sheffield heritage foundation · mubarek at feltham young offenders institution. zahid mubarek...

Sheffield Heritage FoundationNewsletter - First Edition January - March 2013

SHF Launch Event STRIVING FOR A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

Alhamdulillah (All Praises be to God), first and foremost we would like to welcome all readers, supporters, & donors to the first edition of our official newsletter. By God’s Grace, we were able to launch SHF at The Hilton Hotel (Double Tree, Chesterfield Rd South, S8) which took place on Saturday, December 29th, 2012. It was an incredible evening that facilitated very good cuisine, nasheeds, auctions, and a fund raising appeal. Over 400 hundred people of diverse communities attended the event and SHF’s Team presented its objectives which addressed social support mechanisms (i.e. Eid celebration events, Dawah, recreational programmes, prison/release support, safe spaces for new Muslims, and Amanah Baby & Toddler Group). From the generosity of the Sheffield community, we were able to raise £14,930 of which £11,000 has been collected & already supporting the community. SHF would again like to say a big Thank You to all Volunteers & those who supported prior, during, & after the event. This success is testament to a community that recognises the importance of what SHF represents. Together we can work towards a vibrant community that emulates the work of The Messenger (pbuh) in Mecca & Medina.

Dawah Launch EventSheffield Heritage Foundationinvites you to an evening of building bridges and new beginnings

• Three course meal • Nasheed Artists • Auctions• Fundraising and much more!

Join us on Saturday 29 December 2012 5.30pm(prayer facilities are available)

Double Tree Hilton Hotel(formerly Sheffield Park Hotel)Chesterfield Road SouthSheffield S8 8BW

For tickets:

Brothers call:Umar 07504 745 111Muhaimin 07779 712 215Sisters call:Bushra 07513 744 353

“If God guides a person through you, it is better for you than all that is on the earth.” Bukhari No. 2783

Tickets:*£15 Adults£5 under 10s*Adult tickets £10 if booked before 18 December

“The event was good, Maasha’Allah well organised” (M Abdullah, Huddersfield) “May Allah allow you to grow & support those in need” (Mustapha, Sheffield)

Amaanah Baby & Toddler GroupAmaanah B&T Group has kicked off to a fantastic start! Several sisters (converts) have already benefitted from the newly formed initiative. Not only is the group providing a recreational space for children, it has also been immensely beneficial for mums and sisters who get together in an inclusive social space on a weekly basis. Amaanah B&T Group operates during school term times on a Thursday afternoon 12.30-2.30pm. If you have children aged 4 or under, suffer from feeling isolated or just want to socialise with sisters then join us at YMA Building (Women’s main prayer hall), Bland st, S4 8DGContact sister Bushra for more information on:B u s h r a . K a r i m @ s h e f f i e l d h e r i t a g e . o r g

Sheffield Heritage Foundation Jan - March 2013


Incarceration & Release Support Programme(Doncaster Prison)

The unfortunate dilemma of being locked up in jail is a common phenomenon within deprived communities especially amongst males (16-25yrs+). Individual(s) subject to poverty, gangs, peer pressure, & love for material wealth may experience this harsh reality. Whether the accused is guilty or innocent (ref: Prophet Yusuf (AS), Malcolm X), communities should create mechanisms that reform those subject to this tribulation. SHF doesn’t support criminal activity of any kind, but at the same time, we can’t turn our back on those who sincerely want to reform their life style. The SHF Team have been actively engaging prisoners within the confines of jail since 2003 (HMP - Lindholme, Moorlands, Risley, Liverpool & Wilsden) as a part of the Race and Equality initiative which was set up to provide support for prisoners from minority communities. This work spiralled from the Commission for Racial Equality conducting a formal investigation on racial discrimination within the Prison Service (Nov 2000). This took precedence following the murder of Zahid Mubarek at Feltham Young Offenders Institution. Zahid Mubarek (19yrs) was a Muslim who died in March 2000 while in custody. He was forced to share a cell with Robert Stewart, a known racist who battered Zahid to death. Following this unfortunate incident, we were asked to run sessions (twice a month) that became safe spaces for prisoners to discuss issues that affected them whilst in prison and explore wider social and cultural issues such as religion, history, fatherhood, identity, & citizenship. As Muslims, we’ve capitalised on this opportunity to give Dawah (many have embraced the Deen) & maintained contact with individual(s) after being released. The SHF Team has recently evaluated the programme & will address the following based on prisoners’ feedback: (1) Enable accessibility of authentic Islamic literature, (2) Incarceration adjustment service, (3) Community & family resettlement programme, (4) Challenge extremism, (5) Prison visit mentor service to aid prisoners with their Islamic transition. These steps will (Insha’Allah - God Willing) enable prisoners to have essential support to prevent them from leaving the Deen. SHF currently works in HMP Marshgate (Doncaster), every 2nd Thursday, 9am - 4.30pm, alongside Milton Samuels & Marie Thompson (Prison Diversity Officers).

Keep Focused!

Monthly Unity GatheringThe SHF Team will be facilitating a monthly unity gathering which aims to provide a socially inclusive environment for converts to come together. This initiative will enable participants to understand the current and developing needs of the convert community. In addition it will enable participants to interact, learn informally, and capacity build to increase resilience against social dilemmas. Consultation is key in providing support and this initiative will give participants a chance to develop forums & steering groups that enable SHF to advocate on issues that are essential in building and maintaining communities. Food will be provided at each event and the introductory session will take place on Saturday, March 30th, 3.30pm - 7pm at the Fatima Centre, 105 Brunswick Rd, S3 9LQ.

SHF (Team) DirectorsSHF Directors (8 in total) meet every Sunday between 8-10pm to strategically plan core activities. Directors also have meetings during the week which connect to projects that may need additional planning. We consider this as good will for SHF. If you’ve got any queries contact SHF on: [email protected]


Embracing Islam with SHF!

By Allah’s Grace, SHF has recently performed Shahadah (declaration of Islamic beliefs) with two people, may Allah keep the two brothers steadfast, Ameen! Sam Blake (Sulayman) is one of the blessed brothers. He’s a level 3 BTEC Creative Media Production student who is currently working fulltime as a Sales Assistant and running his own clothing and media business on the side. Sam was happy to share some of his journey with us.

SHF currently holds literature for the purpose of those interested in Islam or for those who accept Islam. Please contact brother Ismaeel on 07824826122 or [email protected] if you know anyone who fits this criteria.

Iera

Regional Networking Meeting for New Muslims

One of SHF’s team members attended a regional networking meeting for new Muslims which was held in The Muwatta Centre (Bradford 3, off Leeds Rd) on Saturday, March 16th, 2013. There was representation from Nelson, Manchester, Preston, Dewsbury, Leeds, & Bradford. Sister Batool from The Islamic Foundation (Markfield) was unable to attend but is 100% behind the idea. The aim of the network is to explore common issues affecting individual(s) embracing Islam & devise the most practical support system that can build resilience or remove potential barriers. All partners have committed to develop a Northern England umbrella consortium. Look out for future developments & updates in the next edition of SHF’s newsletter.

Monthly Planner

March April May JunePrison Support1st Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

Prison Support2nd Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

Prison Support3rd Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

Prison Support4th Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

July August September OctoberPrison Support5th Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

Eid in the Park(tbc)Party on Eid Day (tbc)S u m m e r R e c r e a t i o n a l ProgrammePrison Support6th Mthly Social



November DecemberPrison Support9th Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

AGM (tbc)Prison Support10th Mthly SocialAmaanah Baby & Toddler Group

IERA “Ready to Grow”

A member of the SHF Team and Sam Blake (Sulayman) attended the IERA Ready to Grow event. This was an all day event which took place on Sunday 3rd March at the Fatima Centre, 103 Brunswick Road, S3 9LQ. The event was centred on empowering New Muslims. SHF was able to network with other Muslims from the Yorkshire region with the future intention to work together towards building regional support for New Muslims.“Jaza’ak Allahu Khayr for your support and for making the course a lively one.” (Nabeel, New Muslim Project Sheffield))

COMING SOON TO SHEFFIELD...

Sheffield Heritage Foundation Jan - March 2013Produced by SHF Team

Dawah in the Community, Spreading the MessageUmar ibn Al Khattab (RA) stated, “I fear for those that don’t know jahiliyyah.” His profound statement has many different aspects of reasoning that can be applied to different situations. If anyone converts to Islam & remains steadfast, these individual(s) can become a manifestation of Umar’s (RA) statement. Dawah (invitation) is incombent upon every Muslim until the Day of Judgement. People that embrace Islam generally have an advantage in conveying the message as did the first community of Islam. The advantage is, “Converts know their indigenious culture, how best & who to approach in their community.” There are countless examples of this within the seerah (biography) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). To be fair, not all converts have the confidence to carry out this task & need support from existing Islamic communities. Inviting people to Islam isn’t complicated. The best way for anyone to be the means (by the Will of Allah) of guidance is firstly to have Akhlaq (good character) , ilm (knowledge), and Hikmah (wisdom). Our Prophets & Messengers (May Allah’s Ultimate Peace Be Upon Them All) perfected these attributes in humanity with the addition of those who weren’t Prophets but chosen by God as upright human beings. Dawah isn’t about “preaching to the converted.” From our Divine Example, it’s about going to those who are the rejected in society & doing anything within our means & faculties to direct them to the path of guidance. In the near future, SHF’s Team will be facilitating community engagement events with Non - Muslims that provoke thought & relate to their current situation. If any reader has problems in speaking to someone who they think is interesting in Islam, Please Contact Us!

SHF Needs Your Help!If you want to deposit real currency in your account for the next life as well as benefit by helping others while in this reality, VOLUNTEER for SHF!!! Men, Women, Young, Old - All Welcome!

So what else is coming up? The launch of Sheffield Heritage Foundation’s WEBSITE We’ll be going live very soon, stay tuned!!!

Eid Festival in the Park - Summer 2013 We are currently planning Sheffield’s first City wide Eid Festival in the Park. This will be a regional event celebrating Eid Ul Fitr. This promises to be a show stopper and be sure to hear more in the coming months…

For further details contact Yahya on: [email protected]

SHF’s Team email & contact information:

[email protected]@SheffieldHeritage.org



[email protected]@SheffieldHeritage.org [email protected]

[email protected]

facebook.com/SheffieldHeritage

Attention to all Readers!If any women who have embraced Islam would like to learn Qur’an from a qualified Ustadha, contact Sister Bushra on 07513744353.

sheffield heritage foundation · mubarek at feltham young offenders institution. zahid mubarek...

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