Open University Creative Writing Workshops at Birmingham Libraries
Are you a Muslim writer wanting to develop your writing? Whether you are new to creative writing, have been writing for a while or are already an experienced writer our short (free!) workshops are just for you!

These free workshops will give you an insight into how you can:

• Learn different writing techniques
• Learn how to develop characters and plots
• Learn how to structure your writing
• Learn how to develop your ideas and get them down on paper

Places are limited for these free workshops and will be allocated on a first come-first served basis.
For further details or to book a place please contact Nikki Bi on 0121 303 2895 or e-mail nikki.bi@birmingham.gov.uk.

Start Writing with Gill Ryland
at Hall Green Library (1221 Stratford Road, B28 9AD)
Sat 19 July and Sat 2 August (10.00am – 3.00pm)

Moving On with Nicholas Corder
at Ward End Library (Washwood Heath Road, B8 2HF)
Thurs 14 August and Thurs 28 August
(11.30am – 4.00pm)

Going Further with Tim Reeves
at the Shakespeare Memorial Room (Central Library, Chamberlain Square,B3 3HQ)
Sat 12 July and Sat 26 July
(10.00pm – 3.00pm)

(Please note: For this session, you will need to submit 1000 words of prose or 30 lines of poetry at least one week before the first session as well as a short (50 word) statement of what you hope to get out of the sessions).

For further info see writing workshopes pdf file or the webpage here

Dawud Wharnsby Ali in Concert Tues 15th July Anderton Park School, B’ham

The new MINE newsletter is up,

• FAITH & ENVIRONMENT MONTHLY CIRCLES
• BIRMINGHAM TRANSITION TOWN
• BELIEVING IN OUR ENVIRONMENT
• BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL’S CLIMATE CHANGE FESTIVAL 2008
• POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ROLE OF THE UN
• CLIMATE CHALLENGE: A CALL TO ACTION
• GREEN FAITH DAY
• IFEES LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR SUMMER CAMP
• CONSERVATION & ORGANIC HORTICULTURE PROJECT
• FAITH & ENVIRONMENT CIRCLES

Full newsletter here

Too Punk To Pray : Sufi Punk debuts at The Fierce Festival, 29^th /30^th May, 7pm, The Edge , 79-81 Cheapside , Digbeth, Birmingham B12 0QH.

Birmingham, West Midlands, 29^th and 30^th May 2008, 7pm: Artist Sufi Punks debuts with “Too Punk to Pray”, an installation performance piece inspired by the notion of prayer.  Sufi Punk believes everyone prays, be it ritualistic prayers to a God or people doing everyday things such as watching the rain fall or listening to music. This work in progress will be part of the Fierce Festival. It will incorporate ideas from questions asked of the public such as what does a prayer feel like ? What else gives you this feeling?

Sufi Punk concludes from the answers that prayer can be seen as a moment of “letting go” which brings on positive energy e.g. feeling stressed then listening to music or having a hair cut to feel good about yourself.  Ritualistic prayer is a deeper version of the idea of letting go - letting go of the ego and opening up to possibilities. To book for the performance please ring on 0121 244 8080.

Sufi Punk works with Birmingham based Arts and Faith social enterprise Ulfah Arts.

Ulfah Arts is keen to develop such artists that explore faith and ideas which try and bring people together.  We hope to continue to work with Sufi Punk in developing her thought provoking concepts and will keep you posted on how her work develops.

Naz Koser | Ulfah Arts

Office:0121 446 4460
Email: naz@ulfaharts.co.uk
Website: www.ulfaharts.co.uk

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS IN BRIEF

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. LITTER CLEARING FROM PARKS & NATURAL OPEN SPACES (Birmingham), Sundays, 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
. NEW MUSLIMS CONSULTATION EVENT: Sparkbrook, Birmingham, 24 May
. SUPREME RANK OF MUHAMMAD (SAW): Small Heath, Birmingham, 24-26 May
. POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE & THE ROLE OF THE UN: Birmingham, 2 June
. AL-FIQH AL-AKBAR: Aston, Birmingham, 8 June

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamic_events/

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LITTER CLEARING FROM PARKS & NATURAL OPEN SPACES (Birmingham)

Time: Sundays, 12.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Venue: Small Heath Park, Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath,
Birmingham, B10 0EE

We meet every Sunday at different parks and open spaces in
Birmingham. This Sunday 25th May we are at Small Heath Park
and will be meeting at the entrance on the Golden Hillock
Road roundabout. There is also regular conservation and
horticulture work at Springfield Allotments on Springfield
Road in Sparkhill. These events provide a valuable and
rewarding opportunity to connect with, learn about, care
for and help ’steward’ our natural environment. This is
even more necessary and rewarding for children.

For more details about wildlife and nature activities contact:
Tel: 07980 857 639 (text only)
E-mail: shukoorr@yahoo.com

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Birmingham New Muslim Project presents:

NEW MUSLIMS CONSULTATION EVENT

With Sr Batool El-Toma (Islamic Foundation)

Date: Saturday 24th May 2008
Time: 10.00 am - 1.30 pm
Venue: Bordesley Centre, Stratford Rd, Camp Hill, Birmingham, B11 1AR

A consultation event and workshop for revert muslims to come and
have their say about what services and support they would like to
see in Birmingham. This is a free event but booking is essential
as places are limited. Both brothers and sisters welcome.

For more information please contact:
Tel: 07904 468 589
E-mail: freetouch@hotmail.com

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SUPREME RANK OF MUHAMMAD (SAW)

Dates: Saturday 24th May - Monday 26th May 2008
Venue: Ghamkol Sharif Masjid, Golden Hillock Road, Small Heath,
Birmingham, B10 0DX

A 3-day course covering selections from Kitab al-Shifa bi-Ta’rif Huquq
al-Mustafa - ‘Healing by Recognition of the Rights of the Chosen One’
by Qadi Iyad, taught by Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi.

This book is perhaps the most frequently used and most commented upon
handbook in which the Prophet’s life, his qualities and miracles are
described in every detail. This book is highly regarded throughout
the Muslim world and is quick to acquaint the reader with the true
stature of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Al-Shifa
gathers together all that is necessary to acquaint the reader with
the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is able to instil within them the
esteem and respect which is due to him. Admission is free. Both
brothers and sisters are welcome. This course is non-residential.

For further information please contact:
Tel: 07828 863 975
E-mail: info@sacredknowledge.co.uk
Website: www.sacredknowledge.co.uk

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POVERTY, CLIMATE CHANGE & THE ROLE OF THE UN

by Sister Rianne ten Veen

Date: Monday 2nd June 2008
Time: 6.30 pm
Venue: Birmingham Midlands Institute, 9 Margaret Street, City Centre,
Birmingham, B3 3BS

Many of our Prophets were poor or lived a simple lifestyle. Eradicating
poverty is central in many faiths, but what is the link between poverty
and climate change? What are the effects and what is the role of the
UN? Is it enough? The UN Association Birmingham Branch invites you to
its annual Diana Stableforth Memorial Lecture on the topic of Poverty,
Climate Change and the role of the United Nations. All welcome.

For more information please contact 0121 449 1727.

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As-Suffa Institute presents:

AL-FIQH AL-AKBAR

with Mufti Abdur Rahman ibn Yusuf

Date: Sunday 8th June 2008
Time: 2.00 pm - 7.00 pm
Venue: As-Suffa Institute, 25 Park Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 5DA

Al-Fiqh al-Akbar is one of the earliest texts written on Islamic
creed and one of the surviving works of Abu Hanifah, the Great
Imam of jurisprudence and theology. Studied for centuries in the
Muslim world, al-Fiqh al-Akbar offers a more nuanced and textured
approach to understanding divine oneness (tawhid), the focal point
of Islamic belief. It refines one’s understanding of the Creator,
the Messengers and divine communication, and enables one to gain
much-needed insight into the realities of this life and the events
of the hereafter. This classical work not only improves one’s
understanding of ‘aqida and deepens one’s appreciation of his or
her beliefs, it also endeavours to address questions, which, if
left unanswered, could leave insidious doubt and cause communal
division. Such questions include: Where is Allah? Does Allah
evolve? What constitutes true Islamic belief? Are prophets capable
of sinning? Is there creation beyond what we see? What comes after
death? Notable topics covered during the course include: Brief
origins of ‘Ilm al-Kalam; Different Sects - Ash’aris, Maturidis,
etc; Fundamentals of the Divine Oneness and True Faith; Importance
of Believing in One True Lord; Thorough Explanation of al-Fiqh
al-Akbar.

In view of the breadth of the course please register to secure
your place. Course material will be provided along with Imam
Abu Hanifah’s al-Fiqh al-Akbar explained by Abu al-Muntaha
al-Maghnisawi, with selections from ‘Ali al-Qari’s Commentary,
including Abu Hanifah’s Kitab al-Wasiyyah. All are welcome to
participate. The course charge is £10 and food will be served
afterwards.

For more information please contact:
Tel: 07912 555 049
E-mail: info@as-suffa.org
Website: www.as-suffa.org

Derived from
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamic_events/

Are you a Muslim Women looking to make a change?
Join

Muslimah in Action

a community based organisation, for an interactive evening and dinner and contribute to positive action!

Wednesday 14th May 2008
The Muath Centre, Sparkbrook.
Registration - 5.30pm
Programme - 6.00 - 8.00pm
A ladies only event. Free admission
Prayer and crèche facilities available
Free car parking
3 course Meal.

Spaces are limited. For more information or to register
Email: muslimahia@hotmail.co.uk
Text / Phone: 07961787511 / 07956169159
“Uniting Muslim women’s voices to build a stronger community.”

leaflet

The Radical Middle Way project have now put highlights of the dangerous ideas tour on their website.  Click on the picture above/

The event also featured on the BBC website, including a photo gallery from local photographer Shaista Chishty

…from BBC Birmingham

Full list of winners

NON FICTION AWARD

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed (Age: 33) London

SHORT STORY AWARD

Kashif Choudry (Age: 2 Solihull, West Midlands

NOVEL AWARD

Fatima Martin (Age: 49) Woking, Surrey

POETRY AWARD

Shameam Akhtar (Age 3 Bradford

UNDER 16’s AWARD

Humaira Rashid (Age: 16) Dewsbury, West Yorkshire

BEST CHILDREN’S STORY AWARD

Aliya Vaughan (Age: 37) Brixton Hill, London

PUBLISHED WRITER AWARD

Moazzem Beg, from Birmingham

WRITER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Aliya Vaughan (Age: 37) Brixton Hill, London

Further information about the Awards can be found at www.muslimwritersawards.co.uk.

The annual Muslim Writers Awards will take place on 29th March 2008 at the ICC in Birmingham, and will recognise the breadth and quality of literary talent within the UK’s Muslim community. The Awards have already attracted support from the Prime Minister, local government and celebrity advocates like Jermaine Jackson and James Caan (Dragon’s Den). The ceremony will be broadcast live to millions of viewers across the UK, Europe and the Middle East by Islam Channel.

2 Events in Birmingham with the following Teachers:

Al Habib Kazim Al-Saqqaf (Dar Al-Mustafa - Yemen)
Shaykh Umar Hussain Al-Khatib (Dar Al-Mustafa - Yemen)
Ustadh Yahya Rhodus (USA)
Ustadh Ibrahim Osi-Efa (UK)

Saturday 22nd March 2008

Event details:

EVENT 1
Conquest of Hearts: The Prophetic Dawah

10.30am - 1pm

Hazrat Shah Walayat Educational Centre
101 Old Know Road
Small Heath
Birmingham B10 0JA

EVENT 2

5pm - 8pm

Central Jamia Mosque Ghamkol Sharif
107-119 Golden Hillock Road
Birmingham
B10 0DP