By M Ghazali Khan
The newly elected Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Dr. Wajid Akhtar, has announced plans to introduce reforms within the organization, likening the process to ‘open-heart surgery.’
In his inaugural speech, the new Secretary General stated, ‘Since the MCB was founded in 1997, our community has changed, our country has changed and our challenges and opportunities have changed – as an organisation we must change as well.’
Dr. Wajid Akhtar, a medical professional, has served the community in various capacities for the past 35 years. He was elected as the new Secretary General during an election held on Saturday, following the conclusion of Zara Mohammed’s term.
In an interesting development, the formation of a new organisation, the British Muslim Network (BMN), was announced last week. Its formal launch is scheduled for February 25. The new network has garnered support from prominent figures, including Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. It is noteworthy that the British government has boycotted the MCB due to its stance on the Palestinian issue. Meanwhile, many Members of Parliament have reportedly expressed a desire to collaborate with the new organisation.
Akila Ahmed, co-founder of the BMN and Chair of the government’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, has denied that the new organization is meant to be a parallel entity to the MCB.
In an interview with the Muslim news portal Hyphen, Akila Ahmed said, ‘We hope to add to the ecosystem of Muslim organisations that already exists — we aren’t trying to compete or replace any organisation.’
When asked if the MCB would be included in the new organization, Aqila Ahmed replied:
‘Our core value is collaboration, so our whole approach is to galvanise and build on the already fantastic work that has been taking place. We would be really keen to partner with different organisations, though we are not at that stage yet.’
The MCB was formed in 1997 after the ad hoc group UK Action Committee on Islamic Affairs (UKACIA), which had led the campaign against Salman Rushdie’s blasphemous book The Satanic Verses in 1988, was formally converted into a full-fledged organization and renamed.
For years, the MCB has represented Muslims on various issues, engaging with both Conservative and Labour governments. However, certain statements made by some MCB officials have led both parties to boycott the organization.
It is too early to predict the future objectives and trajectory of the British Muslim Network. Nevertheless, the announcement of its formation just days before the MCB’s elections has raised several questions. In the past, the British government has attempted to establish alternative Muslim organizations, albeit without much success. This time, however, the initiative appears to be part of a serious, well-thought-out plan.