| "Muslims are part of British Society and they have both rights and obligations to fulfill towards the wider society. We are not a ghetto community." |
The MCB has been in existence for more than six years. To help our readers understand the activities of the MCB, please can you begin by explaining how the MCB came about?
The MCB was formed after almost a decade of sustained groundwork and extensive consultation with existing Muslim organisations and with individuals around the country. The need to coordinate efforts on wider issues of common concern became more pressing in the course of the Rushdie affair. This had created a climate of trust and cooperation between many diverse groups.
The MCB was finally inaugurated on November 23 1997 at Brent Town Hall in Wembley by representatives of more than 150 Muslim organisations local, regional and national bodies - from all parts of Britain including Northern Ireland. Today, the number of MCB affiliates stands at over 400 organisations, alhamdulillah (thanks God).
The emergence of the MCB is a natural expression of Muslim solidarity and a sign of the growing maturity and confidence of British Muslims. It is an initiative of the community, led by the community, for the service of the community and the wider society.
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