The 1st Conference of the Council of European Jamaats (CoEJ) under the new Constitution took place at the Husaini Shia Islamic Centre (Hujjat Imambara), Stanmore on 7 November 2009.

The Conference started with Maghrib salaat. A hearty dinner followed, if I recollect correctly, the delicious menu included batawara served with chutney, karai chicken with naan bread, rice with peas and of course embellished with Hujjat hospitality. I should not forget to mention the deserts which included profiteroles (or European gulab jamuns as someone commented), fruit, followed by copious amounts of tea.

Every year the Islamic Education Board of the World Federation, in conjunction with the regional bodies CoEJ, Africa Federation and NASIMCO hold a summer short course in Iran.

This consists of two groups: Bab al Ilm – 14-17 year old and Madinah al Ilm – 18-24 year olds.

The nature of these courses is for spiritual and cultural education in the Islamic setting of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The participants predominantly reside in the holy city of Qum, the international centre for Islamic studies, with various trips to other historical, religious and cultural rich parts of Iran. These include the Ziyarat of our 8th Imam in Mashad. Various literature including student diaries can be found on http://www.coej.org/iran-2008/.

We are currently in the planning stages for the 7th annual summer short course and will be announcing the launch very soon. However to help with the planning of this course we would be grateful if you could take a few moments to answer the following short survey. Thank you.

11 November 2009

The MCB has written to Rt. Hon. David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, conveying its deep sadness and disappointment over the governments decision to abstain from voting on the Goldstone Report (Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict) in the General Assembly recently.

The letter by the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, noted that the abstention reinforced the perception of moral ambivalence, often described as double standards, toward the rights of the Palestinian people.

Updated 03 November 2009

The World Federation 2009 Triennial Conference took place at the Jaffery Community Center at Bathurst, Toronto, on 23 -25 October 2009.

Venue

The venue was the Jaffery Community Center in Bathurst, Toronto. At the Eighth Executive Council meeting held in Paris on 3 May 2009, Dr Hassam was given the flexibility by the Executive Council to select the venue.

The Secretariat has typed the verbatim transcript taken from the video of the Executive Council meeting held in Paris on 3 May 2009 and the following is the exact set of words stated by the previous President, Dr Ahmed Hassam. All additions and clarifications are clearly put into brackets ():

The Muslim Council of Britain’s Youth Committee are looking to recruit 15 new members for 2010 from across Britain. The recruitment will be regionally focused to increase regional reach.

As well as regional co-ordination, the representatives will have central responsibilities of leading projects and campaigns.

The Council of European Jamaats in partnership with The World Federation has produced an Electronic Islamic Calendar 2010 for Europe. These are estimate dates and please check the site for upto date information on the new moon each month.

This calendar contains important islamic dates for you to import into your favorite calendar application.

Welcome to another edition of CoEJ Round-Up, an initiative of the Secretariat of The Council of European Jamaats (CoEJ) to keep you informed of the activities, events and work being done by the committees of CoEJ.

Click the link below to download issue 4 of the Round Up edition:

Coej Round Up issue 4 - English

Speakers at various member Jamaats during the forthcoming Holy Month of Ramadhan 1430 (September 2009)

NOTICE FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSIONER

Notification Of Nominations Received And The Election Process

25 June 2009

I am pleased to state that two nominations (in alphabetical order of surname) have been received for the office of the President of The Council of European Jamaats to serve for the term 2009-2012:

1. Dr. Alhaj Hussein Jiwa nominated by Peterborough Jamaat.

2. Alhaj Shabir Rahemtulla nominated by Birmingham Jamaat and Hyderi Jamaat.

Click here to download the PDF for the Latest Jobs Bulletin from Harrow Council.

You will be pleased to know there are some very interesting posts in this issue.