“The Daily Debate”, a debate and discussion program in English on Nile TV, every evening from 10pm to 11pm, sensitive social and political topics is being addressed. The desire to express a kind of liberalism is evident in a country where the government boasts that it is a player in the democratization process. Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO of Faith Regen Foundation was honoured to be the guest of that program and had a unique opportunity to share her views.
Frankly Speaking is an interview based programme on NTV Bangla. It is refreshing effort to bring expatriates in Bangladesh who hold importany positions or are somehow related to othe development of the country, closer to the people. Frankly Speaking is the first English programme on NTV bangla and is hosted by Zahirul Alam.
Frankly Speaking Part 01
Frankly Speaking Part 01
There are many diplomats or officials of important internatinal organisations in the newspapers, but the common people seldom really get to interact with only a handful of local people. Frankly Speaking, provides a plateform that allows expatriates to express their views and more importantly, answer questions related to Bangladesh, something taht many viewers are interested in.
Frankly Speaking Part 02
Frankly Speaking Part 02
The programme was first aired two years ago and started off with the first guest being Pakistan's forign minister, Khurshed M Kasuri.
In this episode Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO of faith Regen Foundation was the guest.
Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP is the Minister of state for Employment.
From Faith Regen Foundation we contacted him to be the guest on Muslim Women Today’s show.
The show focuses on several issues of Muslim Women living in the UK, produces by NTV and Faith Regen.
Because of his busy schedule he couldn’t make it to come to the show but the generous minister gave us 2 hours from his precious time to interview him at his office. That particular episode was on Muslim Women on Employment-02 and there was a set of questions for him. The interview was conducted by Dr Husna Ahmad, CEO of Faith Regen and the host of the show.
The show was air on NTV (SKY 834) fortnightly for a period of six months and now can be accessed via the Faith Regen Website. Happy watching.
Long ago, when Muslims worked towards upholding justice in the earth, there used to be Muslim inspectors would work to prevent abuse of the earth’s resources and even as late as during the Ottoman period, wild life sanctuaries were created to protect the earth’s species.
Islam provides clear proofs and warnings to live in harmony with the earth’s resources, if we fail to act decisively soon, the natural world will refuse to live harmoniously with its neglectful keepers.
In the Qur’an Allah tells us that ““It is He who has made you (people of Adam) khalef al-Ard (stewards, vicegerents on the Earth)” (6:165), yet as usual Muslims have fallen behind in fulfilling our rights and obligations towards other people and the natural world
In the Qur’an we have also been told that “Corruption has flourished on land and sea as a result of people’s actions and He will make them taste the consequences of some of their own actions so that they may turn back” (30:41), warning us about the impact of our abuse of His abundant blessings and resources, which environmental degradation and climate change is of a direct consequence.
Climate change: Part-02
Guests:
Nur Azam
LSE Graduate, Currently studying a Masters as the Institute of Development Studies (IDS).
Shakra Ajmal
Currently studying medicine at Barts
She has participated in ULU ISoc’s Green Week Campaign, ULU ISoc is a student umbrella group working with London Islamic Societies
Green Week is a campaign run by the “Green Team” of ULU ISoc
The green campaign is a unique and innovative means of dawah.
Omar Faruk
Eco Muslims is a non-profit making entity in the United Kingdom which works at three levels: National Context, European Context and International Context
What are the key issues and debates concerning climate change?
As God’s vicegerents on Earth, what is man’s relationship with the natural world?
How will climate change impact the developed and developing world?
Constituting almost 1/3 of the global population, will Muslim nations and citizens be adversely affected by the impact of climate change?
Gender and climate change – how are women affected by climate change?
What is climate justice?
ii)Discussion
What efforts have we seen from Muslim leaders to provide a collective response?
What were the proposals as well as the success and failures of the most recent initiatives: The Muslim Seven Year Action Plan on Climate Change (Istanbul, July 2009) and subsequent International Conference on Climate Change ( Jakarta, April 2010)
What has been the impact of grass root organizations?
iii)Discussion
Is it too late to significantly tackle climate change?
Is it more expensive to be environmental conscious?
How can we become climate change activists?
What can people do on an individual basis?
What is a carbon footprint? How can we reduce our carbon footprint?
Figures from Whitehall show pupils make more progress at Muslim secondary schools than in any other type of school, including faith schools and non-religious comprehensives
The results for Muslim schools are also impressive considering that children from Pakistani and Muslim-Indian homes generally achieve lower exam results than national averages
Islamic state schools come joint top in primary school English tests, with more than 90 per cent of pupils achieving the Government's target scores in their key stage 2 exams.
Muslim Women in Education Episode 02 (Adult Learning)
Education Epi-02 Part -01
Education is a lifetime journey; we are never too old or too experienced to learn something new – if we recall, our beloved Prophet (saw) was forty years of age when revelation first came to him!
Education Epi-02 Part -02
Guests:
Avril McIntyre, CEO of LifeLine
Dr. Nujhat, Director of Strategy Faith Regen Foundation
Rana Jawad, Lecturer in Social Policy, University of Kent
Hudda Khariah, Law Graduate and Student of Islamic Studies
According to the National Literacy Trust, around 16%, or 5.2 million adults in England, can be described as "functionally illiterate". They would not pass an English GCSE and have literacy levels at or below those expected of an 11-year-old. As a result, many areas of employment would not be open to them and they may also struggle to support their children with reading and homework, or perform other everyday tasks.
According to the 2009 Adult Literacy and Numeracy Report; by 2007 despite expenditure of some £5 billion, the evidence was that a large proportion of the adult population still could not read, write and count adequately. According to the most recent figures, the UK is ranked 14th in the international league tables of literacy and numeracy.
In the Qur’an Allah tells us that:'Work (righteousness): soon will Allah observe your work, and His Messenger, and the Believers: soon will you be brought back to the Knower of what is hidden and what is open: then will He show you the truth of all that you did.') (At-Tawbah 9:105). This Aya shows us the importance of working and how God always observes our work and our consciousness of him behind it.
Despite widespread perceptions that ‘Muslim men and families do not let Muslim women work’ 93 percent of the women feel supported by families
Discrimination
Many have encountered rejection, exclusion, discrimination in their attempts to enter employment
The Department of Work and Pensions estimated that between 25%-50% of the current ethnic minority employment gap is caused by employer discrimination
Almost 25% of Muslim women felt they had encountered discrimination in interviews due to their faith
Employment Epi-01 Part -04
Overcoming Barriers to Employment
Is there enough government support to assist women into employment?
At the local level strong evidence suggests that labour markets are operating in ways which are disadvantage ethnic minority women
Many aspire to work but their efforts have been frustrated in relation to limited access to ESOL training, lack of support networks and accessible services
50% of women believed that not enough support and accessible advice was available
78% of those who used the Jobcentre stated that they had not received the support that they needed, compared to 60-70 % of the general population who were satisfied with the service
Voluntary work has provided an important stepping stone from some ethnic minority women into employment, education and training
One of the most prominent examples of female Muslims running their own businesses is the Khadija (RA) who supported the Prophet (PBUH) financially. In today’s show we will be discussing the experiences and challenges of Muslim women and employment.
In a Hadith we have also been told that: “If the end of the world approaches and one of you has a seedling (or plant) in his hand, if he can plant it before the end comes let him do it”. This shows us the importance of action in Islam, and the importance to strive to do good works until the very end.
Samira Quraishy: Currently works as a Political Analyst for the Middle East Monitor and as a Researcher for You Elect
Ghazal Tipu: Currently is a campaigner for “Power 2010”, she has worked on the London’s Citizen’s “City Safe” campaign, has contributed to the MCB Vote Campaign as well as “Operation Black Vote”.
Mohammed Asif: CEO of Engage, (a not for profit company working towards greater Muslim participation in politics and the media).”
Ghazal and Samina will also be taking part in the second part of the show.
Politics Episode 01 Part 02
i) Discussion should Muslim women participate in the political process?
What are their own views on women participating in the political process?
Why is it important for women to participate in politics?
Reception issues; how have they been received by their communities? Muslim and non-Muslim
What can be done to increase levels of female Muslim participation in politics?
Politics Episode 01 Part 03
ii) Discussion: Why politics?
Are Muslims allowed to vote?
What is being done to encourage Muslims to vote?
How are the main political parties perceived by Muslims?
What are the main election issues that concern Muslims?
Muslim Women In politics Episode 02
Politics Episode 02 Part 01
Guests:
Nargis Khan former Labour Councillor for Hackney Council
Omar Farooq Political commentator and Representative from the Conservative Muslim Forum
Politics Episode 02 Part 02
Discussion: Why politics?
Why did she decide to get involved in politics?
What is her political background?
Why is it important for women to participate in politics?
How has she been received by her community? Muslim and non-Muslim?
What can be done to increase levels of female Muslim participation in politics?
Politics Episode 02 Part 03
What do the election results entail for the Muslim community?
How can we hold our elected representatives to account?
If even anything, what changes will we see with regards to foreign, domestic and economic policy?
Impact of Violence part 01
Muslim Women and The Impact of Violence
Dr. Jamal Badawi, author of Gender Equity in Islam, discusses Chapter 4, verse 34 of the Quran which is often used to justify maltreatment of women. He indicates, "Under no circumstances does the Quran encourage, allow, or condone family violence or physical abuse. In extreme cases, and whenever greater harm, such as divorce, is a likely option, in an effort to save the marriage it allows for a husband to administer a gentle pat with a miswak (a small natural toothbrush) to his wife that causes no sort of physical harm to the body nor leaves any sort of mark. It may serve, in some cases, to bring to the wife's attention the seriousness of her continued unreasonable behavior, and may be resorted to only after exhausting other prerequisite steps".
Guest:
Dr Nazia Khanum, Chair of a Multi-agency Steering Group on Forced Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and Violence against Women
Abbas Nawrozzadeh, Criminal Lawyer
i) Discussion:
How prevalent are cases of domestic violence?
Does the issue of domestic violence still remain a taboo subject within the Muslim and Asian communities? Is this because of religious or cultural reasons?
Are Muslim and Asian women oppressed through forced marriages, domestic abuse and the fear of honor killings?
Why does most domestic abuse go unreported?
Does Islam permit forced marriages? What is the difference between arranged marriages and forced marriages?
What support networks are there for women facing forced marriages or violence in the home?
Is there enough support for victims of domestic violence?
Impact of Violence part 02
ii)Discussion
How are women and families affected by drug abuse and gang crime?
Why do Muslim youth engage in gang related crime?
What help is available for those affected by drug abuse and gang violence?
What wider issues need to be addressed to adequately counter violence within communities?
What preventive measures can deter young people from joining gangs?
Impact of Violence part 03
Islamic Understanding
Before the advent of Islam the Pagan Arabs used to bury their female daughters alive out of shame and ignorance. The Qur’an showed them the error of their ways and admonished them against this evil practice of female infanticide.
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught his followers to treat women with respect and kindness, and to revere women. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The world and all things in the world are precious but the most precious thing in the world is a virtuous woman."
In Islam a woman should not be married without her consent, a marriage conducted without the woman’s consent is invalid and this is clearly stated in the Qur’an. Therefore the practice of forced marriage has no basis in Islam.
