NUJ - reporting Islam better

The NUJ in Scotland has again been leading the way in helping journalists to widen their skills and knowledge.

Understanding Islam, which was held in Glasgow on Monday 28th April,
marked the first NUJ-sponsored seminar designed to help journalists gain an increased appreciation of the issues most relevant to the world's fastest- growing religion.

The venture was first proposed by Glasgow branch NUJ member, Elyas Hussain. Thanking the Glasgow branch for its financial contribution, he said: "At university, I wrote my dissertation on Islamophobia in the Scottish press. When I joined the NUJ, it was one of my challenges to promote the real Islam."

The event brought journalists together with leading Muslim scholars and activists and among the speakers featured were Mohammed Sarwar MP, Farhia Thomas of the Muslim Women's Resource Centre in Glasgow, novelist, Sarah Baker, and Dr Abdul Hadi Jiad.

Mohammed Sarwar welcomed the number of Muslim candidates in the Scottish elections but criticised all the political parties for "failing ethnic minorities," arguing that too often Muslim candidates were

A common theme amongst speakers was the feeling that the attacks on the twin towers had resulted in a backlash against Muslims.

Walid Jubara said: "Even Muslims who have grown up in this society have felt that our religion and our way of life have been under attack since 9/11."

there were some issues, such as homosexuality, non-marital sexual relations, and the use of alcohol on which the libertarian code of the NUJ and the religious doctrine of Islam would never converge.

On these subjects NUJ members made it clear that they would not compromise on their right to protect diversity and promote equality.

But Farhia Thomas said: "Some questions are uncomfortable but it is better that we talk about them."

However, those attending also valued the opportunity to enter into free and informed discussion.

Angela Austin, who organised the event said: "I'm pleased that this pilot seminar has started a process of dialogue between NUJ members and the Muslim community in Britain.

"The next step is to form a steering committee, which will invite input from
any and all Muslim groups.

"That will be good for journalists because they will be better able to
address Islamic issues with sensitivity and authority. And that, in turn,
can only benefit Muslim communities in Britain and beyond."

Muslim women abused by domestic media

Muslim women who are victims of domestic violence are afraid to seek help because of the reaction they expect from the media.

That was the shock warning from Farhia Thomas, a project co-ordinator for the Muslim Women's Resource Centre in the Govanhill area of Glasgow.

Ms Thomas was speaking at the NUJ-sponsored Understanding Islam seminar where she warned journalists: "Women are muzzled on the subject of domestic violence because we are afraid that Islam will then be stereotyped as allowing women to be beaten up."

In her community work, Ms Thomas says she tries to "enable women to become more involved in mainstream society and to overcome some of the barriers that prevent women from becoming involved."

And she echoed the sentiments of her fellow speaker, the novelist, Sarah Baker, who referred to "pretty scarf syndrome" in cautioning against failing to recognise Muslim women as individuals.

me before. They don't talk about anything from before I became a Muslim."

Farhia added: "We are often seen as Asians rather than Muslims. Muslims can come from all over the world but the commonality between us is almost more important than anything else. But that's not to say that we're all the same."

Both Sarah and Farhia also commented on the fact that the media only seem interested in women who are converts - and white. Sarah argued that such women are "treated as exotic" and that "Muslims are still treated as a curiosity… as if we're here on sufferance."

And Farhia, a committed feminist campaigner before her conversion, expressed frustration that the same stereotypes continue to resurface. She revealed that she is often asked: "How can you, who have been active as a feminist, willingly submit yourself to being oppressed?"

"We're either oppressed or we've got Kalashnikovs under our coats."

"The reality is that some Muslim men and some so-called Muslim societies do oppress women in the name of Islam. But that's not what Islam is about," said Farhia.

"People use Islam to get what they want."

She pointed out that Islam states that, as with women, "men should lower their gaze" and she compared Islam favourably with Christianity in its attitude to women: "In Islam, Eve didn't tempt Adam - they fell together."

An NUJ member was sacked from the BBC World Service because of his nationality, it has been alleged.

That was the conclusion of Dr Abdul Hadi Jiad, who, with Palestinian colleague, Adli Hawwari, was dismissed without warning, hearing or representation.

Speaking on The BBC Experience at the Understanding Islam seminar, Dr Jiad revealed that he had been the only Iraqi producer on BBC current affairs.

He then described how, on an otherwise normal working day, he was confronted by World Service Director, Mark Byford, and the BBC Head of Personnel, Stephen Dando.

With Byford sitting "three to four inches" in front of him in what Dr Jiad perceived as being a tactic designed to intimidate him, he told how the visibly shaking Director read a prepared statement telling him of his dismissal while refusing to allow Dr Jiad any right of representation.

Speculating on the significance of Mr Byford's family connections and friends, Abdul Hadi remarked that Byford is the son of a former police Chief Constable and a close personal friend of Defence Minister, Geoff Hoon.

He also noted that Byford had denied consulting the Foreign Office before his dismissal but admitted "informing them as a courtesy."

He said "Make no mistake - I do respect the BBC. It has excellent policies and guidelines. That's why I decided to fight - against those who abuse those policies and guidelines."

Recalling how, in the immediate aftermath of his dismissal, he consoled friends, some of whom were in tears, he said: "I told them, 'I'm glad that I fought for equal opportunities and fair treatment and I will continue to do so.'"

To another, he said: "The decision to go to war has been taken. I am the first victim of that war."

But he was philosophical about his experience and the lessons to be drawn: "We are prejudiced by nature - every human being is. But it becomes an illness when we convert prejudice into bias.

"What we can do is to get out of our shells and fight for our rights."