Latest news

British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) launch a campaign to secure access to the arts for Muslim children and their families

08/02/2010

Mrs Pakistan 2010 joins former Apprentice star Saira Khan, BBC journalist Razia Iqbal and many others on 16th February to call on all British Muslims to reclaim their artistic and cultural heritage.  Children in certain Muslim homes are increasingly discouraged from participating in drama, art and music.  A conference organised by British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) and supported by the British Council will address this problem and the consequences. "Free Muslims: Autonomy and Creativity" challenges those who seek to close down the Muslim mind by claiming Islam forbids artistic expression, leisure and cultural activities.

To support the campaign and encourage the delivery of art, music and drama to Muslim children in schools across the UK, new guidance for teachers will also be launched.  Setting out how teachers and parents can work together to ensure Muslim children reach their potential, the guidance will provide specific recommendations for teachers wishing to foster the arts and a broad education.

Professor and social worker Tahmena Bokhari, Mrs Pakistan 2010 commented:

"Creativity is considered to be a divine blessing in Islam.  Islam furnishes us with numerous examples of Muslim creativity, from calligraphy in the Golden Age to Sami Yusuf's debut album 'al-Mu'allim'.  We must ensure fourteen hundred years of Islamic contributions to art, culture, literature, and history are not pushed aside in favour of a hardline interpretation of the religion."

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, bmsd Chair, added:

"Everyone, particularly children, should have the opportunity to express and enjoy the arts. Without art, cultural activity and entertainment, Muslims will enter a dark age".

The bmsd Conference will take place at the SOAS Brunei Gallery in central London on 16th February 2010 from 10am to 2pm. The organisation is keen for members of the public to attend and join in the debate. To secure your free place e-mail Tehmina Kazi at  director@bmsd.org.uk.

 

[END]

 

Notes to editors
 
The BMSD and British Council Conference entitled 'Free Muslims: Autonomy and Creativity' takes place at SOAS Brunei Gallery in London on the 16th February 2010, from 10am to 2pm. For more information please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk/pdfs/Conference4.pdf

British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) brings together a diverse group of Muslim democrats from a variety of ethnic and social backgrounds. Founded in 2006, it exists to challenge perceptions, ideas and current thinking about British Muslims as a collectivity and the issues that affect the wider society. bmsd is not a theological group but one that advocates civic engagement and good citizenship.

Mrs Pakistan 2010 (Tahmena Bokhari) was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and spent some of her childhood years in Faisalabad, Pakistan. She won Mrs. Pakistan World 2010 and became the 4th Pakistani woman in history to represent married women on an international platform.  Tahmena obtained her Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto and travelled abroad working with victims of poverty, orphans and natural disaster survivors. Specifically, she has worked extensively in the relief efforts following the October 8th 2005 earthquake in the northern areas of Pakistan. Today Tahmena Bokhari is a consultant, educator, social worker, and global citizen."

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175