Muhammad Khan

Writer and Blogger

I am a resident at a rehabilitation unit in Stockport, a graduate of English and Politics and an aspiring fantasy writer

I am a resident at a rehabilitation unit in Stockport, a graduate of English and Politics and an aspiring fantasy writer

Latest articles from Muhammad Khan

College to allocate prayer space for Muslim students after campaign

Recorded on December 15 last year, a viral video shows a group of students having to pray Jummah (special Friday prayers) outside Oldham Sixth Form College (OSFC). A student at OSFC who wished to remain anonymous said: “We have campaigned for five months, but since the video went viral the college management have been forced to give us a room where we can all pray Jummah. “The problem has been resolved until March 22 when they will review the situation. After the story they have had to give us a proper room where we can pray Jummah collectively. From over 2,000 students at the college, a majority are Muslim. “However, we have the room for a trial period until the timetable changes. We prayed today (Friday) and about 70 people joined. We held two Jummahs with about sixty in the first one and ten in the second. “We prayed outside on two occasions. After the second time it went on social media and the press became interested in our story and they finally gave us a room.” Oldham Interfaith Forum were approached and they explained that they were involved in the prayer issue at the college. Father Phil Sumner, voluntary project manager at Oldham Interfaith Forum spoke about the College’s “lack of appreciation” around the issue of establishing a long-term prayer room within the college. He confirmed that dialogue was ongoing with the college to help facilitate a prayer room but due to staffing issues there has been no discussion since late December. “A major issue is that there are mosques near to the college but due to differences in traditions it is not always possible for all students to pray there.” A local businessman commended the students for practicing their religion though they are faced with “resistance.” He said he was “proud” of the boys for holding onto their faith. Oldham Sixth Form College said in a statement: “We’ve had a really positive relationship with our diverse community for many years and we work hard to meet the needs of all individuals, particularly when it comes to people’s religion. “We welcome everybody equally and work closely with our students and local leaders, including the Interfaith Forum and Oldham Council, to ensure our students and staff can observe their religion in the best possible way. “This includes having our own ‘Multi faith and reflection’ (prayer) room, which has a segregated facility, is easily accessible, available at all times in the centre of our campus and is monitored by staff.” The statement added: “Our students regularly attend local mosques in their lunchtimes too and we have worked hard with community leaders to facilitate this. “This academic year, some students did request additional space in college to facilitate communal prayer on Fridays and our leadership team have worked closely with our students and representatives of the Interfaith Forum to resolve this, despite our challenges with limited room availability. “Following an initial trial, new arrangements have now been made to accommodate additional space for prayer, including a second space on Fridays that is available before exams start next term. “While we cannot afford to make alterations to our timetables due to the significant disruption this would cause to the college day and to people’s learning, we realise the importance of Jummah prayers, and facilitate them where we can.” Councillor Arooj Shah said: “It’s so important for our young people to have an appropriate space where they can observe their religion and it’s great Oldham Sixth Form College already has a dedicated area in place for its diverse students and staff to use for prayers. “Some students already choose to observe prayers in mosques close to the college, but extra efforts have also been made by the college, in conversation with students, to identify additional space inside the college which anyone can use. “The Interfaith Forum has also been on hand to offer its support with this and it’s great to see everyone working together to enhance this provision.”

Special Report 'Jews Against Israeli Apartheid': Campaign group aims to raise voices of the unheard

A human rights group has been formed in order to campaign against the apartheid system enforced by the Israeli government on Palestinians. Adam Hurst, 65, is a spokesman for Sheffield based Jews Against Israeli Apartheid and has been active in the Labour party since 1979. His interest in Palestine goes back to 1975. He worked in a Kibbutz in Israel when he was 17-years-old.  The Sabra and Shatila massacres Adam said: "Initially I wasn't anti-Israel or anti-Zionist. I knew I didn't want to be conscripted into the Israeli army for three years.

Column Why many of us feel helpless, powerless and depressed over the ongoing massacre

Over 10,000 Palestinians killed. 4,000 of whom were innocent children. Where is our humanity? Political arguments aside - we need to mourn the victims but we can't because the Israeli army is set on a genocidal mission in their attempt to erase Hamas. In seeking vengeance for the October 7 attacks the Israelis have bombed schools, hospitals, mosques and refugee camps. Yes, Israel has a right to defend itself but not by massacring innocent men, women and children. This approach to warfare is known as collective punishment which is illegal under international law. As I write this piece I feel helpless, powerless and depressed and I shed tears for the innocents in the Gaza Strip as they are being constantly bombed day and night. I also feel for the Palestinians living in the West Bank where there is no Hamas presence. Settlers and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) have killed at least 144 Palestinians since October 7 and new settlements are created every day. Such settlements are illegal. According to the Guardian, in this time frame, 900 adults and children have been forced out of their homes by extremist settlers. I am ashamed to call myself a Muslim or even a humanitarian for standing by while such atrocities are committed. Yes the Hamas attacks were indefensible as they targeted civilians and took hostages but the crisis didn't start on 7 October but rather in 1948 when Israel was created. If you look at a map showing Israel and Palestine since 1948 you will be shocked by the Israeli occupation and land grabbing that has taken place since the Nakba (Catastrophe) when over 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their ancestral land. There are Palestinian refugees to this day who have kept the keys to their homes in the hope that they will return one day. What can we do as British citizens? Our government's policy can only be described as giving the Israelis a green light to attack the 25 mile coastal enclave which is referred to as an 'open air prison'. The government and the opposition are not even willing to call for a ceasefire. On a positive note however, 50 Labour Councillors have resigned in protest at Keir Starmer's stance on the Gaza assault when he suggested Israel had a right to cut off water and energy from Gaza although he later clarified that this was not his position. Therefore, we need to pressurise our local MPs to speak up or lose our votes. We can also boycott Israeli products and Israeli - linked brands. There are many trustable charities on the ground in Gaza such as Global Relief Trust so we can donate funds to them. Very importantly, we have to keep protesting and demonstrating regardless of intimidation by the police and Suella Braverman - the Home Secretary - who referred to such peaceful demonstrations as 'Hate marches'. There have been unprecedented demonstrations all across the world which shows that people do care for the Palestinian cause although our leaders may not, so we need to keep up the pressure and show the valiant people of Palestine that we are with them. We should never forget the Palestinian cause and our government's complicity in the siege of Gaza. Finally, it is imperative that we educate our friends, colleagues and acquaintances about the history of Palestine and Israel. But to do so we have to read and learn history ourselves. I recommend reading the writings of Professor Ilan Pappe and Norman Finkelstein. They are both Jewish scholars who speak the truth at great personal cost.