Trustees
Ms Yasmin
Alibhai-Brown Journalist & Commentator
bmsd trustee
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profileDr Taj
Hargey Oxford Academic
bmsd trustee
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profileNasreen
Rehman Screenwriter
bmsd Chair
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profileMona
Bauwens bmsd trustee
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profileDr Ghayasuddin
Siddique Head Muslim Parliament
bmsd trustee
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profileAndy
Gregg bmsd trustee
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profileYasmin Alibhai-Brown is a trustee of bmsd, a weekly columnist on the Independent and London Evening Standard, author of several books and a broadcaster. She has worked for two think tanks as a senior fellow- the IPPR and Foreign Policy Centre where she researched on and published seminal reports on racial attitudes, multiculturalism and Britishness.
- Ms Alibhai-Brown has written ten newspaper columns on modernism, human rights and Islam and highlighted the aims of bmsd.
- She has appeared on eighteen TV programmes on similar themes
- She spoke at several national events and delivered lectures on various themes, including the need for progressive Muslim engagement. Among them were lectures at Imperial College London, Middlesex University, Goldsmiths, University of Sheffield, University of the East of England, Nottingham University, Lincoln University, Keele and others.
- She represented bmsd at nineteen conferences on citizenship, social cohesion, liberty and civil rights. These took place in Birmingham, Coventry, London and Warwick
- She spoke at the fringe meetings of all three political party conferences.
- She was invited to address the Conservative Muslim Forum, to participate in a Question Time evening for young professionals organised by Nick Clegg and Muslims in the media, conferences organised by Liberty and the Convention for Modern Liberties, the annual conference of the LGA and annual meetings organised by educators.
- She has been actively engaging with government initiatives on social cohesion, the rights of Muslim women and children and with local authorities trying to put into place policies to foster commonalities.
- Together with other likeminded Muslims she has had working dinner/discussions with Muslims working in the City, law and the media.
- She has had a number of private meetings on the work of bmsd with politicians of all parties and in both Houses and also civil servants. She has been very critical of government foreign policies in the Middle East and argued for equal treatment for Muslims. She has also put to politicians the bmsd position of faith and the state, faith based schools and defensive ‘community’ politics.
- She has spoken on bmsd in Vancouver, Prague, British Council meetings in European capitals and Scotland.
- She manages the staff at bmsd and goes to the office to oversee the work.
- She has developed and runs democracy and civil rights workshops in Tower Hamlets in partnership with Praxis, an organisation which works with incomers. Dr Ghayassudin Siddique has worked on these sessions with the Chair.
- She has edited an advisory booklet for teachers who need guidance on how to address the concerns of and demands made by Muslim parents. Guidance provided by the Muslim Council of Britain, is, in the view of bmsd, not in the best interests of British Muslim children as it seeks separate treatment and does not encourage integration or full participation in the life of a school. The booklet was written by Dr Taj Hargey and Dr Ghayassudin Siddique with assistance from Nasreen Akhtar, our erstwhile admin director.
Dr. Taj Hargey, an intellectual and theologian who believes Islam is entirely compatible with modernism, Dr Hargey runs the Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford. Originally from South Africa, he has been an activist to promote justice and equality all his adult life.
- Over the past year, Dr Hargey has been either on behalf of or in collaboration with bmsd. As the founder, Imam and chairman of MECO (Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford), which has proven itself to be a prominent forward-looking Muslim organisation in Britain today? He has done this by openly inviting women scholars to lead the Friday Jumu'ah Congregational Prayers, by uniquely conducting Islamic Nikah wedding ceremonies between Muslims and non-Muslims for both men and women; by promoting grassroots Muslim theological self-empowerment; by hosting the most progressive pulpit in the land where prayers are conducted in English and where religion and politics have equal importance.
- Conducted a series of five major lectures on Islam in Britain in April and May 2008 at St Ethelwold's House, Abingdon, and Oxfordshire on behalf of both MECO and bmsd.
- Organised Britain's first week-long Muslim Film Festival which was held at the Burton Taylor Studio, Oxford Playhouse from 30th June to 6th July 2008, supported by bmsd which wishes to oppose calls by hardliners to ban music, an essential part of Muslim cultures for centuries.
- Organised the annual MECO conference at Oxford University on Islam and Feminism which Yasmin Alibhai-Brown was invited to be a panellist and where MECO's links with bmsd were established.
- Planned the Fourth Annual Muslim Music Festival, Oxford Playhouse on 9 November 2008 in collaboration with bmsd which co-funded the events.
- Presented lecture at Oxford University Secular Society on 27 November 2008 on behalf of MECO and bmsd
- Delivered a sermon at the Unitarian Church, Harris Manchester College, Oxford.
- On behalf of MECO and bmsd Dr Hargey delivered lectures at Oxford Brookes University Religious Studies Department and the National Defence Academy, Shrivenham.
- Several introductory presentations on Islam were made to schools in Oxford and the county on behalf of MECO and bmsd
- Numerous press reports appeared about contemporary Muslim issues in local press where bmsd and MECO are mentioned frequently.
- Broadcast interviews on BBC Radio Oxford, Fox FM and local TV, discussing topical matters affecting British Muslims on behalf of MECO but also publicising the mission of bmsd.
- Trustee of and Chaplain to the Oxford Sea Cadets, where the work of both MECO and bmsd are promoted.
- Imam and Khatib for weekly Friday Congregational Prayers in Oxford where the activities of bmsd is advertised regularly.
- Hosted quarterly interfaith forums where bmsd's activities are regularly mentioned 15. Held monthly lectures for MECO, where speakers extolling a modern, pluralistic and democratic interpretation of Islam is actively promoted, and where the website details and home page of bmsd is distributed to attendees.
- Conducted weekly year-round Qur'an seminars for postgraduates and adults in Oxford where a modern manifestation of Islam is presented, including Muslim adherence to the principles of secular democracy and religious pluralism .
Nasreen Rehman is the bmsd Chair and is currently doing doctoral research on popular culture at Cambridge University. She has worked as an economist in the private sector and in development. She has a strong commitment to the arts, humanities and dialogue as a way of transforming individuals and communities.
- Nasreen Rehman has been engaged in spreading information about the work and values of bmsd nationally and internationally. She has held informal discussions in Cambridge , Lahore , Karachi , Islamabad , Bombay , Pune and Delhi with the aim of increasing awareness and links with likeminded secular Muslims of whom there are many across the world.
- She manages the financial side of bmsd obligations and ensures probity and compliance required by the Charity Commission.
- She has attended key meetings with potential funders, completed funding applications and ensured proper accountancy practice.
- She played a prominent role when bmsd was officially launched and made the opening speech at the launch debate held at the RSA. Chaired by Baroness Kishwar Faulkner (LibDem) we had a debate on the secular state with a representative of the MCB, Ed Hussein of the Quilliam Foundation and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Chair of bmsd.
- Kaifi and I, her translation of the life of leading Indian theatre and screen actor, Shaukat Kaifi will be published by Zubaan Books in May 2009.The book is an important corrective to the stereotypical views about Islamic modernity and Muslim modernity.
- Nasreen Rehman's book, "Kaifi and I" was published in 2010. Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen has described her English translation as "excellent," and it reached Number Two on the Jaipur Literary Festival Bestseller list.
Mona Bauwens is a writer and activist, particularly on issues relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Experienced workshop facilitator.
Has worked with a number of conflict resolution charities such as the Next Century Foundation
Mona Bauwens
Dr Ghayassuddin Siddiqui is one of the leading and increasingly respected Muslim voices in Britain. As leader of The Muslim Parliament of Great Britain and director of one of the oldest Muslim think tank; ‘The Muslim Institute’, he has promoted dialogue across all social, cultural and political barriers. He is known for opposing Wahabi Islam and for his criticisms of practices within Muslim families and mosques that violate human rights.
- On 18th of June 2008, Dr Siddiqui represented the Muslim Parliament and bmsd at a seminar on Child Protection in Faith-based environments at the University of Cardiff, as part of his campaign against child abuse within faith-based environment. This was followed by visits to the National Muslim Supplementary School Conference at Regents Park Mosque along with Wisdom; a Muslim faith school in Haringay.
- In July 2008 he spoke in a seminar on ‘Violence Against Children’ at the Abbey Centre in Westminster , organised by ‘Children Are Untreatable’.
- Dr Siddiqui is one of the first Muslim leaders to have championed women's causes, against forced marriage, domestic violence and murder in the name of honour. Last year, together with some senior clerics, he launched the Muslim Marriage Contract to protect the rights of women.
- He attended the Awaaz Anti-Fundamentalists Alliance meeting, Jewish-Muslim Theatre and Christian-Muslim dialogue meetings.
- In July 2008 he was interviewed on BBC TV interview on ‘Freedom of Speech’ at the University Women’s Club in London and also organised a highly effective demonstration outside High Court in Strand, supporting Southall Black Sisters Case against Ealing Council which is withdrawing vital funding from that organisation.
- He attended a committee meeting on the Model ‘Muslim Marriage Contract’ at Ibis Hotel Euston, which was launched at the City-Circle in London on the 8th of August 2008.
- Committed to women’s rights, he also spoke about ‘Women under Islamic Law’ at the Gender Equality seminar held by Social Vision; the LSE Alumni Network.
- Dr Siddiqui attended Chesham Muslim Community Cultural Events and participated in public discussions on ‘Shariah Arbitration Court ’ at Temple Church . He has been consulted on The Charity Commission and the registration of mosques and madrasas in Britain and joined a Christian-Muslim dialogue group meeting at New Bucks University in late 2008.
- Dr Siddique has, with the Chair, conducted workshops on Democratic engagement in East London with Muslims in their twenties and thirties, who have migrated to Britain and feel they need to understand the underpinning values of this society. Debate is encouraged as is critical thinking.
- With Dr. Taj Hargey, another bmsd trustee, Dr Siddique has drafted an advice booklet on frequently raised issues by Muslim parents to be used in schools by teachers. These are being tested and piloted in three areas around the country.
Andy Gregg joined bmsd as a trustee this year. He is a convert to Islam and has several years’ experience of working within the voluntary and NGO sectors.
- Andy Gregg has taken charge of some key operational matters at the bmsd and succeeded in getting some new funding from the organisation from the City Parochial Foundation.
- He delivered a talk about bmsd at the EPIC Conference in Madrid. (EPIC is La Escuela Profesionales de Immigraciony Cooperacion – a course at Madrid University for professionals in refugee and migrant “integration).
- He is Chair of Migrants Resource Centre and a Board member of Refugee Action and disseminates news and information on bmsd on these Boards.
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