Fancy making a difference?

Want to gain new skills?

Or use the ones you already got?

Need something for your CV?

Got an idea but no way to channel it?

Then why not become a volunteer!

MYDP Birmingham is looking for young people aged between 16-25 from Muslim backgrounds with a minimum of 2 hours to spare for volunteering activities in the city.

Attached is a brief description of what we are looking for. If you think you have what it takes to become a Volunteer Youth Leader or even if you are curious about volunteering – then get in touch today!

We are hoping to have an informal chat with anyone interested on Monday 29^th December from 2-4pm. There will be Youth Workers and experienced Volunteers available to talk to you about your ideas and more importantly to meet you.

Please email mydpbrum@gmail.com for further information.

Kind regards,

Taslim Rashid
Volunteer Link Worker – MYDP BRUM

BACKGROUND

Britain has a rich tradition of volunteering. It is not odd to find people from all walks of life and ages giving up their time to assist others, campaigning for a cause, improving their community or offering support to someone with a problem. In a given year up to 23 million people will volunteer and research shows that 80% of people would volunteer if asked.

Birmingham is no exception in this regards. Earlier this year a campaign was launched to encourage teenagers to discover the benefits which lie in volunteering. With this in mind the Muslim Youth Development Partnership (MYDP) aims to train local Volunteer Youth Leaders (VYL) who will work with local volunteers to organise and deliver youth activities. The VYLs will use a youth-lead approach and be supported throughout by a Link Worker.

MYDP consists of Catch-22, the Karimia Institute and Muslim Hands, funded by v, the national youth volunteering charity. The MYDP is committed to developing and supporting the provision of voluntary youth work and is working in five cities in England.

–
MYDP Birmingham

volunteer-youth_leader

From the Guardian, the latest issue of the Islamophonic podcast asks some hard-hitting questions about PVE projects in Birmingham, and Nottingham.

“Riazat Butt travels to the Midlands to investigate the government’s £86m fund to prevent violent extremism.

In the November edition of Islamophonic, we’ve travelled the length and breadth of the country – well, Nottingham and Birmingham – to look at the government’s preventing violent extremism agenda. £86m has been set aside for the scheme, but who’s getting the money, why are they getting it, and what are they doing with it?

In this podcast, I speak to members of the public, local councillors, community leaders, ministers, and security experts to find out whether the PVE strategy is working – or if it’s just an expensive way of buying people’s loyalty?”

PODCAST LINK

PODCAST PAGE

The theme for this years Islam Awareness Week 2008 is Celebrating the Best of Britain- Promoting Shared Value.

For a full updated list, please see the Islam Awareness Week events page for Birmingham

http://www.iaw.org.uk/this-years-theme/2008-events-1/2008-events#Birmingham

MONDAY 17th NOVEMBER

Launch of Birmingham IAW
Venue: Birmingham Central Library Theatre
By Invitation only
For more information contact Dr Shamim Sonday on 07931 360 499, shamim63@hotmail.com

Presentations on Aspects of Islam and Healthcare
Venue: Board Room, Ground Floor, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Metchley Park Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH

12:15    Improving Healthcare for Fasting Muslim Patients    Abdul Satar Itrakji, Cardiac Surgeon
1:15    Transplantation and Muslims                Majid Mukadam, Cardiac Surgeon
2:15    Death and Dying – A Muslim Perspective        Rasha Salih, Oncology Registrar
3:15    Bereavement Care and Muslims                Taslim Kosar, Bereavement Care Officer

Traditional Eastern refreshments will be made available. Just come along – all welcome!
Contact the Chaplaincy Team on 0121 472 1311 Ext 3437, chaplaincy@uhb.nhs.uk

Play by Children on Charity and Giving
Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  6.00pm – 7.30pm
Light refreshments will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on
0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

(Fuller list after the jump)

TUESDAY 18th NOVEMBER

Lecture: ‘Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities’ (with Q&A)
Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  6.00pm – 7.30pm
Light refreshments will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on
0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

‘Tasty Dishes from the Muslim World’
Venue: The Zawiya, 1 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0QH
Time: 7.00pm – 8.30pm
Tasting session of authentic, succulent and juicy dishes from three Muslim countries, using the finest of ingredients, plus a chance to hear The Boudshishi Singers as featured in the BBC2 programme The Retreat.  Cost: £7 per adult, under 10 £3.50, students & OAP’s £4.50. Vegetarian option available. Booking essential. Please contact 0121 766 8364 or email aminatrust@TheZawiya.com for further details.

WEDNESDAY 19th NOVEMBER

‘Shared Values’
10.00am – 12.00pm talk at City College
Venue: City Academy Aston, 99 Whitehead Road, Aston, Birmingham B66 6EJ
Talk by Tahir Alam about ‘Shared Values’ on living together in harmony and looking at religious festival and events.
(Tahir Alam Assistant Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain and Chair of its Education Committee. He is also Vice Chair of the Association of Muslim Schools and Director of Training at Al-Hijrah Training Academy in Birmingham)
For further details please contact Pervez Iqbal on 0121 204 0000 Ext 5464, 0780 188 2919, piqbal@citycol.ac.uk

‘Feeding the Homeless’
Venue:  The Fireside Day Centre, 122 Pershore Street, Birmingham B5 6PA
Time: 11.30am – 1.00pm
Islamic Society of Britain, in partnership with Islamic Relief will be feeding the homeless in accordance with the third pillar of Islam, Zakat.  Zakat is the purification of one’s wealth by giving to those less fortunate, preferably in the local community.  Health MOT will be available with experienced doctors.  Please contact us if you are able to help in anyway.
For Further details contact Nasreen Akhtar on 07759 071 343, birmingham_iaw@yahoo.com or Sameera Hussain on 07984 139 295, sameera.hussain@islamic-relief.org.uk

‘A Muslim Perspective on the Credit Crunch’
Venue: The Zawiya, 1 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0QH
Time: 1.00pm – 2.00pm
A short lecture on the potential contribution of Islamic finance to a more stable economic future. Light refreshments provided.  For further information please call 0121 766 8364 or email aminatrust@TheZawiya.com

Open Day at City College, Birmingham
Venue: All 9 City College campuses across Birmingham (East Birmingham Campus, Handsworth Campus, City Technology Campus, The Women’s Academy, Bordesley Centre, City Academy Aston, City Academy Saltley, City Academy Golden Hillock and Northwest Skills Academy)
Time: 2.00pm – 8.00pm.  For further information call 084 50 50 11 44, www.citycol.ac.uk, enquiries@citycol.ac.uk

Lecture: ‘The Search for Tranquillity – Looking for internal happiness – the soul journey’ Q&A

Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  6.00pm – 7.30pm
Light refreshments will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on
0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

‘Frantic Fashion’ (Women only event)
Venue: The Zawiya, 1 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0QH
Time: 6.30pm – 8.00pm
A fashion competition between teams of professionals and community workers.  A time for fun and fashion, followed by light refreshments.   Booking essential.  For further information please call 0121 766 8364 or email aminatrust@TheZawiya.com

THURSDAY 20th NOVEMBER

Monologues & Question Time
Venue: South Birmingham College, Digbeth Campus
Time: 2.00pm – 4.00pm
South Birmingham College are proud to be holding an event for Islam Awareness Week.
Activities include a series of monologues followed by a Question Time session, a light buffet and an opportunity to view some displays.
If you are interested in attending this event please contact Mani Kumari-Lal for tickets. This is a ticket only event.  Email mani.kumari-lal@sbc.ac.uk or telephone 0121 694 6367 or contact Werdah Ahmed on werdah.ahmed@googlemail.com or 07828 960 993

Lecture: ‘Women in Islam – Honour and Rights’ followed by Q&A
Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  6.00pm – 7.30pm
Light refreshments will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on
0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

‘Evening of Banqueting and Entertainment’: Islam Awareness Week Dinner

Venue: The ICC, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA
Time: 6.30pm – 11.00pm
This is an event bringing together Muslims and non-Muslims at all levels, where all are welcome to attend. Muslims are also invited, but only if they bring their non-Muslim friends with them!!  The Muslims pay £20 towards our selected charity. We invite our non-Muslim guests to make a contribution to our chosen charity on the night.  There will be a 3-course meal, along with light entertainment, a few small speeches and the main talk on ‘Shared Values’ by the editor of EMEL (Muslim Lifestyle) magazine, Sarah Joseph.  The Birmingham City Council Equality and Diversity Division have sponsored the event.  All money raised will go to Age Concern charity. Open to all.

Further details: Shamim Sonday, shamim63@hotmail.com, 07931 360 499

FRIDAY 21st NOVEMBER

Islamic Studies Open Circle – Weekly gathering for the whole family
Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  6.00pm – 7.30pm
Light refreshments will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on
0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

Young Muslim Brothers Circle (Male only event)
Venue: Sparkhill Social and Cultural Centre, 641 Stratford Rd, Sparkhill, Birmingham B11 4EA
Time: 7.30pm – 9.00pm
A seminar on how young people can participate in breaking down the cultural and religious barriers.  For further details contacts Irfan Rashid on 07852 219 577, ikhwanpak@hotmail.com

SATURDAY 22nd NOVEMBER

‘Family Fun Day’
The Pallasades Shopping Centre, Birmingham (near Peacocks clothing store)
Time: 9.30am – 6.00pm
Light refreshments, Islamic Exhibition, face and henna painting.
For further details contact Salma Hamid or Zynab Saleh on salma.hamid@blueyonder.co.uk or zynabsaleh@hotmail.com

ISB Sisters Circle: The Role of Muslim Women over the last 1400 Years (Women only event)
Venue: Sparkhill Social and Cultural Centre, Stratford Road, Birmingham
Time: 11.00am – 1.30pm
Speakers to be confirmed.
Talk, followed by question and answer session.  Everyone is invited to bring a dish.  For further details contact Nasreen Akhtar on 07759 071 343 or birmingham_iaw@yahoo.com

Birmingham Central Mosque Open Day
Venue: Birmingham Central Mosque, 180 Belgrave Middleway, Highgate, Birmingham, B12 0XS
Time: 11.00am – 3.00pm
Activities include: guided tours, slide presentations, on-site displays, Islamic documentaries, free literature to take away.  Light refreshments will be available. Everyone and group visit are welcome.  For further details contact 0121 440 5355 or enquiries@centralmosque.org.uk

Introduction to Sufi Meditation
Venue: The Zawiya, 1 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0QH
Time: 5.00pm – 6.30pm
An explanation and demonstration of the spiritual principles and practices of Sufi meditation, that helps reduce stress and brings about inner peace, followed by light refreshments. For further information please call 0121 766 8364 or email aminatrust@TheZawiya.com to confirm your attendance.

SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER

Archery – Try your Hand
Venue: On the Green, St Peters Urban Village Trust, Bridge Road, Alum Rock B8 3TE
Time: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Andalusia Archers invite you to try your hand at archery, a traditional Islamic sport.  For further details please ring 07946 516 721.

Islamic Exhibition and lecture on Good Custodianship of Earth – The economy and the environment, followed by Panel Q&A
Venue: Muslim Students House, 517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Time:  1.00pm – 3.00pm
Finger buffet from around the Muslim world will be available.  For further details contact Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on 0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

Poetry Corner
Venue: The Zawiya, 1 Jenkins Street, Small Heath, Birmingham B10 0QH
Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Come and listen to inspirational poetry written by local Muslims.  There will also be recitation and discussions of the work by the world famous poet Rumi.  This is a free event.  Light refreshments will be provided.  For further information contact Nasreen Akhtar on 07759 071 343, birmingham_iaw@yahoo.com or Sameera Hussain on 07984 139 295, sameera.hussain@islamic-relief.org.uk

EXHIBITIONS

‘Heard and not Seen’ Exhibition at The Mailbox, Birmingham
Friday 7 November – 28 November 2008
Opening times – 10.00am – 6.00pm Mon – Wed; 10.00am – 7.00pm Thurs – Sat; 11.00am – 5.00pm Sun
A free standing structures exhibition which will physically engage the audience.  Integral to the structures will be projections, text and fine art, and the exhibition will present visuals, sound, film and photography.  Using their artistic research and arts workshops in Birmingham, the exhibition considers the complexities of identity and religion in today’s society.
For more info: www.heardandnotseen.com

Islamic Exhibition Centre
434 Coventry Road, Birmingham B10 0UG
Opening times: 10.00am – 12.00pm and 1.00pm – 3.00pm Wed and Thurs only
Exhibitions include: Faith & History, The Five Pillars, Activities, Family Life & Islam and Science Exhibitions are free to attend.  Each section of the exhibitions is explained by our expert tutors.  Booking essential.  Bookings for parties of up to 20 people.
For further details contact Safeena Hanif 0121 773 0137 or 07877 120 462

Islamic Exhibition at Muslim Students House

517 Moseley Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, B12
Opening times: 10.00am – 3.00pm Mon – Thurs
Light refreshments will be available.  Schools and groups welcome. For further details contact
Rawaad Mahyub, Event Organiser, on 0121 440 6094 or 07877 114 052, rmahyub@yahoo.co.uk

Libraries

Aston Library
Balsall Health Library
Birchfield Library
Central Library
Harborne Library
Handsworth Library
Kings Heath Library
Ladywood Library
Spring Hill Library
Selly Oak Library
South Yardley Library
Sparkhill Library
Stirchley Library
Sutton Coldfield Library
Ward End Library

Hear MY Voice is looking to expand its network in Birmingham and is looking for young female volunteers over the age of 16 to get involved in community based projects in your locality. The project we are recruiting for is the Silver Lining Project which provides after school support to young people in the Small Heath area. We are looking for volunteers who can contribute a minimum of 2 hours per week to HMYV projects and provide mentoring and training to exceptionally bright young children as well as those who are struggling in their academic achievements. You will be working with a team of young dynamic Muslim young women and it will give you a chance to gain invaluable experience in the education sector.

When you become a HMYV member you will:

* Gain member access to our website
* Attend and participate in our residential’s
* The chance to be part of a peer support network made up of  Muslim young women all from Birmingham
* Have the opportunity to contribute to national and local debates affecting Muslim Young People
* Have fun by taking part in many activities
* And much much more

If you are interested in knowing more about HMYV, our projects or to get involved please contact Tasneem Mahmood on 07971 930 655 or email on tasneem@hmyv.org.uk , www.hmyv.org.uk

Tasneem

Heard and Not Seen is

an arts project, led by Sandra Hall and Mitra Memarzia with Friction Arts.  The project aims to create a unique, safe space for people to meet and ask questions with each other, of each other; particularly about faith, religion and spirituality.

The exhibition takes the form of a series of freestanding sculptures displaying responsive video projections, photographs, and installations all contained within a surround sound audio environment and based on months of interviews and workshops with a range of citizens

The exhibition opens at the Mailbox on the 7th of November, running until the 28th, before touring to galleries and community venues regionally, nationally and internationally

Is the money that goes to local councils to prevent violent extremism being spent properly? Zubeida Malik reports on the groups and projects in Birmingham that have been receiving part of the government’s £80m fund.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_7688000/7688135.stm

At the University of Birmingham?

An invaluable service awaits thee..

guild room 7 is the name of the blog of the Muslim Chaplains at the University of Birmingham.

A fortunate place where both a male and female are available for contact.

(hat-tip to tranquilart for the link)

http://blogs.birminghampost.net/news/2008/09/ramadan-and-the-force-of-luke.html

I was talking about religion to a friend of mine whilst watching one of my favourite Star Wars films (The Empire Strikes Back). I was telling her that a few years ago someone set up a website petition (somewhere in Australia, I think) asking readers to join a new religion – Jedi! Apparently there’s a certain number of people required to state they belong to Jedi after which it becomes an ‘official’ religion – which means authorities have to acknowledge it as such.

So in the last census (2001) thousands of people wrote Jedi as their religion. Me included!

She thought this was ridiculously stupid and, naturally, wasn’t too impressed. Instead she got me back on track to the seriousness of faith.

Apparently – if my Muslim friend’s knowledge is anything to go by – the last day of fasting is this coming Tuesday (30th September). Now having being accused of being Islamaphobic or downright ignorant, I thought I should educate myself and take part in a cultural/religious awareness building exercise.

So I’ve decided to fast for the final moments of this Ramadan month.

Muslims – like my friend – believe that fasting should make you charitable, appreciative of the plentiful food we take for granted.

This is particularly true of living in the West where, according to reports and surveys, we throw away at least one third of what we buy. We have, for instance, the unimaginable, luxurious supply of water accessible in all homes (and yet, like spoilt children, still we buy bottled water). And, unashamedly, we also have vast, innumerable supermarkets providing us with products like wheat, rice, fruits and vegetables from all over the world – all to satisfy our insatiable hunger – or greed – for variety and quantity.

Essentially in terms of food and drink we’ve got the world at our feet.

What fasting does, as my friend said, is to remind us of how lucky we are to have so much choice and the ability to afford so much. When we’re fasting we remind ourselves of just how much we take for granted, how we owe thanks to the divine being – that ultimate force – that governs and dictates the movements of the universe call it Allah, God or Krishna!

Or as in my case, the Force, Luke Skywalker!

But I’ve decided that I’ll give it a go. So on Monday I’m going to do a proper fast and see how I get on… And I promise to report back during the day and tell you how I’m doing.

Unless I die of dehydration in the process….

Warning given for Mecca pilgrims

Muslims planning to take the annual pilgrimage to Mecca are being warned by Trading Standards officers not to be caught out by unscrupulous tour agents.

Officers in Birmingham have joined forces with the Association of British Hujjaj (Pilgrims) UK (ABH) to raise awareness of the potential problem.

About 50,000 British Muslims make the Hajj trip each year. More than 80% of the travellers are aged 65 or over.

Trading Standards is investigating complaints made last year.

‘Vulnerable people’

Neil Eustace, chair of the Public Protection Committee in Birmingham, said: “Some unscrupulous tour operators target the Muslim community, claiming they specialise in organising Hajj.

“They often don’t have an air travel operators licence and are therefore breaking UK law and not providing legal protection for travellers.

“It is a disgrace that these rogue travel agents are preying on vulnerable people at such an important time in their lives and we will do everything we can to protect these travellers.”

An air travel operators licence is granted by the Civil Aviation Authority and protects travellers from losing their money or being stranded abroad.

It does this by carrying out checks on the tour operators and travel organisers it licenses, and requiring a financial guarantee called a bond.