Imams Online
| Industry | Non Profit |
|---|---|
| Founder | Shaukat Warraich |
| Website | www.imamsonline.com |
Imams Online is a British organisation that aims to provide a voice for Islamic religious leaders.[1] Imams Online has been involved in counter-extremism work.[2] It is affiliated with Faith Associates which receives funding from the government Prevent program[3] and has been linked to the Home Office Research, Information & Communications Unit (RICU).[4]
History
In 2014, there was a growing concern about home-grown involvement in terrorism with an estimated 500 Britons having left the country to fight in Syria.[5] In response, Imams Online organised an open letter with more than 100 Imams from across Britain asking young Muslims not to get involved in the wars in Iraq and Syria. In the letter it was advised that the British Muslim communities should continue to support all of those affected by the crisis in Syria, but do so from the UK in a safe and responsible way.[6]
Imams Online organised a Digital Summit for Imams which was attended by Hamza Yusuf (Co-founder of Zaytuna College) & Abdallah Bin Bayyah.[7] The summit brought together every group within Islam, from Deobandi, Sufi, Sunni, Shia and cultural groups that included Somalis, Pakistanis, Arabs and converts to Islam from many nations.[7]
Imams Online organised and delivered a digital summit in Bradford on the 23rd January 2016 for Mosque leaders and community activists.[8] The aim of the digital summit was to outline how social media can be used to promote positive messages.[9] Shaukat Warriach, Chief Editor of Imams Online said; "Imams are doing great work but we need to help them communicate in an innovative way to the younger generation".[9]
Online magazine
An online magazine called Haqiqah which means 'the reality' in Arabic was written by British Scholars who wanted to do more in educating young people about the reality of extremists movements.[10] The goal of the magazine was to 'drown out' the voices perpetuating violence.[7] A second edition of the magazine was released to deal with the direct online threat on social media by extremists.[11]
Funding
Imams Online, according to Shaukat Warriach, has been funded by mosques, madrassahs and charities.[12]
References
- ^ 'Imams need to get on social media a lot more'. Asian Image.17 July 2015. Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
- ^ "UK Imams condemn ISIS in online video". BBC. 11 July 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Faith Associates on the UK Prevent Duty – June 2015". Faith Associates. 2017-01-03. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
- ^ "Google-hosted Muslim leaders summit linked to Home Office Prevent unit". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
- ^ Saul, Heather. "Imams urge British Muslims not to travel to Iraq or Syria in open letter", The Independent. 04 July 2014, Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Britain's Islamic leaders urge young Muslims not to fight in Iraq and Syria", RT News, 4 July 2014. Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Wyatt, Caroline. Imams try to 'reclaim the internet' with Haqiqah Magazine. BBC News. 27 March 2015. Retrieved on 12 November 2015.
- ^ Mosque leaders urged to 'get online' to combat extremists. Telegraph & Argus. 25th January 2016. Retrieved on 8th February 2016.
- ^ a b Mosque leaders urged to 'get online' to combat extremists. Telegraph & Argus. 25th January 2016. Retrieved on 8th February 2016
- ^ Kesvani, Hussein. "British Imams have launched a new magazine to reclaim the internet From ISIS", BuzzFeed, 27 March 2015. Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
- ^ UK Imams come together to publish Haqiqah, a magazine to counter the Islamic State propaganda machine. First Post. 9 October 2015. Retrieved on 28 October 2015.
- ^ "Syria burning, privatising the developing world and Imams Online". RT News. 18 May 2015. Retrieved on 22 September 2015.
