Autumn 2011 Issue5www.thebcom.org

2 Contents

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3 Welcome

4 Health

6 Children And Young People

11 Community Development And Leadership

14 Interfaith Engagement

17 Mosque Directory And BCoM Representatives

Once again it has been a busy period at the Bolton Council of Mosques, keeping up with the demand from all sectors of the community.

With Pilgrims back from Hajj I would like to extend my deepest prayers that the Almighty accept your Hajj and congratulations to all those fortunate enough to have embarked on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

With the passing of Eid, Diwali and Coming of Christmas I extend to All our Faith Colleagues and partners in the statutory and community sector a happy and belated celebrations and may the Almighty keep the Bolton Family united and in good health for the future.

This winter edition will highlight some of the diverse programmes that the Bolton Council of Mosques delivers and supports with our workers, dedicated volunteers, partner organisations and statutory agencies. There is a whole range of activities, events and initiatives which we are involved in ranging from residential for youngsters, raising money for breast cancer and our ever popular mosque visits. The demand is such that we are always looking for volunteers. If you see anything in this newsletter which you would like to volunteer for, please do not hesitate to contact the BCoM.

I wish everyone a safe winter and ask you to pray for the homeless and needy in these cold winter days. All Communities have individuals who are in need of

support, please give a little time to supporting these individuals and families in your community.

From everyone at the BCoM, we would like to wish you all a belated Eid Mubarak, happy Diwali and greetings for the upcoming Christmas festivities. We hope and pray the Almighty will keep the Bolton family united and in good health for the future.

May the Almighty support us inour efforts and positive actions.

Ameen Dr Kamran Khan

3 A Message From The BCoM

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Welcome

4 Health

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First Aid At The Mosque

Assalaam-u-alaikum, Just an email of appreciation and praise, for the organising of the first aid course you

organised for the apa’s.

I took part in the course representing MASJID E NOOR, it was an excellent course very much needed full of info.

Although I am aware of first aid, there was facts I never knew, I am sure alot of the women present there would agree we all learnt so much, it was a very serious yet enjoyable course. I am now a very confident First Aider.

There should be more courses for increasing our knowledge and awareness.

Would like to say shukran and may the Almighty reward you all at BCoM for the effort you put into your work especially to Khadija Patel who was very helpful warm and welcoming and encouraged the women who were uneasy about the course and not forgetting to organise our lunch!” Shabnam Musa

What Is Mental Health?

1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course

of a year.

Would you like to know the answer?

Why not train to become a mental health champion, find out about it and pass on the knowledge to friends and family?

For more details please contact Hava at the Bolton Council of Mosques on 01204 363680.

5 Health

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BCoM’s Participation on this busy weekend at the Gun Run Challenge at the Moss Bank Park on the 11th September 2011 saw the Boot Out breast cancer Team and partners raise a staggering £4658.00.

The Money will be used for the latest diagnostic equipment for Women and men with breast cancer or suspected breast cancer in the NHS.

One of the local Fundraising projects collectively with the Mosques we have agreed is to support the “Boot out Breast Cancer” campaign. Senior consultant breast surgeon Tibor Kovacs has produced a wish list. Included on that list is a Digital Faxitorn Machine, which is a state of the art Xray machine and costs approximately £60,000. It is a standalone unit which allows a radiographer to X-ray small pieces of breast tissue independently of the mammography procedure.

Equipment such as this is much needed in Bolton, and our local fundraising efforts this year will be to support this worthy cause.

If you want to donate or would like to get involved in BCoM’s Local Fundraising campaign to be held in March / April 2012, please contact Sufya atadmin@thebcom.org or alternatively on 01204 363680.

Boot Out Breast Cancer Fitnaz Women Only Body Fit Classes At The BCoM

• Improve your Health, body, mind and soul through Excercise

• Female Trainer Led Classes

• Trilingual Instructor meeting the needs of Gujrati, Urdu and Punjabi Speakers

Body Fit ClassesBCoM Centre

1 Vicarage Street,BL3 5LE

Wednesdays10.30am - 11.30am

Wednesdays7.30pm - 8.30pm

Contact Nazeera on 07531 192591 or the BCoM office on 01204 363680 for further information.

Plus many other local

classes for just

£3

Preparing for Further Education and The World of Work

Personal Development for young people

Bolton Council of Mosques in partnership with the University of Bolton will be delivering opportunities for young people to help them plan ahead for their University Education and world of work.

The Christmas Holidays will see an opportunity for young people to enrol in a unique opportunity to brush up on skills and knowledge and receive support with:

• CV writing

• Job applications

• Writing up Personal statements for University

• Team building exercises to gain confidence

• Interview skills and Techniques

The Dates proposed are: 27th - 30th December 2011 with Male only and Female only sessions

This is a free opportunity with limited places , to book, please contact Khadija Patel or Khalid Kadva on 01204 363680.

6 Children And Young People

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30 young people with dedicated volunteers supported by BCoM once again took part in a weekend of Fun at the Water park adventure centre in Coniston end of October 2011.

Canoeing, ghyll scrambling, High and low rope courses were some of the activities that were on offer over the weekend. The Residential is aimed at young people who don’t get the opportunity to explore the beautiful outdoors of the country side or the opportunity to try some water sports.

Bolton Council of Mosques for the last 5 years has provided an opportunity for Madrasahs and associated community groups to experience this fantastic opportunity. The Weekend is very heavily subsidised by the water park, alongside the time given by the Madrasah teachers and other community champions. If your Madrasah or associated community groups would like to book a weekend of fun, then please contact Khalid Kadva on 01204 363680

Ghosia Residential Experience

23 young people between the ages of 14-18 took part in a 2 day Junior Football Organisers Course over this years summer break.

The young people benefitted in learning the ‘Laws of the Game’, Safeguarding, team building and put all the skills into practice and organised a Football Festival, bringing young people from different communities together.

This opportunity was delivered by young people to young people supported by Bolton Council Of Mosques and Active Synergy. This was an innovative programme to increase participation as well as the young people acquiring a nationally recognised Qualification from the Football Association (FA).

“It was a fantastic course and I really enjoyed it. I learnt a lot and it helped boost my confidence, and the good thing is that as well as having fun and enjoyment I now have a FA qualification to help pursue my career” (Aadil Nanlawala)

7 Children And Young People

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Young Stars Get Award

8 Children And Young People

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10th Annual Inter-Mosque Football Competition

Once again Bolton Council of Mosques is proud to be organising in partnership with Bolton Council’s Sport, Health and Inclusion Services the 10th Annual Football Competition.

This Year’s Competition will run from Harper green community Leisure Centre on the 17th December, where 64 teams from the diverse Mosque communities will play it out to become the champions of 2011.

This year’s competition will engage young people school year y3, y4, y5 and y6 with the Mosque teachers and volunteers acting as the managers and support.

For further information or to take part in the competition, please contact the Head teacher in the Mosque in the first instance. For all other enquiries or to volunteer on the day, please contact Khalid Kadva at the BCoM on 01204 363680 or Osman Hassan on 07789031484.

Women And Girls Awards Evening

January 2012 will see girls from across the borough taking part in the diverse opportunities organised by the Bolton Council of Mosques and partners come together, to celebrate achievements and showcase some of their work to a packed audience of parents and invited guests. The young girls work annually sees over a thousand young people taking part in opportunities.

For further information on opportunities available, please contact Khadija Patel at the Bolton Council of Mosques on 01204 363680 or emailfyw@thebcom.org.

2011 Women & GirlsAwards Evening

Great LeverCommunity Action Forum

9 Children And Young People

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GCSE Science Revision Classes In Biology, Chemisty & Physics For year 9, 10 and 11 students

Every Saturday 10.30 - 12.30am (10 week blocks) At BCoM, 1 Vicarage Street, Bolton. BL3 5LE

The Revision classes will be supported with:

• Fully Qualified Teacher in Biology, Chemistry and Physics

with years of experience

• Provision of IT resources

• Interactive lessons

• Past papers

• 1-1 reviews

• Small class sizes

HELPING YOUR CHILD ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL

For more info contact Tasneem on 07595336066 or contact the BCoM on 01204 363680

SUPPORTED BY

£10 per session(£5 per hour)

With the success of Shorai Conflict And Prevention Martial Arts in the Rumworth and Halliwell areas, the Crompton community will see adults and young people sessions starting on 10th November.

Shorai In Crompton

For MORE Info CALL

Imran Majid (Sensei) 07834 537 019

Khalid Kadva 07708 744 148

Osman Hassan 07789 031 484

At Taiyabah Centre,

Astley Street, Bolton, BL1 8EH

THURSDAY

7.30pm - 8.30pm

Young People (4-16yrs)

THURSDAY

8.30pm - 9.30pm

Adults (16yrs+)

Young

People

£2.50

per session

Adults

£3per session

Classes Starting

On 10th Nov 2011

10 Children And Young People

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Xplode is a magazine made by young people for young people of Bolton! The Xplode project started as an idea by Saeed Atcha and other young like minded people because they felt that nobody takes Young People seriously.

The Team having researched and looked into the negative media coverage of young people, saw that a staggering 57% of press coverage of young people was negative.

This negative portrayal of young people was beginning to affect people’s perceptions and leading to a stereotyped image of how young people behave.

With the research and commitment at hand, the team put forward to O2 ‘s thinkbig scheme, a proposal to get off the ground “Xplode” – A magazine, made by young people for young people to dispel some myths and stereotypes that exists. Having been successful in securing a small budget to get their Idea off the ground, the team approached the Bolton Council of Mosques to increase their resources and support. The team has recently been supported with facility and equipment use, as well as commitment from BCoM with professional advice from our in house graphics deisgner and other team members.

If you want to know more information, follow the big idea on www.xplodemag.co.uk.

Xplode - By Young People For Young People

Playing Together For Charity

The Community Champions cup is an annual cup that is organised by local beat officer Bob Varley.

Each year 10 teams compete with each other at the Bolton lads and girls club to take home the prestigious trophy. The Bolton Council of mosques have won the trophy 4 times before. This year saw one of the BCoM teams as the runners up in the final after a finale with Willows F.C.

Since 2005 over £25,000 has been donated to Bolton Hospice with this year’s total reaching £5,110.

11 Community Development And Leadership

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4th Annual Cricket Festival

Jan 2012 will see the volunteers from the ICOC organise the 4th Annual Cricket competition take place at the prestigious Bolton Arena Stadium.

Last year’s champion’s Your Travel Shop will be batting it out to retain the trophy with more and more young stars coming into the cricket scene. This Annual event is held as a partnership approach with the support from dedicated local sponsors from the community.

Year on year the competition has grown and created a buzzing environment with the cricket banter spreading the community before and after the competition.

If you would like to support the competition as a sponsor or just as a volunteer, please contact Iqbal on 07594 377975.

Cemetary Walkway Complete

With the support of the local community and the Essa Foundation, we have managed to support to introduce much needed pathways within the Cemetary where graves have been in place for over the last 20 years.

With concerns raised from members from our Mosque communities finding it difficult to pay their respects at the graves of their loved ones, BCoM with its Mosque members instigated a fundraising campaign which has now allowed us to put pathways alongside the graves. The total cost of the project has been £12,200.

May the Almighty make this a means for us to regularly visit the cemetery and accept the efforts and donations for all those who have contributed to this project.

Arabic for All

The weekend Arabic course has been such a massive success with young people, that parents and family members have joined in to learn this beautiful language as well.

The first Female only course has started on a Sunday afternoon with the Adult students already starting to show off their language skills.

For further information on both the young people and Adult Arabic classes, please contact Bilal Sadik on 01204 603583 or 07588610245

Indoor Cricket Organising Committee

C mmunitiesBatting Together

Indoor Cricket Organising Committee

C mmunitiesBatting Together

2011 Champions - ‘Your Travel Shop’

12 Community Development And Leadership

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ABSOLUTELY FREE!

Over 40’sMens Drop-in

At The Bolton Council Of Mosques Community Facilities1 Vicarage Street, Bolton, BL3 5LE

Starts Thursday 24th November 2011 from 10am to 1pm

Opportunities available:•Breakfast at BCoM

•Get to know your community•Exercise programmes

•Newspapers covering different topics in different languages•Trips and excursions

•Advice on various issues

If you would like to know more please contact Yakub Babariya on 07801 373557 or the BCoM on 01204 363680

13 Community Development And Leadership

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Cohesion Legal Services

Cohesion Legal Services is an independent organisation based in Bolton who deliver the following opportunities from the BCoM office’s.

• Immigration Advice and Representation

• Application for Nationality Checking Service

• All levels of Literacy and Numeracy Qualifications Available

• FREE Courses available to eligible clients in :

- ESOL Skills for Life

- ESOL Skills for Work

- Security (SIA)

- Child Care

- Computer Classes

- Health and Safety in Work place

- Teaching PTLLS & CTLLS

- Food Hygiene

Do you need to apply for UK nationality or an indefinite leave to remain status? Get your “Life in the UK” qualification within a week.

Call Cohesion on 0161 226 3444, 07877 070 746, email Info@cohesionlegal.co.uk, or visit our website at www.cohesionlegal.co.uk.

Thursday 3rd of November 2011 saw 24 organisations from the Christian, Hindu and Muslim Community get together at Bolton Town Hall to get involved in collating how much the faith communities spend on Gas and Electricity and to look at ways of purchasing these services collectively.

Businessman Justin Preston came to town to negotiate some incredible deals on behalf of the people of Bolton. His mission was to get the best deals possible on a wide range of items – from mobile phones, computers to holidays.

A quick calculation on the night saw the organisation collectively spending £250,000 worth of Gas and Electricity. Some fantastic potential on Bulk buying with the interfaith communities in the future.

To get involved or to know what other deals are on offer, contact info@storyvault.tv or join the facebook group - facebook.com/bulkbuybritain and click sign up.

Interfaith Community Bulk Buys Utilities In Bolton

A number of Mosques have in place a “Community Information Board” that’s supports the sharing of information and opportunities that are available. The aim of the noticeboards are to ensure key community initiatives are shared and information readily available.

A member of the BCoM Staff team with a committee member of the Mosques supports the management of the Noticeboards.

For further information on the Community Noticeboards, please contact your committee member or Hafiz Yunus Bobat on 01204 363680.

Community Information Board

Asian Elders ResourceCentre - Eid, Divali

& Coming OfChristmas Planning

Ramadhan & Hajj GuidanceShared To Partners

Participation At Bolton Faith Leaders Forum Attendance At Bolton Prayer Breakfast

Attendance At Bolton Prayer Breakfast

Attendance At Armistace Day

Mosque Visits & School Assemblies

Attendance At Remembrance Sunday

Week Of Prayer For World Peace

Participation At InterfaithExecutive Meetings

Chaplaincy Course Planning

Spirit Of Bolton

14 Interfaith Engagement

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Some Of The Bolton Council Of Mosques Interfaith Engagements This Quarter

15 Interfaith Engagement

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1283 Visitors!

1283 People Visited Bolton Mosques Between January And October 2011 as Part Of The Interfaith Trail. These cards were created by pupils of St. Matthews School (Bolton) after their visit.

WeNeedvoLunteers

For further information, please contact eitherYunus Bobat or Khadija Patel on 01204 363680

The Bolton Council of Mosques is looking for male and female volunteers to show individuals and groups around Mosques in Bolton as part of the Interfaith Trail.

We are looking for people with:

• a good understanding of Islam

• good communication skills

• the abilty to work with a variety of age groups including children

• availability during mornings and afternoons

Dear Mayor/Mayoress, distinguished guests and fellow Boltonians. Assalamu alaykum/Peace be with you.

It is truly an honour to share my thoughts on such an important occasion as this. Thank you very much for inviting me to this ‘One Bolton’ event.

I am one of the first new born of the migrant South Asian community who settled here in the 1960’s. I have witnessed four decades of change in Bolton: from abject disdain for the smell of curry to the inclusion of the word ‘curry’ into the Oxford Dictionary, subsequently chicken tikka has become a main dish within British Society and the curry trade a thriving multi million pound industry offering employment and of course an opportunity to meet over a curry. It is also quite heartening to note that alongside changing from ‘black and white TVs’ to ‘3D technology’ Bolton has become a beacon town in championing Diwali, Eid and Christmas celebrations.

This is testimony to the hard work of the leaders of Bolton and their commitment to community cohesion. A wise man once said: ‘The flowers for all your tomorrows are in the seeds of today.’ If the seed of acceptance of multiculturalism was not planted the flower of ‘One Bolton’ would not have blossomed. This blossoming is what we see around us today. Nevertheless, we live in very uncertain times. The economic recession remains extremely potent and is affecting us all in different ways. Our livelihoods are becoming more insecure by the day. Our real incomes are diminishing and our future prospects as individuals, families and as a nation are more uncertain than ever before.

In this scenario, it is very easy to feel dejected and to lose hope. It is easier for groups that wish to create divisions to succeed by providing simple answers to complex problems. Indeed, problems as wide ranging as increasing unemployment, longer NHS waiting times and other day to day issues, could be put down to increasing diversity in our communities. Such is the nature of the uncertainty.

However, it is at times like these that the strength of community cohesion is tested and I believe that in Bolton we are well placed to take on this challenge. Much has changed from my time as a teenager in Bolton in the 1970s.

In those days, there was an ever-present threat of physical violence for BME communities, racist-name calling was common both in school and outside and BME communities were confined to the inner urban wards living in abject poverty.

It is testimony to British society that this picture is now unrecognisable. With the exception of a small percentage of far right groups, the vast majority of British society accepts the fact and value of an interactive multicultural Britain. BME communities in turn have a sense of belonging to Britain and its values and no longer perceive Britain as a temporary place of stay but a place of permanent residence. There are few barriers to economic success and the BME community in Bolton is making great progress. This is evidenced by the fact that affluent areas of Bolton such as Ladybridge, Lostock, Heaton and Astley Bridge are becoming more diverse.

This is progress indeed and is built on the hard work of many people who have worked tirelessly to shift attitudes, change cultures and generate understanding and co-operation.

However, there is no room for complacency. As I have already pointed out, we are at a vulnerable point in time. As the recession bites, the tendency to become more insular may increase and the opportunity to scapegoat minority groups may also increase. In this context, the One Bolton brand is essential in promoting our values - values which emphasise cohesion, community and co-operation rather than hate, division and conflict.

I believe, Bolton has come a long way in my four decades. It has taken much effort over many decades by so many people. This progress can be reversed within days. So, let us continue to celebrate our common humanity through the concept of Bolton One - but let us also remain vigilant and continue with the effort of building bridges amongst the diverse communities that make up Bolton. We must continue building bridges even though the way ahead may be unclear or uncertain.

I have always believed, as fellow Boltonians chant: ‘there is only one Bolton’ ‘only one Bolton’ but today I am re-assured that ‘Bolton is One’ and ‘One’ it will remain. Thank you for listening.

Muhammed Adam.

16 Interfaith Engagement

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A Message From A Boltonian At The Spirit Of Bolton Event

17 Mosque Directory And BCoM Representatives

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Mosque Directory

Mosque Address Telephone Website BCoM Commitee Representatives

Aleef Mosque 8 Higher Swan Lane, BL3 3EQ 01204 655040 Asif Patel, Ibraheem Patel

Al Falah Mosque 17 Salisbury Street, BL3 5DR 01204 529 363 Abdul Bux, Ayub Bux

Al Rahman 2-14 Randal Street, BL3 4AQ 01204 660 177 Iqbal Patel, Hanif Mohmed

Aqsa Mosque Gilnow Road, BL1 4LJ www.masjid-e-aqsa.org.uk Mubashir Khan, Arfan Ali

Ashrafia Cannon Street North, BL3 5DN 01204 384 713 Altaf Limbada, Imran Kotwal

Darul Quran 458 Bridgeman Street, BL3 6TJ 01204 659 099 Maulana Hassan, Zakaria Patel

Darul Uloom Willows Lane, BL3 4HE 01204 626 22 www.al-jamiah-al-islamiyyah.org.uk Asif Patel, Maulana Suhail

Ghosia Mosque 81–83 Auburn Street, BL3 6UE 01204 650 583 Bashir Shama, Yakub Jiva

Masjid Ibraheem 17 Carter Street, BL3 2HG 07715 049 652 www.masjideibrahim.co.uk Saqib Sheikh, Hanif Kola

Jamiah Alavia Mosque 29 Bromwich Street, BL2 1JF 01204 399 308 Maulana Sabir Ali, Tariq Mahmood

Madina Mosque 128 St Georges Road, BL1 2BZ 01204 524 691 Afzal Rasul, Gulfam Hussain

Makka Mosque Grecian Crescent, BL3 6QU 01204 524 200 www.makkamosque.org Sajid Malik, Kamran Khan

Makki Mosque 110 Eskrick Street, BL1 3EN 01204 848 909 Gaffar Patel, Ismail Adam

Masjid e Usman 82 Astley Street, BL1 8EY 01204 524563 Babu Bhai, Qari Faruk

Masjid e Noor 329 St Helens Road, BL3 3QD 01204 402806 Rashid Mogradia, Mohammed Iqbal Mogradia

New Madina Mosque Gower Street, BL1 4BG 01204 520952 Khalil Ahmed, Sabir Khan

Noor ul Islam Prospect Street, BL1 3QH 01204 535738 www.noorulislambolton.com Usman Gazra, Faruk Patel

Salaam Mosque 4 Ramsay Street, BL1 7HX 07809 557 418 Imtiaz Ali, Babu Bhai

Sughra Mosque Granville Street, Farnworth, BL4 7LD 01204 574 601 Haroon Rashid, Anwar Raee

Taiyyabah Mosque 31a Draycot Street, BL1 8HD 01204 535 997 taiyabahislamiccentre.org.uk Mehboob Bhaiji, Yakub Talati

Zakariyya Mosque Peace Street, BL3 5LJ 01204 535 002 www.zakariyyamasjid.org Farook Chapti, Zaheer Malek

1 Vicarage Street, Bolton,,BL3 5LE

Tel 01204 363680

Fax 01204 363681

Email info@thebcom.org

Web www.thebcom.org