Published 26.6.16
Features film/videos on Shii communities and their situations.

Creating Frankenstein: The Impact of Islamic Ultra-Conservatism in South Asia by James M. Dorsey :: SSRN

A memorial to honour the life of great humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi will be held  at the House of Lords on Thursday 14th of July from 2-4 pm. As Edhi Sb would have wanted we will take this as an opportunity to highlight the plight of orphans including refugee orphans entering UK without parents.The focus being on the need for communities throughout the UK to support these unfortunate children through a whole hearted participation in fostering and even adoption. Expected Speakers and audience include people from key academic and leadership positions.

Host Peer- Lord Ahmed

Expected Speakers

Minister KPK Haider Ali Khan

Speeches from Parliamentarians

Philanthropists-

Azim Kidwai, CEO of Mercy Mission UK is a social entrepreneur. After leaving government service which spanned the range of GCHQ to the Department of Health, Azim launched into the third sector in 2009. Azim has led the development of Mercy Mission in the UK, and launched some of its largest projects including the National Zakat Foundation, Ramadan TV and Charity Right. This effort has been supported by facilitating the international growth of a number of these projects.

In 2016, Azim launched The Muslim Foster Network and is currently coordinating efforts with a diverse range of community and media partners to improve Muslim participation in fostering and availability of support to Non Muslims seeking to care for Muslim children.

Keith Best -TD, MA, MinstF, FRSA, Cert in Public Management Services

* Currently Chief Executive SurvivorsUK (caring and campaigning for those affected by male sexual violence); Chair of the Executive Committee of the World Federalist Movement/Institute for Global Policy (New York) that seeks improved international governance structures; Chair of Wyndham Place Charlemagne Trust; Chair of Charity 2020; trustee and secretary Parliamentary Outreach Trust, trustee Universal Peace Federation; Vice Chair L4E (London for Europe); Secretary of the European Movement; Patron of TEAMGlobal (The European-Atlantic Movement); frequent media appearances on migration and other matters.

* Freeman of the City of London; liveryman (Loriner).

* Author of several books and articles; delivered keynote speeches both in the UK and abroad. He speaks French and Welsh and is married with two daughters. He ran the London Marathon in 1982 and abseiled down the highest hospital tower in the world (Guy’s) in 2009 for charity. Enjoys being useful!

* Former Chief Executive of national charity Freedom from Torture 2010-2014; Vice Chair of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles; served on the Foreign Secretary’s Advisory Panel on Torture Prevention.

* Former Chief Executive of IAS (Immigration Advisory Service) 1993-2009.

* Former Director of Prisoners Abroad (national charity) 1989-1993.

* Barrister and former Member of Parliament (Anglesey/Ynys Môn) 1979-87; Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Wales; named in the Society Guardian as one of the 100 most influential people in public services in the UK.

* Major in airborne and commando forces; awarded the Territorial Decoration.

* Formerly founder Chair of the Association of Registered Immigration Advisers; Chair Electronic Immigration Network [national charity]; Chair Electoral Reform Society and Council member; Chair Electoral Reform International Services undertaking democracy work worldwide; Chair International Council of Parliamentarians for Global Action (Five Continents Peace Initiative with six Presidents and Prime Ministers of Non Aligned Movement); Brighton Borough Councillor (Chair of Lands Committee).

Saghir Aslam was born in Jullundur India in 1936. At approximate age of 10, his family migrated to newly created Pakistan, after studies and jobs in Pakistan, in 1957 he went to USA for further studies where he graduated in business studies. He started various small businesses during studies and was a self-funding student. After doing a first job he started his own business his first store “Golden Needle” at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, CA. Business started to flourish, he expanded it to a chain of 7 stores from Laguna Hills to Santa Monica. His Golden Needle Store became so famous that movie stars and people from across America. Along with business interests he carried out numerous charity activities as well as community where he was the founding member for building first Muslim school in California.

After retiring in USA he opened a state of the art institution in Rawalpindi, Pakistan for the orphan girls to be groomed, mentored and educated to become future leaders who will change the whole society in a positive way. Leaders that will cater for the needs of poor and needy and not for the rich and their own benefits. There are currently 40 girls at Saba homes and approximately 250 who are sponsored at their guardian’s places, new school and boys homes are under construction.

Margaret Owen- Role elderly can play in supporting unaccompanied children.

Despite Ms Khan’s very public profile as the most googled personality in Pakistan of 2015 her work remains at grassroots level & she is very much a hands on individual.

As a single parent with 3 children she brings her personal experience to guide her in her philanthropic endeavours

For further information, contact: rubabmehdi@hotmail.com

AMI Quarterly Update (April – June 2016)

Iraq was destined for chaos – with or without Britain’s intervention | Hayder al-Khoei

On Hayder al-Khoei, see here.
See also the article by MP Ann Clwyd.

Protecting the World’s Shia: Where’s the International Community?

Bahrain’s Unending Repression: Enough Already!

See also Financial Times editorial: ‘Bahrain crackdown fans the sectarian flames‘ which concludes:

‘The disturbing turn of events threaten Bahrain’s long-term stability.
That should worry Washington and London. The UK wants to avoid
jeopardising a recent deal for the expansion of an existing naval base
that is being financed by the Bahraini government. American officials
have also long argued that a policy of engagement tempers hardliners
within the regime and encourages reform. Clearly this is not the case.

Washington should reimpose the ban on arms sales to Bahrain lifted last
year. The UK should follow suit. Mere statements of concern are deeply
unconvincing. The time has come for tougher measures.’

See also statement from Human Rights Watch: ‘Bahrain: Senior Cleric Faces Deportation‘

and statement from Amnesty International: ‘Bahrain: Authorities must halt repression after week of intensified clampdown on human rights‘

Contested modernity: divided rule and the birth of sectarianism, nationalism, and absolutism in Bahrain

‘Sushi’ children defy Sunni-Shia divide – BBC News

Sheikh Isa Qassim: What lies behind Bahrain’s latest opposition crackdown? – BBC News