What do you picture in your mind when you think of Muslims in the UK? Whatever the image in your mind, God tells us to love all Muslims! But what does that look like in practice?
Elliot's Weekly Roundup: Have You Voted Yet?
It probably hasn't passed you by, but today is election day! Have you cast your vote yet? Which one of the 40,000 polling stations did you visit? Was it in in a school, launderette or someone's kitchen? Did you put a tick, cross, or smiley face in the box? Before being caught up in the election frenzy of which results will be declared first, graphics, graphs and swingometers, let's stop and reflect back on the last few days that have run up to this election.
Before the memorial concert was held for victims from the Manchester atrocity, London was attacked leaving eight dead and dozens injured. As more becomes known about the events more questions are being asked. Who knew what and why was it not acted upon? Party political leaders are blaming each other for reducing police numbers now that campaigning has resumed. Debate about security and Islam have dominated the days before today's election. The phrase, "Enough is enough" has been seen and heard this week.
One violent response seen in the media was to wave around a machete, threaten to blow up mosques and kill Muslims. In the video that was posted the man also appeared to have a hand grenade attached to his shirt. Since uploading the video onto the internet he has claimed it was a joke, his drink was spiked and has now issued an apology. Another response has been to ignore the memory of those who died in the attack by ignoring the minute's silence held at a world cup qualifier.
Another response seen in the media has been to challenge the Muslim response to terror attacks. Not just to condemn the terrorism but the ideology behind it.
“What we need to hear from British Muslims is that they reject the vision from which terrorism comes. It is a vision of society unified by one political and religious ideology. It is a vision of pluralism, and secular politics, swept aside by this vision. It is a theocratic vision.”
Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, has stated there is a lack of religious literacy by some who are dealing with terrorist threats. He continued by saying:
““If we attack or persecute or go against a particular group of people on the grounds of their faith alone, rather than what they want to do or the arguments they are putting forward of violence and terror, the terrorists will give three cheers and say thank you, you’ve done our work for us. Every time a Muslim is abused on a bus or a mosque is attacked, the terrorists have taken another step forward.””
At a vigil at Bradford Cathedral Bishop Toby Howarth stated that we don't choose how we feel but we can choose how we respond. At least one person chose to reach out to the Muslim community in London by chalking "London loves you," on the pavement outside a mosque.
Muslim taxi drivers have been praised for their role in helping victims immediately after the attack. Muslim communities have united in disgust against the attacks, have made signs to show their support and have left flowers at the scene. One hundred and thirty imams have refused to say funeral prayers for the perpetrators of the attack and called upon others to follow their example.
“ “Consequently, and in light of other such ethical principles which are quintessential to Islam, we will not perform the traditional Islamic funeral prayer over the perpetrators and we also urge fellow imams and religious authorities to withdraw such a privilege.”
Another article suggests the number of imams refusing to perform the traditional funeral prayers is much higher at around 500. Traditional funeral prayers called janaza are often open for anyone to join. The more people who attend the more beneficial it is to the deceased according to the Islamic scholar and psychiatrist Dr Asim Yusuf. Anti extremist campaigner Ahmed Patel thinks that denying funeral prayers sends out out a very strong message to terrorists and could stop people from carrying out attacks.
““I think the fact that they are saying we will not bury you, we will not even do your janaza, is a lot more powerful than going out with placards or holding vigils.
”It’s a very, very powerful message that no Muslim will bury him, no Muslim will wash his body, no Muslim will stand over him in prayer.””
Another response that has appeared in the media has been written by an accident and emergency consultant who works at The Royal London Hospital. In a post that has been shared over 4000 times in recent days he states:
““When you think of the word Muslim I want you to think of the Muslim nurse that ran our casualty triage area, the Muslim surgeon who operated all night, the Muslim technician that helped arrange transport home for discharged casualties, the Muslim security officer that ran out relatives reception area, the Imams from our Muslim chaplaincy that stayed all night to help comfort the casualties and so many more.””
In the light of all that has happened this week- vote wisely. If you are yet to decide on where to place your X, maybe consulting this manifesto comparison chart published by The Muslim Council of Britain will help.
However we vote, let's put greater faith in the Jesus who didn't travel on a campaign bus, publish a political manifesto or get elected. Let's continue to pray for our nation, friends and colleagues, and share Jesus with those we encounter.
Strang report: Christians loving Muslims produces fruit
Image: Neil Moralee, Flickr
Strang report: Christians loving Muslims produces fruit
The Strang Report from Charisma magazine featured Mahabba in an article leading up to Ramadan.
This is part 1 in a series of 3 from Charisma Magazine. Read part 2 and part 3.
Steve Strang interviewed Gordon Hickson, Director for the Mahabba Network, and here are some excerpts.
You can find a link to the full article at the bottom.
The bottom line: Christians should not be afraid of Muslims. As they share love (mahabba), Muslims are coming to Christ. His friendship network is being used successfully in various parts of the world. And after having a significant spiritual experience, he now has faith for 30 million Muslims to come to the Lord!
I was horrified at the lack of response by pastors and ministries when it came to trying to reach Muslims.
I have to admit I thought it was a demon and tried to rebuke it, but actually it was God and He, more and more, continued to make it known to me for 11 months that 'this is Me; you must start praying for and reaching Muslims
It is we who want to thank you
Image: Matt Jones, Unsplash
It is we who want to thank you
One of our regional reps was on the road recently, helping to motivate and mobilise local Christians to love their Muslim neighbours.
We got the following note of thanks!
Dear Mahabba,
It is we who want to thank you. We want to tell you how grateful we are for your contribution to our event.
“the Christian way is to make friends with Muslims, respect them as people, show understanding and reach out with the grace the Lord Jesus offers”
You communicated the message so well: that the Christian way is to make friends with Muslims, respect them as people, show understanding and reach out with the grace the Lord Jesus offers.
Personally, I was twice blessed by you, having been a teacher and wanting to share that grace with Muslims which identifies us as Christians.
Your message would have been a window for people to see a fresh understanding of the Word. Your impact was so powerful.
“Our discussions about Islam and Muslim people will never be the same again!
”
Our discussions about Islam and Muslim people will never be the same again!
Time together was brief, but it was such a pleasure to meet you both.
Thank you for your introduction to Islam which was all too brief. May the Lord richly bless your ministry. "The field is ripe.."
James & Charlotte
You can read the story of the event with James and Charlotte below.