Date: 30/9/2015

NEWSLETTER

September 2015

Dear MWNUK Supporter,

Hope you enjoy reading our latest newsletter.

MWNUK UPDATES

MWNUK At Downing Street Eid Reception

On the 23rd September, Chair Shaista Gohir and Executive Director Faeeza Vaid were invited to celebrate Eid al Adha at 10 Downing Street and had the honour of meeting Home Secretary Theresa May.

MWNUK Host Private
Film Screening

On the 13th September MWNUK hosted the private film screening of 'Freesia'- the first UK film to address issues of Islamophobia and hate , produced by Akran Creative , set in Bradford and starring Aqib Khan of 'West is West'. See the film trailer here.

MWNUK at Musawah in Morrocco

Chair, Shaista Gohir is a board member of the Global Movement Musawah and attended a planning meeting to ensure the smooth transition of the Secretariat office in Rabat, Morocco . Shaista also had the honour of meeting the most well known Muslim Feminist in the world, Fatima Merinissi.

Musawah will be continuing to train their activists on the differences and diversity of Qur'anic interpretations and juristic opinions , as well as the conceptual tools that exist within the Muslim legal tradition that justify reform as both possible and necessary. Musawah will also continue with their advocacy work in training women's rights NGOs to write shadow CEDAW reports and challenge their government's when they report to the UN on their progress on rights. The are also plans for more research and outreach work.

The last two Musawah newsletters can be found here.

MWNUK Fundraising

On the 20th September, MWNUK Vice-Chair Nazmin Akthar-Sheikh took part in a memory walk for the Alzheimers Society. Donations are highly appreciated by clicking this link

Around 225,000 people develop dementia every year in the UK which means those closest to them often dedicate their lives to helping their loved ones. If you or someone you know require help or support,further advice can be found here.

MWNUK in the Media

Shaista Gohir on Sunday Morning Live

MWNUK have had another busy month contributing to the Media:

On the 7th September, General Secretary Mussurut Zia was interviewed on 3 Counties Radio about whether Britons need to be more accepting of the Niqab given the rise in Islamophobia

On the 18th September, Chair Shaista Gohir commented in The Times and was interviewed on the Victoria Derbyshire Programme and BBC Radio World Service on the increased sentencing of a paedophile who sexually exploited an Asian girl and on the controversy about whether Asian girls suffer more than White girls. Available here.
On the 20th September, Chair Shaista Gohir appeared on the BBC Sunday Morning Live Pane l to discuss whether we need a new national anthem and about body image which can be viewed here
On the 22nd September, Chair Shaista Gohir wrote comment piece in the Huffington Post to challenge the misinformation about the case involving the Asian victim in that the judge had not given a tougher sentence just because the victim was Asian but has considered the additional impact on her, which happens all the time in cases. The article can be viewed here

On the 25th September, General Secretary Mussurut Zia was on BBC Radio 5 Live to speak about the Hajj stampede.

RESOURCES

Handling of Police
Complaints Guidelines

Following a number of criticisms with the way that police forces deal with discrimination complaints , the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC ) has issues revised guidelines for police on how to handle complaints. MWNUK organised a focus group with Muslim women on their experiences with the police that contributed towards the consultation process. The guidelines will assist police to properly and effectively handle allegations of discrimination, including discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, or disability. It is important that we as the public are also aware of how the police should be responding to us should we complain to them about the way we are treated by the police. You can read the guidelines here.

OPPORTUNITY

Common Purpose
Leadership Programme

Many Pakistani and Bangladeshi leaders in the diaspora remain very connected to their country of origin. Common Purpose is running a programme for these leaders that aims to build their capacity to contribute to development in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Applications are invited from exceptional leaders from the Bangladeshi and Pakistani diaspora living in the UK. Applicants can be in the early to mid-stage of their careers or established leaders. We are seeking a participant group that includes participants from different generations. The deadline is 15th October 2015.

See more here:
https://commonpurpose.org/leadership/programmes/senior-leaders/pakistani-bangladeshi-diaspora/

NEWS

Twitter Sensation: @AuntyPakistan

An anonymous twitter account @AuntyPakistan emerged early September in Pakistan and within days gathered thousands of followers. It gained popularity because it challenges misogyny by highlighting the hypocrisy and double standards in the way women are viewed and treated.

Woman found hanged after fearing she would be pressured into a forced marriage

Muslim woman found dead after taking out Forced Marriage Protection Order . Read more here

Woman racially abused on train

Muslim woman r acially abused and comments made about her clothing on train carriage full of football fans. Read more here

Woman racially abused on bus

A Muslim woman wearing the niqab was racially abused in Batley as she waited to get off a bus. Read more here

Abuse going unreported in Britain's South Asian communications

Rapists and abusers are escaping justice in Britain’s south Asian communities as sexual and domestic violence is going unreported by women and children who are trapped in a pervasive culture of shame , according to a new academic study. Read more here

Terror Arrests reach record high

The number of people arrested for terrorism related offences reaches a record high with a rise in younger people getting arrested. Read more her e

Birmingham Quran teachers jailed for beating boy

A boy was beaten with a plastic stick and given back-of-the-hand slaps by each of his tutors. Photographs of his injuries showing " extensive"bruising " to the back of his legs. Read more here

NHS uncovers 1000 FGM cases

More than 1,000 newly recorded cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in England between April and June, NHS data reveals. Read more here

School Sex Crime reports in UK top 5,500 in Three years

Sexual assaults and rapes are taking place in schools . Read morehere

Police given advice on spotting Domestic Abuse patterns

The new College of Policing guidance is designed to help officers prosecute without relying on victims' evidence. It also advises Senior Officers about the need for specialist staff to deal with cases of abuse and ensure victims receive the best possible support. A new domestic abuse offence of " coercive and controlling behaviour " within relationships is expected to come into force later this year. Read more here

Keep in Touch!

Thanks for reading our latest newsletter. MWNUK would love to hear about and feature the things that are important to you.
Please do contact faeeza@mwnuk.co.uk

In This Newsletter

   MWNUK UPDATES
MWNUK at Downing Street Eid reception
MWNUK Host Film Screening
MWNUK at Musawah Meeting in Morrocco
MWNUK Fundraising
MWNUK i n the Media

   MWNUK RESOURCES
Handling Of Police Discrimination Complaints

   OPPORTUNITY
Common Purpose Leadership Programme

   NEWS
Twitter Sensation: @AuntyPakistan
Woman Found Hanged after Fearing She Would be Pressured into a Forced Marriage
Woman Racially Abused on Train
Woman Racially Abused on Bus
Abuse going unreported in Britain's South Asian communities
Terror Arrests Reach Record High
Birmingham Quran teachers jailed for beating boy
NHS uncovers 1000 FGM cases
School Sex Crimes reports in UK tops 5,500 in Three Years
Police given advice on spotting Domestic Abuse Patterns

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