2009 Press Release

Strictly embargoed until 16 November, 00.01

 

Islam Awareness Week 2009 launches today as new research reveals Britain’s bond of belief. Sixty per cent of people agree that believing in God, no matter which one, gives people something in common. Over half (53 per cent) believe religion can be used to bring communities together, even if people believe in different things.

 

Despite the relative power of religion, the research – commissioned by the Islamic Society of Britain – also reveals a gap in understanding as seventy three per cent of people rated their understanding of Christianity as good, as opposed to Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism for which over half rated their understanding as poor. Forty four per cent rated their understanding of Islam as poor.

 

The theme of this year’s Islam Awareness Week ‘Walk the Talk’ coincides with the first inter-faith week and aims to encourage people to learn more about each other and work together with others, whether of a different faith or of no faith.

 

Many of the people surveyed would like to know more about other religions (47 per cent) but have trouble knowing who to turn to for trustworthy theological teaching. Whilst the majority of people (56 per cent) believe their friends and family are a reliable spiritual source, only a third think newspapers are trustworthy. Similarly, almost half (44 per cent) believe that TV soaps and films are untrustworthy when it comes to representing religions.

 

Julie Siddiqi, Vice President of The Islamic Society of Britain said: “The brilliant thing about living in the UK is that British society is supportive of all faiths, including Islam. This year’s Islam Awareness Week theme, ‘Walk the Talk’, is all about recognising our common humanity, celebrating our diversity and respecting each other.

 

“We believe it’s important to encourage everyone to get out and about and get to know people of other faiths and no faith. This is even more important when our faith is being misrepresented by the actions of a few violent extremists who exploit lack of understanding to cause division and sow hatred and mistrust.”

 

The research revealed some myths around different popular religions:

-       Whilst 94 per cent of people believe that Jesus is respected as a spiritual figure in Christianity, only 22 per cent realise that he is a respected figure in Islam

-       Almost one in four (23 per cent) wrongly believe women are not allowed to enter mosques.

-       Sixteen per cent incorrectly think no Buddhists are allowed to eat meat

-       Eighteen per cent falsely believe Hindus don’t eat beef because it is unclean

-       Almost four in ten (35 per cent) mistakenly think that the practice of other religions is not tolerated under Islam

 

Islam Awareness Week 2009, which is in its 15^th year, will involve a range of activities taking place in towns and cities across the country. These include exhibitions, social events, and voluntary activities for charity. Everyone is invited to attend or take part. It is hoped that those who take part will be able to use these opportunities to develop friendships and relationships with people from other backgrounds. (See notes to editors for more information on events)

 

1.    The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) was established in 1990 in response to the needs of the growing British Muslim community to learn about, and to practise their faith in a British context.

2.    During Islam Awareness Week (www.iaw.org.uk) a range of events are taking place across the country. These include:

·         UK-wide: Sunday 15th – Sunday 22nd November

Canadian singer/songwriter Dawud Wharnsby will be visiting schools and venues up and down the country promoting and signing his new book ‘For Whom the Troubadour Sings’. The tour will kick off with a concert at Bradford Cathedral on the 15th and end in London on the 22nd at St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.

·         Monday 16th November will see the launch of IAW in different cities including Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester and Leicester. A variety of local speakers will be joined by Muslim scholars from the prestigious Al Azhar University in Cairo, a seat of Muslim scholarship for over a thousand years at City College in Bordesley Green for the launch of IAW in Birmingham. The scholars, who are behind the Islamic Hotline initiative, are now launching a new book that deals with some of the questions raised by Muslim youth in a way that helps to keep them away from extremism.

·        Wednesday 18th November: In Coventry, a Question Time style debate will deal with topical questions on Islam with a panel consisting of a Muslim police officer, doctor, nurse, teacher and Imam. In Leicester, a 'Dine @ Mine',friends, neighbours and colleagues will come together for an evening of food, fundraising and fun at a local restaurant in aid of local children’s charities at which Muslim ladies will pay for their guests.

·         Sunday 22nd November: In Glasgow, a new exhibition on ‘Living in a Multi Faith Society’ at the St Mungo’s Museum of Religion, will be followed by a seminar on religious discrimination. The exhibition is also available in other towns across the UK and is accompanied by a new IAW booklet that has been specially prepared for this year's IAW theme. It highlights some of the most important Islamic teachings about living in a diverse society and is available from the website www.iaw.org.uk

·         Other activities include a dinner for the homeless in Luton, a community park clear up in Stockport and a walk for people of all faiths in Slough, leading to a mosque open day.

·         The website www.iaw-schools.org.uk , a valuable resource for schools, incorporating the ‘virtual classroom’ launched by Charles Clarke MP during IAW in 2003, has been revamped to include a range of new interactive material.  It covers topics such as prayer, fasting and charity in a lively and dynamic way for early years, but also looks at more in-depth information on Islamic history, Islam in Britain and how Muslims are required to care for the earth and their neighbours.

3.    For more information on Islam Awareness Week see www.iaw.org.uk or call our Press Officer on 07790 006931 or Email: admin@iaw.org.uk

5.    ICM interviewed a random sample of 2052 adults aged 18+ via online between 30^th October – 1^st November 2009.  Surveys were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.  ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.  Further information at www.icmresearch.co.uk