July 21, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Jul 21 2008 By Paul Suart (Birmingham Mail)
UK Citizenship Test
PLANS for citizenship classes to be rolled out to young Muslims in Birmingham have met with a mixed response from prominent members of the city’s faith community.
The proposals, aimed at promoting national pride among British Muslims in a bid to discourage extremist views, were outlined by communities secretary Hazel Blears.
But city councillor Salma Yaqoob, (Respect, Sparkbrook) said the scheme could prove more of a hindrance than a help.
“Anything that promotes citizenship and self-esteem is a good thing but if it targets only Muslims it could make other communities feel rightfully resentful,” she said.
Salma Yaqoob
“Good citizenship is important to us all. We have to educate the wider society.
“My concern is that, when you single out communities, you reinforce the problems rather than address them.
“We need a holistic approach which all communities need to embrace.”
Mosque teachers in Birmingham, London, Leicester, Oldham, Rochdale and Bradford will be trained over the summer so lessons can be trialled in September to coincide with the start of the new school term.
Stechford Community Centre chairman Mohammed Yasin said: “It’s good to open new dialogue ending misunderstanding about the religion and extremism.
“We are part and parcel of this country.
“As British Muslims we respect the rights and liberties we are offered. Islam does not teach what happened in London (7/7 bombings).
“Those people called themselves Muslims but Islam does not allow what they did.”
The proposals form part of a wider package of measures which include a new independent board of academic and theological experts and a group of community leaders to advise on local responses to extremism.
Source article: Birmingham Mail | Images: Mousumi De, Steve Bell
Tags: Birmingham, Salma Yaqoob, Sparkbrook, Birmingham Mail, Hazel Blears, Muslims, Mosques, British, Citizenship, Pride
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July 18, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Birmingham Respect Councillor Salma Yaqoob
Respect Councillor Salma Yaqoob has made the Birmingham ‘Power 50′ list of most influential people in the city.
The 37-year-old Councillor for the Sparkbrook ward was entered into the list for the first time at No. 11, with critics Cllr. Jerry Evans and Roger Godsiff MP not even making the 2008 list.
>> Click here to see list and article on Salma Yaqoob
Also included at no. 46 is Respect supporter and former candidate Dr. Mohammed Naseem, who makes his second appearance in the list, representing the Birmingham Central Mosque.
The list is featured in the Friday July 18th issue of The Birmingham Post.
For press information or quotes and images, please contact: 07812172885
SEE ALSO: Salma Yaqoob honoured by Birmingham media - Respect website
Tags: Salma Yaqoob, Councillor, Respect Coalition, Respect party, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Post, Power 50
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April 8, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Ray Gaston
Respect Birmingham Moseley & Kings Heath candidate Ray Gaston’s campaign team will be leafleting in Moseley tonight at 6pm.
If you can assist, meet with the team tonight (April 8th, 2008):
Time: 6pm
Location: 16 Oxford St, Moseley, Birmingham B13
Tags: Birmingham, Candidate, Kings Heath, Moseley, Moseley & Kings Heath, Politics, Ray Gaston, Respect
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March 29, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Campaigning for candidate Salma Iqbal
The Salma Iqbal campaign team has been in full gear this weekend with volunteers canvassing for the Springfield Respect candidate.
With the local elections looming on the 1st of May, campaigners and friends have been rallying support amongst local residents in Sparkhill and surrounding areas.
A new newsletter outlining Respect’s commitment to safer streets and communities in the city has been distributed, highlighting Salma Iqbal’s aims to improve car parking in local neighbourhoods, encourage cleaner streets, campaign for better youth provision and reinforcing her opposition to the ‘Red Route’ in the area.
“Campaigning is a vital part of the election process. Local residents need to know what we stand for and how we hope to represent them before they vote in May. I didn’t see many other parties braving the weather and meeting the residents of Springfield as we did today, and that’s because I believe we have a commitment to raise their concerns and make their voice heard by the council,” explained Salma.
“I hope they will choose to elect me as their representative so we can finally make a positive difference in the community.”
Campaigning for Respect candidate Salma Iqbal
Father and son team Mark and Jordan France traveled all the way from Stourbridge to assist with the effort. Young Jordan, aged 12, said:
“Campaigning was great as we met loads of nice people and we got a very good response.”
“In the streets canvassed we got positive responses from the overwhelming majority of people despite the appalling weather,” added father Mark.
Tags: Adam Yosef, Birmingham Respect, campaigning, canvassing, Jordan France, Mark France, Politics, Salma Iqbal, Sparkhill, Springfield
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March 27, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Salma Iqbal
Hi all,
Elections are only 5 weeks away and there is loads to be done. We will be out canvassing the Springfield ward this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday (29th and 30th March). Meet at 1pm outside St John’s Church on Stratford Road, Sparkhill, B11.
I would be greatful if you would let me know if you are able to help and on which days.
MEETING POINT: St John’s Church, St John’s Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 4RG
You may email your queries and details to: birminghamrespect@hotmail.com . Many thanks.
Salma Iqbal (Respect candidate for Springfield, Birmingham)
Tags: campaigning. Birmingham, canvassing, leafleting, local elections, Politics, Respect, Salma Iqbal, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Springfield
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March 19, 2008 by birminghamrespect
REMINDER:
Just to notify everyone of Salma Iqbal’s campaign team meeting on Thursday 20th March, 7.30pm at the Sparkhill Social and Cultural Centre.
The venue has now been confirmed.
Salma Iqbal in standing as a Respect candidate in the Springfield ward for the May Council elections.
Birmingham Respect is now on facebook. To join, click
here.
Tags: Birmingham, Council Elections, Facebook, Respect, Salma Iqbal, Sparkbrook, Sparkhill, Springfield
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March 14, 2008 by birminghamrespect
Iraq: Five Years On
Labour lie - one million die
The Bush-Brown war on terror is making the world more unstable. Over 1 million have died in Iraq, war rages in Afghanistan, Iran is threatened with attack, Gaza is under seige, and Pakistan is destabilised.
The Stop the War Coalition have organised a demonstration to mark the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. We urge everybody to attend:
Join the global protests - demonstrate 15 March
Assemble 12 noon, Trafalgar Square, London
Assemble 11.30, Blythswood Square, Glasgow.
Troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan
Don’t attack Iran
End the siege of Gaza
“I really hope that on 15 March people will join the demonstration in Trafalgar Square at 12. To march against the war and march against the continued occupation which has come from this war. It had a rotten basis and nothing good will come of it.”
Nick Broomfield, Documentary film maker
For more information, contacts, speakers list and to see a map of the demo route, click here.
This month marks the fifth anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq. What has followed has been five years of catastrophe for the people of that country.
It also marks the fifth birthday of the global anti-war movement.
On March 15th 2003 two million people took to the streets of London,
and another eight million did around the world, to protest against the
impending disaster.
Respect was born out of that movement as the voice of opposition to war and
neo-liberalism, which in today’s world go together hand in hand. Join Respect and the STWC at tomorrow’s national and international demonstrations.
Contact the numbers below to book tickets from Birmingham.
Kings Heath 07748 264 668
Sparkhill 07815 995 974
Stirchley 07958 109 648
Handsworth 07771 623 426
Sutton Coldfield 07775 942 841
other areas 07977 057 902
Tags: Afghanistan, Gaza, Iran, Iraq, London, National demonstration, Palestine, Respect, Stop the War Coalition
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