After months of campaigning, bickering and spending, the American Election enters the final week, with the rivals in a final dash to secure votes for the coveted ‘hot seat’. Current Gallup polls put Obama 10 points ahead of his rival McCain, suggesting that America is bracing itself for its first Black President.

As the world rejoices the demise of George Bush, many from amongst the Muslims are hoping that by voting Democrat they will be electing a new President who will be more sympathetic to the problems in the Muslim world, be more even handed regarding the Palestinian problem and abandon the aggressive neo-con agenda.

This circle will investigate whether Muslims are right to place their faith in Obama or McCain and highlight the key challenges facing America and the new incumbent of the White House

Speaker: Sajjad Zahir

Unfortunately there was no circle held on the 31st October. The circle will resume on the 7th November 2008

A question that is posed by some Muslims is when did this attack and hatred of Islam begin?

Was it when the Iraq was attacked?, Was it when Afghanistan Was attacked? Was it when Palestine was carved from the Muslim lands?
This talk tries to answers these question in light of the recent attack on the Honour of the Messenger (SAW) with the book, Jewel of Madina.

Speaker: Haroon Ejaz
Date: 24/10/2008

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Books insulting the mother of the believers Ayesha(ra), cartoons portraying our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) as a terrorist, films ridiculing Eesa (as), calls to ban the Qur’an. All have been justified under the pretext of Freedom of speech. Freedom of speech has been held up as a fundamental pillar of the crumbling society in the West.

This circle will explore the concept of freedom of speech, providing answers to the following questions:
Are Muslims being over sensitive?
What are the limits of freedom of speech?
What type of society does freedom of speech produce?
Does freedom of speech extend to the Muslims?

Speaker: Lorasib Ali
Date: 17/10/2008

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The Jewel of Medina - you would be forgiven for thinking that, with such a title, this book would highlight some of the many achievements of our beloved Prophet (saw). Instead we find that this book, published this week in the US and scheduled to be published in the UK on 15 October is the latest in a long line of insults on Islam and our beloved Prophet (saw) and members of his family.

Texas University Professor, Denise Spellberg, described the book as a “very ugly, stupid piece of work” saying “You can’t play with a sacred history and turn it into soft core pornography.”

The first in a series will discuss the Mother of the believers Aisha(ra) and what she means to us and how we, the Muslim community should respond to such attacks.

Speaker: Nadeem Burhani
Venue: Small Heath Leisure Centre
Time: 19:30

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Pakistan has been one the US’s Staunchest allies in its ‘War on Terror’ yet still we have cross border activities in Pakistan by American forces.

What will be the future of Pakistan if it continues on this path? This talk will try to highlight these issues and show what the Muslim community what our view should be regarding the situation of Pakistan.

Speaker: Lorasib Ali
Friday August 2008,
Location: Small Heath Community Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham, UK

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A new report recently by Hazel Blears regarding the Preventing Violent Extremism, Pathfinder Fund detailed the results so far of this government project.

How should we as the Muslims react to such reports and why it is important to understand the aims of the government for this fund.

Speaker: Shahzad Bashir
Friday August 2008, 7.30pm
Location: Small Heath Community Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham, UK

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Many discussions are being held in the homes and Masjids regarding who will be more beneficial to the Muslims in the Whitehouse.

Some argue that we dont want to see a continuation of Bush’s agenda in the world so Obama will be better, others are supporting McCain.

This talk highlights how we should view the elections in November and would it really make a difference to us who sits in the Oval Office.

Speaker: Abu Talha
Friday August 2008, 7.30pm
Location: Small Heath Community Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham, UK

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Preventing Violent Extremism, Pathfinder Fund

In light of the governments attempts to curb the rise of political Islam, we are told that even discussing certain issues and raising concerns over foreign policy will label us as extremists.

How far are we expected to bend over backwards to appease others? How much of Islam will we have to give up to become accepted?

These are the questions on the lips of Muslims in the West.

This talk will try to highlight some of these plans and our response to these.

Speaker: Dr Ajmal
August 2008
Location: Small Heath Community Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham, UK

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After the Arrest of Karadzic, Europes most wanted man, how should we as Muslims view this and in particular the situation surrounding his notoriaty. How should we view nation building and have a vision for the coming Khilafah state.

Speaker: Nadeem Burhani
August 2008, 7.30pm
Location: Small Heath Community Centre, Small Heath, Birmingham, UK

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