Young people's discussions center around social media platforms during their engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) recently held a town hall meeting in Stratford, London, as part of a series of "listening events" aimed at young people. These events serve as platforms for young Muslims to share their experiences and views on the challenges they face, with an emphasis on intergenerational dialogue involving both youth and older community members.
The key concerns discussed by participants included Islamophobia, education, financial security, housing, and broader issues affecting the Muslim youth community. Social media was named as both an opportunity and a threat for Muslim youth during the small group discussions.
At the Stratford event, participants discussed Islamophobia and educational issues, as well as financial security, reflecting worries about their opportunities and the societal environment they live in. The meetings aim to inform the MCB’s future work by directly hearing from young Muslims and their families, demonstrating a commitment to addressing these shared concerns.
Approximately 25 participants attended the MCB town hall meeting, with an even split between young people and older community members. Shaba Ali, a youth worker, expressed concerns about recruiting volunteers and maintaining a community amidst the cost of living crisis and cuts to public services.
Sharmina Banu, director of the Hawaa Network, a Muslim women's charity that emphasizes the importance of giving young Muslims a voice, stated that young Muslims are rarely given a voice and expressed the importance of the older generation creating spaces for the youth and including them in decision-making.
The MCB, an umbrella group for British Muslims and the largest representative body for Muslims in the UK, with over 500 affiliates including mosques, schools, and charities, is running a town hall tour for Dr Wajid Akhter, the current secretary general of the MCB, to meet communities across the UK.
Ali felt previous events organized by charities or local authorities did not always follow up on what was discussed. However, the event organized by the MCB was inspiring for Hanif, as it demonstrated a genuine effort to drive lasting change and ensure support, advocacy, and opportunities for those in need within the Muslim community.
The eighth event in the series was aimed specifically at young people, highlighting the interwoven nature of the challenges and the community’s desire for inclusive solutions. This inclusive approach helps the MCB better understand varying perspectives within the young Muslim community to guide advocacy and support efforts effectively.
The discussions at the Stratford event touched upon politics, as participants voiced their concerns about Islamophobia and the societal environment they live in. This general news item also revealed that Sharmina Banu, a director at a Muslim women's charity, highlighted the importance of creating spaces for young Muslims to have their voices heard in decision-making, which is a political issue.
