Faith
David Cameron lambasted by Muslim groups for claiming critics of Prevent programme ‘enable terrorism’
A Birmingham community cohesion advocate has denounced suggestions by former Prime Minister David Cameron that opposing the government’s Prevent programme “enables terrorism”. In a new report published this week, former PM David Cameron has claimed people who oppose controversial de-radicalisation strategy Prevent are fuelling terrorism, but Mashkura Begum – who is openly critical of Prevent – feels…
Birmingham mosque to host mega Eid events in Small Heath Park and Edgbaston Stadium
A Birmingham mosque is getting ready to host two mega Eid al-Fitr celebrations as the Muslim community prepares to mark the end of Ramadan in May. Small Heath Park and Edgbaston Stadium are the locations selected by organisers Green Lane Masjid for the two Eid al-Fitr events.
Uber Eats to refuel fasting delivery drivers with free food during final week of Ramadan
As members of the Muslim community continue to fast during the final days of Ramadan, Uber Eats today launches ‘Sundown Spots’ – a series of pop-up restaurants offering free iftar meals after sundown – to support the hardworking delivery drivers and couriers working throughout Ramadan and keeping the nation fed, the company said. The ‘Sundown…
Channel 4 Dispatches reveals the shocking failure of Prevent to tackle far right and religious terror
Monday’s edition of Dispatches on Channel 4 exposed shocking revelations about the failure of the government’s controversial de-radicalisation Prevent programme which is allowing some perpetrators, including far right terrorists who want to ignite a “holy race war”, to evade justice. Dispatches: Are We Losing the War on Terror? (18 April) revealed the disturbing truth about the Government’s…
‘Prevent has been a total failure and should be scrapped,’ Muslim leader calls out counter terrorism strategy
A Muslim community leader from Birmingham has slammed the government’s anti-terror Prevent programme for failing to stop radicalisation, accusing it of “sowing the seeds of suspicion and hate towards ordinary Muslims”. Mashkura Begum, chair of community empowerment organisation Saathi House, features in a special Dispatches programme to be aired on Channel 4 tonight which explores failures…
Birmingham 2022 official under fire after suggesting city lacks large ethnic minority creative organisations
A Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games official has come under fire from community leaders after suggesting Birmingham does not “have enough large ethnically-led creative organisations” to help facilitate reaching out to more diverse communities. Martin Green, the Chief Creative Officer for the Games’ organising committee, was responding to a question about whether recent concerns from members of the…
Sikh leader says South Asian community “ignored” by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
A prominent Sikh leader is concerned about the lack of engagement by the organisers of the Commonwealth Games with Birmingham’s South Asian community. Jatinder Singh, president of Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick, says the lack of diversity funding in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is worrying and claims requests to become involved have been ignored.
Photography exhibition featuring images of migrant communities to be launched in Birmingham
International renowned photographer Vanley Burke will be launching a brand new photography exhibition celebrating working class and migrant communities in Birmingham this week. The Ikon Gallery is showcasing a series of portraits documenting migrant communities in the city as part of a project, led by the University of Birmingham, capturing the migrant experience.
Thousands expected to join mass rally in London marking global UN anti-racism day
Hundreds of Birmingham residents are today joining thousands of people in London for a rally to mark international UN Anti Racism Day. As protests take place in cities around the world under the slogan ‘World Against Racism & Fascism’, the annual awareness day is being observed with a mass march through central London this afternoon.
What is Purim and how is it being celebrated by the Jewish community?
Purim is a Jewish religious festival commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman, an official of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Haman was planning to have all of Persia’s Jewish subjects killed, as recounted in the religious Book of Esther.