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 has been linked to the Home Office Research, Information & Communications Unit (RICU).[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]
Imams Online organised a Digital Summit for Imams which was attended by Hamza Yusuf (Co-founder of Zaytuna College) & Abdallah Bin Bayyah.[6] 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.[6]
Imams Online organised and delivered a digital summit in Bradford on 23 January 2016 for Mosque leaders and community activists.[7] The aim of the digital summit was to outline how social media can be used to promote positive messages.[8] 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".[8]
Imams continued to develop the Digital Summit series in 2017 and 2018 by hosting two interactive events at alongside Google and their HQ and YouTube spaces in London.[9].[10] Most recently, in 2019, Imams Online in partnership with Twitter hosting their 5th Digital Summit event at Twitter spaces in London bringing together Imams, social media activists, community leaders, media personalities and more.[11]
Imams Online has contributed to developing Imams in providing them with the tools to progress in their careers, this has been seen with senior editor of Ima Qari Asim recently being appointed as the independent adviser to the Government to tackle Islamophobia.[12] The role of Imam Qari Asim's work will build on the definitions of Islamophobia currently being considered, including the APPG definition. It will also draw on a wide range of opinions and work in close collaboration with the cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, to ensure that it commands broad support within Muslim communities and wider society.[13].
Social Media Partnerships
Imams Online have worked closely with Facebook, Google, YouTube and Twitter to tackle hate speech online and improve digital safety.[14]
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.[15] The goal of the magazine was to 'drown out' the voices perpetuating violence.[6] A second edition of the magazine was released to deal with the direct online threat on social media by extremists.[16]
Funding
Imams Online, according to Shaukat Warriach, has been funded by mosques, madrassahs and charities.[17]
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.
- ^ "Google-hosted Muslim leaders summit linked to Home Office Prevent unit". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
- ^ Saul, Heather. "Imams urge British Muslims not to travel to Iraq or Syria in open letter", The Independent. 4 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. 25 January 2016. Retrieved on 8 February 2016.
- ^ a b Mosque leaders urged to 'get online' to combat extremists. Telegraph & Argus. 25 January 2016. Retrieved on 8 February 2016
- ^ [1]. Imams Online. 11th January 2017. Retrieved on 10th October 2019.
- ^ [2]. Imams Online. 31st January 2018. Retrieved on 10th October 2019.
- ^ [3] Imams Online. 2nd October 2019. Retrieved on 10th October 2019.
- ^ [4]. GOV.UK. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- ^ [5]. GOV.UK. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019
- ^ [6]. Huff Post. 4th May 2017. Retrieved on 10th October 2019.
- ^ 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.
