Abrar A bi-monthly newsletter published by the Abrar Islamic Foundation 45 CrawfordEdior: Place, DrLondon Saeed W!H Shehabi 4LP A bi-monthly newsletter Tel:Published 020 7724 by the 3033 45Fax: Crawford 020 7724 Place, 7219 LondonEmail: W1H 4LP Vol 16, No 13(373) 1st-15th January 2020 [email protected] Tel: 020Website: 7724 3033 Healing UK’s divisions beyond Brexit www.abrar.org.uk The results of the recent UK elections have from UK. The rising influence of the Scottish Email: been a shocking episode to many despite the National Party (SNP) which has increased its Abrarhouse anticipation of a tory win. The landslide share to 48 seats will give it a mandate to hold @hotmail.com achievement by Boris Johnson was, however, a referendum to split from the UK. This will be Website not predicted except the day before the elec- another headache to Mr Johnson who fought www.abraronline.net tion. Now the Tories have it their own way, the hard to leave the EU. Charity no. 293802 Brexit will be confirmed by the end of January. The Muslims are also “fearful” for their future In a sense this will be a relief to a country that according to the Muslim Council of Britain has been divided over the issue for the past (MCB). In a statement after the results of the three years. The Tories themselves have expe- election were announced Harun Khan, Secre- rienced difficult time with internal divisions tary General of the Muslim Council of Britain We stand for: and changes of prime ministers. The situation said: “Mr Johnson commands a majority, but was deadlocked as the parliament rejected the there is a palpable sense of fear amongst Mus- • Inter-faith and inter- deals reached first by the former prime minis- lim communities around the country. We en- civilisational dialogue ter, Theresa May and later by Mr Johnson. As tered the election campaign period with long the crisis dragged on, the people felt political standing concerns about bigotry in our politics • Respect for the human fatigue that they just wanted the whole thing and our governing party. Now we worry that race and rights to come to an abrupt end. Mr Johnson called Islamophobia is “oven-ready” for government. for the elections and the results have given him Mr Johnson has been entrusted with huge • Cooperation for the a much stronger position to see through his power, and we pray it is exercised responsibly good of people Brexit plan. for all Britons.” Mr Johnson had a history of • Moderation This may seem a fairy tale for the Tories who unhelpful remarks. In his Daily Telegraph col- were severely fragmented. Some of their most umn (August 2018), he compared Muslim • Modernity senior figures were expelled by Johnson when women wearing the Niqab with 'letterboxes' they rebelled against him. But is it really a fairy leading to Islamophobia 'spike'. Together with • High standards of tale? Is is going to be a smooth sailing for the his controversial policy on immigration, there spirituality governing party? Several impediments are like- are great resentments among members of the ly to hinder Mr Johnson’s plans. First is the minorities especially the Muslims. There is fear position of the European Union and the price that after leaving the EU, UK will tilt more to- tag they want to impose on UK for leaving. This wards the United States and that some of Don- In this issue is not going to be easy as the EU wants to deter ald Trump’s policies may be replicated here. other members from following the UK steps. The somber feelings were felt in many quar- Secondly; the prospect of a hard Brexit with no ters, not least among those who had cam- Local Events 2 deal is a worrying possibility to many even with paigned for the Labour Party and its leader; the Conservative Party. Thirdly the wounds Jeremy Corbyn. They had a life time chance to Muslim Affairs 3 within the Party have been so deep that heal- see some of their socialist policies implement- ing them may not be possible without major ed in government but their hopes have been Muslims love Jesus too 4 administrative changes. Many are worried that dashed. It is now hoped that reason and wis- the present structures within the Party and the dom will prevail and that the Conservatives act Islamic summit government encourage dictatorship and 5 In Malaysia the emergence of personality cults. Mr Johnson has already exhibited signs of this when he decided to freeze the Par- Hijab adopted by Nike liament for five weeks in order to see his in new swim costumes 6 Brexit plan through without parliamen- tary objections.. Fourthly, the promises Which one are you? 8 given by the Conservatives are wide ranging and require more borrowing. The state’s debt could rise to two £2 trillion. Finally the divisions within the UK as a result of leaving Europe are like- ly to reflect themselves in more de- mands either for devolution or total split Page 2 Local Events What makes a good Christian yourself in God. Love lives in us through not overbearing or miserable. Mary, 32. us. You have made us, our hearts are rest- Here one of the prominent attributes is On Tuesday 17th December a seminar less. Love must be at the centre of inter- the appreciation of parents and avoiding was held by the Open Discussion and faith. A missionary in the East said that their displeasure. The second of Jesus’s the Gulf Cultural Club to mark the Sufis are Methodists of the East. All good- attributes is inviting people to worship Christmas period. It was titled: What ness in us rests in the intimate relation God. People are busy with their lives. makes a good Christian" and chaired by with God. Life of Jesus is a life of seeking The real salvation is in the hands of Shabbir Razvi. Four speakers addressed holiness, loving as God loves. Methodists God. “Verily Allah is my Lord and your the seminar; three Christians and a are friends of all, enemies of none. There Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Muslim. The first speaker was Dr The- are three general rules: do no harm, do Way that is straight.” (Mary, 36). The odora Hawksley, from the Jesuit group good, and remain in love. Earn as much as third is that he served people. of Catholic priests. She said: Someone you can, save as much as you can, give as asked a Catholic Jesuit: What does it much as you can. Jesus was a vegetarian, The Arabic Language mean to be a good Jesuit? He said:It is animal rights activist Loving God: help us the love of Jesus. This sums up what it to love you, serve you On Thursday 19th December the weekly means to be a good Christian. Love Florence Okoye (UX Designer) said: I meeting of Abrar was dedicated to a means sharing of goods with people, spend my time thinking about complex debate on the Arabic Language. This is sharing of prayers, our lives, our happi- systems and how they work, relationship to mark the Un-designated Day of the ness and our sorrows. We believe God between humanity and technology. The Arabic Language on 18th December. shares with us what He has; human role of power is something I am interested Two speakers presented arguments relationships. We have to share our in. To be a good Christian is to help those about Arabic; its history, richness, role lives with God In catholic community people who have been excluded. There is in forming the identity and the challeng- we receive faith from communities no such thing as good Christian. Whatever es facing it in today’s world where tech- before us and pass it to future. Love fine words we use, none of us is good, nology has affected most world’s lan- also means likeness. Catholics are in- John the Baptist has interesting things: he guages. Sheikh Munir Al Turaihi spoke fluenced by Aristotle who was intro- wants people to be responsible and ac- about the role of the Arabic language in duced to the West by the Muslims. He countable. Repentance is not just saying the circle of Islamic jurisprudence. He says something on love and likeness. sorry, but abandoning the wrong things. said that Arabic has its own distinguish- They like the same things and love it Questioning aspect is stuck with me when ing features; It is rich and deep, it is the for others. Spouses become like each I attempted to talk about what makes a language of the holy Quran which set other as they age. Loving Jesus means good Christian. There is a lesson in that; the highest lingual standards and that it liking what Jesus loves. He spends time interrogation is only way to know the oth- is accommodating to human cultural and in prayers, prioritises God. He loved er. By questioning we can recognise our cognitive developments. The Islamic the poor, the weak and the sufferers. own limitations. We have to help and love conquests contributed to its richness as Jesus spent his time with these people, those who are poor. it interacted with other cultures. It is travelling on foot to the peasants. To be Sayed Hashim Al Moosavi, the Director ironic that most language experts are good Christians we have to love who of the Islamic Centre in England, said: non-Arabs. One of the greatest scholar Jesus loves.