Islam and Muslims in Britain, A Guide for Non- Muslims Islam and Muslims in Britain, a Guide for Non-Muslims 1 Introduction............................................................................................................5 1.1 Aims of this Document ..................................................................................5 1.2 Differences among Muslims..........................................................................5 1.3 Integration......................................................................................................6 1.4 More Information...........................................................................................6 2 Essential Beliefs and Practice ................................................................................7 2.1 Principle Beliefs.............................................................................................7 2.1.1 Imaan - Belief ........................................................................................7 2.1.2 Risaalah – Guidance..............................................................................7 2.1.3 Akhirah - Afterlife..................................................................................8 2.1.4 ‘Fundamentalism’ ..................................................................................9 2.2 Principle Practices........................................................................................10 2.2.1 Salaah – Ritual Prayer .........................................................................11 2.2.2 Sawm (Arabic) or Roza (Urdu) – Fasting ............................................14 2.2.3 Zakaah – Charity..................................................................................14 2.2.4 Hajj – Pilgrimage.................................................................................15 2.3 Ecumenicalism and Interfaith ......................................................................15 3 Islam’s Place in the World and in Britain............................................................17 3.1 Islam in the World .......................................................................................17 3.2 Principle Factions.........................................................................................18 3.2.1 Shi’a .....................................................................................................18 3.2.2 Sunni ....................................................................................................18 3.2.3 Sunni – Deobandis and Bareilvis.........................................................19 3.2.4 Sunni Arab Movements .......................................................................19 3.2.5 Sunni – ‘Wahabbis’..............................................................................19 3.2.6 Sunni – Maulana Maudoodi.................................................................20 3.2.7 Sunni – Salafi.......................................................................................20 3.2.8 Extremists ............................................................................................20 3.2.9 Factions and Fringe Movements..........................................................20 3.3 Muslim Groups in Britain and in London....................................................21 3.3.1 Muslims in Britain ...............................................................................21 3.3.2 Muslims in London..............................................................................22 4 The Mosque or Masjid.........................................................................................25 4.1 The Basics of a Mosque...............................................................................25 4.2 Formal Worship ...........................................................................................26 4.3 History of Mosques in Britain......................................................................26 4.4 Factions and Control....................................................................................27 4.5 Organisation.................................................................................................28 4.5.1 Openness can be Weakness .................................................................28 4.5.2 Control and Growth .............................................................................28 4.5.3 Defining Membership ..........................................................................28 4.5.4 Takeover Bids ......................................................................................28 4.6 Imams...........................................................................................................29 4.6.1 Need for a Regular Imam.....................................................................29 4.6.2 Native Arabic Speakers........................................................................29 4.6.3 English Speaking .................................................................................29 4.6.4 Limited Incentives ...............................................................................30 Copyright:Naqshbandi-City of London Police 2006 1 4.7 Islamic Authority .........................................................................................30 4.8 Notices and Leaflets, Speakers and Events in the Masjid ...........................31 4.8.1 Speakers and Events ............................................................................31 4.8.2 Handbills in the Masjid........................................................................31 4.8.3 Leafleting outside the Masjid...............................................................31 4.8.4 Respect for Sacred Text in Leaflets .....................................................32 4.9 Umbrella Groups..........................................................................................32 4.9.1 Federation of Student Islamic Societies...............................................33 4.9.2 The Union of Muslim Organisations ...................................................33 4.9.3 The Islamic Party of Britain.................................................................33 4.9.4 The Muslim Parliament........................................................................33 4.9.5 The Islamic Society of Britain .............................................................34 4.9.6 The Muslim Council of Britain............................................................34 4.9.7 The Muslim Association of Britain......................................................34 4.9.8 The British Muslim Forum ..................................................................34 4.10 Pictures, Photos, Posters and Symbols ........................................................34 4.11 Visitors.........................................................................................................35 4.12 Conventions and Etiquettes in the Masjids..................................................35 4.12.1 Attire ....................................................................................................35 4.12.2 Separation of Men and Women ...........................................................36 4.12.3 Shoes....................................................................................................36 4.12.4 Photographs and Posters ......................................................................36 4.13 Madressahs...................................................................................................36 4.14 Home and Overseas Education ....................................................................37 5 Muslim Routines and the Islamic Calendar.........................................................39 5.1 Calculation of the Islamic Calendar.............................................................39 5.2 The Start of the New Month ........................................................................39 5.3 The Muslim Year .........................................................................................39 5.3.1 Muharram.............................................................................................39 5.3.2 Rabi' al-awwal......................................................................................40 5.3.3 Shabaan................................................................................................40 5.3.4 Ramadhaan...........................................................................................40 5.3.5 Shawwal...............................................................................................41 5.3.6 Dhul-Hijjah ..........................................................................................41 5.4 The Muslim Week........................................................................................42 6 Birth, Marriage and Death ...................................................................................43 6.1 Birth .............................................................................................................43 6.2 Abortion .......................................................................................................43 6.3 Male and Female Circumcision ...................................................................43 6.4 Marriage.......................................................................................................44 6.4.1 Marriage Partners.................................................................................44