Every two years the MCB appoints its office-bearers: a Secretary General (SG), a Deputy Secretary General (DSG), a Treasurer, three Assistant Secretary Generals (ASGs) and a Deputy Treasurer. The SG and DSG for the 2016-2018 term will be directly elected by affiliates’ delegates on Sunday 17th July at the MCB’s 19th Annual General Meeting in East London, insha Allah. Elections to the National Council also take place on the day. Ballot papers will be provided to delegates at the AGM registration desks.
The Call for Candidates for the SG and DSG posts closed on 8th June 2016. The MCB Election Commissioner Judge (Retd.) Khurshid Drabu CBE has reviewed the documentation submitted, and in keeping with the election process schedule, the details are published below.
Personal Statement of Candidate standing for the SG Post
Harun Rashid Khan
I was born and brought up in London and have been actively involved with the MCB since its inception in November 1997. I primarily volunteered at major MCB events in the early days, eventually leading to my appointment as Chair of its London Affairs Committee. I have now served the MCB in more responsible roles for ten years, fully appreciating that MCB is the largest representative umbrella organisation for Muslims in the UK: as Deputy Secretary General, 2014-2016; Honorary Treasurer, 2010-2012, 2012-2014; Chair, London Affairs Committee, 2006-2008, 2008-2010.
My role as Chair of the London Affairs Committee involved working closely with City Hall and the Mayor of London. I was the lead organiser for the first ever ‘Eid in the (Trafalgar) Square’ events, attended by up to 20,000 people. These events, with a large public presence, enabled the MCB to demonstrate its role working for the benefit of wider society.
During my tenure as Treasurer I worked with the leadership team to overcome a substantial financial deficit and managed to stabilise our existing income stream. Finance is indeed a struggle in the MCB, but I think we are now at a stage that we can look forward to building a more sustainable organisational structure for the future.
I have been leading on the delivery of the annual Muslim Leadership Dinner (MLD) since its inception in 2010 and the MCB team has delivered successful events every year, with prominent speakers and guests; we were able to generate vital additional funds for the MCB.
In my recent position as the Deputy Secretary General, I continued to support the team by ensuring MCB’s financial stability, although at the cost of reducing staff and staff hours. We must work harder to strengthen the office.
On public relations front, I assisted with a number of high profile media appearances establishing the position of MCB in the public space. I also appeared on speaker panels at the London School of Economics, the Institute of Education and Middlesex University.
Professionally from a Civil Engineering background, I have been working full-time for over 26 years in various roles in Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning. I have previously served as a Chair of Governors at a local secondary school and am also a trustee at my local mosque, Redbridge Islamic Centre.
My vision
By the Grace of Allah subhanahu-wa-taala, nearly two decades on, MCB has faced many and varied challenges but has stood the test of time.
As a 46 year old, second generation London-based British Muslim, I feel it is my duty to ensure that we build a society where our future generations should not have to face the same levels of prejudice we face now. They are not only assets to our community, but also to Britain; they should be recognised and accepted as full and active British citizens.
MCB’s primary strength lies in its affiliates and the strength of the Muslim community. Only then it can effectively engage with the wider society and secure a dignified position of our community. MCB needs more of our youth, Ulama and professionals to work closely with our mosques and other institutions in order to overcome the ongoing challenges and turn the tables to make them positive. We must focus on increasing our human capital and strengthen our affiliate base with better and regular engagement across the country. Investment in our youth, women and under-represented sections of the community will insha Allah be my priority. This can be achieved by initiating a small network of affiliates in major cities, holding local events and empowering them to become regional representatives of MCB.
It is also vital that our Media and Public Relations arm is adequately resourced in the short as well as long term. The media team have a vital role to play in countering the constant and growing threat of Islamophobia, but also to provide a channel for the positive promotion of Islam and Muslims in British society.
If elected, I will insha Allah work with the Executive team to develop a strategy and ensure that we have a deliverable plan with clear measurable objectives. I will try my best to widen our exposure to our diverse communities and also to strengthen and enhance our partnerships with various civil society bodies and other faiths. I will give special attention on our next generation to ensure the future of MCB is maintained and we become an organisation that truly works for the common good and is a powerful voice of Muslims.
Personal Statements of Candidates standing for the DSG Posts
- Mr Fahim Akhter
- Dr Omer El-Hamdoon
Fahim Akhter
I have been chairman of British Muslim Association of Merton since 2014. During my chairmanship I have organised many events and reach to the heart of the Muslim community to listen their issues. I have addressed the media as well as issued statements. I have campaigned for weekend funeral services in Merton.
I am a registered social worker and live in Raynes Park SW20. I was given a Civic Award for Community Contribution from Merton Council for playing an active role in the Muslim community, organising the Religious Inter Faith Forum and running St Luke’s Wimbledon cricket team and Ali Cricket Club London. I was also recognised in an international Who’s Who magazine for writing short stories in Urdu, and as a columnist and activist.
I have extensive experience, knowledge and the skills. I also have additional personal qualities of dedication calmness, commitment, enthusiasm and honesty which will enhance my role and ultimately ensure a quality service to the community. I strongly believe that if afforded the opportunity I will be a competent and loyal addition to the organisation. With the knowledge, skills, abilities and experience I possess, I perceive myself to be an ideal candidate for this post. My educational qualifications include Dip. Social Work, BA (Hons), MA.
My vision
I believe it is imperative for us to develop friendships that grow beyond just a dialogue. This will send a positive message to the whole society.
There are many fields of activity where Muslims and people of other faiths can work together for example promoting development of moral values in society at large; supporting the family institution; rejuvenating traditional marriage, re-educating the young about the rights of parents, tackle problems of divorce and domestic violence; helping in the relief of world poverty and development of sustainable societies.
We must boldly face the challenges of materialism and Islamophobia; the former by strengthening faith and the latter by engaging, cooperating and building friendships with our neighbours. Unfortunately, since 9/11 and 7/7 the tensions between Muslims and the locals has grown to a dangerous point so there is the challenge of Islamophobia, dread of Muslims and dislike of their presence here. British Muslims have adopted United Kingdom as their home and they are proud of this country as it represents some of the best human values like democracy, human rights and equality and justice. The secular nature of Britain gives Muslims religious freedom and rights that are unimagined in some Muslim countries.
The Islamophobes are a minority although vociferous from the BNP, EDL and the far right they are creating huge anxieties and fueling ‘the myth of confrontation’ and the clash of civilisations. How much damage does such attitudes cause to our neighbourly relations is a serious issue for all, as it poses a real threat to the community relations and even the security of the state. It is imperative for Muslims to display a dynamic spirit of open-mindedness, cooperation and friendship. In fact our religious traditions and teachings expect this from us. They offer us resources for building mutual trust. Deeply embedded at the heart of our spiritual traditions are the values of peace, compassion, generosity, humility, patience, forgiveness and love. This can only happen if we make efforts to understand one another’s beliefs, culture and spirituality.
Dr Omer El-Hamdoon
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful.
Since 1993, I have been involved in leadership positions in the Muslim Community; to include president of Islamic Society, chairman in a masjid, trustee in a few charities, president of MAB (a national organisation); and a previous MCB Assistant Secretary General. For two sessions, I have been a member of the MCB National Council and therefore am fully aware of the operations of the MCB and the opportunities available, as well as the challenges faced. I believe that with the Help of Allah, I can utilise my management skills and my Islamic Knowledge to provide important support for the MCB to step up to the leadership podium.
My vision
Stepping up to the leadership podium: With the current opportunities facing British Muslims, as well as the ongoing challenges, there hasn’t been a better time for the MCB to assert its leadership role. Leadership isn’t about having a prestigious title or being able to command others. Rather, leadership is about giving direction when the compass is dysfunctional. It’s about taking the helm when the seas are rough; and about rolling up your sleeves ready for action. Leadership through servitude is what the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa salam) taught. The MCB needs to be a real leader for the community, by standing up for their rights and by celebrating their achievements and successes.
Harnessing success: It is a fact that the MCB has achieved a great deal. For several years, the MCB has ran leadership training programmes, chaplaincy and institutional training; in addition to valuable reports and useful guides. Recently, the ‘Visit My Mosque’ was also one of the national successes. These successes need to be highlighted and celebrated much more, as the Muslim Community continues to question what the MCB provides and does. I hope to see dedicated webspace for these achievements. Equally important, is to celebrate the successes of our affiliates and the wider British Muslim Community.
Investing in Membership: The real asset for the MCB is its membership. It is – thus – incumbent on the MCB to engage its current membership and to expand it to include more organisations from a more diverse background. I believe this is necessary to achieve better representation and participation in civil life. If elected, I hope to commence three paths of engagement: with the current “active” membership, to listen to their feedback; with the “passive” membership, to determine why they have “lost interest”, and how this can be remedied; with non-member organisations / masajid, seeking means to bring them on board, by marketing MCB’s achievements.
Shared Values with Diverse Roots: MCB’s criteria for membership should reflect three tiers, reflecting adherence to standards based on good governance and on progressive attitudes in dealing with the challenges. These standards will be set by appropriately formed committees.
Vision for Strength: My vision for the MCB is to become a strong well connected organisation which celebrates good representation of UK Muslim organisations and speaks out for issues affecting British Muslims. I also envisage a MCB which works to unite (or attempt to unite) Muslims in important matters, such as a unified Hijri calendar, important fatwas; and vital principled stances.
Guidance through Knowledge: In the past, the MCB has stayed away from getting involved in religious opinions (fatwas). However, we have seen recently how some of these fatwas (issued out of context) have caused embarrassment for the MCB as an umbrella organisation. I envisage steps to bring scholars together to discuss contextual items which need for us to have a unified stance. As a student of Islamic Knowledge, I know for a fact that Islam has plenty of room and elements of elasticity which allow for revision to previous fatwas, and establish norms based on a changing world; or indeed return to the Islamic principles as set out by the Prophet (salla Allahu alaihi wa salam). An example of this is the role of women in constructing society, her attendance in the masjid, her status and aspirations.