Saturday 15^th May 2010

Editorial

After several months of exclusive and enticing contributions, ideas, hopes and visions, The Platform Blog project, in setting a vision for the coming decade in Britain, will now be drawing to a close. The fact that we have been able to extend the blog from its intended 6-week period to over 15 weeks is testimony to the success it has become.

As the Quran states, “Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (within their own souls).”[Ar-Ra’d 13:11]. It is in this spirit that we set out to help shape a vision for Britain in the coming decade; a vision for progress where individuals from the grassroots level can be part of the united voice and action for progress.

Our aims in this phase have been to set a vision and to provide a platform for expression, vision and understanding. We also wished to provide the Muslim youth an opportunity to be the leaders, not simply the objects, of debate. We have kept our formats varied, from poetry to prose, articles to videos and photos. As intended, our blog drew a diverse voice and created a healthy debate, and worked in some way to reduce stereotypes and build bridges.

As we approach the halfway point of 2010, it is clear that the next 10 years will hold new challenges for the British community. One may ask, which universal values will remain of importance? What international issues will provoke us into action and change? How will culture develop, with the increased overlapping of old and new identities? What policies will come into place and to what effect? How do we begin to participate in the political and social arena? What will be the role of British Muslims, and how will the perception of Muslims change in contemporary British society?

As we welcome in the newly formed Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, the first such government in decades, and Mr David Cameron and Mr Nick Clegg, Britain’s new Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, we also consider the scope for progress in the coming decade, beginning with their five year term. We hope that the coalition will prove itself to be a marriage of opportunity; an opportunity for two parties to partner in governing with the combined best wisdom and experience of both sides in order to secure progression and benefit for Britain and its citizens as a whole. We would also like to welcome the newly elected Muslim MPs, in particular the first Muslim women to be elected as Ministers of the British Parliament. We hope their positive contribution to Britain will be immense as the coming years unfold.

Nonetheless, in these early days, the political future of Britain at present remains relatively in a realm of the unknown. But the positive, sincere, hard work of grassroots organisations and individuals speaks loud and clear. We would like to take this opportunity to thank every single contributor and commentator on this blog – it is your input, both on this site and in the wider sphere of work that you do, that will help shape the future of the British community. We would also like to thank the extended team of this blog who have helped with the organisational, administrative and editing tasks. Without you this project would not have come to such successful fruition.

This is not the end for the MCB Youth Committee, nor the end of our work towards progression. The Platform blog will remain live to allow for your access and perusal of the many engaging, informative and visionary posts that have featured here, and to also allow for continued debate and discussion.

We hope The Platform has been able to draw a real picture of some of the community challenges being faced and to have illuminated broad brushstroke solutions needing considerable development. Thus, we hope this inspires you to work for the community, with or without the MCB, for the common good. If you would like to work with us on these and many more issues for the common good then do get in touch.

Furthermore, we at the Youth Committee are currently working on several campaigns, all of which have been discussed on this blog. Over this year, we will be covering Disability, Mosques and Young People, and the Environment. We welcome your thoughts, suggestions and, particularly, participation in these projects as we work towards realising our ultimate aim: the common good. If you would like to get involved, please do not hesitate to contact us on admin@mcbyouth.org.uk.

Until we hear from you – and, hopefully, until you hear from us again – it’s goodbye for now.

Wa Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuhu.

In Peace and Prayer,

The Platform Editorial Team