As a Muslim community in the UK, we know we hold a great responsibility to raise our children in a manner that they hold onto their Deen. We want to raise adults who look after us in our old age, who hold the Qur'an in their hearts, who care for their neighbours, who tell the truth whatever the situation, who walk the ground with humility. So that when we are dead and gone, Islam is the light by which this community is led.
However we know the obstacles of carrying Islam on in this manner, is being challenged today. The damning draft Ofsted Report released on the Muslim school in Luton and the ominous Trojan horse case of the Birmingham schools, have left Muslim parents and educationalists feeling that our efforts with tomorrow's Ummah is a problem.
This witch-hunting of the Muslim community shows one thing. That despite a range of faith schools existing from a host of communities, Christian, Jewish to Hindu - It is the Muslim schools and efforts of Muslim parents, that are a threat. The Christian community, with the largest number of faith schools across the country, still significantly do believe homosexuality is a sin. The Archbishop recently released guidance to tackle homophobia bullying in schools, still acknowledging the significant religious view. Orthodox Jews believe in gender segregation, with single sex schools in the UK. Islam, however, seems to be the only punchbag for such views by Gove, licencing his sensationalist sweeping measures around Muslim schools. All because, anything can go in the name of tackling extremism in the Muslim community today.
This whipped up fury may appear like a big giant for us to overcome, as has been gender segregation in Universities, niqab in the community. But it is a giant we must push back on, with trust in Allah (swt) that He will support us and assist us. As a community we must come together to resist this pressure against the bringing up of our next generation. This is something we cannot compromise on an inch. And if we were to, it will do nothing but legitimise the vilification of it. We will rubber stamp the idea propagated, that we are trying to teach our children things which are harmful for society, breeding hatred and terrorists. This we know, could not be any further from the truth:
((يا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ عَلَيْهَا مَلَائِكَةٌ غِلَاظٌ شِدَادٌ لَّا يَعْصُونَ اللَّهَ مَا أَمَرَهُمْ وَيَفْعَلُونَ مَا يُؤْمَرُونَ))
"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded." [Surah Tahreem: 4]
This ayah stands today as it did yesterday and will tomorrow. That we must do everything in our power to save our children from the Hellfire, despite the overwhelming pressure we feel against media giants and anti-Islamic politicians. Many of us still have needs to raise at the school PTA meeting about how our children will get through the school day in Ramadan in this climate, we may have children who will be going to a Muslim school where they will study the Deen. We have to be brave and carry on. It is the time, to increase our efforts not decrease them.
Muslim schools, we must confidently argue are actually one of the greatest achievements of the UK population. The minority Muslim community have garnered together much needed funds to establish a wealth of schools up and down the country. These schools have sought to instil values in the next generation, that can only benefit the society they will live in. The belief that the idea of God consciousness, sense of accountability, values of compassion, care and responsibility to be helpful members of society which Islamic education imbibes, is crucial for the adults of tomorrow. The truth is Muslim schools are producing children that this very society needs in a time where increasing materialism, individualism and a hedonistic culture is engulfing the youth. To claim Muslim schools are creating people harmful for society, is not only the grossest case of libel, but laughable - When scores of state schools find difficulty in getting the child to respect the teacher.
But yes, ultimately it is another attack on our Deen and Islamic lifestyle, we may feel we are not strong enough to stand up against. But it was Prophet Dawud (as) who came forward before the giant Jalut, knowing his battle didn't look promising from the outside. But he (as) knew how important it was to stand up for the sake of the Haqq.
He (as) was told to not even fight as his father felt he was too young and weak. But he went forward, persevering and as Allah says that it was He who ultimately gave him the firm decision:
((وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ))
"And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech." [Surah Saad: 20]
Our feeling of being cornered, is true being a minority community with little access to the media. But the stories of the Prophets that we read to our children, give us a strong lesson about perseverance despite how hard it appears. Because we don't shape what happens, as a result of our efforts. Only Allah (swt) has the power to do that.
Finally, if we were to dip into our future fifty years from now, to see a community whose Islam was merely in a sir name and nothing else, we would be devastated. Because to just live means nothing, without living with the Deen of our Rabb.
The road to the preservation of Islam was not just the mission of the last Messenger of Allah (saw) - But has become the mission of this minority community in the UK, in the 21st century.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Umm Abdullah Khan
Women's Media Representative Hizb ut Tahrir in Britain
News:
A Sudanese judge has sentenced a Christian woman to hang for apostasy, despite appeals by Western embassies for compassion and respect for religious freedom. The case, thought to be the first of its kind to be heard in Sudan, involves a woman whose Christian name is Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag. "We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam," Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa told the woman on Thursday, addressing her by her father's Muslim name, Adraf Al-Hadi Mohammed Abdullah. "I sentence you to be hanged to death." Khalifa also sentenced Ishag to 100 lashes for "adultery". Ishag, who rights activists say is pregnant and 27 years old, reacted without emotion when Abbas delivered the verdict at a court in the Khartoum district of Haj Yousef. Earlier in the hearing, an Islamic religious leader spoke with Ishag in the caged dock for about 30 minutes. Then she told the judge: "I am a Christian and I never committed apostasy." Sudan's government introduced Islamic law in 1983 but extreme punishments other than flogging are rare. (Source: Al Jazeera)
Comment:
Once again, Sudan's arbitrary Shariah laws are causing controversy. Although Sudan is a majority Muslim nation, its constitution is vague and based on secular thought as well as some aspects of Islam. Its wording is indicative of the Shari' as the basis but its ambiguity leaves out the necessary detail required to settle inter-religious disputes, as well as modern day issues. Applying any rule of law in an inconsistent manner will always result in oppression or dhulm of another. Any government that perpetuates this is clearly serving its own agenda and not serving the best interests of society and we should be clear that all the Muslim governments today are guilty of this.
Adultery is a major sin in Islam and of course the hudood must be taken from Shari', however along with the hudood should be the correct atmosphere and culturing of the entire society at all levels. Where the Islamic hudood is not only feared, but acclaimed and admired by Muslims and non-Muslims alike, where the society's thinking is higher and people realise the honor of a woman and therefore the value of segregation and the Islamic dress code, as well being convinced of the evils that arise from free mixing and extra marital relationships. Also the wider effects of apostasy will be acknowledged with no need to be apologetic in the face of western secular liberalism.
Allah swt says, ((يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ادْخُلُوا فِي السِّلْمِ كَافَّةً وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ)) "Enter into the fold of Islam completely, and follow not the footsteps of the Shaitan." (Al Baqarah: 208). Proving there is no concept of following only some aspects of Islam, as individuals or as an ummah.
Unsurprisingly the western media in its malicious blood lust towards Islam has constant coverage of this case day and night, not due to a concern for Mariam and her children as they would have us believe, but in their desire to demonise any aspect of Shariah law and obliterate it from hearts and minds of the Muslims as a sadistic and barbaric one. Even the beautiful wisdoms of suckling a child for two years are brazenly ridiculed by the so-called educated ideologues, and all this because the Sudanese government has failed to uphold Islam in its entirety, from which the world could witness social progress, education, justice and tolerance. Instead its incorrect application of Sharia along with all the checks and balances also necessitated by Shariah, has further made Islam into a topic of ridicule, hatred and a deviation from civilization. The exact opposite of what Hukm Shara has been revealed to achieve, and did achieve for over 1400 years.
Only the return of the promised Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashida will give protection for the Islamic Shariah Rule.
Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Um Mohammed
Brother Mustafa Hashim Zayed, member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Egypt gave the Khutbah regarding enjoining the good & forbidding the evil in the past years, which has turned the balance of right and wrong under the oppressive leadership from these rulers and have underestimated the blood of their brothers.
Kinanah Egypt, 1 Sha'aban 1435 AH corresponding to 30 May 2014 CE
The documentary film that was presented at the Khilafah "Caliphate" Conference, "Renew Pact to the Revolution of Ash-Sham and Collaborate for the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate"," which was organized by Hizb ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Lebanon on the anniversary of the destruction of the Khilafah "Caliphate" and support for the revolution of Ash-Sham from Tripoli of Ash-Sham.
Tripoli of Ash-Sham, 30 Rajab 1435 corresponding to 29 May 2014 CE
After his substantial visit to Pakistan, in which he met key figures of the military and political leadership, James F. Dobbins, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, announced on May 13, 2014 that the US-led military presence in Afghanistan will remain "significant" despite this year's draw-down. Indeed, America is determined to remain in Afghanistan
Hizb ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Lebanon organized a conference for the anniversary of the destruction of the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" & to support the revolution of Ash- Sham from Tripoli of Ash-Sham.
Tripoli of Ash-Sham, 30 Rajab 1435 AH corresponding to 29 May 2014 CE
Statement by Brother Ahmad Al Qasas
Head of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Lebanon
Opening Speech, "Renew Pact to the Revolution of Ash-Sham and Collaborate for the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate""
Sheikh Hassan Qaatrji
President of the Islamic Union Assembly
Interview, "Renew Pact to the Revolution of Ash-Sham and Collaborate for the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate""
Poem Of Challenge and Dignity by Dr. Sheikh Khaled Abdel Fattah
Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim
Imam of Al-Nour Mosque
Interview, "Renew Pact to the Revolution of Ash-Sham and Collaborate for the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate""
Wilayah Lebanon: Documentary Film, "Support for the Revolution of Ash- Sham from Tripoli of Ash-Sham"
The documentary film that was presented at the Khilafah "Caliphate" Conference, "Renew Pact to the Revolution of Ash-Sham and Collaborate for the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate"," which was organized by Hizb ut Tahrir/ Wilayah Lebanon on the anniversary of the destruction of the Khilafah "Caliphate" and support for the revolution of Ash-Sham from Tripoli of Ash-Sham.
Tripoli of Ash-Sham, 30 Rajab 1435 corresponding to 29 May 2014 CE
To View Recordings in Sequence
