Disparities worsened in second Covid wave for Pakistanis and Bangladeshis

Disparities in the risk of infection and death worsened for Bangladeshis and Pakistanis in the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, but improved for some other ethnic groups, a government progress report has found.

Sarwar becomes UK’s first Muslim and ethnic minority leader of a major political party

Anas Sarwar, 38, became the first Muslim and the first ethnic minority leader of a major political party in the UK after defeating Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Central Scotland Monica Lennon for the Scottish Labour Party leadership election on February 27.

Issue 383

Government lost in quagmire of radical counter-extremism reports

A complete overhaul of all counter-terrorism and extremism legislations, much of which is not just misguided, but counterproductive, is long overdue

Government must engage with all sections of the Muslim community

Last month’s meeting between Paymaster General Penny Mordaunt and the Muslim Council of Britain’s newly elected Secretary-General only highlights the reluctance of the Government to engage with all sections of the Muslim community.

Government failing to address Covid disparities, especially on vaccination

The PM has failed to reach out to the BAME communities for vaccination, just as he had failed to control their infection rates and in both cases had shifted his failure on them.

Sarwar takes over Labour mantle ahead of crucial Scottish elections

MSP Anas Sarwar, the first Muslim to lead a major political party in the UK has an uphill struggle if he is to avoid the misfortune of being yet another short-lived Labour leader north of the border

Millions of children return to school amid pandemic

Monday, March 8, saw millions of children return to school. Most secondary schools will have a phased return as pupils are required to take three Covid-19 tests.

Manchester MP unites faith leaders to help raise BAME vaccination

Member of Parliament for Manchester Gorton, Afzal Khan, united faith leaders from across Manchester in a video to encourage all communities eligible for the Covid-19 vaccine to take it.

BBC chief defends ‘strikingly hostile’ interview with new MCB leader

The BBC’s Director-General has refused to intervene in a dispute over the questionable way the new leader of the Muslim Council of Britain was interviewed by the presenter of Woman’s Hour, Emma Barnett,

Police trial anti-grab hijabs in bid to recruit more Muslim women

Leicestershire Police is trialling “anti-grab” hijabs to encourage more Muslim women to join the force.

London Mayor adds voice to importance of Covid vaccinations

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is encouraging everyone to have Covid-19 vaccinations after publicly having his first jab himself last month as an example for all.

In conversation with avid equestrian Noori Husain

26-year-old junior doctor Noori Husain has been an avid equestrian since childhood and is passionate about encouraging young Muslims to try riding.

Anti-Muslim hatred has reached ‘epidemic proportions’ says UN rights expert

Institutional Islamophobia, fear of Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim, have escalated to ‘epidemic proportions’, says a UN expert.

Wales: Police watchdog probes death of two Black Muslim men

The police watchdog is investigating the deaths of two Black Muslim men following contact with police in Wales both deaths prompted protests in Newport to demand answers.

‘Death to Islam’ graffiti sprayed on Murcia mosque set ablaze

Locals and officials in the small town in Murcia, Spain, have condemned a violent attack on a mosque that occurred on February 21.

England’s football authorities not taking Islamophobia seriously, say Muslim footballers

Football authorities in England are not taking Islamophobia seriously, Muslim footballer have told researchers at Birmingham City University and Nottingham Trent Universit.

India loses ‘free democratic’ label under Hindu nationalist government

For the first time in its 73-year existence as a sovereign independent nation, India has lost its status as a “free” democratic country.

Former counter-terrorism chief backs even tougher extremism laws

A renewed attempt for even more ‘counter-extremism’ laws is being led by the Home Office’s Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) with the support of the former head of UK counterterror police Sir Mark Rowley.

National Census 2021 – Planning for the future

The 2021 Census will also provide a snapshot of the effect of Coronavirus on the population.

Texas blackouts: We must build the infrastructure of the future now

In the middle of February, the US State of Texas suffered severe winter storms that caused the failure of the energy grid and left millions without power.

Pope Francis meets religious leader, Ayatullah Ali Al-Sistani, in a landmark visit  

Pope Francis concluded a four-day tour of Iraq on March 8 after a landmark meeting with Iraq’s Shi’a Muslim leader, Grand Ayatullah Ali Al-Sistani, who is followed by millions of Shi’a Muslims across the world.

US opposes ICC war crimes probe, citing support for Israel

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said his country “firmly opposes and is deeply disappointed” by the International Criminal Court (ICC) decision to open an investigation on alleged war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The investigation comes after a February ICC ruling that the Occupied Palestinian Territories fall under its jurisdiction, paving the way for an investigation of war crimes committed by both Palestinians and Israelis.

Legal Corner: Magistrate who declined to order a same-sex adoption not discriminated

Law Magistrate’s sacking over gay adoption views was ‘inevitable’, ruled the court of appeals

Book Review: History of Cairo through its monuments

Cairo: Histories of a City by Nezar AlSayyad. Pg 323, published by Belknap Press of Harvard University. 2013. Paperback. £16.99.

Poets Corner: The Void

To submit a poem for publication please email editor@muslimnews.co.uk

Musings of a Mum: Paucity of justice

I have come to understand that in any position of authority, one needs to be very careful of preserving the dignity of the weak (er).

Sports brief: Farah win Djibouti International Half Marathon

Sir Mo Farah has won the Djibouti International Half Marathon with a time of 63:07

Government indifferent to sacrifices of Muslim front-line workers

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