Local Muslim Representation - Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations 2022
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Local Muslim Representation
Empowering Council of Mosques & Local
Umbrella Organisations 2022
www.mcb.org.uk
Local Muslim Representation: reproduced in any form or by any means,
now known or hereinafter invented,
Empowering Council of
including photocopying and recording or in
Mosques & Local Umbrella any information, storage or retrieval system,
Organisations without the permission in writing of the
publisher.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is
the UK’s largest and most diverse national The report authors would like to thank
Muslim umbrella organisation with over all representatives of the 30+ Council of
500 members including mosques, schools, Mosques and Local Umbrella Organisations
charitable associations and professional that took part in interviews and shared
networks. their advice, experiences and knowledge to
support this review.
It is an independent, democratic body,
established to promote consultation, With additional thanks to Euro
cooperation and coordination on Muslim Quality Foundation for their
affairs in the United Kingdom. generous support in making
this report possible.
The Muslim Council of Britain is a non-
sectarian body working for the common
good without interfering in, displacing
or isolating any existing Muslim work in
communities.
It is a broad-based, representative
organisation of Muslims in Britain,
accommodating and reflecting the variety
of social and cultural backgrounds and
outlook of Muslim communities.
The Muslim Council of Britain is pledged to PO Box 57330 London E1 2WJ,
work for the common good of society as a United Kingdom
whole; encouraging individual Muslims and
Muslim organisations to play a full and For queries, comments or corrections,
participatory role in public life. please email admin@mcb.org.uk
© Muslim Council of Britain, Mar 2022.
For more information about other reports
All rights reserved. No part of this by the Muslim Council of Britain, visit www.
publication may be reprinted or mcb.org.uk/reports
Disclaimer: Examples and case studies in this report are provided to illustrate a broad spectrum of views and initiatives across Muslim
communities and do not necessarily reflect the views of or imply endorsement by the Muslim Council of Britain.
2 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
contents
Foreword/Reflection 5
Executive Summary 7
1. Overview and Context
1.1 Introduction: National & Local 8
1.2 The Needs: COVID19 and Changing Demographics 10
1.3 Overview of Local Muslim Umbrella Organisations 11
2. Current Structures and Representation
2.1 Genesis and Organisational Structures 15
2.2 Employees and Financial Sustainability 17
2.3 Gender Diversity 19
2.4 Ethnic, Age and School of Thought Diversity 21
3. Public Engagement
3.1 Engagement with the Public Sector 25
3.2 Burials & Bereavement 29
3.3 Eid, Prayer Times and Ramadan 30
3.4 Interlinking with National Initiatives 32
3.5 Education 34
4. Conclusions & Recommendations 35
References 38
Other Recent MCB Publications 39
3 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
WITH THANKS TO COUNCIL OF MOSQUES AND LOCAL UMBRELLA
ORGANISATIONS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS RESEARCH
Please note, a number of Council of Mosques and local umbrella organisations do not have logos and so do not appear on this
page. For a full list, see Page 12 and 13.
4 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
foreword/reflection
In the name of God, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful
Local government employs approximately two million Britons
according to Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures. The
vast size of our public administration sheds light on just how
much of our lives are touched by services provided by local
government, from social care and housing, to schools and public
health.
And I know first-hand through my work with the Muslim Council
of Scotland that it is at devolved government and local council
level that many key decisions that can often affect our lives the
most are made, and not necessarily in Westminster.
Our report, “Local Muslim Representation” shines a spotlight on
how over the last 40 years, many British Muslims communities Zara Mohammed
have been organically organising ourselves locally through Secretary General,
Muslim Council of Britain
Council of Mosques and local umbrella organisations. In the
process, valuable spaces have been created which can facilitate Muslims to play an active and
participatory role in local issues and interface productively with local government.
The sheer diversity and breadth of the over 30 such organisations that now exist across the
country is a sign of the vibrancy of British Muslim communities in engaging in public life.
And the strategic importance of Council of Mosques and local Muslim umbrella organisations
came to the fore in March 2020. Following the Muslim Council of Britain’s unprecedented and
difficult decision on 16 March to call for suspension of mosque congregational activities, many
played a leading role in convening key local community decision makers to discuss the rapidly
evolving public health situation and take unified action to protect our communities.
The Muslim Council of Britain’s role has never been to displace or duplicate the efforts of
other organisations in the diverse British Muslim ‘eco-system’ of organisations, but rather to
enhance, augment and amplify. But often the behind-the-scenes work of organisations like
Council of Mosques working tirelessly at city-, town-, county- or borough- level often goes
unnoticed.
We pray that this report, the best practice it shares and the recommendations it makes
will serve to highlight the strategic value of Council of Mosques and local Muslim umbrella
organisations to British Muslim life. And we hope it charts a route forward for how local
Muslim representation can be grown and strengthened across the country in the coming
years and decades.
5 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
foreword
Local government after 2021 will be very different from local
government before 2020.
Across local government we see hard working councillors and
officers working tirelessly not just to maintain public services,
but to support thriving, resilient communities. Over the past
year this meant adapting to difficult new circumstances at a
pace which was previously unimaginable. Councils will have to
continue the struggle of doing more with less.
Meanwhile the Covid-19 pandemic also demonstrated, once again,
the power and strength of community organisation. Community
groups of all shapes and sizes, resilience forums and local
religious organisations stepped forward to support local people, Dr Andrew Walker
distribute food and aid, communicate important information Head of Research,
Local Government Information Unit
and reach out to the vulnerable. It was an overwhelming show (LGIU)
of civic energy. Local Muslim umbrella organisations were a
focal point for many councils, participating in decision-making and helping to facilitate the
reopening of public spaces and venues after the initial lockdown.
The way forward must be to enable collaboration between communities and local institutions.
The question is how to maintain that energy and to facilitate productive engagement?
This report is an important contribution to that conversation. It shows just how widespread
Muslim umbrella organisations are and the potential energy, capacity, knowledge and
networks that could be unleashed through working closely with local authorities. As the report
acknowledges, some councils are already engaged with these groups, and local communities
see the benefit of those connections. But there remains more to be done.
Understanding which groups are out there, their aims and their capabilities is an important
first step for local government. Finding new ways to open up and engage, giving real power
to the many voices within our communities must follow. The work in this report highlights the
potential power of institutions and communities working together across local places.
6 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
Executive Summary
The COVID19 pandemic caused a crisis elaborated upon in Section 1 and 2 of this
across British society and in March 2020 report. And mostly independently of each
Muslim communities were presented with other, they have each made considerable
the unprecedented possibility of nationwide progress across a series of some of the most
closures of mosques for congregational difficult issues and challenges facing their
worship to minimise the rapid spread of the local communities. A selection of case studies
virus. involving local coordination, representation
and public sector engagement are shared in
Many Council of Mosques and local Muslim Section 3.
umbrella organisations played a pivotal role
in these difficult discussions. They acted Finally, Section 4 of this report identifies
as focal points for bringing many key local a number of development needs for local
mosque and community leaders, volunteers Muslim umbrella organisations. These span
and Imams together rapidly, facilitating a broad range of areas, from more inclusive
understanding of the public health risks, leadership and financial sustainability, to
promoting key public health messages and governance and community engagement.
driving towards consensus and unified action.
Overall, there has been no coordinated
But even before the COVID19 pandemic, many and concerted effort to date to empower
of the Council of Mosques and local Muslim and capacity build local Muslim umbrella
umbrella organisations interviewed as part organisations to be able to perform their
of this report, working with their member functions more effectively. However, given
organisations locally, were actively engaging these are strategic institutions for co-
with issues covering a wide spectrum of public ordination, connection and collaboration of
life. This includes from inter faith relations and Muslim communities at town, city or region-
burial services, to tackling hate crime locally wide level, and with demographic trends
and hosting hustings for election candidates. indicating a general increase in the size and
diversity of Muslim communities, the need
There are now over 30 such local Muslim has never been greater.
umbrella organisations across the UK who
have been engaged as part of this report,
from Surrey to Scotland, and from Bradford
to Bristol. Their growth has been organic
over the last 40 years and they are all at
different stages of development, which is
7 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
1. Overview and Context
1.1 Introduction: There are now over 30 such local Muslim
umbrella organisations across the UK. Their
National & Local
growth has been organic over the last 40
British Muslims have been subject to
years, and they are all at different stages of
scrutiny and analysis for over two decades
development. And mostly independently
now. Much of the discussion, especially
of each other, they have each made some
from a research perspective, has focused
progress across a series of the some of the most
on organisations and structures at the
difficult issues facing their local communities.
national level. This focus has meant that
the importance of the local organising
This report is the first review of its kind
structures has often been overlooked.
into the range and scope of local Muslim
umbrella organisations in the UK. Over 30
However, many British Muslim communities
local Muslim umbrella organisation were
have been steadily building local organising
approached in the latter stages of the
structures such as umbrella organisations
pandemic and asked to participate in semi-
for – in some cases – almost four decades
structured interviews. For the purposes
now. By “local”, for the purposes of
of this report, a “local Muslim umbrella
this report, we mean an organisation
organisation” is defined as a membership-
not operating at a UK-wide level, but
based Muslim-led organisation covering
instead operating within a more focused
a defined geographic area within the UK,
geographic remit, such as a borough, town,
and which has been active with at least
city, district or other wider regional level.
one meeting, event or other community
initiative in the last twelve months.
At present, the British Muslim organisational
landscape consists of thousands of first-
Over 30 local Muslim umbrella
tier organisations, including mosques,
organisations responded positively and
madrasas, community centres, Islamic
were interviewed as part of this research.
associations, charities, schools, university
These organisations are listed in pages 12-
Islamic societies, professional networks and
13. Each organisation was asked a series of
other special interest organisations which
questions which covered areas of formal
primarily exist to serve individuals from their
structure, history, activities, future planning,
local community, membership or service
financial sustainability and other areas.
user base. A smaller number of Muslim
‘second-tier’ (or umbrella1) membership-
The remainder of this report describes the
based organisations also exists, providing
findings from the interviews according to the
a platform for many ‘first-tier’ Muslim
themes that have been raised. The report’s
organisations in their network to come
objective is to shine a spotlight on the often
together to tackle pressing issues affecting
unnoticed work of local Muslim umbrella
their members, share best practice between
organisations with a view to informing
members or represent the views and interests
their local authorities, member mosques
of members to external stakeholders. These
and other organisations and wider Muslim
operate either at the UK-national level such
communities on their potential for unity,
as the Muslim Council of Britain, or at the
coordination and positive change across
local level such as the local Muslim umbrella
communities. The report concludes with a
organisation which are the focus of this report.
series of recommendations.
8 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
Examples of recent initiatives showcasing the breadth and depth of work covered
by Council of Mosques and Local Umbrella Organisations
Bradford Council for Mosques provides funeral Guidance around safe re-opening during
services and this poster is organising a call for COVID-19 pandemic by Leeds Council of
cemetery volunteers with PPE provided. Mosques, covered in the local newspaper
Yorkshire Evening Post
Somali translation of Celebrating Eid 2020 Eden Girls School pupils at an event celebrating
guidance produced by Muslim Council of Wales Coventry Muslim Forum receiving the Queen’s
Award for Voluntary Service in 2017
Newham Muslim Forum delivering PPE packs in Oldham Mosques Council organising a seminar
collaboration with the local authority to mosques dispelling COVID19 vaccination myths covered
in the borough before re-opening of places of by ITV News
worship in July 2020
9 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations
1.2 The Needs: COVID19 and engaged with covered a wide spectrum of
public life. These issues include interfaith
Changing Demographics
collaboration, social cohesion, mosque
The strategic importance of local level
and supplementary schools (madrasas)
Muslim umbrella organisations has become
capacity building, Relationship & Sex
clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education (RSE), burial issues, youth knife
Though public health officials had been
violence and joint prayer timetables. A full
warning of an imminent pandemic, this
list of topics that interviewees reported
particular pandemic came as a surprise to UK
they have faced and attempted to address
officials and communities. The MCB’s report
in recent years is provided in page 22.
“Together in Tribulation: British Muslims
and the COVID-19 Pandemic”2 highlighted
However, whilst the COVID-19 pandemic and
how, when British Muslim communities
range of important topics being engaged
were presented with the unprecedented
with highlights the strategic importance of
possibility of nationwide closures of mosques
local Muslim umbrella organisations in the
for congregational worship to minimise
short-term, perhaps a greater case for their
the spread of the virus, many local Muslim
importance can be made through referring
umbrella organisations played a pivotal role
to rapidly changing local demographics.
in these difficult discussions. They acted
The last census in 2011 indicated Muslim
as focal points for bringing many key local
population to be approximately 2.7m in the
mosque leaders, volunteers and Imams
UK4 whilst latest polling in 2018 estimates
together rapidly, facilitating understanding
approximately 3.5m5. These increases are
of the public health risks and driving towards
also reflected in rising Muslim populations
consensus and unified action where possible.
in specific localities. For example in the
same period, the number of Muslims in
Thereafter, many of the local umbrella
Manchester increased from approximately
organisations became a central point of
83,000 to 106,000. In total in 2018, 14 local
contact for the local councils, local resilience
councils have Muslim populations greater
forums and other agencies that were
than 50,000 and five local councils have
managing the response to the pandemic.
Muslim populations greater than 100,000.
This led to many playing an important
role in communicating public health
These demographic changes will bring many
and other key messages to local Muslim
challenges and opportunities to Muslim
communities during the pandemic as well as
communities. It is strongly recommended
communicating feedback back to decision-
that they should coordinate their work across
makers. In particular this includes around
the country in order to address the needs of
the safe re-opening of places of worship
their local communities better.It will require
as the lockdown was initially eased in the
robust organising structures, connected
summer of 2020, as well as the vaccination
with individuals and organisations across
programme roll-out in 2021. Many of the
wider civil society, to empower members of
local umbrella organisations were also
Muslim communities to engage, participate
heavily involved in supporting volunteering
and contribute productively to the range
activities and aid distribution across their
of local issues that will affect them in the
cities and towns so that those that were
coming years.
vulnerable could still be looked after3.
However, even prior to the COVID19
pandemic, the interviewees mentioned
that the scope of the issues they had
10 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations1.3 Overview of Local Muslim were to improve engagement with women-
led and youth-led Muslim organisations.
Umbrella Organisations
At present, there are over 30 local Muslim
The largest organisations by membership
umbrella organisations across the UK,
size are also the oldest. Federation of Mosque
with the majority of these based across
Organisations in Leicester reported it has
England. The Muslim Council of Scotland
approximately 200 members, while Bradford
and the Muslim Council of Wales serve
Council for Mosques reported 129 members
Muslim communities in Scotland and Wales
and Lancashire Council for Mosques
respectively and there are no city-wide
reported over 120 member organisations.
structures in these regions. There is no
such coordinating body in Northern Ireland,
Several of the other interviewees also
where engagement tends to be led by
reported having large membership bases,
active volunteers from the local mosques.
included Scotland (90), Manchester (50)
and Tower Hamlets (46). Large towns
The umbrella organisations in England are
like Bolton and Luton reported having
spread all over the country: from Bolton to
approximately 30 member organisations.
Bristol, Manchester to Surrey. There are a
There were several that had less than ten
few county-wide umbrella organisations
members though these tended to be the
that cover more than one town, city or
newer organisations formed in the last five
district, such as the Lancashire Council
years. In total, approximately one thousand
for Mosques, Surrey Muslim Association
mosques and Muslim organisations
and Essex Council for Mosques – however
nationwide are collectively covered through
these are the exceptions and the majority
the membership bases of those interviewed.
cover a town-, city- or district-level. In
What unites all the local umbrella
London, the local umbrella organisations
organisations is their grassroots and
are typically at borough level, including
bottom-up development. They have all been
Waltham Forest Council for Mosques
established and run largely by passionate
and Newham Council for Mosques.
volunteers who want to see the different parts
of their local Muslim communities working in
The oldest amongst them include Bradford
a more united, closer and coordinated way.
Council for Mosques (est. 1981), the
Federation of Muslim Organisations in
However, despite the similarity in their names
Leicester (est. 1983) and Lancashire Council
and objectives, there is a wide range of
of Mosques (est. 1989). These were amongst
strengths and areas of improvement across
the first Muslim organisations to be formed
the organisations. Some are registered
at a local level before 2000, but many more
charities with established constitutions whilst
have been formally established since then.
others are associations with no governing
Fifteen such organisations were set up
document. Some have regular meetings and
between 2000 and 2010 and the remainder
engagement forums for members, whilst
have been established in the last ten years.
others have irregular and ad hoc meetings
only. Some have strong relationships with
About two-thirds of the organisations
their local councils, statutory agencies and
have chosen to name themselves as
local media, whilst others have little external
“Council of Mosques.” The remaining one-
engagements. Some have an active online
third have chosen broader names such as
web and social media presence whilst others
“Association”, “Union” or “Muslim Council
do not. These and other differentiating
of” and kept their membership open to
factors are explored further in the remainder
mosques as well as other local Muslim-led
of this report.
organisations such as youth or women-
led groups. Interviewees for the latter type
reported reasons for choosing this approach
11 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsLocal Muslim Umbrella Organisations Interviewed
Area Local Muslim Umbrella Date Local Council(s) Muslim population
started within remit (max % of total)
Newham Newham Muslim Forum & 2019 London Borough 42%
Newham Council of Mosques of Newham
Tower Tower Hamlets Council 2008 London Borough of 39%
Hamlets of Mosque Tower Hamlets
www.councilofmosques.com
Lancashire Lancashire Council 1989 Lancashire County 33%
of Mosques Council (inc. Black-burn
www.lancashiremosques.com with Darwen, Pendle,
Hyndburn, Preston &
Burnley)
Luton Luton Council of Mosque 2003 Luton Borough 29%
and Luton Sunni Council Council
of Mosques
www.lutonmosques.org
Bradford Council for Mosques (Bradford) 1981 Bradford Metropolitan 27%
www.councilformosques.co.uk District Council
Waltham Waltham Forest Council 2010 London Borough 22%
Forest of Mosque Waltham Forest
www.wfcom.org
Oldham Oldham Mosque Council 2001 Oldham Council 22%
Leicester Federation of Muslim 1983 Leicester City Council, 21%
Organisations Oadby & Wigston &
www.fmo.org.uk surrounding areas
Manchester Manchester Council 2016 Manchester City Council 19%
of Mosques
www.facebook.com/
mcrmosques
Rochdale Rochdale Council of Mosque 2004 Rochdale Borough 19%
www.rcom.org.uk Council
Bolton Bolton Council of Mosques 2004 Bolton Council 15%
www.thebcom.org
Surrey Surrey Muslim Association 2017 Surrey County Council 11%
www.surreymuslims.org (inc. Epsom & Ewell) and
Kingston-Upon-Thames
Nottingham Nottingham Council of Mosques 2020 Nottingham City Council 10%
www.nottinghammosques.org.uk
Walsall Union of Muslim Organisations 1972 Walsall Council 8%
www.umowalsall.org.uk
12 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsContinued on from page 10
Area Local Muslim Umbrella Date Local Council(s) Muslim
started within remit population
(max % of total)
Calderdale Calderdale Council of Mosques 2014 Calderdale Council 7%
Peterborough Joint Mosques Council 2017 Peterborough City 7%
Peterborough & Muslim Council Council
of Peterborough
Sheffield Council of Mosques, South 2000 Sheffield City 7%
Yorkshire Council
Coventry Coventry Muslim Forum 2008 Coventry City 7%
Council
Leeds Leeds Council of Mosques 2008 Leeds City Council 6%
www.leedscm.org.uk
Liverpool Liverpool Region Mosque 2020 Liverpool City Council 6%
Network www.lrmnet.org.uk
Southwark Southwark Muslim Forum 2010 London Borough 6%
of Southwark
South East South East London and Kent 2017 London Borough 6%
London Council of Mosques of Greenwich
Bristol Council of Bristol Mosques 2009 Bristol City Council < 5%
www.cbmosques.org.uk
Essex Essex Council of Mosques 2019 Essex Count < 5%
Council
Kent Muslim Association of Kent 2018 Kent County Council < 5%
Scotland Muslim Council of Scotland 2007 Scottish < 5%
www.mcscotland.org Government
Southampton Muslim Council of Southampton 2000 Southampton City < 5%
www.mcs-online.org.uk Council
Rotherham Rotherham Council of Mosques 2009 Rotherham Metropolitan < 5%
Borough Council
Wales Muslim Council of Wales 2003 Welsh Government < 5%
www.muslimcouncilwales.org.uk
Source: ONS Annual Population Survey: Religion by Local Authority, Great Britain, 2011 to 2018 [5]
For counties with multiple local councils, the highest percentage figure for a single council is presented.
Two further local umbrella organisations were interviewed but who do not fall directly within
the remit of specific local councils: the Muslim Forum of Middlesex (www.muslimforums.
co.uk/middlesex) that focuses largely on election hustings; and the Coordination Council of
London Mosques, an association of approximately a dozen mainly inner London mosques that
focuses on jointly agreeing prayer times and Eid days.
Two further local Muslim umbrella organisations approached were not available for interview.
In addition, two others were still in the process of formation or relaunch and thus stated they
did not feel ready to be interviewed.
Whilst every effort was made to reach out to all local Muslim umbrella organisations across
the country known to the authors of this report, we recognise there may have been formal or
informal structures that we have inadvertently omitted.
13 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsExamples of recent initiatives showcasing the breadth and depth of work covered
by Council of Mosques and Local Umbrella Organisations
Coordination Council of London Mosques Nasheeds, Irn Bru and Biryani at annual
issuing jointly branded rules for safe use dinner for convert Muslims hosted by
of their mosques, Dec 2020 Muslim Council of Scotland
Template Safeguarding Policy “Thank You NHS” banner at mosque
produced by Luton Council of facilitated by Waltham Forest Council
Mosques for their members of Mosques for their members
Joint letter from Manchester Council of Published Letter to the Editor in a
Mosques and local authority on celebrating local newspaper by Joint Mosques
Eid Al-Fitr 2020 safely Council Peterborough
14 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations2. Current Structures and Representation
2.1 Genesis and Organisational treasurer. In some cases, a public or media
spokesperson was also an elected position.
Structures
The majority of the work of the local Muslim
Common reasons that spurred the initial
umbrella organisations is then conducted
genesis of many of the local Muslim
through the executive committee until the
umbrella organisations interviewed included
next AGM. Most reported meeting on average
strong feelings that local Muslims should
once a month, a few meet more regularly
be working more closely together, a policy
and others met less regularly, for example
matter that was felt required collective
once a quarter. In all cases, the positions
action to address or a specific local incident
on the committee were voluntary and not
that caused community members to
paid. Most executive committee members
realise the importance of a united voice.
tended to be active volunteers in their own
local mosques too. Many were professionals
In some cases, the official establishment
in full-time employment, including lawyers,
of the umbrella organisation was preceded
accountants, teachers, Imams, councillors,
by several years of local mosques working
health professionals, local business owners
informally together on joint initiatives,
or local civil servants. This enables them
thereby making the official launch just
to bring their professional expertise to
a formalisation of what was already
the running of the local Muslim umbrella
happening. In other cases, a launch event
organisation, alongside their wide networks
was organized that was the first time most
and grassroots community connections
member organisations had come together.
from their years of volunteering. In six cases,
Some of the interviewees stated that by far
Imams or Scholars were actively involved
the hardest aspect of establishing the local
in the executive committees, including in
umbrella organisations was securing the
one instance as the Chair, whilst in others
agreement and commitment of mosques and
they were involved in advisory capacities.
other members towards a collective form
of working. This has required political tact
Many of those interviewed reported the
and relationship-building skills and remains
time pressures of supporting the running of
one of the most important challenges facing
their local mosque as well as their day job
any second-tier umbrella organisation.
being a limiting factor in enabling them to
give more time on the executive committee.
The majority of the organisations interviewed
In addition, the sheer scope of actual and
had straight-forward voting structures,
potential issues that local Muslim umbrella
involving an assembly-like body of registered
organisations deal with (See Page 22) can
members that meets either at regular
be quite daunting on those that volunteer
intervals or on an ad hoc basis, has a say in
their time to further the cause of local unity
the running of the organisation and elects
and coordination. This is often coupled with
an executive committee. Whilst exact voting
high expectations from members and other
structures for members vary, the majority
grassroots community members on the
involved each member organisation sending
issues that the executive committee should
one or two delegates to an Annual General
focus on tackling.
Meeting (AGM) with voting rights, and
voting for specific executive committee
roles. Typically, this includes a chair, vice
chair, secretary, assistant secretary and
15 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsA view from the Community:
Mosque Representative & Sharing Best Practice
“I’ve been involved in running my local On our mosque’s Executive Committee
mosque for over ten years now, ever since I we’re all volunteers, but we have an active
got involved in my late twenties. The needs youth programme, #VisitMyMosque days
of the community have grown significantly for neighbours and host dozens of school
in that time and we are constantly trying to visits a year. We want to be able to share the
keep pace. best practice we’ve developed with other
mosques in our city, which we’ve been able
Our city has a Council of Mosques and I can to do to some extent by getting involved in
see the value of it, as we need a united front our Council of Mosques.
when speaking to the local council, police
and others about the issues we all face - it However, there is a lot more coordination
can’t just be one or two of the big mosques work we could be doing. For example, there
consulted and everyone else hearing about are a few new mosques being built in our
the decisions made afterwards. Our local city and co-ordination between these new
Council of Mosques holds meetings for projects and existing mosques like us can be
members but I feel these should be more strengthened - this is an area I feel our local
frequent so we have more time to discuss Council of Mosques could play a bigger role
long-term strategy, as well as short-term in.”
issues. Also members should be encouraged
to send an alternative representative if Male in 40s, Midlands
their main representative is unavailable to
attend.
Disclaimer: Examples and case studies in this report are provided to illustrate a broad spectrum of views and initiatives across Muslim
communities and do not necessarily reflect the views of or imply endorsement by the Muslim Council of Britain.
‘Visit My Mosque’ open days are one of many best practice sharing areas for Council of Mosques
(Credit: York Mosque & Islamic Centre)
16 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations2.2 Employees and Financial cases, employing paid individuals to support
the work of the executive committee was
Sustainability
only made possible through engagement
The vast majority of the local Muslim
with and funding grants from the local
umbrella organisations interviewed were
authority, and in hardly any cases has a local
entirely voluntary run, from the assembly-
Muslim umbrella organisation been able to
like structure of members to the executive
raise sufficient funds from its membership
committee. This is testament to the
or other local community resources to fund
tremendous spirit of volunteering, service
its employees.
for the community and reservoir of goodwill
that exists in Muslim communities across
Local Muslim umbrella organisations will
the country. However, this also presents
never be the largest Muslim organization in
constraints on the levels of activities
the locality in terms of number of employees
possible, limiting the amount of capacity
or annual turnover, even for those with
building programmes that can be organised
sizeable Muslim populations. Often their
for members, external stakeholders that can
largest member mosques usually have a
be engaged with or public campaigns to run.
significantly larger staff group or annual
In five of those interviewed, one part-
turnovers, but this is not surprising when
time or full-time employee was employed
considering these are first-tier organisations
to support the work of the executive
with large buildings to maintain and very
committee. This employee would
different outputs, modes of operation and
typically fulfil a central administrative
fundraising models. However, if second-
function, managing a central email inbox,
tier organisations such as local Muslim
coordinating meetings with members and in
umbrella organisations are to better serve
some cases acting as a liaison with external
their members and increase their impact –
stakeholders. However, the majority stated
particularly in regions with sizeable Muslim
that they were not able to employ any
populations - serious attention needs to be
administrative staff due to lack of funds.
given to establishing funding models that
enable a small cohort of paid employees
In two of the five cases, there was more than
to support the work of the executive
one employee, and this was made possible
committee, funded in a sustainable way
largely due to funding from the local authority
from within their local Muslim communities.
and some income from venue hire. Bradford
Council for Mosques reported currently
The majority of the organisations had very
employing one administrative person,
small annual budgets of not more than
two policy advisors, one organisational
£5,000, which limits the types of projects,
consultant, one communications specialist
activities and campaigns they can commit
and a legal advisor (most on part-time
to. In most of those interviewed, membership
contracts). Bolton Council of Mosques
was free, whilst in 10 of those interviewed,
employs a chief executive, two part-time
a nominal membership fee was charged
administrators, a project manager that
not exceeding £100 per year. In one case,
liaises with local public sector bodies and a
the membership fee is £200 every 2 years,
caretaker that looks after the building which
which reduces the administration burden of
they own. One other Council of Mosques
collecting membership fees compared to an
reported previously having more than one
annual model.
employee, but this was cut back when local
authority funding ceased. In nearly all these
17 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsFor some local Muslim umbrella organisations, if there was a specific event to be organized
and external sponsorship could not be secured, then a number of the larger member
mosques would all contribute towards the event budget.
Only a fraction of those interviewed reported organising fundraising events or campaigns
for their organisations, with the aim of raising funds from the community. None of those
interviewed have accessed mainstream grant opportunities for COVID19 response work
since the start of the pandemic, even though many were running projects that would have
made them eligible. Many of those interviewed named financial sustainability as a key area
of development for the next few years.
Case Study: Diversifying Income Streams
Two Council of Mosques interviewed that centre buildings established through
had the most diversified financial situation securing capital funding from the European
are Bolton Council for Mosques and Bradford Union. The Khidmat Centres provide adult
Council for Mosques. social care services which is contracted
through the local council, as well as raises
Bolton Council for Mosques is a registered funds through venue hire. The second is
charity and owns a building which is rented the Council for Mosque’s Bereavement
out for events, meetings and functions, Services which is also contracted to through
helping to generate rental income (though the local council and charges a fee for
this has recently reduced due to COVID19). burial services. Through these two service
This is similar to some mosques which act as projects, sufficient funds are raised to run a
anchor institutions for their community by small central office.
having a wedding or function hall attached
to the main building. They also operate These two organisations however are
burial services and have a charge per burial, exceptions, with the majority of those
which brings in regular income for the interviewed having budgets under five
organization. thousand pounds and are therefore limited
in what they can commit to. Achieving
Bradford Council for Mosques is a Charitable financial sustainability was stated as a key
Incorporated Organization (CIO) and has area of development for nearly all those
two business arms as subsidiaries. The first is interviewed.
Khidmat Centres, which are two community
18 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations2.3 Gender Diversity
Increasing the gender diversity of any as well as being actively involved in regular
organisation, especially at the leadership monthly meetings. For example, Waltham
level, brings with it many advantages. Forest Council for Mosques requires that
Different perspectives, attracting new talent at least one of the three representatives of
and allowing agility in implementing a each member mosque at a general meeting
strategy for future growth are just some of is female.
the benefits that come from a more diverse
leadership. The visible presence of a more diverse
set of meeting participants also supports
In addition, one of the roles of local Muslim creating a more welcoming atmosphere
umbrella organisations is performing a which makes it more likely for under-
representative function for their member represented groups like women to get
organisations and wider local Muslim involved. With the pandemic also leading
communities, often being called upon by to more meetings taking place online,
civic society and public sector bodies for volunteering in community organisations
consultative purposes. This makes it even such as local Muslim umbrella organisations
more important for the leadership teams for those with family or other commitments
of local Muslim umbrella organisations to has also become more accessible compared
include a good mix of both male and female to before the pandemic.
Muslim community representatives.
In none of the interviews did any male
Some of those interviewed reported having interviewee object to women being involved
women involved at Executive Committee on the executive committee, and one
level for several years already, whilst others interviewee stated, “saying we don’t have
were seeking to recruit more. In terms of women involved is just not tenable.” However,
membership engagement, some of those there currently appears to be a gap between
interviewed reported moving towards those seeking more diverse executive
a governance structure where member committees and actively prioritizing efforts
organisations are asked to send at least one to outreach to more Muslim women in the
female as a delegate to the Annual General community to achieve this. It was widely
Meeting (AGM) so they can vote and be recognised that organisations benefit
nominated in executive committee elections, greatly from being more diverse and the
will to see this happen is
there, but an action-focused
environment needs to be
developed with more practical
steps taken to help develop
more gender diversity in local
Muslim umbrella organisations
and better reflect the local
communities they serve.
Surrey Muslim Association launch event at Shah Jahan Mosque,
Woking (Credit: Surrey Muslim Association)
19 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations02 2
a r 2
5 M
to 2
o e d
a rg
b
Em
02 2
a r 2
5 M
Seminar for ladies led by a female scholar (Photo credit: Chesham Mosque)
to 2
A view from the Community: Missing Involvement of Women
o e d
rg
“I have been actively volunteering in my The Mosque Council roles appears to be
a
local community for almost a decade for self-selected from a group of people who
m b
numerous charitable projects and initiatives, were already part of certain male-dominated
E
both in and outside of the mosque. mosque committees, a system that urgently
However, the lack of engagement and requires changing. However, instead of
participation of women in mosques in my waiting for this system to be reformed, I do
local area is a serious issue as it means that hope my local Council of Mosques makes
our mosque leaders need to do much more more efforts in this regard and improves its
to make sure that a large section of my diversity. In the meantime, instead of waiting
community have their voices fully heard. for the system to be changed, I am instead
developing alternative ways to empower
In my opinion, my local Mosque Council Muslim women in my local area to flourish
is sadly not yet fully representative of all in society, and be given the opportunity to
members of our Muslim community, but have a real voice to influence contemporary
they want to help lead on issues affecting issues that affect them.”
Muslims (not just mosques). I was not aware
of an open and transparent selection criteria Female, 40s, North England
2
when they first recruited to the roles. I’d like
2
to see a greater effort to positively reach out
to or involve active local women and youth.
r 2 0
M a
Disclaimer: Examples and case studies in this report are provided to illustrate a broad spectrum of views and initiatives across Muslim
5
communities and do not necessarily reflect the views of or imply endorsement by the Muslim Council of Britain.
20
to 2
Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations2.4 Ethnic, Age and School of diverse schools of thought. Some, but not
all, of those interviewed reported having
Thought Diversity
colleagues from both Sunni and Shia
Islam is one of the most ethnically diverse
traditions on their executive committee.
religions in the world, and British Muslims
However, in some cities and towns, sectarian
reflect this diversity. According to the 2011
differences had led to some local institutions
census6, whilst approximately two-thirds of
choosing not to participate at all due to issues
British Muslims are of South Asian heritage
of mistrust, or rivalries, whether perceived
(Pakistan, India and Bangladesh), hundreds
or actual. A common theme is where the
of thousands of Muslims in Britain also have
committee members, trustees or Imams
African and Afro-Caribbean, Arab, White
from different institutions had not worked
and other ethnic backgrounds.
with or liaised meaningfully with each other
before, the lack of familiarity translated into
A common criticism of the way some
a lack of interest in getting involved in the
mosques in Britain organise themselves is
local Muslim umbrella organisation.
that, although not always explicit in their
name, their committees, volunteers and
According to the 2011 census, almost 50%
service users tend to be those from a specific
of Muslims in Britain are aged 24 years
ethnic background or school of thought.
old or younger. However, across all the
Many local Muslim umbrella organisations
organisations interviewed, hardly any
reported acting as bridging platforms
one reported having a single executive
between these institutions that often are
committee member aged under 30 years
in the same neighbourhood but in isolation
old or were considering training any young
from each other. They provide a local forum
people as part of succession planning.
where, for example, a Somali Imam from
Many of those interviewed highlighted
one mosque and Bangladeshi committee
the importance of meeting the needs of
secretary from another mosque can come
the youth and being relevant to the youth
together to discuss local issues that affect
as one of their key priorities in coming
them both, where they otherwise would not
years. However, when asked why they had
have had a reason to meet.
previously struggled to involve young
volunteers, common reasons included that
However, many of those interviewed
young volunteers they approached were
reported being acutely aware that their
either too busy with their studies to commit
committees or membership bases were
to getting involved, or if they were available,
often biased towards South Asian heritage
they were already active in volunteering for
Muslims and wanted to be more inclusive in
their local mosque, madrasa and or other
consultations and recruiting to the executive
local Muslim organisations. A number of
committee. However, at the time of writing
Council of Mosques interviewed reported
this report, only three of the local Muslim
having regular communication and co-
umbrella organisations interviewed had at
organising events with local Muslim students
least one executive committee member from
via their local University Islamic Societies
an African or Afro-Caribbean background.
(ISocs) in recent years, which they found
Thus, in many cities and towns with large
provided a good opportunity to attract new
numbers of Muslims of Nigerian, Somali,
young volunteers. This is potentially a good
Turkish, Arab, Kurdish or other heritages, as
route to attract young talent. The Muslim
well as converts to Islam, these voices may
Council of Wales reported recruiting young
feel excluded from local Muslim organising
talent to its teams through their youth
structures and more work is required to
leadership development programme called
engage them.
iLEAD (Islamic Leadership Education and
Development).7
Diversity in School of Thought was also
recognised as important in the majority of
interviews. The majority reported having
executive committee members consisting
of representatives from a range of Islam’s
21 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsScope of Issues Faced by Interviewees
Based on interviews with over 30 local Muslim organising structures in the latter stages of
the pandemic, the scope of the issues many have historically engaged with, or are currently
engaging with, locally cover a wide spectrum of public life.
The table below provides a collective and non-exhaustive list of issues that interviewees
reported they have faced past and present, and attempted to address through events,
meetings, statements, letters, campaigns, research and other interventions. The list is provided
in alphabetical order.
1. Burial and bereavement services 22. Mosque leader capacity building
2. Child sexual exploitation 23. Mosque safety and security
3. Convert care support 24. New mosque builds/renovations
4. Counselling & Mental Health services advice
5. COVID19 meetings, guidance, training 25. Organ donation
workshops, emergency aid supplies 26. Policing and community relations
and vaccination programme roll-out 27. Prisoner resettling support
6. Combined mosque prayer time tables 28. Public health (e.g. winter flu
7. Eid day timings and moon sightings vaccination, Men-ingitis Vaccination
8. Elderly day care services for Hajj and Umrah)
9. Fostering & Adoption 29. Ramadan Reminders, Campaigns and
10. General Election candidate hustings Iftars
11. Government consultation responses 30. Relationship & Sex Education (RSE)
12. Halal meat provision in schools 31. Relief and local charity/aid
13. Hate crime distribution
14. Housing, overcrowding and 32. Religious Education and SACREs
homelessness 33. Road, pedestrian and cycle way
15. Imams meetings, conferences & modifications
training 34. School outreach assemblies
16. Inter Faith relations 35. Social cohesion
17. International justice issues 36. Supplementary schools (madrasas)
(e.g. Iraq, Kashmir, Burma etc.) teacher training and safeguarding
18. Islamophobia 37. Tackling violent extremism
19. Litter picking 38. #VisitMyMosque open days &
20. Local Election candidate hustings community out-reach
21. Marking memorial days (e.g. Remem- 39. Women leadership workshops
brance Day, Srebrenica Genocide etc.) 40. Youth knife violence
41. Youth leadership development
22 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsCase Study: iLEAD Youth Leadership Development
The Muslim Council of Wales (MCW) runs This incorporates topics such as citizenship,
an annual youth leadership development inter faith and understanding politics. Later,
programme called iLEAD (Islamic Leadership an iLEAD Senior course was added for 25+
Education and Development) since 2011. years old in Cardiff covering citizenship,
policy, legislation, politics, current affairs
The programme consists of a series of and media engagement & public speaking.
workshop sessions connecting 16-25 year old
active Muslim youth in Wales, with Muslim The iLEAD courses benefitted from in-
business leaders, academics and scholars, to kind support from local Further Education
support them in their development journeys colleges to provide discounted or free venue
as well as attract them to volunteering with hire for the workshops. The course was
MCW and its affiliates. completely free to attend for participants
and funded from private donations and
The programme focuses on three areas of grants.
development: engaging with wider society,
community and leadership & management.
Muslim Council of Wales’ iLead Youth Leadership Development Programme (Credit: Muslim Council of Wales)
23 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella OrganisationsExamples of recent initiatives showcasing the breadth and depth of work covered
by Council of Mosques and Local Umbrella Organisations
Regular public webinars live Statement calling for suspension of congregational
on Zoom and Facebook by activities in March 2020, Federation of Muslim
Lancashire Council of Mosques Organisations Leicestershire
Emergency food aid programme Urdu-based webinar on visiting
during pandemic coordinated by patients with COVID-19 in hospital by
Bolton Council of Mosques Nottingham Council of Mosques
Vaccine Q&A webinar by An online AGM event combined
Waltham Forest Council with an Ask the Imam session by
of Mosques Surrey Muslim Association
24 Local Muslim Representation: Empowering Council of Mosques & Local Umbrella Organisations3. Public Engagement
Based on interviews with over 30 local Muslim umbrella organisations in the latter stages
of the pandemic, the scope of the issues many have historically engaged with locally, or are
currently engaging with, cover a wide spectrum of public life.
A non-exhaustive list of issues that interviewees reported they have faced and attempted
to address is provided in Page 22. This section attempts to expand on a few of the themes
highlighted in the interviews.
3.1 Engagement with the Public local government annual expenditure of
approximately £120bn across England9.
Sector
Priorities for local councils are typically set
As outlined in Section 2.1, many local
by over 20,000 elected councillors across
Muslim umbrella organisations were initially
the country10. As tax-paying citizens, Muslim
established in response to local policy
communities should be, and many are,
concerns - for example around the provision
taking an interest in the policies and service
of halal meat in schools or Muslim cemetery
delivery of their local councils.
and burial arrangements – that required
some kind of engagement or lobbying
Nearly all the local Muslim umbrella
with the local council. Simultaneously, local
organisations interviewed had an active
public services such as the council, the
relationship with some personnel or
police and the NHS often need meaningful
departments in their local council, in
interlocutors to engage with their local
particular during the COVID19 pandemic.
Muslim communities. An independent and
The more established local Muslim umbrella
representative organization that could
organisations have also developed direct
provide an informed viewpoint on behalf of
relationships with local NHS trusts, police
the local Muslim communities was regarded
forces, coroner’s offices and other public
by many councils as an important asset.
sector agencies. In the special cases of
Scotland and Wales, where there are much
There are currently 339 local councils
greater levels of devolved power from
across England, including district councils,
Westminster, as compared to local councils
county councils, metropolitan districts and
in England, engagement with the Scottish
unitary authorities. In London, this includes
and Welsh Governments, political parties
33 London boroughs8. Whilst areas of
and public sector bodies was also present
responsibility differ slightly for each type
at several levels. As mentioned in Section
of council, they generally include delivering
2.2, some of those interviewed had applied
hundreds of key local services in sectors
for and receiving grant funding from their
such as social care, housing, education,
local authority to run projects or services. A
planning applications, environmental health,
small fraction of those interviewed reported
waste collection and disposal and transport
hosting hustings events for prospective
planning. In particular since the Local
councillors in Local Elections or MPs for
Government Act 2000, local councils have
General Elections. A small fraction also
increased responsibility for the economic,
reported engaging in lobbying efforts, such
social and environmental “wellbeing” of their
as writing letters or making media statements
area. Local council expenditure is typically
challenging Islamophobic remarks made by
funded by taxation, which in England includes
elected councillors or campaigning for other
council tax for residents and business rates
local causes.
for business owners (48%) and grants from
central government (52%), resulting in total
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