The current Chair Said Ferjani said, “The MINAB is pleased to welcome the conclusions of an independent survey commissioned by the Charity Commission on the state of Mosques in Britain. It notes with some sadness that the positivity of this credible report has been drowned in some parts of the media by a report published by the Quilliam Foundation. The report of the Quilliam Foundation is shallow and lacking in objective analysis. Its evidentiary foundation is very weak and in fact very difficult to fathom. ”
The MINAB is committed to its task of facilitating self regulation of mosques and training institutions for Imams. It feels enthused by the conclusions of the survey commissioned by the Charity Commission but recognises that there is work to be done to improve governance and service provision in some mosques and institutions. Said Ferjani also said, “The true story of our mosques is not one of doom and gloom as a Director of the Quilliam Foundation would have the public believe. It is interesting to note that in its Press Release the “deeply disturbing” picture portrayed by Director is not shared by the report’s author. The correct picture is that the overwhelming majority of mosques up and down the country are fully engaged in making a very important contribution to spiritual as well as civic well being of Muslims and the society at large. Many are running excellent programmes on citizenship and community cohesion as is evidenced in the report commissioned by the Charity Commission. The MINAB will ensure that good practice in governance and service provision is spread and shared by all mosques and Imam training institutions in the UK.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
The MINAB is an independent body, non-sectarian in its outlook, representing the diversity of Islam with no role in matters of theology and broad based with an accountable system of representation. It is community conceived, community driven and community led initiative. Its founders are four national Muslim organisations – the Al-Khoei Foundation, British Muslim Form, Muslim association of Britain and the Muslim Council of Britain. It is an advisory body to facilitate self regulation of its membership to improve governance and provision of services.
For further information contact Khurshid Drabu, Project Director on 07960428878
