorado’s to demand for him to be returned the Zazzau emirate council denied However, many refugees are still “Muslim-only prison”; the USP Florence ADMAX, which has to Egypt . Reports also state that any Shia involvement in the attack, detained and await resettlement. Communication Management Unit been dubbed as both the Sheikh Omar’s family requested to nevertheless several so-called ‘retalia - These refugees, majority of them (CMU) at Terre Haute, Indiana. As “Guantanamo Bay of the main - visit him in 2001 and 2004 but were tory attacks’ were directed toward being from Eritrea, had fled their Katherine Hughes reported, all of land” and “a clean version of hell”. denied. We request you to continue members of the Shia community in country out of fear of per secution the 45 prisoners at CMU, a “medi - Al-Amin did not have any federal campaigning for the sheikh and which five people were reportedly and faced an uncertain future in um security” terrorism unit, cur - charges or convictions, and had a remember him in your special killed and over 100 injured. Libya. rently houses are either Muslim or pending habeas corpus in Georgia, duas. Additionally, the homes of several Arab, while the federal facility is to

Sami Al-Arian "...recent events starkly resemble the violence... which had previously been the subject of IHRC Seyed Mahmood campaign work" Mousavi IHRC CAMPAIGNS

his home state and that of his con - Given the torturous and horrif - members of the Shia community eventually hold an estimated 85 viction. In fact, even the Georgia ic conditions endured by these pris - were looted and set ablaze, as were a Americas inmates. Prisoners at CMU are State Prison at Reidsville had been oners, many of whom have little to primary and secondary school affiliat - under especially tight restrictions, The case of American-Iranian likewise holding Al-Amin under 23- no human contact, campaigners are ed with the Muslim Brotherhood. including no contact visits, only two national Seyed Mahmood Mousavi solitary confinement in spite of him highly encouraged to send letters of IHRC also received worrying reports 2-hour visitations per month from is indeed an alarming one. Recently not having any violations which support to prisoners of faith. Such of some local residents who suspected behind a glass by immediate family transferred to a “medium security” could warrant it. letters are a real source of comfort the involvement of the Zaria local members, and the monitoring and terrorism unit, Mousavi has been Unfortunately Imam Jamil is for them, reminding them that government in the torching, as some copying of all outgoing and incom - effectively branded by the govern - only one of at least 25,000 U.S. pris - large numbers on the outside had allegedly been witnessed prior to ing mail. IHRC will continue moni - ment and prison system as a terror - oners currently living in solitary remember and care about them. the event removing uniforms and toring Mousavi’s case and advocat - ist, in spite of him never being for - confinement. In January 2009, Please visit our website for more changing into civilians clothes. ing against America’s “Muslim-only mally charged with or convicted of IHRC wrote an open letter to details. These recent events starkly prison”. any terrorism-related offences. President Obama, regarding the resemble the violence in Sokoto Another US-based campaign Early-on in the case, federal widespread use of 23-hour solitary which had previously been the sub - IHRC has been involved in over the prosecutors offered unsubstantiat - confinement in the American West Africa ject of IHRC campaign work. Sokoto past year is that of Dr Sami Al- ed material and "secret evidence” to prison system. In that letter, we appears to be repeating itself in Zaria, Arian. Al-Arian is a Palestinian Last year, we reported of govern - suggest terrorism, which saw expressed deep concern over the as the atrocities in Sokoto had also peace-activist and former ment -sponsored sectarian violence Mousavi’s home, business and place more than 30 states across America been initiated by a seemingly sectari - University of South Florida profes - in northern Nigeria’s Sokoto. On of worship raided at gunpoint by that operate Supermax-like facili - an attack or provocation, and result - sor who was convicted in 2003 on 27 May 2008, 113 members of the the FBI, and left him in jail without ties which use 23-hour lockdown ed in an immeasurable onslaught on charges of funding terrorists. His Islamic Movement in Sokoto were bail for over a year before his trial. and long-term isolation. Our letter, a minority community. Likewise, it conviction has received much sentenced in a kangaroo court void While the government originally which also highlighted the case of was Sokoto’s state and local govern - media attention, and has been of any lawyers to 11 years in prison. asked for a 9 year sentence, Imam Jamil, argued that if tortur - ment which collectively punished the referred to as a ‘federal witch hunt’ In months to follow, the prisoners Mousavi’s lawyer, with help from ing terrorism-suspects, as Obama local Shia community for the assassi - by some. After a 2005 court win in were then transferred from Sokoto IHRC, was successful in significant - clearly expressed, is a betrayal of nation of Umaru Danmaishiyya. This which a Florida jury rejected feder - to 14 different prisons throughout ly reducing his sentence to only 33 core American values, then long- included the destruction of the clinic, al charges linking Al-Arian to the southern Nigeria, in what was seen months, including denaturalisation. term and permanent solitary con - Islamic centre and school associated Palestinian Islamic Jihad, his attor - to be a deliberate attempt to impede On 14 October 2008, Mousavi was finement in American prisons with the Shia community, the displac - neys struck a deal whereat he current appeal cases. IHRC has convicted of filing false tax returns, should cease. ing of thousands, including 1500 chil - pleaded guilty to a lesser charge to been in close contact with lawyers omitting group membership on Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, dren, the torching and razing scores face only deportation. representing the detainees and is naturalization forms, and violating the elderly Egyptian sheikh impris - of homes, several murders and collec - Dr Al-Arian had spent more currently filing a case to the UN the U.S. economic embargo against oned in the US in 1995 under sedi - tive arrests and sentencing. than 5 years detained in federal Working Group on Arbitrary Iran. However, several translated tion laws last used during the IHRC will carry on fighting custody, and had been under 23- Detention. Additionally, we have documents offered by prosecution American civil war, continues to be against the persecution of minority hour solitary confinement at the maintained an engaging correspon - as court exhibits were suggested by detained. According to reports last religious communities in northern Pamunkey Regional Jail in Virginia. dence with the British Foreign and expert witnesses as being flawed. received by IHRC, the Sheikh's Nigeria. IHRC wrote to the Pamunkey Commonwealth Office (FCO) con - Amongst the numerous examples health had severely deteriorated Regional Jail regarding his 23-hour cerning the detainees and killings. of mistranslations: one document and in a telephone conversation solitary confinement, though he In the wake of the summer of presented the Farsi words for with his family he had told them to North Africa was released on bail before our let - 2007’s violence, most of the thou - “police department” to say “mili - pray for him. ter reached the jail. sands of expelled community mem - In Morocco, IHRC has taken on a tary”; another document affirming Sheikh Omar has been report - In the latest chapter of his case, bers found refuge in neighbouring case of 15 Sahrawi youth abducted Mousavi’s janbaz (‘disabled/war-vic - edly held in solitary confinement federal prosecutors filed contempt Zaria, though unfortunately, recent in 2005. Working closely with a com - tim’) status and eligibility to receive for the past 13 years and has been charges against Al-Arian for refus - events in Zaria greatly echo the sec - mittee of the mothers of the abduct - benefits was presented as evidence IHRC 5

ing to testify before a grand jury in positive note, Arzigul finally gave tinued in Yemen as one more polit - Virginia. His defence argue that a birth to her baby son on 9 February Europe Middle East ical prisoner mysteriously died in 2006 plea agreement with exempt - 2009. detention in Sana’a. Last year we ed him from further testimony and In April 2009, IHRC received Campaign work in the UK over the In Bahrain, human rights viola - had reported on 26 year-old cooperation with federal prosecu - reports of Chinese villagers protest - past year has largely centred around tions and suppression of political Yemeni national, Ibrahem Ali Al- tors. On the relevance of the previ - ing against the destruction of a 700 the issue of Palestine. IHRC’s expression continue unabated. In Nashery’s arrest and subsequent ous plea agreement, Judge Leonie year old Muslim cemetery on ‘Boycott Israel’ campaign, in collabo - the past year, IHRC has participat - detention by the Yemeni police on Brinkema stated: “Whether this southeast China’s Hainan Island. ration with Innovative Minds ed in seminars on Bahrain, which 5 March 2008, due to his alleged case goes forward or not, there's At the time we drafted our alert, 10 (Inminds), has been carrying on focused on the escalation in the rise involvement in Husain Badr Al Din something more important here: ancient tombs had already been more popularly than ever. Last of human rights abuse in the coun - alHouthi’s Zaidi group. This year the integrity of the Department of destroyed as local military person - Ramadan, we launched the ‘Boycott try. We presented our UPR report we regrettably report on his death Justice.” After his defence filed a nel carried out the construction of a Israeli Dates’ campaign which targets in the seminars highlighting the in police custody. On 20 April 2009, motion to have his contempt parachute training base. IHRC will dates being sold in Europe which are unjust 2006 elections which were his body was returned to his family charges dismissed, Sami continues continue monitoring the situation sourced from Israel’s illegal settle - reportedly manipulated to ensure with serious wounds. Al-Nashery is to await decision from Judge as it develops. ments. The same Israeli exporters, the ruling family’s primacy in the the third known political prisoner Brinkema on whether he will stand Burma is home to a persecuted who exploit and oppress Palestinians country and the Citizenship Law of to die in police custody, following trial or the charges will be dropped Muslim community known as the during the harvest, shamelessly tar - Bahrain which is following a special the death of Ali Amen Nader in altogether. Rohingyas who are currently living get European Muslims by exporting naturalization scheme. It is believed 2006 and Hashem Abdullah Yahya Further, IHRC has also been in a despicable state in the country. just before Ramadan. The main that there are political motives Hajar in September 2007.

Gaza Border Imam crossing at Refah Jamil's cell at ADMAX

Uighurs from China IHRC CAMPAIGNS

engaged in advocacy work helping They have been subjected to innu - Israeli produce exporters are behind the extraordinary natural - IHRC wrote an alert about Al- to find host countries for some of merable human rights violations Agrexco and Hadiklaim; Agrexco’s ization campaigns and especially Nashery’s death and instructed the 17 Chinese Uighur Muslims such as denial of citizenship, humil - brand names are Carmel, Jordan that they are not carried out open - campaigners to write to the foreign formerly detained at Guantánamo iating restriction on their freedom Plains and Jordan Valley, while ly and are based on racial and sec - ministers of their respective coun - Bay. So far, 4 have been resettled in of movement and residence within Hadiklaim’s brands are King tarian bases. tries, protesting against this blatant Bermuda, while Italy, Portugal, the state, destruction of their prop - Solomon and Jordan River. M&S, Another major campaign taken injustice and pressurizing them to Belgium and Palau have also erties and settlements, relentless Sainsbury’s Tesco and Waitrose also up by IHRC was that of the three urge the Yemeni government to agreed to take some of the men. taxation, prohibition of their right market Israeli dates under their own prominent human rights activists end all religious persecution. IHRC to marry and to found a family, brand names. who were arrested on 26 January is also planning to produce a restriction and/or denial of their The latest IHRC/Inminds collab - 2009. Mr Hassna Mushaime, the detailed briefing highlighting cases Asia/Far East right to education, right to work orative project is the ‘Shopping Can Secretary General of Haq of religious persecution in Yemen. and to get access to food and other Kill’ campaign, which launches July Movement, Sheikh Mohammad In November 2008, we sent a Widespread human rights abuses essentials, medical care and neces - 2009. IHRC is also working together Habib Al Miqdad, a prominent reli - joint letter to President Hosni against western China’s Uighur sary social services. with Inminds on an updated wallet- gious figure and public orator and Mubarak calling for the opening of Muslims continue to receive signifi - A large number have fled size boycott card which is planned to Dr Abdul Jalil Al-Singace, a univer - the Refah border crossing. The let - cant attention from IHRC’s cam - Burma to neighbouring lands such be distributed both in the UK and sity lecturer were arrested after ter, which was signed by British paigns team. On 15 March 2009, as Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, the US. their houses were raided. Bahraini MPs, community leaders and we launched the photo exhibition and Pakistan. Many of these Regarding the heavy-handed authorities charged these political NGOs from around the world, Uighurs: China ’s forgotten refugees are living in extreme and discriminatory policing at UK activists with conspiring to over - highlighted the Egyptian govern - Muslims, which featured photos by poverty. demonstrations and events during throw the regime. ment’s grave responsibility to allow Swedish photographer Per IHRC is supporting the cause of the 22-day attack on Gaza, IHRC The arrests plunged the coun - vital aid to the innocent men, Engström, and highlighted the these people by joining hands with wrote to the Mayor of London and try into further political turmoil, as women and children of Gaza , troubling human rights situation in the Burmese Rohingya Commissioner of the London widespread clashes occurred whose only crime is living under western China. Organization UK (BROUK), which Metropolitan Police. between supporters and police occupation. And following hunger In addition to the briefing we is tirelessly working for the rights of Also, in the run-up to the forces following the arrests. IHRC strikes in May by a group of medics produced in March 2008 over the their people. We participated in a January attack on Gaza, a number of called on the Bahraini government and aid workers aiming to conduct transfer of Uighur women, in early demonstration organized by Muslim organisations focussing on to immediately release the repre - a humanitarian mission in Gaza, 2009 we did another briefing con - BROUK in protest of Thailand’s humanitarian work in Palestine were sentatives of Haq and to ensure fair whom Egypt denied entry, IHRC cerning China’s Uighur hajj prohi - treatment of the Rohingya boat threatened with unjustified account trials for the detained youth who continues its appeal to the Egyptian bition. In November 2008, the people. We will keep our readers closures, particularly Interpal and were also arrested. IHRC also government over the border cross - world was rocked by reports of a informed with regards to future the Ummah Welfare Trust (UWT). called for the investigation of alle - ing. forced abortion to take place on a campaigns on the Rohingya peo - IHRC joined campaign efforts gations of torture of the detained Additionally, we have continued Uighur woman in Xinjiang who ple. against such actions by drafting let - youth. to press the Saudi authorities for an was 6 months pregnant, for which In India, IHRC is currently ters and alerts, to put pressure on IHRC arranged for two barris - investigative report concerning the IHRC joined swift international involved in a campaign to produce banks, such as Lloyds TSB and ters Osama Daneshyar and David attack and alleged torture of a campaign efforts against the a statement, in conjunction with Barclays, accused of targeting Gottlieb to visit Bahrain to monitor group of British Umrah pilgrims in planned action, by writing to the Citizens International Malaysia, Palestine-oriented charitable organi - the important trial which was held 2007 and IHRC is now looking into Chinese embassy demanding them calling for the indictment of the sations for account closure. on 24 March 2009. reports of widespread human to call off the forced abortion. As Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Additionally, IHRC campaigned Due to the work undertaken by rights abuses against the country’s Arzigul Tursun’s case is clearly just Narendra Modi and his accom - against the BBC’s decision not to air IHRC and other human rights Shia minority. the tip of the iceberg, IHRC contin - plices for collaboration in planning the Disasters Emergency activists, all defendants were ue monitoring forced abortion the slaughter of thousands of Committee’s (DEC) Gaza appeal, released on Sunday 12th April after cases in China and campaign Faiza Haq, Aaron Varricchio, Muslims in Gujarat in 2002. asking campaigners to write to the an official pardon by the King. against this brutal practice. On a BBC’s Director-General. Religious persecution also con - Oussama Mezoui 6 IHRC

HRC have been engaged in It was an extremely successful Uighurs: many remarkable and out - launch night with guest speakers standing campaigns on Per Engstrom, Dr Enver Tohti, Ihuman rights. The photo Kaiser Abdurusul OzHun (gave a exhibition on the Uighur rich insight to life as a Uighur) Muslims in China was no excep - and photographer Angelos tion. The event was organised by Rallis. People from all domains Forgotten IHRC and supported by the and walks of life attended, united Federation of Student Islamic by the sole cause from the plight Societies (FOSIS) and the UK of the Uighurs in an attempt to Uighur Association (UUA) to show just rights and to counter highlight the plight of this com - discrimination and prejudice. Muslims munity and to bring to the fore This event was aimed at building the racial and religious persecu - public awareness for the Uighur tion and discrimination they face Muslim community in China and on a daily basis by the Chinese to highlight the injustices and majority. In this day and age such human rights abuses that suffer injustices should not be tolerated at the hands of the Chinese of China against any human being or com - majority witnessed by the munity. The photos on display photographers, Engstrom and were taken by Swedish photogra - Rallis. With attendance of press

m pher, Per Engstrom on his recent and media figures there was a ö r

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h Since the 9/11 attacks in the USA, P Uighurs have been perceived and labelled as ‘terrorists’ and ‘separatists’ by the Chinese government which has led to widespread suppression of the Uighur culture, traditions and religion. IHRC is currently engaged in a summer UK tour with photo exhibition, with the intention of taking it to several designated areas to promote awareness of the Uighur issue. IHRC would like to say a big thank you to all the staff and volunteers, the guest speakers and the media who were involved in making it into a successful event.

Meherun Nessa Khanom

TThhee UUnniivveerrssaall TThheeoollooggyy ooff LLiibbeerraattiioonn:: Views from Muslim history

uly saw the latest in a practical example from series of events and history he spoke about the research around the resistance movement Jconcept of Liberation against French colonialism Theology and in Algeria led by Al-Kader. Muslims. Dr. Mohamad Dr. Abdullah’s paper Nasrin Nasir and academic looked at the history of from Malaysia specialising in resistance and Islam in Islamic Thought and Dr. Palestine. A lively question Daud Abdullah from the and answer session ensued, Middle East Monitor in the a transcript of which will UK, presented papers at the eventually be published IHRC event. alongside both papers. Dr. Nasir presented the Look out for more such main paper of the seminar events on our new events and looked at various amongst page, as well as reports of Muslim thinkers and their others, Jamaluddin Al- past events including this discussion around liberation Afghani, Farid Esack and one http://www.ihrc.org.uk. from a theological Saied Reza Ameli and their perspective. He looked at work in this area. Using a Arzu Merali IHRC 7

Participants at the UJN second meeting in London, 2009 Participants at the second UJN meeting in London, 2009

IHRC and CI Other Events, Seminars and Meetings that IHRC has participated in over International conference: the year. Please see page 12 for the work IHRC has done at the United Nations this year. Below are The Universal some of the events and meetings that IHRC members took part in.

IHRC at the OSCE IHRC was invited to participate in a number of meetings organ - Justice Network Massoud Shadjareh addressing a group of human ised by the Organisation for rights lawyers in Kuala Lumpur Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Seyfeddin Kara he Universal Justice to Hosni Mubarak signed by vari - attended meetings with regard to Network (UJN) is a net - ous local and international organ - Roma in Europe as a result of work of NGOS and grass - isations and public figures, call - work undertaken by IHRC in Troots organisations from ing for the opening of the Refah Bulgaria last year. around the world commit - crossing. This is a campaign that Arzu Merali attended ted to sharing local knowledge continues. Also soon after the meetings on Muslim Youth and and campaigning on strategic Gaza massacre UJN sent its col - Education, as well as the role of issues of justice. The UJN was set leagues into Gaza to investigate National Institutions Against up in October 2008 in Penang, and research what took place Discrimination. Malaysia under the auspices of there. This has led to a campaign Recommendations submitted by Citizens International and to go on to launch a war crimes IHRC can be found on our Islamic Human Rights tribunal against the Israelis that website. Commission. The UJN secre - committed war crimes in Gaza. tariat is based in Penang and In April 2009 UJN had its sec - Other events London, under Citizens ond meeting in London. Various Massoud Shadjareh and Arzu International and Islamic topics were discussed from Merali were both speakers at the Human Rights Commission demonsiation of Muslims and ‘Deconstructing the War on respectively. minorities, economic and social Terror’ conference in Oslo, along UJN launched concurrent rights and justice and human with former IHRC researcher campaigns in Turkey, UK, rights issues for oppressed peo - and successful author and aca - Malaysia, Indonesia and India ples around the world. demic, Nafeez Ahmed, author regarding the siege of Gaza in S.M. Idrees, from Citizens International and journalist Robin Yassin November last year, with a letter Malaysia, contributing to UJN meeting Ahmed Uddin Kassab and physician and human rights campaigner Professor Erik Fosse. Other events that IHRC members took part in include a meeting and presentation to human rights lawyers in Malaysia, lectures on human rights at the Universities of Tehran and ShahreKord, and in protest at the treatment of Aafiya Siddiqui in the UK. IHRC continued in its partici - pation in the language of radical - isation project with the Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Contemporary Political Violence (CSRV) at the University of Aberystwyth. Faiza Haq spoke at House of Lords events on the ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain and Oussama Mezoui took part in and spoke at the Burmese Rohingya Muslim Organisation’s protest against the treatment of Rohingya boatpeo - ple by Thailand. Seyfeddin Kara presented a paper on Muslim youth at uni - versities and the effects of multi - culturalism on campus at the Association of Muslim Social Scientists conference in Leicester. Other meeting which IHRC members attended included seminars and meetings in Belfast and Malaysia. Participants in the first UJN meeting held in Penang. 8 IHRC

The grounds of Masjid Al-Taqwa A bombed out ambulance oustide Al-Shifa hospital Veteran campaigner Brian Haw joins the 24/7 vigil IHRC activities on Palestine and Gaza

n defending human rights world - Aftermath: Gaza in the days after the Brown. Such unity and peaceful and the Palestine Return Centre to embassy expressing solidarity with the wide, the Islamic Human Rights 22 day war is available on-line for free protesting yielded and generated name but a few. besieged Gazans. The vigil was Commission (IHRC) devoted download or to purchase in hard copy mass attention by creating a platform This year the a counter attended by veteran activists and new Iample attention to campaign from our on-line shop. To download for educating the public that the demonstration consisted largely of campaigners, with people joining in work for Palestine, which height - the diary visit: substantial number of victims who Zionists, Iranian secularists and right such events for the first time. People of ened since the recent blockade and http://www.ihrc.org.uk/publication bore the brunt of the war were wing fascists. Al Quds demonstrators all denominations and joined in, with onslaught on Gaza. Aside from pro - s/reports/4386-AFTERMATH-GAZA- predominantly children and were were met with racist chants such as journalists, councillors, students, ducing a continuous stream of cam - IN-THE-DAYS-AFTER-THE-22- either mercilessly killed or injured or “Terrorist bombers off our streets”, visitors to London and many others joined in. We were privileged to have paign letters, alerts with sample let - DAY-WAR115 words orphaned by the Israeli forces. A “White pride: no surrender”, Nazi veteran campaigner Brian Haw join ters, and press releases, organising heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who salutes and a violent attack on us one night also. numerous events, like demonstra - Children for Children joined us to protest the rights of the demonstrators, most of whom were tions and vigils, we additionally sent oppressed and innocents in Gaza in women and children. Riot police were two of our team members into Gaza, of Gaza vigil forced to storm the march in order to In the events during the war in Gaza, the struggle for justice. Our thoughts and continued to produce boycott protect Al Quds demonstrators which Womenʼs Speakout IHRC collaborated with a whole host and prayers are with them materials, which are in increasing eventually resulted in the arrest of five Also both Muslim and Jewish women of organizations and schools in continuously. demand now. counter demonstrators. came together to hold a vigil and support of the children of Gaza and speakout with the BBC refusal to This year we saw the one of largest Palestine. The demonstration was report – about Zionist apartheid, Al Quds Demonstration in London in held by children in the UK in women giving birth at checkpoints, Gaza Aftermath: Al Quds Day 2008 recent years – this year it’s even more solidarity with children of Gaza The Al Quds Day Demonstration, the expulsions, the theft of land and important to take part in this event. Research for Justice organised by the Justice for Palestine resources, the imprisonment of outside 10 Downing Street, to Please see the event notice in this In the wake of the 22 day war, IHRC Committee at the end of Ramadan, children, the swimming pools in highlight the injustices that they face newsletter for the date and time of this sent two lawyers to Gaza to take first attracted some 4,000 people to the Zionist settlements filled by siphoning and to help create a voice on their year’s event on 13 Septmeber. Many hand accounts of the onslaught, and behalf to show that they are not truly protests in support of the oppressed Palestinians’ drinking water. The BBC world-wide using the symbolism of cities and towns have organised assist the task of data collection for alone in their situation. Children and did not publicly complain that Israel is Palestine. The demo attracted coaches for people to attend. Please possible future prosecutions. Detailed parents gathered to chant slogans preventing their reporters from Muslims and non-Muslims of all contact the IHRC office on 020 8904 entering Gaza to witness the bombing testimonies taken from victims form such as ‘Free, Free Palestine’. At the denominations and had the support of 4222 for more information. and invasion firsthand. Neither did it part of the work undertaken by many end of the demonstration a letter a large number of organisations and report Jewish opposition to this Zionist NGOs to assist the government and written by Vian al Hilli was read out to people of Gaza to seek justice for those lobby groups such as the Islamic slaughter of the innocents. This event the public and then handed into 10 killed and maimed. A short diary of Human Rights Commission, Stop the 24/7 Vigil for Gaza was co-organised by IHRC and the Downing Street addressed to the IHRC organized a round the clock the visit by Musthak Ahmed and War Coalition, MCB, Orthodox Jews International Jewish Anti-Zionist British Prime Minister, Gordon vigil outside the London Israeli Fahad Ansari has been published. against Zionism Neturei Karta, FOSIS Network (IJAN), UK.

IHRC Merchandise & Campaign Material NEW for 10 AL-QUDS 2009/ DAY 2009 MARCH FOR JUSTICE J Malcolm X T-Shirt, FOR PALESTINE unisex, long sleeve Sunday 13th September, Malcolm X T-Shirt This iconic image comes from London, UK the design team at Ilm Wear (http://www.ilmwear.com), and Assemble at 1.30pm at is designed exclusively for IHRC. All J J JMedina SJunset 1 J J J J Marble Arch to march to T-shirts come in black and are long The Kaʼbah, Makkah 1, Large Small Large Small Dome of the Rock Large Small Masjid Al-Aqsa Large Small sleeved in the following sizes M, L, Trafalgar Square XL and XXL Promotional offer £10 Canvas Prints, various scenes by and © Muhsin Kilby. Available in two sizes 16" x 20" (approx) £95 and 30" x 40" (approx) incl p&p £189 hand stretched onto 34mm bars and sealed with a varnish for extra protection. Original lightfast UV ink to keep the print J looking vivid. Please note that this may be shipped separately from the rest of your order. Emotional Fitness Coping Skills for the Ups and Downs in Life ISBN: 978-893-3083-65-7 A self-help guide to emotional wellbeing. Published by Citizens Association of Penang, 2008 £7 including postage and packaging J Towards a New Liberation Theology: Reflections on Palestine (12 March 2009) This report is a com - pilation of papers presented at the conference Towards a New Liberation Water fouJntain, FaJtih, Almohad door, Seville, Theology: Reflections on Palestine Istanbul. Large JAndaluciaJ. Interior oJf MasjidJ al- InteJrior of MJasjid al-Aqsa InterioJr of the DJome of the JThe KaʼbJah, Makkah 2 held in June 2005 which was organ - Small Large Small Aqsa 1 Large Small 2. Large Small Rock Large Small Large Small ized by IHRC and NEDA Cost £12 IJHRC BADGES Muhsin Kilby is a London based photographer who has travelled through and photographed many parts of the world. His travels have taken him to Africa (Algeria, Pack of 10, small button badges. Morocco, Niger, Tunisia, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Sudan, Egypt), as well as the USA & Canada, Israel - Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and western Europe. £2.50 An accomplished photographer, he has also written on various issues including Jerusalem and the Palestinian issue. Please call 020 8904 4222 for Please tick the box next to the items you want and fill in your name, address and contact details on the form overleaf and send your payment to: IHRC, P O Box Box 598, details of coaches from other Wembley, HA9 7XH, United Kingdom. If you are based outside the UK please contact IHRC before purchasing items as there may be additional postage costs involved. cities or email [email protected] IHRC 9

Muslim and Jewish women outside the BBC Veteran campaigner Brian Haw protesting biased cover - Demonstrators in Traflagar joins the 24/7 vigil age of the Gaza war Square for Al-Quds Day

Tracking down IHRC activities on Palestine and Gaza the war criminals

The Islamic Human Rights Commission n defending human rights world - Aftermath: Gaza in the days after the Brown. Such unity and peaceful and the Palestine Return Centre to embassy expressing solidarity with the (IHRC) sent two team members into Gaza wide, the Islamic Human Rights 22 day war is available on-line for free protesting yielded and generated name but a few. besieged Gazans. The vigil was Issues around Demonstrations While the Gaza onslaught invoked to investigate and collate evidence on the Commission (IHRC) devoted download or to purchase in hard copy mass attention by creating a platform This year the a counter attended by veteran activists and new war crimes that took place. Soon after the Iample attention to campaign from our on-line shop. To download for educating the public that the demonstration consisted largely of campaigners, with people joining in unprecedented waves of solidarity return of the lawyers a round-table demonstrations worldwide, Britain’s work for Palestine, which height - the diary visit: substantial number of victims who Zionists, Iranian secularists and right such events for the first time. People of meeting to discuss the ʻRule of Law and peaceful demonstrations were largely met ened since the recent blockade and http://www.ihrc.org.uk/publication bore the brunt of the war were wing fascists. Al Quds demonstrators all denominations and joined in, with Israeli War Crimes in Gazaʼ was organised with by disproportionate and heavy- onslaught on Gaza. Aside from pro - s/reports/4386-AFTERMATH-GAZA- predominantly children and were were met with racist chants such as journalists, councillors, students, by the Secretariats of the Universal handed policing and random arrests. ducing a continuous stream of cam - IN-THE-DAYS-AFTER-THE-22- either mercilessly killed or injured or “Terrorist bombers off our streets”, visitors to London and many others Justice Network (UJN): Citizens joined in. We were privileged to have IHRC circulated ‘know-your-rights’ paign letters, alerts with sample let - DAY-WAR115 words orphaned by the Israeli forces. A “White pride: no surrender”, Nazi International (CI) and The Islamic Human veteran campaigner Brian Haw join leaflets at the demonstrations, and for Les Levidow, from Jews ters, and press releases, organising heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who salutes and a violent attack on Rights Commission (IHRC). This meeting Children standing in support of Gazan Against Zionism, addressing us one night also. victims of the police brutality and children oustide No 10 Downing Street the crowds at Al-Quds Day numerous events, like demonstra - Children for Children joined us to protest the rights of the demonstrators, most of whom were offered an opportunity to exchange detention, IHRC was there to provide tions and vigils, we additionally sent oppressed and innocents in Gaza in women and children. Riot police were views, brief colleagues on and discuss two of our team members into Gaza, of Gaza vigil forced to storm the march in order to casework assistance and advocacy. A In the events during the war in Gaza, the struggle for justice. Our thoughts the issue of the crimes committed by and continued to produce boycott protect Al Quds demonstrators which Womenʼs Speakout report on the policing is due for Israel. Many felt that it was essential for IHRC collaborated with a whole host and prayers are with them Also both Muslim and Jewish women materials, which are in increasing eventually resulted in the arrest of five publication later this year. activists and lawyers to have a of organizations and schools in continuously. came together to hold a vigil and demand now. counter demonstrators. brainstorming session to share ideas and support of the children of Gaza and speakout with the BBC refusal to This year we saw the one of largest pave a way forward. Representatives Palestine. The demonstration was report – about Zionist apartheid, Al Quds Demonstration in London in from various disciplines, such as NGOs, held by children in the UK in women giving birth at checkpoints, Other Work Gaza Aftermath: Al Quds Day 2008 recent years – this year it’s even more Further, a letter signed by lawyers and politicians, attended from solidarity with children of Gaza The Al Quds Day Demonstration, the expulsions, the theft of land and important to take part in this event. parliamentarians, community leaders, across the world. IHRC is putting its effort Research for Justice organised by the Justice for Palestine resources, the imprisonment of outside 10 Downing Street, to Please see the event notice in this international multi-faith organisations to ensure a long term project is sustained In the wake of the 22 day war, IHRC Committee at the end of Ramadan, children, the swimming pools in highlight the injustices that they face newsletter for the date and time of this and NGOs was delivered to the Egyptian in capturing these criminals. We are sent two lawyers to Gaza to take first attracted some 4,000 people to the Zionist settlements filled by siphoning and to help create a voice on their year’s event on 13 Septmeber. Many Embassy by a delegation led by IHRC trying to collectively work towards hand accounts of the onslaught, and protests in support of the oppressed Palestinians’ drinking water. The BBC behalf to show that they are not truly Chair Massoud Shadjareh. This initiative building an infrastructure that will identify world-wide using the symbolism of cities and towns have organised did not publicly complain that Israel is assist the task of data collection for alone in their situation. Children and was taken up by the Universal Justice the perpetrators, help with the collection Palestine. The demo attracted coaches for people to attend. Please preventing their reporters from possible future prosecutions. Detailed parents gathered to chant slogans Network (UJN) and similar events were of evidence according to international Muslims and non-Muslims of all contact the IHRC office on 020 8904 entering Gaza to witness the bombing testimonies taken from victims form such as ‘Free, Free Palestine’. At the held in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and standards by providing training and denominations and had the support of 4222 for more information. and invasion firsthand. Neither did it part of the work undertaken by many end of the demonstration a letter Turkey. advice. Further, to create a database of a large number of organisations and report Jewish opposition to this Zionist NGOs to assist the government and Also under the auspices of UJN, IHRC crimes and criminals, research and written by Vian al Hilli was read out to lobby groups such as the Islamic slaughter of the innocents. This event people of Gaza to seek justice for those was involved in facilitating legal research identify legal discourse around the world, the public and then handed into 10 Human Rights Commission, Stop the 24/7 Vigil for Gaza was co-organised by IHRC and the killed and maimed. A short diary of IHRC organized a round the clock into bringing people to account for war particularly in Europe where it is possible Downing Street addressed to the War Coalition, MCB, Orthodox Jews International Jewish Anti-Zionist the visit by Musthak Ahmed and vigil outside the London Israeli crimes. to prosecute, empower NGOs, human British Prime Minister, Gordon against Zionism Neturei Karta, FOSIS Network (IJAN), UK. Fahad Ansari has been published. rights and legal professionals to use their Rabbis and Ulema jointly condemning atrocities against Palestinians at Al-Quds Day resources to bring about action.

ANNUAL AL-QUDS DAY 2009 MARCH FOR JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE Sunday 13th September, London, UK Assemble at 1.30pm at Marble Arch to march to Trafalgar Square

Please call 020 8904 4222 for details of coaches from other cities or email [email protected] 10 IHRC A global focus : Research for rights

lhamdulillah over the past year ceived to be its actual target group- the Research Department has Muslim girls and young women. The New research projects had a multitude of titles pub - book includes distressing personal for 2009/10 Alished and many more forth - accounts from dozens of Muslim girls and IHRC will, God-willing, be undertaking a coming within the next couple young women collected and originally pilot project in the UK to assess the level of of months. We have not only focused on published by the March 15 Liberation hate crime and Islamophobia experienced by national issues affecting Muslims within Committee, as well as IHRC’s own sub - Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim. the UK, but have been able to investigate mission to the Committee against the If successful, it is hoped this will provide a other parts of the world such as France, sound methodological basis for assessing hate Denmark and Palestine. crime levels in other minority communities. Early this year, IHRC republished its IHRC is hoping to trial this project in other extensive report looking at the "It has been European countries in the coming year. Metropolitan Police Service’s policy of A further project in the pipeline this year Muslim Profiling during a 2002 pro- another busy and seeks to analyse the narratives around Palestine protest and analysing what Muslims and Islam in ‘Western’ discourse. steps have been taken since to ensure eth - fruitful year for The project over the next two years will look ical policing is present in all cases. It raises at Policy Documents, News, Literature and important issues on positive interaction the Research Film. It is hoped that a second phase will look between the MPS and Muslim organisa - at narrative in Muslim majority cultures tions as well as highlighting the ‘special team who have about the ‘West’ in a similar pattern. This is a relationship’ that MPS continue to share long term and ambitious project that seeks to with the pro-Zionist Community Security worked tirelessly understand how various ideas of the ‘other’ Trust (CST). In order for improved rela - have been constructed, and look towards how tionship between Muslim organisations to bring issues to better understanding can be developed and the MPS, a more positive and pro- the forefront and between peoples. active partnership needs to be estab - This runs parallel to IHRC’s work on lished. open debates" minorities begun with the British Muslims This report was first published in Expectations project in 2004. Research for 2002, hoping to eradicate the biased pol - Elimination of Discrimination against that project forms the basis of future work icy of Muslim profiling, but unfortunately Women (CEDAW). Further reports on that will look at the construction of minorities events in January this year showed other - Belgium and Turkey and their issues with in majority culture. wise. On 28 December 2008, Israel began the hijab are in the pipeline for publica - Also published in 2010 is IHRC’s survey its indiscriminate bombardment of the tion this year. of Muslim organisations in Germany. Gaza strip that eventually led to the death Ongoing research includes IHRC’s The research section is also aiming to put of more than 1500 innocent citizens, analysis of Free Speech and Hate Speech, together some documentaries highlighting many of whom were children. Ordinary looking at key issues affecting Muslims in some of the issues it has been dealing with, in citizens from all over the world, including Denmark, Holland and the UK and their the coming year, inshaAllah. the UK took to the streets in large num - experience of hate speech. It is an impor - IHRC’s briefings, continue to look at vari - bers to protest against the onslaught and tant study that will look at how much ous topical issue e.g. the Contest 2 proposals voice their anger and disgust . In Muslims have been affected by specific in the UK, or human rights abuses in Yemen London, MPS heavy handedness was events namely the publishing of the car - and Bahrain. This year also, the research sec - apparent from the first demonstration, toons of Prophet Muhammad (peace and tion will be commissioning some comment which started off peacefully but ended blessings be upon him), the release of two pieces for the new IHRC website. with scuffles and arrests due to bad Islamophobic movies (‘Submission’ and The research section also helps with implementation of policies. The ‘Gaza ‘Fitna’) and the Satanic Verses respec - IHRC’s submissions to the United Nations, Demonstrations 2009’ report contains tively and how able they feel to be able to working with IHRC’s UN liaison officer. witness statements and IHRC observers’ participate in public discourse and main - Our Research has been beneficial to other notes highlighting police brutality and stream media. departments within IHRC as well as to others MPS mismanagement of large crowds, Another report will be analysing including students, academics, organisations, which consequently led to several health attacks on anti-Zionist activists, with many governmental and non-governmental organ - and safety concerns and unwarranted of the victims coming from the Jewish isations, on a national and international scale. stops and searches and arrests. community. Islamic Human Rights It has been another busy and fruitful year for The report questions if lessons have Commission has seen the first hand bias the Research team who have worked tire - been learnt from past protests and sug - and hypocrisy that is apparent when lessly to bring issues to the forefront and open gests that the only way for relations to protesting against the Zionists and debates to further enrich the civil liberties improve is for clear cut and transparent Occupied Palestine. and human rights dialogue currently taking policies being implemented within the A report on the treatment of Roma in place. police force and that those who abused Bulgaria based on last year’s field trip their badges be brought to account for awaits publication. It is based on the sub - their actions against innocent protesters. mission of IHRC to the UN’s Committee Course in Islam and Human Early this year, IHRC published its for the Eradication of Racial Rights findings on the effect of the Hijab ban in Discrimination. The book of 2005’s con - IHRC provided a two semester course in French schools. In 2004, the French gov - ference ‘Towards a New Liberation Islam and Human Rights at the Islamic ernment implemented a ban on all reli - Theology: Reflections on Palestine’ was College for Advanced Studies in London last gious symbols in French schools. ‘For finally published this year. If you are year. This was a new and exciting experience Liberty? The Impact of the French Ban interested in a hard copy please hurry as and we hope to be able to develop the course on the Islamic Headscarf and other stocks are diminishing. However it can further. Religious Symbols in Schools’ looks at the be downloaded for free as can most effects of the law on what was largely per - IHRC reports, from our website. Samira Quraishy and Arzu Merali

For more information of our publications and access to reports and briefings, please log on to our website www.ihrc.org.uk or contact us on +44 (0) 20 8904 4222 IHRC 11 MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

s I write, matters this and media decried the commu - with the obvious critique of vari - vanised society for so many rea - No amount of ‘integration’ or year in Europe have nity for failing to integrate, for ous members of the Muslim com - sons. Merwe had sought justice ‘subservience’ by any minority will taken another devastat - being distinct in identity when munity – governments across from the system after being the decrease or alter that fact. The Aing turn for the worse. that identity was overt, for being Europe now overtly seek to victim of a hate crime. After giv - motor for that change must and Whilst there have been too and disproportionately suc - nationalise or Europeanise ‘Islam’ ing evidence against the man who can only come from government, many issues to comment on across cessful where that success was itself. This process of redefinition abused, who had already been national and regional. the world, it is because of the mur - well-know, for asking for special began under the guise of commu - convicted of the crime against her, When notorious anti-Semite der of Merwa El Sherbini, that favours denied to the rest of the nity cohesion and national iden - she was stabbed by the same man and Islamophobe Theo van Gogh this message will focus on Europe. was killed in the Netherlands, his With European elections this death was immediately reported, year, we saw the rise of far-right lamented and publicised. parties in many countries. In the Muslims and indeed other UK, the British National Party "Yet, deep down, surely most Muslims know minorities may well wonder why won two seats – something few in their heart that under any other name, we are Merwe’s death or that of any of could have believed even a couple those killed in hate attacks did not of years ago. Many commentators second class citizens. Our experiences, our elicit such a response as this. have rightly pointed out that par - Where were the governmental ties on the right have targeted treatment... all expose the inconvenient truth that outcries, where were the speeches Islam and Muslims, and this has from inconsolable writers? struck a chord with voters, now Europe appears to have learned very little from At IHRC we have researched attuned to the relentless its recent, horrendous past." and written reports on ideas of cit - demonistaion of a minority. izenship, on the need for genuine Others have pointed out that this population. All were crude and tity. Even then, as the UN Special 18 times. It is not just that she was equality and the promotion of focus on Islam and Muslims is a cruel stereotypes and all fed the Rapporteur on Freedom of killed in this way, or that she was minority rights. The recommen - clever cover for a more general demonization that led to the mass Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir three months pregnant at the dations in these work, as with and insidious racism against murder of Jews, Roma and many stated in her report on the United time, or that her three year old many other organisations’ work immigrants, minorities, refugees others at the hand of the Nazis. Kingdom, what business does a son witnessed the whole matter. demand acknowledgment from – against difference from an Yet were those governments that secular government have in engi - She stood in a court of law seeking the governments who so readily imaged national norm. This lat - complained of Jewish refugees neering a faith? Quite simply, redress and instead found death. point the finger at Muslims as the ter point is one which we at IHRC reaching their shores that much none. Her husband, who intervened to source of societal problems. bear witness to daily. better? Yet, we now see the promotion save her, was not only also History shows us that without However, the rise of the far- Many cartoons lambasted the of this government friendly and stabbed, but was apparently mis - ideas and laws that are backed up right is also in some ways a distrac - Jewish community in those times, paid for ‘true Islam’ being taken for her assailant and shot by by robust, principled and inde - tion from the rise of anti-Muslim many editorials and political exported to Muslim countries the court police and left in a criti - pendent institutions, real equality hatred and hostility. It is not only speeches claimed that their belief including Sudan, Pakistan and cal condition. How did the for all is simply a slogan that is those on the right, far or centre, system demanded that they hate Indonesia. When one looks at the German newspaper, Die Welt belied by violence and aggression who berate Islam and Muslims for hallmarks of these interpretations report this story? Under the which ultimately targets minori - everything from their dress to of Islam, common themes include headline “Dead Egyptian woman: ties. If ‘Never Again’ is to truly their beliefs. Hostility often dis - the uncritical acceptance of gov - Islamists demand revenge.” mean anything, the time for guised as critique, and justified as ernmental policy, particularly for - There was no reaction from building such institutions is now. free speech, has come from the "If there was one eign policy. Dressed up as the the German government, main - Despite the forgoing it is mainstream right and left. It has incident that duties of a citizen both from a stream media for almost two important for those of us who call characterised newspaper European and supposedly Islamic weeks after the murder paid little ourselves to believers to remem - columns. It has rung out from the should have perspective, this concept actually attention to the story. As outrage ber that we too must act, and work speeches of parliamentarians and shaken the undermines both the idea of free in Merwa’s native Egypt towards a more just society for all. premiers. It is heard in school expression that Europe through fomented, only then did the news Whilst ultimate responsibility for playgrounds. Nicolas Sarkozy, is complacent, its convention on human rights of the ‘shaheed of hijab’ become a change lies with those who hold but one example, where a call to Muslim or not, it guarantees everyone, and the headline, only then did the temporal power, we are com - ban the burka or nikab, became a Islamic notion of speaking out Egyptian government even make manded to strive for justice in continent-wide campaign that saw was the murder against injustice. Worse still per - a protest. The lack of importance whatever way we can. Whether strange coalitions of left and right, of Merwa haps this idea feeds on the inter - attached to Merwa’s case is indica - we can only condemn Merwe’s traditionalist and feminist even, nalisation of Islamophobia that tive of the level of demonization murder, or take part in campaigns united in a campaign against a El-Sherbini. Her many in the Muslim community that has attached to Muslims. It against unjust laws, or simply hate beleaguered community, recog - killing should suffer – the idea that we are some - reflects the institutionalisation of all injustice in our hearts, we do nised even before 9-11 by the how backward and undeserving anti-Muslim hatred be it in gov - not have a choice but to do so. European Commission Against have galvanised of the right to criticise, rather ernment, the media or other Anything less is a betrayal of the Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) as accepting all criticism unre - facets of society. Many, many indi - idea of universal justice that Islam profoundly discriminated against, society for so servedly. viduals in all parts of society decry demands. It has been a bad year, marginalised and denied equality many reasons. Yet, deep down, surely most this type of hatred, but as we have but still we must hope. with their co-citizens. Muslims know in their heart that seen so many times before, sys - Indeed ECRI explicitly stated Merwe had under any other name, we are sec - tems themselves can discriminate. Massoud Shadjareh that Muslim women were doubly sought justice ond class citizens. Our experi - discriminated against because of ences, our treatment at the hands the racism AND sexism of wider from the system of policing authorities, in the society. Nine years later, rather after being the court systems whether civil or than see a Europe that took on criminal, as the target of anti-ter - board ECRI’s recommendations, victim of a hate rorism legislation, as the victims of we see a Europe mired in rising crime. " rising hate crime, all expose the Read All About It! levels of hate crime and discrimi - inconvenient truth that Europe Whether you are a journalist or a concerned nation. We have said it many appears to have learned very little citizen, find out more about new stories or times, and IHRC is not alone in non-Jews, that their religious texts from its recent, horrendous past. pointing out the similarities were inimical to the values of the If there was one incident that the human rights view on between the demonization of the majority societies they lived in. should have shaken the compla - current events by joining Jewish community in the 1930s This all sounds alarmingly famil - cent, Muslim or not, it was the the IHRC Press Release list. and events now. iar to Muslims in 21st Century murder of Merwa El-Sherbini. Then as now, governments Europe. We are no longer faced Her killing should have gal - Email [email protected] now. 12 IHRC

From left to right Imam Achmad Cassiem, Massoud Shadjareh, Daud Abdullah and Michel Warschawski

n December 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for a Working world-wide : Ireview conference of the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance IHRC at Durban (WCAR), held in Durban, South Africa, 31 August to 08 September 2001. The so-called Durban Review Conference (DRC) was held in Geneva, 20- Review Conference 24 April 2009. The core objec - tive of DRC was to review progress and obstacles in IHRC organised a parallel event International, Malaysia. broader attempt to construct an as part of the IHRC team, in var - addressing racism, giving partic - on the issue of “Old and new Amongst other speakers were: artificial “clash of civilizations.” ious events tried to explain why ular attention to the ‘victims of forms of racism-the case of Chair Islamic Human Rights Asma Jahangir explained how Zionism is a rejection of racism,’ and to agree strategies Islamophobia.” which provided Commission, Massoud every Muslim family in the Judaism. Michel Warchawski for combating racism at the a useful framework to identify, Shadjareh; ex-prisoner of world that travels internationally tried to explain the reasons for international, regional and analyze and respond directly to Robben Island (prisoner num - is at the risk of facing discrimina - the failure of Durban Review national levels. The DRC initia - the societal discrimination of ber 882/64), Imam Achmand tion. She further went on high - Conference. tive was taken principally by the racism. IHRC was privileged to Casseim and Chair of the Islamic lighting how every “Muslim that IHRC members were also Group of African States and the have the UN Special Unity Convention, South Africa; arrives at a border knows that contacted by various media per - members of the Organisation of they may be singled out by sonnel for interviews. “The con - the Islamic Conference (OIC). immigration officials.” Massoud ference is not taking Among their chief concern was Shadjareh, Chair IHRC, noted Islamophobia seriously. Muslim the need to address new forms of The Main that since 9/11 new forms of con - communities in Europe already contemporary racism, xenopho - Conference Hall temporary racism, xenophobia don’t believe they are full citi - bia and related intolerance that in at the UN, Geneva and related intolerance have zens; this will alienate them,” have emerged or increased since emerged or increased. These told Massoud Shadjareh in an 9/11. These include include Isalmophobia and dis - interview with Islamonline. Isalmophobia and discrimina - criminatory anti-terrorism Details of the interview can be tory anti-terrorism measures. measures for example ‘stop and found are at search,’ which are grave viola - www.islamonline.net. Islamic Human Rights tion of rights to physical Commission (IHRC) contri - integrity. The proceedings of the con - IHRCʼs Submission at bution to the Durban Review Durban Review Conference Conference. ference are available online at UN website and Al Jazeera, and IHRC submitted a written state - will soon be on the IHRC web - DRC repeated some of the fail - ment to the main meeting of site also. ures of Durban and exhibited Durban Review Conference. well how the international poli - Amongst the issues we raised was tics of terrorism has infiltrated IHRC in other parallel events that the theme of the Durban the racism dialogue and at the Durban Review Review Conference Against obscured the genuine concerns Conference Racism has not demonstrated of communities who find them - their commitment to fight against selves increasingly discriminated IHRC was a co-organizer of a racism. There has been an expo - against in the post-9/11 climate. parallel event on “Racism, nential increase in anti-Muslim IHRC participation at the counter-terrorism and discrimi - racism, Islamophobia and other Durban nation against Muslims: Action forms of prejudice in the wake of Review Conference was a beyond Durban,” with Minority recent international events. We positive effort to make the voice Rights Group and International also raised the issue that UK gov - of the civil society heard. The fol - Commission of Jurists. Massoud ernment has targeted almost lowing highlights just some of Shadjareh described cases of dis - exclusively the Muslim commu - Rapporteur on freedom of reli - Deputy Secretary General, the work of IHRC at Durban crimination against Muslims in nity, for incitement to racial and gion or belief, Asma Jahangir, Muslim Council of Britain and Review Conference the United Kingdom. religious hatred. IHRC also urge and former Special Rapporteur researcher Palestinian Return Massoud Shadjareh, was also that DRC reflect these concerns, on racism, racial discrimination, Centre, Dr. Daud Abdullah and invited as a panellist in one of the and support the work done by IHRCʼs parallel event at xenophobia and related intoler - political activist campaigner, parallel event on “Human civil society in pursuit of equality Durban Review Conference. ance, Doudo Diene. Permanent Michael Warschawski, from Rights, Discrimination and and justice. observer of the OIC, Babacar Jerusalem. Islamophobia,” organised by Full details of IHRC contribu - IHRC recognizes the Durban BA, on the panel. The panel The discussion began on Interfaith International and Al tion at the Durban Review Review Conference as present - addressed the meeting of UN emphasizing the need for educa - Hakim Foundation. Conference can be found at UN ing a unique opportunity for the officials, country delegates, tion and intercultural dialogue Other members of IHRC website as well as at Islamic development and adoption of a NGO representative, television to combat hateful sentiments were also involved in various Human Rights Commission web - new approach to address the and press. The meeting was against Muslims and Islam. events at Durban Review site. impact of racism, racial discrimi - chaired by Mohideen Abdul Doudou Dienne emphasized Conference. Rabbis from nation, xenophobia and related Kader, Director Citizen Islamophobia was part of a neturei Karta who participated intolerances. In this context Aneesa Sillat Sattar IHRC 13 VOLUNTEER FOR IHRC

Volunteer for justice: Opportunities for students: Be an IHRC Be an IHRC intern

ur internships at IHRC hope that our interns leave us operations including our UN volunteer ran as normal in 2009 with that which they intended to liaison. Ocontinuing our excellent take from the IHRC internship, Our objectives are not only to opportunity for gradu - which for most is an eye opening provide an eye opening experi - ates and students, with an aver - experience into the world of ence into the world of Human Volunteers helping to hold up the iconic age intake of ten interns every Human Rights. I’m glad to say Rights but also to equip our IHRC banner at an year. This year’s applicants were that we still receive applicants interns with the necessary tools event just as competitive and as usual yearly from both Muslim and to make them active in trying to we received more applicants than non-Muslim backgrounds which better the human condition. we could accommodate. Our makes us happy in knowing that After sending in an accept - applicants as always come from our applicants understand our able C.V, sample of writing and varied and dynamic back - work is universal, beyond aiming two references, completed appli - grounds ranging from at any one group or creed but at cations are examined and appli - Postgraduates to undergraduates human beings in general. cants are shortlisted for inter - and studying in fields. Our internships are divided view. Our interns normally Applications come from into winter and summer, the attend an interview with our Germany, France, Holland, summer usually lasting two to Head of Research and one other India, Pakistan and also much three times longer than the one member of staff (we do try to closer to home such as Scotland month of the winter internships. have one male and one female and Wales. It is unfortunate that Depending on what one is look - interviewer). we have not yet been able to fund ing for, both the shorter winter It doesn’t end there. It is any of our internships, so till this and longer summer internships often said it is hard to leave day they remain as unpaid posi - have their benefits. IHRC. Many interns have tions. This shows the character Three of our departments returned to IHRC as volunteers of our applicants who apply with are charged with taking our or staff. In fact no less than four sincerity, to learn and benefit and interns on board for their train - of our current staff were previ - not seeking financial gain. The ing and they include the ously interns at the IHRC. prophet of Islam Muhammad Research, Campaigns and advo - peace be upon him once said cacy department. Those who D. M. Kapansa ‘"Verily actions are by intentions, are successful in being selected and for every person is what he for our summer internship will Below is some feedback from a intended…”. We therefore end up seeing a lot more of our former IHRC intern: many injustices we witness GIVE US 5 MINUTES today, but provide an intellec - My time shadowing casework cases. Since leaving the commis - tual foundation for that strug - My Internship Experience at support officer gave me insight sion my hope was that this was IHRC has been blessed with gle. The sense of unity and the Islamic Human Rights into the many issues that something that could be devel - the support of many volun - brotherhood amongst the vol - Commission Muslims face, mainly for being oped in the future to allow socie - teers, based in the UK and Coming from a legal background unteers serves to also induce a Muslim. There were many ty to understand how the misun - abroad. From those who write I was delighted when I was spiritual reward for crimes committed due to hate derstanding and hate of the letters of support to prisoners offered the internship shadow - Volunteering at the IHRC.” and ignorance. I was saddened Islamic faith causes adversities and detainees, to those who ing the caseworker at the to find, that unlike some other which should have no place in research reports and help out Commission. faith groups, there was lack of society. at events, and distribute mate - Oussama From the outset, I came into awareness made public through My experience allowed me to rial and raise awareness in a place full of dedicated people a centralised reporting system of realise just how hard those at the their local areas (see article working towards the same cause. There are many other ways annual crime rates relating to Commission work to create below), IHRC’s work has been It was interesting to find how you can help. You could be Islamophobia. This propelled awareness on the injustice that is carried on by the blessings of there were many facets to the helping in admin (if you are me to look into the cases that the happening at home and away, as Allah swt through the dedica - commission, each working to one based near the IHRC offices), Commission received alongside well as the dedication needed to tion of so many people. great objective – Justice, and how research, demonstrations, those published online and achieve greater fairness. This year please take at each team worked dedicatedly to campaigning, distributing devise a rough summary guide least a few minutes of time to help it prevail. IHRC materials, manning to the annual Islamophobic join these volunteers. If you stalls and helping out at Fairouz Fadhl join our mailing list you will events. receive alerts from our cam - Volunteering is helpful to paigns section. You can write a us but also helps you to letter of protest or write to a develop your own personal prisoner or detainee. It takes a skills and broadens your Help in the struggle few minutes of your time mind. It is an excellent way to whenever you like. Just send become familiar with what an email to sub - practical action you can take [email protected]. If you are for justice as an IHRC to pursue justice and preserve interested in a particular cam - human rights. If you want to paign, prisoner, country or volunteer in this way please field you have had experience send in your C.V. and cover regional coordinator! in this may be an opportunity letter to IHRC, PO BOX 598, for you to work in that area. Wembley, London, UK, HA9 7XH. Alternatively you can If you are living outside volunteers to campaign on There is a liaison officer based IF YOU HAVE MORE email [email protected]. London and wish to volunteer IHRC campaigns. The cam- at the IHRC office to work THAN FIVE MINUTES… Finally if you are unable to you should consider becoming paigns undertaken will reflect with you. donate your time we would an IHRC local coordinator or IHRC projects and may For further information “Volunteering for the IHRC greatly appreciate your finan- get in touch with us to find out involve letter writing, events please call us on 0208 904 has always proved rewarding cial support. This could be in if there is an existing coordi- and much more or even issues 4222. If you are interested in on a number of levels. The the form of a regular donation nator in your area. in your local community. becoming a regional co-ordi- range of activities undertaken by standing order, a one off A local coordinator is a Co-ordinators get training nator for IHRC please send in by the IHRC and the vast array donation or purchasing or point of contact in your area at least twice a year at the your C.V. and cover letter to of topics the commission covers selling various products that and would be responsible for IHRC office in London, and IHRC, PO BOX 598, Wembley, serve not only to provide an we produce such as Eid cards encouraging likeminded peo- the amount of work you take London, UK, HA9 7XH. incentive to act against the and t-shirts. ple to build a core group of on depends entirely on you. Alternatively you can email 14 IHRC Are you a UK taxpayer? 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Folds down to handy credit card This book by one of IHRCʼs founders, looks at (November 2004) The first in the British size. Per batch of 50. the development of British Muslim identity and Muslims Expectations of the Government the challenges to it from the globalization of Series , looking at the crunch issues of citi - Hollywood culture. This book costs £17.00 which zenship and belonging for Muslims in the includes postage and packing. UK. Cost £8.50 J British Muslimʼs Expectations of the UMBRELLA Government: Social Discrimination: J Across the Muslim Divide (December Large size, black umbrella with IHRC logo in 2004) The second instalment in the BMEG white and the slogan ʻJoin the Struggle for series dealing with anti muslim prejudice in Justice Join IHRC www.ihrc.orgʻ. Cost £10 which the current political climate. Cost £8.50 includes postage and packing. Please note, if J AN ordering more than one item, umbrella will be British Muslimʼs Expectations of the H S dispatched separately from rest of order. Government: Secular or Islamic? What AD FER Schools do British Muslims want for AM OF ilable their Children? (July 2005) Volume 3 of R IAL re ava T-SHIRTS EC ffers a 009 J the BMEG series deals with an important SP cial o an 2 A long sleeve version of the iconic IHRC T- question dealt with by every parent. It g spe madh followin ring Ra Shirt with the wording ʻWhose Side Are You Onʼ analyses the problem facing under achiev - The ed du . (Front), ʻThe World Stopped Nazism, The World ing muslim children. Cost £8.50 plac last) der orders stocks hirt or Stopped Apartheid, The World Must Stop J on while y T-s Zionismʼ (Reverse). Sizes (S), (M), (L) & (XL) British Muslimʼs Expectations of the ( th an ap wi with Cost £10 which includes postage and packing. Government: Hijab, Meaning, Identity, seball c cards Otherization and Politics: British Muslim EE ba t of Eid Women. (January 2006) Volume 4 of the • FR E se r £10 ree • FRE er ove and f BANNER BMEG series takes a look at the Hijab – y ord e cap J commonly understood as a head-covering an s, fre 0. d card ver £2 This banner can be displayed as a poster or for women. Cost £8.50 of Ei er o used at demonstrations and vigils. Printed in J set ny ord FREE with a la colour on canvass with the wording ʻThe World British Muslimʼs Expectations of the • ella mbrel Stopped Nazism, The World Stopped Government: Law and British Muslims: umbr ote, u tely lease n separa Apartheid, The World Must Stop Zionismʼ with Domination of the Majority or Process of P tched a small Zionist flag crossed through. 32” x 47”. It the Balance. (May 2006) The fifth report in dispa rder. will be est of o costs £7 which includes postage and packing. the BMEG series has been commissioned from r J to highlight how certain laws and the experi - This banner reads ʻWhose Side Are You Onʼ ence of Muslim communities of these laws and pictures boy throwing stone at tank 32” x is discriminatory and Islamophobic. Cost 47”. It costs £7 which includes postage and pack - £8.50 J J Oppressed in the Name of Freedom ing. British Muslimʼs Expectations of the postcards. (Oct 2003) Per batch of 25. Government: Representing Muslims and Specially printed cards regarding the plight of EID CARDS Islam: The Ideology of Demonisation women discriminated against for wearing J and the Media (Feb 2007) The sixth report hijab. Currently being used to campaign for Eid Card, Quran Set 1 in the British Muslimsʼ Expectations of hijab rights in Turkey. Please specify which 6 Beautiful calligraphic cards* (A6 size) with Government series explores the relation - cHards you require. envelopes. The original IHRC Eid cards. Cost £4 ship between perceptions by and of Recep Tayyep Erdogan , Turkish Prime J Muslims and the role of domination and MHinister Eid Card, Quran Set 2 demonisation in the cultural language of the Benita Ferrero-Waldner , EU 6 Beautiful calligraphic cards* (A6 size) with media. Cost £8.50 Commissioner for external relations. envelopes. The original IHRC Eid cards. Cost £4 J J Against Zionism: Jewish Perspectives. You may wish to visit our website for current Eid card Art and Architecture Set. (2008). The papers published herein were updates relating to this campaign. 6 A6 cards* with various vistas from Palestine to presented at the conference ʻAgainst Spain, with envelopes. Cost £4 Zionism: Jewish Perspectivesʼ at the Brunei Set will include 6 different designs if possible. If 6 Gallery, School of Oriental and African IHRC CAMPAIGN PACKS different designs are not available a seventh card Studies, London on 2 July 2006 organized will be included free of charge. by the Islamic Human Rights Commission IHRC campaign packs are also available to and NEDA. Cost £5.00 download from the website: www.ihrc.org. If you require us to send you hard copies, VISIT PAGE 8 FOR MORE NEW ITEMS!

Please tick the box next to the items you want and fill in your name, address and contact details on the form overleaf and send your payment to: IHRC, P O Box Box 598, Wembley, HA9 7XH, United Kingdom. If you are based outside the UK please contact IHRC before purchasing items as there may be additional postage costs involved. WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW! Please look at pages 8 and 15 and purhase some of our merchandise. We have everything from special prints to great We deal with criminal, ARANI SOLICITORS reads, fantastic T-shirts 43a South Road and other accessories. family, civil cases, and Southall proceedings against Middlesex UB1 1SW Every penny of the police. United Kingdom profit goes back We undertake national into IHRC's DX: 42051 Southall work. and international work Tel: +44(0)20 8893 5000 in order to assist in the Fax: +44(0)20 8893 5506 Emergency Number: abuses taking place as +44(0)709238 6816 Please help a result of the so called Email: however you can! alleged war on Terror. [email protected] THANK YOU www.aranisolicitors.com

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