Islam Awareness Week
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The Islamic Society of Britain initiated Islam Awareness Week in 1994, to raise awareness and remove misconceptions surrounding Islam. In 1997 the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia by the Runnymede Trust confirmed the existence of widespread prejudice (prejudice means that before you have analyzed or weighed the facts you make a judgment, in all likelihood most people were not prejudiced, rather simply judging the facts) and discrimination against Muslims in Britain. Their report, 'Islamophobia (this is not a real phobia, but rather an imagined fear) - a challenge for us all' (1997), launched by the Home Secretary at the House of Commons, proposed sixty recommendations, one of which was the desperate need for awareness and understanding of the true teachings of Islam. This was confirmed by the Commission’s second report on Islamophobia launched in 2004.
Since and before the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and the bombings of various European cities, the view has spread (the view has always been that Islam was spread via violence and the threat of violence) that Islam is a purely violent religion.[citation needed] Attempting to counter this idea by portraying Islam as tolerant and peaceful, Islam Awareness Week promotes social interaction between the Muslim and Western cultures.
Themes
Facing the new totalitarianism together
MANIFESTO: Together facing the new totalitarianism is a political statement made in response to the violence surrounding the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy. The signatories said they issued the letter to demonstrate that there is a need to fight for secular values and personal freedom.[1][2][3] One of the main points that it focuses on is "its comparison of the Islamist ideology to Nazism and Stalinism and its passionate defense of Western values (particularly free expression)."[4] The letter was published in the French weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo and warns against Islamic totalitarianism.[5][6]
The Charlie Hebdo magazine was one of several European papers to reprint the caricatures. Its right to publish these was contested by the French Muslim Council, who tried, but failed, to get a court to ban the publication.[7]
A second manifesto was created in response to a threat issued from Ummah.com. This manifesto asked for online users to put down their names as a signature, instead of it being signed by the original signatories.[8]
2006: One World
One World reminds us of the global village that we inhabit, that the world's concerns and problems are ours to both share and solve together, and that the things that we have in common are more significant than the differences that are perceived to exist between us.
What is interesting but unknown about Muslim communities in Britain is that they are the most diverse in the world, where communities from Africa, Asia, the Far East, Eastern Europe and the Middle East contribute to the expression of Islam in today’s multicultural Britain. More importantly, they contribute to and live alongside all the other communities and peoples that are so integral to today’s multicultural Britain.
2005: Past and Present: 1000 years of Islam in Britain
In 2005, Islam Awareness Week told the tale of two peoples as never told before. The Islam and Britain that was never known. Knowing that Britain is currently in a climate in which misunderstandings and hostility are all too common, 2005’s theme was critical to help unearth historical truths in order to carve a new public consciousness, one of commonality and inter-dependence.
It told a story of kings and paupers, of soldiers and sailors, of alchemists and anatomists and of mosques and universities. The story was one of interchange, of dialogue, of political alliances and of friendships from across continents and cultures. Above all it told the tale of interplay between Islam and Britain, of ordinary men and women here in Britain, of communities shaping themselves and of revolutionary ideas that shaped the Britain we have today. Today's Britain would be very different without Islam!
A specially commissioned publication introducing this history was produced for Islam Awareness Week 2005. By highlighting this relationship it was clear to see that the presence of Muslims in the British Isles is not just a recent phenomenon and also helped raise awareness of the mutually enriching role that Islam and British culture have played in the past and continue to play today.
2004: Your Muslim Neighbour
The theme for IAW 2004 was 'Your Muslim Neighbour' and highlighted the often unnoticed contribution made by Muslim neighbours, co-workers and citizens in enriching British society. At the heart of 2004's activities was the desire to bring British communities together in neighbourliness and understanding.
These projects aimed to build bridges and break down misconceptions, harnessing the very strong ethos within Islamic teachings relating to taking care of one's environment and one's neighbours - all of which are common concerns.
2004’s launch was at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre where, as part of the theatre’s Shakespeare and Islam Season, there were readings, recitals, lectures, a souk and other special events.
2003: Muslim Heritage
The focus of IAW 2003 was Muslim heritage and culture. Societies advance through the combined efforts of diverse people, past and present and IAW 2003 demonstrated the part played by Islamic civilization in influencing contemporary ideas about science, medicine, mathematics, architecture, music and the arts.
Through the use of diverse media, the week highlighted Islam's contribution to a wide variety of subjects, from the construction of language with words such as rice, coffee, magazine, sandal and castle all originating from Arabic terminology, to the role played by eminent Muslim figures in advancing mathematics, developing the concept of the zero, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Key inventions that changed the way people lived were also featured; the astrolabe and the quadrant, both essential tools for navigation, as well as some of the earliest surgical instruments. Architectural ingenuity and creativity was illustrated through images of Spain's Al-Hambra palace and the Taj Mahal.
The reason why this theme was chosen was because this challenges the notion that some hold about Islam being a religion of frustration, anger, violence and backwardness. It shows how Muslims contributed to the lives of people around them and left a mark for centuries to come. By giving Muslim youth positive role models, this also gives them the confidence to believe in their heritage and faith and it is hoped that it will give them much needed inspiration to excel and contribute to modern day life. The Muslim Heritage Education Resource site (www.virtualclassroom.net) was launched on 3 November 2003 by Rt Hon Charles Clarke (Secretary of State for Education and Skills).
Also present at the launch in the House of Commons were:
Dominic Grieve (Shadow Minister, Home Affairs)
Phil Willis (Shadow Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Lib Dem)
Trevor Philips (Chair, Commission for Racial Equality)
Representative of HRH The Prince of Wales
Iqbal Sacranie (Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain)
2002: Fasting to Remember
The theme for 2002 included the launch of the first UK national day of fasting as IAW that year fell in the second week of the Muslim month of Ramadan. 'Fasting To Remember' is an opportunity for everyone to join in the experience of fasting and remember people who are less fortunate. People of many different faiths and backgrounds took part, including many schools and universities.
In addition, to coincide with IAW 2002, the Islamic Society of Britain commissioned a public opinion survey by the respected pollsters YouGov on attitudes towards Muslims. The poll found that 74% of Britons said that they knew 'nothing or next to nothing about Islam' while another 64% of Britons said that their main source of information on Islam and Muslims was from the media.
Special guests at the launch event included:
Rt Hon Paul Boateng (Secretary to the Treasury)
Christina Dyke (Conservative Party)
Lord Conrad Russell (Liberal Democrat Peer)
Mike Waldron, on behalf of HRH The Prince of Wales
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari (Deputy Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain)
2001: Islam for Peace and Justice
IAW 2001 took place under the dark shadow of the terrible events of September 11 that year - but it provided an opportunity for Muslims and non-Muslims across the UK to join together, united in their condemnation of the killing of innocent people.
Special Guests at the launch event included:
Rt Hon John Prescott (Deputy Prime Minister)
Rt Hon Oliver Letwin (Shadow Home Secretary)
Rt Hon Simon Hughes (London & Home Affairs Spokesperson)
Sarah Joseph (Islamic Society of Britain)
Yousuf Bhailok (Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain)
2000: Fight the Prejudice - Islamophobia
IAW 2000 sought to highlight the disturbing conclusions of the report by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia of the Runnymede Trust and the urgent need for more action on the part of Muslims to explain the true teachings of Islam to others and help dispel age-old myths and misconceptions.
Guests at the launch event included:
Rt Hon William Hague (Leader of Her Majesty's Opposition)
Rt Hon Jack Straw (Home Secretary)
Rt Hon Simon Hughes (London & Home Affairs Spokesperson)
Yousuf Bhailok (Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain)
Other Islam Awareness Weeks
Islam Awareness Week (IAW) is also a week-long series of lectures, workshops, and seminars held all across University campuses in North America to increase awareness about Islam and issues related to Muslims. These activities specifically focus on dispelling stereotypes and prejudices surrounding Islam and Muslims. The actual week selected for holding IAW varies from one University campus to another.
Cornell University's Muslim Educational and Cultural Association, the predominant group for Muslims on campus, holds the most educational Islam Awareness Weeks across the North East of the US.
Carleton University and the University of Ottawa, Ottawa - Canada, have been holding Islam Awareness Week for at least the past 5 years. It is a week long event by which more than 200 volunteers are recruited to raise awareness across campus and answer any questions students may have. The theme for the 2010 Islam Awareness Week at both universities was "You deserve to know more" - Both universities offered many different booths, set-up in the heart of the University Centre and included topics like Religion, Culture, Science, Contemporary Issues, Finance and Economics, Islamic Art, Women in Isla, Henna booth, Your name in Arabic, as well as free food.
External links
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