MCB’s Purpose

We receive many enquiries relating to Islamic Mortgages, Financial Advice or Wills, as well as Family/Marriage/Divorce/Nikka/Talaq issues. Unfortunately we are not a “fatwa” or ruling-issuing, case worker-based, or legal specialist organisation and we are unable to provide advice or support on these topics. Thank you for your understanding.

The Muslim Council of Britain is a British umbrella body with British organisations affiliated to it.  We reject any assertion that the Muslim Council of Britain is unduly influenced by any outside groups or tendencies. Each affiliate has to be based in the UK with its own constitution. Our membership reflects the broad diversity of tradition, thought and outlook that exists in both Sunni and Shia branches of our faith.

This is unambiguously untrue. The MCB has stated its categorical opposition to attacks on British defence troops and has supported our Armed Forces, whilst not supporting every foreign policy decision. The MCB has also campaigned for better representation of Muslims in the Armed Forces, successfully campaigned for the military to appoint its first ever Muslim Chaplain in 2005 and encouraged the subsequent creation of the Armed Forces Muslim Association. For reference, see here and here.

The Muslim Council of Britain did not sign or support the ‘Istanbul Declaration’ and a former Deputy Secretary General who signed the document did so in a personal capacity. This was understood and accepted by the government at the time. For the avoidance of any doubt: the Muslim Council of Britain has, from its inception, been a strong proponent of Muslims serving in our armed forces.

The Muslim Council of Britain’s approach to dealing with civic affairs is one of participation not agitation. The MCB views its dealings with government and policymakers as a matter of constructive engagement. This means that the MCB strives to understand and deal with problems and influence policies and outcomes through principled and effective participation. The MCB is a non-partisan, cross-sectarian, democratic and independent umbrella organisation that seeks constructive partnerships with all other entities interested in our common well being as citizens of the UK.

Muslims in Britain are British citizens with an Islamic heritage and the MCB encourages British Muslims to make full use of their rights and responsibilities to further and advance equality for all communities, tolerance of differences and a staunch defence of our liberal democratic traditions and enviable civil liberties. The MCB does not seek special rights or privileges for British Muslims. Rather, the MCB seeks to mainstream British Muslims by removing barriers to integration, whether these be obstacles encountered within the community or without; such as in policy making or in our public discourse on Islam and Muslims. See here the MCB’s “Our Shared British Future” report published in March 2018 for further information.

The Muslim Council of Britain has never claimed to speak for or represent all Muslims in Britain. The MCB only ever claims to speak on behalf of its members, who by virtue of being members, grant MCB the legitimacy to represent their concerns and interests. The MCB tries its utmost to ensure that it’s members, through their number, diversity and geographic spread across the UK, represent a large cross section of British Muslim communities. More myths about MCB and representation can be found here.

The MCB’s strength comes from mosques, associations and grassroots organisations that form its diverse membership and the leadership which is elected from this rich mix. The MCB’s policies are informed through constant feedback and 2-way interaction with members at a grassroots level. In addition, the work of the MCB is enriched by specialists and professionals who volunteer their time to support an MCB committee, deliver projects via a project team or volunteers for a committee. British Muslim individuals who are not part of an organisation can still get involved in MCB by becoming a Friend of MCB or getting involved as a volunteer in a team or committee.

Enshrined in the MCB’s constitution is recognition of the diversity of Islam and Muslims and the desire to come together on matters of common concern. It is a cross-sectarian body working for the common good without assuming any judgmental attitude toward the variety of expressions of Islamic belief and conduct except that which falls outside Islam. It is a broad-based, representative organisation of Muslims in Britain, accommodating and reflecting the variety of social and cultural backgrounds and outlooks of Muslim communities. Practically it does this through lively discussion at all decision making levels and through an obligation placed on the leadership to reflect the diversity of British Muslim communities and foster an atmosphere of dialogue and collaboration.

The MCB’s Constitution demands an organisation that will base its policies and decisions on consensus of its members and the largest practicable measure of common agreement. The final decision-making and ruling body of the MCB is its General Assembly that must meet at least once a year. The Assembly is comprised of delegates from MCB member organisations. The other organisational units within the MCB are the National Council, various specialist committees and task groups, and the office bearers. See more on MCB governance structure here.

No. The Muslim Council of Britain, alongside a number of civil society organisations, human rights groups and liberty advocates, have long highlighted a number of serious failings and lack of transparency with the Prevent policy and the need for an independent review. Most recently see here, here and here.

The MCB’s core administrative expenses are funded entirely by affiliation fees from members, as well as donations from individuals and grant-giving organisations. Donations are also received by the MCB Charitable Foundation (MCBCF), an independent entity registered with the Charity Commission. It’s aim it to build a capital fund through which activities of the MCB that are exclusively charitable can be supported. The MCB also runs projects to raise the capability of British Muslim communities and to widen good practice. All MCB projects self-fundraise through sponsorship, donations or grants, and MCB does not have a central ‘pot’ of money to fund internal or externally-led projects.

Following the crises in the Balkans and the first Gulf War in the 1990s, there was a growing sense of apprehension amongst Muslims in Britain that Muslim communities lacked unity and coordination. In April 1994, approximately fifty community bodies and networks convened in Birmingham to form the NICMU – the National Interim Committee for Muslim Unity. This body was mandated to conduct a consultation exercise within the community to establish the need for an umbrella body and seek views on its priorities and structure. NICMU met at regular intervals and in various UK cities, including Markfield, Birmingham and Leicester. A working group was established to carry out a process of countrywide consultations, and a postal questionnaire was prepared and circulated to Muslim organisations, Mosques, Islamic centres and institutions. Translations were also done in community languages such as Urdu and Bengali to ensure a comprehensive reach. The findings of the consultations were presented to NICMU in July, 1995 and indicated that the majority of British Muslims were very concerned with the lack of unity, coordination and representation and supported the establishment of an umbrella body. NICMU then formed a sub-group to prepare a draft Constitution, which reported back its recommendations. The final meeting of NICMU took place on 25th May 1996 in Bradford, at which time the name “The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)” was chosen for the new organisation. The inauguration of the Muslim Council of Britain was held at Brent Town Hall in London on 23rd November 1997.

The Muslim Council of Britain is an independent body that conducts its affairs with openness and transparency and in accordance with a written constitution. Further information about our Governance Structure can be found here.

The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK’s largest and most diverse national representative Muslim umbrella body with over 500 member organisations, including mosques, charities, schools and professional networks. The MCB is pledged to work for the common good of society as a whole; encouraging individual Muslims and Muslim organisations to play a full and participatory role in public life. It’s vision statement is “empowering Muslim communities to achieving a just, cohesive and successful British society.”