Last week the government again issued new guidance to universities.

The focus seems to be reflected by the following statements, which we find in abundance within the media and governmental institutions:

• Growing numbers of young Muslim women are being “groomed” by extremists
• Radical groups are thought to be attempting to recruit impressionable young people in Britain
• higher education institutions face a “serious but not widespread” threat from radical groups, insisting there is “no single profile” of potential recruits
• “They are likely to be generally younger than 30 and male, although the number of women who support and participate in violent extremism is increasing”

As Muslims living within the UK it is of paramount importance that we are aware of this campaign of targetting Islam and Muslims and we should therefore be thinking ‘what is our role in this?’, ‘how can we do something about this?’

This weeks friday circle will insha-Allah address these issues.

Speaker: Abid Razaq

Venue: Small Heath Community Centre, Muntz Street, Birmingham.

Time: 7.30pm

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Gordan Brown visited China last week. In his visit he was expected to, or at least some hoped that PM brown would at least raise the issue of human rights in China.

Unfortunately Gordon brown was there as Britain’s salesman-in-chief. Back in the 19th century the British empire hammered at China’s door demanding that it should be opened to trade. Then Britain relied on the big guns of the Royal Navy to enforce its demand; now Brown relies on the big bosses of AstraZeneca, Vodafone and Barclays Bank - and on Richard Branson.

Browns advisors were also quick to defend China, saying that many forms of democracies exist implying nothing much needs to be said about the Chinese record on human rights or other issues that are of concern.

Should we expect the UK to put issues such as human rights, the rule of law, justice, and accountability before its interests?

Can we expect the UK to raise even an eyebrow at the atrocities being committed by the Israeli government in Gaza, which is employing collective punishment upon a civilian and innocent popolution?

Venue: Small Heath Community Centre

Time: 7.30pm

Speaker: Dr. Ajmal Hussain

Over the past week President Bush of the USA has toured the Middle East and has been to various Arab countries within the region, meeting different Arab Leaders in the process.

The questions that clearly have to be answered are:

• What has Bush’s Middle East visit acheived?
• What has the US strategy in the region achieved for the people of the Middle East?
• What is the mood of the Arab people on the street about President Bush and the US plan for the region?

Venue: Small Heath Community Centre, Muntz St, Small Heath, Birmingham

Time: 7.30pm

Date: Friday 18th Jan 08

Speaker: Nadeem Burhani

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Hazel Blears, the communities secretary, has concluded that a key way to stop extremist ideas further permeating Muslim communities is to give “the silent majority” a stronger voice.  They are to be sent on leadership and assertiveness courses to help to prevent Islamic extremism. She is to publish a good practice guidance document which will say that “resilient communities can only exist where women are playing a full and active part”.

Blears will tell local authorities to use part of a £70m government fund set up to combat extremism to pay for the courses in confidence building, communication and mediation skills.

This talk will discuss the above topic and highlight what role Muslim women should be playing in the western society.

Speaker: Abu Talha

Venue: Small Heath Community Centre, Muntz Street, Birmingham.