Muhammad Abdul Bari
Encyclopedia
Muhammad Abdul Bari, MBE
FRSA , is the Chairman of the East London Mosque
, and was the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain
from 2006 until 2010.
, he joined the Bangladesh Air Force
in 1978. Later he moved to the United Kingdom. In 1983, he was awarded a scholarship to do a PhD in England. He studied at King's College London
, and at Royal Holloway College as a postdoctoral researcher, where he become involved in community work. He spent five years in a secondary school in London training as a teacher. He is a researcher in physics, science teacher and Special Educational Needs specialist in London.
His interests include reading and travelling "where there are mountains and seas." His father was a land-owning farmer in the Tangail
outside Dhaka
. He speaks Bangla and English
fluently and believes all immigrants to the United Kingdom should speak English.
Bari has served East London's diverse communities in various capacities for three decades. Since 2002, he has been the Chairman of the board of trustees at the East London Mosque (London’s first mosque, which now includes the London Muslim Centre) leading the institution to win the national ‘Super Model Mosque Competition’ in 2009. He is also a founding member of The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO), a coalition of churches, mosques, and other civil society organisations working together to promote understanding and a safer, fairer and better governed city.
He was Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain from June 2006 until June 2010, having completed two terms. Prior to that, he served as the Council's Deputy-Secretary General for four years. As Secretary General, Bari worked to have more young people take part in the Council's work.
A physicist and educationalist by training, Bari received his doctorate in Physics and qualified as a teacher from King's College London, and gained a management degree from the Open University
. He is now a Special Educational Needs specialist in London.
In addition, Bari is a patron of the National Youth Agency
,the Ramphal Centre and Anchor House (a homeless charity based in Newham, London). He served on the Good Childhood Inquiry Panel which was set up by the Children's Society in 2006, and is a trustee of Muslim Aid
, an international charity. He is also an advisor to the Centre for Public Policy Seminars.
Bari is a parenting consultant and facilitates an interactive parenting skills programme "Building Families" (www.amanaparenting.com). He has written for various newspapers, journals and community publications. He is the author of Building Muslim Families, A Guide to Parenting, "Addressing Adolescence: A Guide to Parenting in Islam" and Race, Religion and Muslim Identity in Britain.
In recognition of his services to the community, Bari was conferred an MBE in 2003, was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
in 2005, and an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary, University of London in July 2008. Bari was recognised for his 'Outstanding Achievement' by British Bangladeshi WHO's WHO 2011 in Islamic Affairs and Community Relations.
He is on the Organising Committee Board for the 2012 Summer Olympics
.
. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said he believes the rise of Islamophobia
is linked to sections of the media and some politicians: "But some political leaders and sections of the media are demonising Muslims, treating them as if they're all terrorists – and that encourages other people to do the same."
He also feels that the media is only interested in fringe group of angry Muslims instead of moderate mainstream Muslims from the community. "Young Muslims need role models to show them they can play a part in British society." Bari criticises the government's stance on how it deals with violent extremism, which he believes is responsible for creating tensions within the communities, and believes that the "UK will become Nazi Germany
, if the situation is not handled very well by the government." One of his examples included remarks by the head of MI5
, Jonathan Evans
, and criticised the government's war on Iraq, described as a "disaster".
Bari occasionally writes on social and global issues in HuffingtonPost and AlJazeera English.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
FRSA , is the Chairman of the East London Mosque
East London Mosque
The East London Mosque, situated in the inner London Borough of Tower Hamlets between Whitechapel and Aldgate, serves one of the UK's largest Muslim communities. It lies near the edge of the City of London, the capital's busy business area, and just a couple of miles from the fast-expanding London...
, and was the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain
Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain is a self-appointed umbrella body for national, regional, local and specialist organisations and institutions from different ethnic and sectarian backgrounds within British Islamic society. It was established in 1997 to help Muslims, to increase education about the...
from 2006 until 2010.
Life and career
After studying at Chittagong UniversityChittagong University
The University of Chittagong is a public university situated at the suburban area of Hathazari, Chittagong district, Bangladesh. The university was established in 1966. The campus is at 22 km north to the Chittagong city. It has a shuttle train service from 7:00 AM to 9:30 PM for the...
, he joined the Bangladesh Air Force
Bangladesh Air Force
The Bangladesh Air Force , is the air arm of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. Bangladesh Air Force currently employs more than 22,000 personnel including 600+ Pilots.-History:...
in 1978. Later he moved to the United Kingdom. In 1983, he was awarded a scholarship to do a PhD in England. He studied at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
, and at Royal Holloway College as a postdoctoral researcher, where he become involved in community work. He spent five years in a secondary school in London training as a teacher. He is a researcher in physics, science teacher and Special Educational Needs specialist in London.
His interests include reading and travelling "where there are mountains and seas." His father was a land-owning farmer in the Tangail
Tangail District
Tangail is a district in central region of Bangladesh. It is a part of the Dhaka division. The population of Tangail zilla is about 3.2 million and its surface area is 3,414.39 km². The main town of Tangail District is the district town Tangail...
outside Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
. He speaks Bangla and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
fluently and believes all immigrants to the United Kingdom should speak English.
Bari has served East London's diverse communities in various capacities for three decades. Since 2002, he has been the Chairman of the board of trustees at the East London Mosque (London’s first mosque, which now includes the London Muslim Centre) leading the institution to win the national ‘Super Model Mosque Competition’ in 2009. He is also a founding member of The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO), a coalition of churches, mosques, and other civil society organisations working together to promote understanding and a safer, fairer and better governed city.
He was Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain from June 2006 until June 2010, having completed two terms. Prior to that, he served as the Council's Deputy-Secretary General for four years. As Secretary General, Bari worked to have more young people take part in the Council's work.
A physicist and educationalist by training, Bari received his doctorate in Physics and qualified as a teacher from King's College London, and gained a management degree from the Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
. He is now a Special Educational Needs specialist in London.
In addition, Bari is a patron of the National Youth Agency
National Youth Agency
The National Youth Agency is an educational charity in England that works in partnership with a wide range of public, private and voluntary sector organisations to support and improve services for young people....
,the Ramphal Centre and Anchor House (a homeless charity based in Newham, London). He served on the Good Childhood Inquiry Panel which was set up by the Children's Society in 2006, and is a trustee of Muslim Aid
Muslim Aid
Muslim Aid is a UK based international relief and development organisation working to alleviate poverty worldwide. The charity says it believes in sustainable, local and practical solutions to empower individuals and strengthen communities...
, an international charity. He is also an advisor to the Centre for Public Policy Seminars.
Bari is a parenting consultant and facilitates an interactive parenting skills programme "Building Families" (www.amanaparenting.com). He has written for various newspapers, journals and community publications. He is the author of Building Muslim Families, A Guide to Parenting, "Addressing Adolescence: A Guide to Parenting in Islam" and Race, Religion and Muslim Identity in Britain.
In recognition of his services to the community, Bari was conferred an MBE in 2003, was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts
Royal Society of Arts
The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce is a British multi-disciplinary institution, based in London. The name Royal Society of Arts is frequently used for brevity...
in 2005, and an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary, University of London in July 2008. Bari was recognised for his 'Outstanding Achievement' by British Bangladeshi WHO's WHO 2011 in Islamic Affairs and Community Relations.
He is on the Organising Committee Board for the 2012 Summer Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
.
Views
Bari has appeared in the British media to speak about Muslims in Britain, integration and what efforts could be taken to improve and control fundamentalism rising among and against Muslims since 9/11 and the 7 July bombings7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he said he believes the rise of Islamophobia
Islamophobia
Islamophobia describes prejudice against, hatred or irrational fear of Islam or MuslimsThe term dates back to the late 1980s or early 1990s, but came into common usage after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States....
is linked to sections of the media and some politicians: "But some political leaders and sections of the media are demonising Muslims, treating them as if they're all terrorists – and that encourages other people to do the same."
He also feels that the media is only interested in fringe group of angry Muslims instead of moderate mainstream Muslims from the community. "Young Muslims need role models to show them they can play a part in British society." Bari criticises the government's stance on how it deals with violent extremism, which he believes is responsible for creating tensions within the communities, and believes that the "UK will become Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, if the situation is not handled very well by the government." One of his examples included remarks by the head of MI5
MI5
The Security Service, commonly known as MI5 , is the United Kingdom's internal counter-intelligence and security agency and is part of its core intelligence machinery alongside the Secret Intelligence Service focused on foreign threats, Government Communications Headquarters and the Defence...
, Jonathan Evans
Jonathan Evans (MI5 officer)
Jonathan Evans is the Director General of the British Security Service, the United Kingdom's domestic security and counter-intelligence service...
, and criticised the government's war on Iraq, described as a "disaster".
Bari occasionally writes on social and global issues in HuffingtonPost and AlJazeera English.
Books
- Muhammad Abdul Bari, A. Siddiqui, Abdassamad Clarke (2002). Building Muslim Families: Challenges and Expectations. Ta-Ha Publishers. ISBN 9781842000410
- Muhammad Abdul Bari, Abdassamad Clarke (2002). The Greatest Gift: A Guide to Parenting from an Islamic Perspective. Ta-Ha Publishers. ISBN 9781842000441
- Muhammad Abdul Bari (2005). Race, Religion, & Muslim Identity in Britain. Renaissance Press. ISBN 9780954329471
- Muhammad Abdul Bari (2011). "Addressing Adolescence: A Guide to Parenting in Islam". Ta-Ha Publishers. ISBN 139781842001257
External links
- Media 'contributing to rise of Islamophobia' Telegraph
- 'UK will become Nazi Germany' if it's not careful when tackling terrorism, says Muslim leader Mail Online
- 'British should try arranged marriages' Telegraph
- 'Trust at risk' after terror raid Guardian
- Eid in the square BBC London
- UK Muslim Leader Urges More Positive Focus Sky News
- Dr Bari: Government stoking Muslim tension Telegraph