DIALOGUE
The monthly current affairs review from Unitas Communications
MAY 201 0
HOW THE MUSLIM VOTE CAN SWING IT Unitas CEO Muddassar Ahmed looks forward to the election Welcome to the first issue of Dialogue, the new monthly current affair review from Unitas Communications, which will seek to provide coverage of recent news and events pertaining to the UK Muslim community, alongside expert analysis and commentary.
- Mosques up and down the country have launched voter registration drives. The efforts of the Nigerian run Old Kent Road Mosque in South London, The Bangladeshi Run East London Mosque and The Pakistani run Jame Masjid in Birmingham are worth noting.
Since the start of 201 0 Unitas Communications, through the British Muslim Media Network, has provided a daily news portal focusing on Muslim affairs. This new online publication has been introduced in light of the positive response to the daily news digests and in keeping with our ethos of delivering mainstream news specific to the Muslim community. Alongside our Talking Points and Policy Focus sections, a succession of commentators from inside the world of politics, media and public affairs will provide their opinion on developments over the past month and breaking news stories.
British Muslims have a real chance to influence this election, despite representing a relatively small proportion of the population. UK’s two million or so Muslims live in concentrated, primarily urban, pockets which means they could have a significant influence on up to 82 marginal seats. There has also been a record number of Muslim candidates standing for parliament this year with at least 8 Labour and 3 Conservative candidates in winnable seats. This could take the total number of Muslim MP’s’s from 4 to at least 1 0 in the new parliament. Although there ought to be at least UK 40 MP’s in proportion to the 2.8 million Muslims that live in the UK, this is nevertheless a step in the right direction.
In this edition, we bring you Jason Beattie, Deputy Political Editor at The Daily Mirror, who takes the hotseat in a quick-fire interview on the political strategy employed by the 3 main UK Political Parties in the run up to next week’s General Election. In my first column, I want to discuss the seemingly ubiquitous subject of the General Election campaign. With the recent historic leader's television debates, it seems political apathy may have reached a turning point. While the media attention has been focused on this new interest in politics and specifically in the fortunes of the yellow party, what they have failed to notice is a community of voters that has the potential to make a huge difference to the electoral landscape – the Muslim community. Huge swathes of leaders from the British Muslim community have quite suddenly become politicised, as exemplified by the following large-scale drives:
For all the criticisms levied against them, the Labour Party appears to have shown genuine enthusiasm for working with ethnic minorities and they are still the only political party with any elected Muslim MPs. They are also the only party to have a Faith Groups umbrella body representing faith communities within the Labour Party. Of course, as far as the Muslim community is concerned, the legacy of the Iraq war still hangs over the party, as does that of an overtly interventionist foreign policy. The Liberal Democrats' outspoken criticism of the UK’s arms relationship with Israel during the invasion of Gaza is an example of how they have managed to appeal to the Muslim community. The Tories have yet to prove that they have a genuine commitment to doing so. Surprisingly, none of main parties have yet visited a mosque for that all important photo-op beside an Imam.
- The UK’s largest Muslim media channel ‘Islam Channel’ producing 3 documentaries urging Muslim As the campaign gathers pace, it’s worth watching to use their vote and running an ad campaign out for Muslim PPC’s like the ‘Party Animal’ Rushnara urging people to register to vote. Ali, running for Bethnal Green and Bow, and the energetic Shabana Mahmood in Birmingham. - The UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation’ ‘Muslim Council of Britain’, launches a Muslim Vote Businessman Nadhim Zahavi, Conservative PPC for campaign and persuades leading Muslim clerics to Stratford upon Avon is very well connected and the Liberal Democrats’ Qurban Hussain has a genuine endorse this drive. chance in Luton South against Esther Rantzen and - The UK's largest Muslim website ‘MPACUK’ launches company. ‘Operation Muslim Vote’ and targets MP’s around the Country who it perceives are neglecting to serve We hope you enjoy this monthly newsletter. the interests of British Muslims.
INTERVIEW: JASON BEATTIE A quickfire interview with the Political Editor of The Daily Mirror Who won the first leaders' debate? Clearly Nick Clegg. Though there is a danger his performance is becoming mythologised in the subsequent hype. For the Conservatives, they should be worried David Cameron bombed so badly. Many of my media colleagues thought Brown performed well but Labour must be concerned that even a good performance by the PM failed to shift opinion. What has been the most damaging news story for each of the parties? The TV debates have upset the equilibrium of the Tory campaign. The viewers appeared to punish Cameron for believing he had a divine right to stroll into No 1 0. Nick Clegg may regret not tightening down his policies on Trident and immigration. Gordon Brown took too long to close down the Tory attack on National Insurance rises. What front benchers are the strongest media performers for each of the parties? Lord Mandelson for Labour, he's box office. Michael Gove does well for the Tories and Vince Cable for the Lib Dems. But Cameron remains the Tories' best card, and, obviously Nick Clegg has finally escaped from Vince Cable's shadow. What frontbenchers would you see as having the biggest potential for dropping a clanger? Lord Mandelson dances along a high wire whatever he does. It thrills but he could easily slip. Chris Grayling and Oliver Letwin appear to be in a safehouse with Theresa Villiers so of the Tories allowed to see daylight I would still put my money on Ken Clarke in the gaffe stakes. The Lib Dems barely register beyond Nick and Vince so I cannot see anyone falling over unless they wheel Lembit Opik out. Which party has the best digital PR strategy? The Tories have been quicker to master Google ads, viral campaigns and buzz marketing, while Labour has had fun with doctored Tory posters. But the most salient thing about this election is that television continues to set the agenda. Which 3 MPs have the best online presence and strategy (blogs/twitter/facebook etc)? Tom Watson for Labour, Tory MP Nadine Dorries is constantly entertaining, for not necessarily for the right reasons and I know of no Lib Dem's storming the virtual world. What's been the best election ad of the campaign so far? For all the wrong reasons, the Labour Gene Hunt poster (Don't let Cameron take you back to the 80s). It was a gift to the Tories and should never have been allowed off the drawing board.
TALKING POINTS A breakdown of three of the key news stories this month
ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS
THE LEADERS' DEBATES
WIKILEAKS VS THE PENTAGON
THE ISSUE
WHAT THE PAPERS ARE SAYING
Wikileaks, the website that has built a reputation Joan Smith in The Independent suggested that for exposing governmental and corporate this is a sobering moment to reflect on what malpractice through publishing classified fighting in wars does to men. She suggests that documents, has posted a video taken from the rather than simply defend those involved, the cockpit of an Apache helicopter in Iraq in 2007. Pentagon should take steps to ensure that the The video shows US soldiers gunning targets who wars in Iran and Afghanistan do not continue to turned out to be 1 2 innocent civilians, including 'normalise violence'. Omar Chatriwala, on the Al two Reuter’s journalists. The videos have provoked Jazeera English blog, listed other examples of outrage across the Middle East, particularly Wikileak documents that they Pentagon didn't because of the language used by the American want the world to see: A classified film revealing soldiers, which allegedly includes comments such civilian casualties under the command of US as 'Yeah look at those dead b******s'. General Petraeus, A US intelligence briefing on how to undermine and hack WikiLeaks, releases concerning the Icelandic banking collapse and US and UK's involvement in reclaiming billions of Euros of loan guarantees. The most remarkable outcome of these historic The three party leaders' debates herald a landmark in the nation’s political landscape. This debates has been the rise of Nick Clegg, as the has been the only time in the country's history that Independent claimed, 'smashing through the two television debates of this kind have taken place. party system'. After the first debate Channel 4 newsreader John Snow commented that 'Clegg's 9.4 million viewers tuned in on Thursday 1 5th engagement with the camera was by far the March to watch the first debate between the best'. Most of the media coverage agreed that three Party leaders. Over the course of the debates the leaders have responded to questions all of the leaders improved in the second debate with the Guardian declaring they had all ‘upped from the selected studio audiences and responded to each other after every question. their game’, being slightly more sympathetic to The debates have focussed on issues covering Brown who gave a ‘far more prime-ministerial domestic affairs including spending cuts, tax and performance’. The Telegraph pronounced the final debate as the best of the three ‘because is political reform to foreign affairs and the economy. Most significantly the debates have was just that, a debate’ hailing David Cameron given rise to ‘Cleggmania’ and have positioned as the clear winner and Brown ‘weighed down by the Liberal Democrats firmly on the political map. the baggage of 1 3 years in office.’ The Israeli government offended the Obama The Independent suggested that this issue was administration earlier this month by announcing creating 'the biggest crisis in relations for 35 years' the building of 1 ,600 new residential units in East between the US and Israel'. The Guardian urged Jerusalem just after the US Vice-President Joe President Obama not to back down, saying that Biden had announced continued US support for he had 'already climbed down a fair way from his Israel's security. Obama, Biden and Secretary of original demand for a total halt on settlement State Hillary Clinton all proceeded to publicly construction.' James Hilder in The Times suggested rebuke Israel, including cancelling a state dinner that Binamin Neyanyahu had 'miscalculated the when Netanyahu visited Washington. The Israelis US President’s determination to stand his ground said that the housing announcement was this time round'. Thomas Friedman in The New York 'procedural', the plan had been in place for three Times suggested that the key issue was the power years and that it was unrelated to Biden's visit. As struggle in Palestine between moderate, effective a result of the ensuing fracas, peace talks Prime Minister Salam Fayad, and the alliance of between Israel and Palestine were cancelled. Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas.
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING
WHAT NEXT?
Wikileaks has set up a special site for the Apache Beyond the tragic incident itself, there are a helicopter video, entitled 'Collateral Murder'. number of serious consequences stemming from When accused by talkshow host Stephen Colbert the leak of this video. Stephanie Strom in The New of extending the remit of the site from leaks to York Times suggested that The Pentagon now saw 'pure editorial' as reflected by this title and the Wikileaks as a potential threat to their operations. editing done on the video, Wikileaks founder The Times in London picked up on this concern, as Julian Assange responded that he will always 'try the activists behind the website now claim that and get maximum possible political impact' for they are being 'harrassed' by the security services. their sources. Assange called Defence Secretary The Telegraph meanwhile warned of worse to Robert Gates a 'liar' over the latter's assertion that come, as they commented on news that the troops were in a 'combat situation'. Gates Wikileaks are planning to release footage of commented that 'we take these things seriously' airstrikes that killed 1 47 civilians in Afghanistan last but launched into an attack on Wikileaks, year. Reuters have set up a website dedicated to suggesting that they put out anything they want, their journalists killed in the Iraq conflict. and they're never held accountable for it. There's no before and there's no after." The key approach from Clegg was his “plague on Most national polls agreed that Clegg won the both your houses” line, pitching himself as first debate with his approach of attacking the someone new and a fresh face in politics. His other two leaders for failing the British people. attitude was generally upbeat and aspirational Gordon Brown trailed in third place although the and he closed the final debate with the words Guardian put Brown and the Tory leader neck “don’t let anyone tell you it can’t happen. It can. and neck. Both Cameron and Brown did This time, you can make the difference.” Brown significantly better in the second debate, was always keen to pitch himself as the man of although by giving the Lib Dem leader some experience, accusing the other two leaders of much needed media coverage, commentators not being “ready” for government, continually agree that the election has been swung on its pointing to his success in shoring up the banks in head and what once looked like a certain the wake of the financial crash, and hammering Conservative victory may be edging towards a home the idea that a vote for Labour was a vote hung parliament. The final debate was won by for “progressive governance”. Cameron kept the Tory leader, although both Brown and reiterating the concept of ‘broken Britain’ and Cameron still fear Clegg for taking votes from accused Brown of “failing the poor”. both sides of the fence. All the key players were reunited for a The prospect of further conflict over settlement conference held this week by AIPAC, the Israel building was raised recently when Netanyahu lobby in Washington. Secretary of State Hillary told ABC news that he will not accept demands Clinton urged an end to the conflict with that Israel stop building in occupied East Palestine "The status quo is unsustainable for all Jerusalem. However, he called for a full and frank sides. It promises only more violence and set of talks 'without preconditions'. Jeremy Bowen, unrealised aspirations. Staying on this course writing on the BBC Middle East blog, has means continuing a conflict that carries tragic predicted a tough future for the region and human cost". Binyamin Netanyahu, speaking just suggested that ' people who have to live with the a few hours later on the same podium, was given Middle East's grim collection of smouldering an enthusiastic response by the crowd when he problems are finding it hard to look ahead with said 'Jerusalem is not a settlement, it is our anything other than foreboding. He sees the fact capital.' The new President of AIPAC said that the recent crisis focuses on Jerusalem sees as 'disagreements between any two allies happen, the biggest disaster, as it is 'the single most but how friends...react when missteps occur, that emotive issue in the entire Middle East'. He can determine the nature of the relationship.' predicts war is in the offing.
POLICY FOCUS A breakdown of what the main parties are proposing in key policy areas, and how those areas relate to the Muslim community. Education
According to the last census, the UK’s Muslim community had an age demographic that was proportionately younger than that of any other religious community. The UK’s Muslim community is also heavily concentrated in economically deprived areas. With nearly half of adult Bangladeshi’s and 27% of Pakistani men and 40% of Pakistani women without any formal qualifications, how will the education policies of the three parties bode for the emerging generation of British Muslims? LABOUR Labour’s manifesto pledges one-to-one tuition for every primary school child that needs it and would provide parents with the power to bring in new school 'leadership teams' through mergers and takeovers if they felt their school was failing them. Given the disproportionate concentration of Muslim children in failing ‘sink’ schools, empowering parents to influence the quality of their child’s education is welcome, but the pledge has been dismissed by teachers’ unions as impractical and unworkable. Under Labour proposals, faith schools will continue to be able incorporate their own teachings into sex education. Parents will still also have the power to hold their children back from these classes if they are under 1 5. However, Labour's ambitious plans for compulsory sex education may be looked upon less favourably among more conservative groups. Labour has also been accused of undermining faith schools by overhauling admissions rules and curtailing the ability of faith schools to select children on religious grounds. Labour would also retain Higher Education tuition fees. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS The Liberal Democrat proposals on education are premised on addressing what they see as a link between poverty and poor educational achievement. This underpins the Lib Dem "Pupil Premium" policy, a £2.5 billion fund from which an extra premium is paid to schools teaching the poorest pupils; a welcome source of support given most UK Muslim school children are situated in the most deprived areas. However, the premium takes account of existing funding that schools have received under the Labour Government and less money would, as a result, be paid to schools in East London where the most concentrated pockets of the UK Muslim population live. The Liberal Democrats also stress greater teacher control over running schools and advocate replacing a National Curriculum with a Minimum Curriculum Entitlement to allow teachers more flexibility and for class sizes to be made smaller. They also support increasing apprenticeship numbers and scrapping university tuition fees over six years, which they argue would disadvantage bright students from economically deprived backgrounds - not least from the Muslim community. The Liberal Democrats favour scrapping faith schools entirely, a proposal that has been criticised by many faith organisations as dismissive. CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party manifesto stresses the benefit of traditional values like discipline in the classroom, which will mean giving teachers greater authority and control in running schools. They also advocate the creation of independent schools supported by the State, provided there is sufficient parental demand. Himself a supporter of faith schools both 'politically and personally', David Cameron’s Conservative Party schools policy means faith groups, charities and private companies could apply to operate the new schools using taxpayers' money. The proposal to empower parents groups and other organisation’s to set up schools wherever there is sufficient demand seems a welcome change for any parent that has experienced their child being put on a school waiting list - an occurrence most likely in the densely populated constituencies that British Muslim communities tend to be concentrated. And whilst the new sense of independence may bode well for faith schools, for those for who feel social integration is important - the example from Sweden (where the model was first used) has shown increased social segregation resulting. Small schools can easily be set up by pockets of likeminded parents and the enforcement of strict entry criteria often ensures only the brightest children, or those of a particular religious, cultural background are taken. The danger is that this could leave behind to even greater state
‘sink’ schools. The Conservatives also propose a cut to the education budget, which has been looked on unfavorably by both other Parties.
Schools Secretary Ed Balls MP, Liberal Democrat Education Spokesman David Laws MP, Conservative Education Secretary Michael Gove MP
Health The last national census revealed that British Muslims have the highest rate of reported ill health amongst religious groups. Diabetes amongst Bangladeshi men and women is six times higher than the general population and diagnosed heart disease or severe chest pain is 1 8% amongst Pakistanis. With debate on frontline public sector cuts dominating policy debates this last month, here is how the three parties say they will manage the national healthcare. LABOUR Labour proposes an increase in spending in the NHS and commitment to free delivery. They guarantee that all hospitals become foundation trusts, as part of a de-centralisation effort to enable hospitals to better cater for the needs of the local community. They also guarantee the right to choose a GP in your area and extend GP practice access to evenings and weekends. Home care is an issue of particular relevance to the UK’s Muslim community, given the high number of Muslim carers that provide medical and non medical assistance to older and less able family members. Labour pledges to provide free home care for people with greatest needs from April 201 1 and a system of universal free care after 201 5. However given 201 5 will be in the Parliament after next and yet another commission would have to be set up to decide how universal free home care will be funded, it’s a proposal that is far from convincing. CONSERVATIVE The Conservative Party has pledged not to cut spending on the front line NHS and ensures all hospitals will become foundation trusts. They also promise GP patient access between 8am and 8pm seven days a week; look to scrap process targets and replace them with outcome targets; cut the cost of NHS administration by third; and allow patients to choose any healthcare provider that meets NHS standards. LIBERAL DEMOCRATS The Liberal Democrats promise not to cut back on the health service budget and will keep it free for everyone; they will aim to reduce the number of health targets entirely and abolish strategic health authorities, putting doctors and nurses back in charge of hospitals and cutting back wasteful spending on bureaucracy; Create democratically elected local health boards with power to prevent hospital closures.
The Royal Berkshire Hospital
Employment Unemployment rates for Muslim men and women are far higher than those of any other religious group. Recent research has revealed that the unemployment rate for Asians was 1 2.6% compared to 7.6% in white communities. People from Muslim backgrounds are severely underrepresented in the mainstream workforce and Muslim women in particular are four times less likely to be employed. THE CONSERVATIVES The Conservative Party have proposed a new single back to Work Programme for everyone who is unemployed, including those seeking incapacity benefits. The unemployed young will be referred to the Work Programme after 6 months of unemployment, whilst providers will draw on Service Academies to offer pre-employment training for the unemployed. THE LABOUR PARTY Labour have promised new plans that target those that have been out of work for a number of months. They guarantee employment or training to those out of work for six months or more and a job placement for those who have been unemployed for more than two years. They will put in place incentives for those on benefits to find employment and increase the National Minimum Wage. THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS The Liberal Democrats have focused their employment policy towards getting young people into the job market. They offer to pay any young person completing an internship or work experience £55 a week for three months, meaning up to 800,000 young people from all backgrounds will be able to take advantage of these opportunities. The party also sets out to increase the number of apprenticeships and places on university and vocational courses. Additionally they aim to raise the threshold at which people start paying income tax to £1 0,000.
Foreign Policy
No single other area of policy has historically roused the Muslim vote as much as foreign policy So with the UK actively engaged militarily in Muslim countries, how does each party see Britain’s role in the world and the UK’s international responsibilities? LABOUR Labour are committed to the UK to war in Afghanistan and aim to hand over responsibility for districts and provinces to Afghan forces later this year. They have ended active UK military involvement in Iraq.Despite the accepted use of disproportionate force during the Israeli invasion of Gaza in 2009, UK arms supplies to Israel increased in that year and the legacy of the Iraq war still hangs over the head of the Party. The Labour Party stresses the importance of both the UK’s relationship with the USA and the EU. It also supports Turkey’s ascension to the EU. A diplomatic resolution of Iran's nuclear ambitions is sought, but Labour have often used the Iranian nuclear threat as a justification for replacing Trident with a like for like system, and stress that Iran poses a serious security risk. THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS The Liberal Democrats make a shift from some conventional UK foreign policy norms by arguing for a departure from the ‘special relationship with the USA’ in favor of greater EU collaboration and the eventual formation of a joint EU defence force. Such a re-alignment would have a significant impact on the UK’s engagements in the Middle East. This came across most strongly during the 2009 Israeli invasion of Gaza when the Liberal Democrats were critical of the EU refusing to employ its economic leverage over Israel to end the blockade and of Brown, like Blair, for having made “made British foreign policy effectively subservient to Washington.” They are also in favour of Turkey’s ascension to the EU. The strong opposition from the Liberal Democrats on replacing Trident with a like for like system seems to indicate that they fail to see Iran as being as immediate a nuclear threat as do the other two Parties. Instead they have spoken of pursuing diplomatic efforts and using the EU’s trade leverage with Iran to stop it
developing nuclear capacity. THE CONSERVATIVES The Conservatives support continued military action in Afghanistan. The party is committed to replacing Trident to maintain a UK nuclear deterrent. They are also looking to strengthen the UK’s relationship with the USA, especially as a Conservative led Government will be very unlikely to integrate itself effectively within the EU, given its relative isolation in Europe. The Conservatives support a two state solution for Israel and Palestine but have remained relatively uncritical of Israeli military action that has otherwise received broad international condemnation, such as use of disproportionate force during the invasion of Gaza in 2009. The Conservative party has also promised a 'new special relationship' with India and supports India’s bid for a seat in the UN Security Council, if it comes to power.
US, UK and Iraqi troops patrol in Iraq; Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Mahmoud Abbas (Photo courtesy of the Foreign Office;) Foreign Secretary Miliband with Afghan leader
Immigration and Race Relations With immigration as the top concern for many British voters, dividing lines need to be drawn between the three main party policies towards the issue. The Muslim community has grown by over 500,000 between 2004-2008 according to the Office of National Statistics and fringe parties such as the BNP use facts like these to scaremonger by pitching "them" against "us". The three Parties also outline plans for community engagement and integration issues: THE CONSERVATIVES The Conservative manifesto says that immigration is too high and they promise an annual limit on immigration, new curbs on unskilled workers, and “transitional controls” on new European Union members. Their annual limit will not, however, extend to immigration from existing EU member countries, where poor domestic economies may still fuel significant future immigration to the UK. Moreover, an annual cap of this sort could increase the human trafficking, putting thousands more at risk every year. In terms of race and community relations, the Conservatives have focused strongly on promoting a collective British identity as a response to the perceived failure of ‘State multiculturalism’ under the Labour Party. Cameron has, for example, criticised the Archbishop of Canterbury’s suggestion for the extension of some elements of Shariah law into the UK as divisive and the logical end result of state multiculturalism. Whilst this focus on treating people as individual citizens would be welcome, many from the Muslim community will no doubt be concerned about their needs as a community being dismissed. Some of the proposed changes would mean making learning English a priority for all communities, by redirecting some of the money the Government currently spends on translation into additional English classes. It would also mean tackling ‘unacceptable cultural practices’ by classifying Khat (the popular stimulant used predominantly by the UK Somali community), closing Polygamy loopholes, tackling forced marriages, and ensuring religious courts act in accordance with the Arbitration Act. On counterterrorism, the Tory Leader pledged to carry out a review of the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) strategy “on the basis of what is effective,” but could not say it would be changed “in the way everyone would like.” The Conservative Party currently “won’t do formal things” with the Muslim Council of Britain unless the organisation distanced itself from Daud Abdullah, its deputy secretary-general. THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS The Liberal Democrats have rejected the annual 'cap' on immigration and instead, pledge to set up a National Border Force with police controls and want to adopt a points-based system on a regional level. Their policies also advocate allowing asylum seekers to work; ending the detention of children in immigration detention centres; increasing cost to business of work permits for immigrant employees to pay for training British workers and creating an "earned route" to citizenship for migrants who have been in the UK for 1 0 years. The Liberal Democrats also support scrapping ID cards and want a radical overhaul of the PVE strategy, which they feel has meant UK citizens losing too much liberty in the name of security. They instead advocate a more collaborative approach of working with communities and ‘not targeting them’. LABOUR Labour wants the points-based system controlled nationally rather than regionally and want to make English tests compulsory for public sector migrant workers. They also support compulsory ID cards and fingerprint testing for all Asylum seekers and foreign students, which is seen as excessive by the other two parties. Treating immigrants differently to British citizens and imposing hard line regulations on them may also stoke resentment within minority communities as well as make it more difficult for them to fully integrate. Labour’s race and Muslim community relations record has been mixed. They led the way on outlawing religious discrimination in the work place and in service delivery in public institutions. They also led the way on outlawing incitement to religious hatred. The ‘war on terror’ however has seen numerous laws passed that have adversely affected Muslims and made its PVE programme highly contentious amongst the UK’s Muslim community. Provided they are re-elected, Labour have pledged to continue with the PVE agenda and has recently decided to restore relations with the Muslim Council of Britain after previously breaking them off.
MUSLIMS IN THE MEDIA A breakdown of some of the media appearances of Unitas clients and others in the past month
March 1 7 - Cllr Rania Khan - Letter to the editor - The Independent Letter to the Editor of The Independent regarding the 'futility of 'enforcement action' against racist police officers. March 25 - Mohammed Amin - 'My vision for the MCB' - The Guardian Mohammed Amin published a piece on the Guardian Comment is Free blog outlining his vision for the Muslim Council of Britain suggesting that it should focus on health, education and participation. March 30 - Sonia Klein - 'Rock the Vote' - Islam Channel Sonia Klein, Labour PPC for Ilford North, presented a documentary for the Islam Channel about the importance of voting that contained interviews with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Tory leader David Cameron MP and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg MP. April 1 2 - Liaquat Ahamed - 'Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World' - Pulitzer Prize Liaquat Ahamed won the Pulitzer Prize in the category of History for his account of how four bankers played a pivotal role in The Great Depression and eventually transforming the United States into the world's financial leader. April 1 2 - Anthony Shadid - International Reporting for The Washington Post - Pulitzer Prize Anthony Shadid won the Pulitzer Prize in the category of International Reporting for his series of articles about Iraq, written as the US departs the country and its leaders adjust in the aftermath of war. April 23 - Salma Yaqoob - 'Respect candidate spearheads quiet revolution to get Muslim women involved in politics' - The Guardian Double page spread covering Muslim female candidates at this year's General Election 201 0. As well as Yaqoob, running in Birmingham, the article features Shabana Mahmood, Yasmin Qureshi, and Rushanara Ali. April 26 - Charles le Gai Hasan Eaton - The Times The Times published an obituary of a remarkable life. Eaton was a widely respected Muslim intellectual, who converted to Islam in 1 951 . As well as academia, his career spanned the fields of acting, teaching and diplomacy at various stages of his life. His final work, A Bad Beginning: The Path to Islam, was widely praised when it was published just before his death. May 1 - Rania Khan & Lutfa Begum - 'Kith and Kin' - Emel Magazine Both councillors in Tower Hamlets, mother and daughter Rania and Lufta talked about their shared sense of community values and social justice and how it has contributed to their chosen career.
THE DIARY Some key dates for your diary in the next month May 6
Vote Afghanistan! at the ICA This gripping documentary from the award-winning Afghan Star team tells the story of the Afghan presidential election of 2009. A political thriller of sorts, it shows events through the eyes of the leading challengers to President Karzai and the people who risked their lives to make it a free and fair election. www.ica.org.uk
6
Res Publica 'Red Tory' event at The Southbank Centre Philip Blond, one of the most controversial political thinkers of recent times, discusses the direction of a new progressive politics. Blond's arguments borrow from the left and the right, and he claims a strengthening of local communities, redistribution of tax and the restoration of the nuclear family as his model for the future. www.respublica.org.uk/events
13
Dissecting Election 201 0 - A Centre Left Perspective at The Smith Institue Ben Page (Chief Executive, Ipsos MORI), Polly Toynbee (The Guardian) and Chairman Paul Hackett (Director, The Smith Institute) will discuss the results of The General Election. www.smith-institute.org.uk
15
The Fabian Post Election Conference at the School of African and Oriental Studies Confirmed speakers at the left leaning think tank's election summary event include pollster Deborah Mattinson, General Secretary of the Fabian Society Sunder Katwala, journalist and former political editor of the Observer Gaby Hinsliff, creator of MyDavidCameron.com and The Other Taxpayers' Alliance Clifford Singer,Telegraph columnist Mary Riddell, Labour blogger Ellie Gellard, as well as a handful of parliamentarians to be revealed on the 1 0th May. www.fabians.org.uk
24
The Unforeseen cost of Human Civilisation Dr Spencer Wells is a scientist, author, and documentary filmmaker, who has dedicated much of his career to studying humankind’s family tree and closing the gaps in our knowledge of human migration. Now he is spearheading the Genographic Project, which aims to capture an invaluable genetic snapshot of humanity before modern-day influences erase it forever. Dr Wells visits the RSA to trace man's cultural inheritance from the moment ten thousand years ago, when our species made a radical shift in its way of life: when we became farmers rather than hunter-gatherers, setting in motion a momentous chain of events that could not have been foreseen at the time. www.thersa.org.uk
Š Unitas Communications Ltd 201 0.