From: Bi, Farmida
Sent: 19 December 2005 12:20
To: ' info@muslimnews.co.uk '
Subject: Re: From Another Shore-Rebranding Muslims


Sir,

 I refer to Dr Vakil's article about the launch of Progressive British Muslims. I am surprised that neither you nor he felt that it might be helpful to contact the group to respond to his article or to clarify some of the inaccuracies that it contains before publication but please allow me to do so now.

  I would like to emphasise that the group really has emerged from the frustrations of ordinary British Muslims about the representation of British Muslims in the mainstream media, particularly following July 7. Accordingly, the fact that it "appears to come from nowhere" is its strength and not a failing. We are not Islamic scholars and do not run mosques. We are ordinary Britons who describe ourselves as Muslims and have progressive values, however incongrouos Dr Vakil may find that. We reject the choices that the Islamic industry that appears to have developed seeks to impose on us-that we either follow their version of Islam or we keep quiet.Far too many decisions are now being made that affect all of us, from the growth of faith schools to the terrorism legislation, for the full range of British Muslim opinion not to be heard. By contrast, we are not seeking to silence others and have most certainly not attacked the MCB. I'm not sure where that assertion comes. the MCB. We do not claim to "speak for the silent majority"or claim to "articulate the true image of British Muslims". Instead, we expressly say in our press releases and website that we do not represent any particular group but only "speak for ourselves" and the latter statement is in fact quoted by Dr Vakil in his article. Perhaps consistency (or accuracy) would make the article less interesting?

  I think it's extraordinary that our values of equality and respect for the rights and choices of others should be described as not being relevant or to carry conviction-these values are relevant in the modern world and we believe in them wholeheartedly. Perhaps the "some" and "others" that Dr Vakil mysteriously refers to as doubting us are more ambiguous about these values but that is the very reason we as a group have come into being.

  I do hope that as a responsible newspaper you will publish this letter. Please note for the future that we are always happy to explain our position on any issue, rather than have it described for us by others who clearly know nothing about us and use our public statements selectively.

  Yours faithfully

  Farmida Bi
  Progressive British Muslims