E-Bulletin
October 2010
Welcome to the latest edition of the
Building the Bridge E-Bulletin.
In 2010 the record breaking 1001 Muslim
Inventors exhibition opened at the London
Science Museum. The exhibition traces the
forgotten story of a thousand years of the
pioneering social, scientific and technological
achievements that are credited to the Muslim
world.
In June, Building the Bridge and Bristol Muslim
Cultural Society took over 9 coaches with 512
people to London to explore the exciting exhibition
which attracted over 400,000 visitors in once
month alone! Feedback from the day included
comments that many ‘had learnt so much about
Islamic history…it told me a lot more about who I
am’ and ‘I didn’t realise that Muslim inventors had
contributed so much to Science and the Arts.’
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Proud2B is a Building the Bridge initiative, which
provides young people with the tools and skills
needed to play a more active part in Bristol.
Formed in 2009 after a series of consultations,
Proud2B runs events and workshops that are led
by young people for young people.
Proud2B a Lobbyist in September was designed
to get young people to understand how to bring
about change by lobbying, contacting their local
Councillors, MPs and even how go to Parliament
to get their voices heard!
Street crime, the environment and school dinners
were just a few of the issues that the group
wanted to challenge. The workshop was a great
success with young people feeling empowered to
really drive through their ideas.
For more information on upcoming events, visit
www.weareproud2b.weebly.com or add Proud
To Be on Facebook.
Next event: Special performance of ‘Hearts and
Minds’ play at Colston Hall. 7pm Saturday 23rd
October. Free for under 25 year olds, £5 if over.
For more information contact Shabana Kausar at
shabana.kausar@bristol.gov.uk
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Celebrating Diversity
Conviction DVD
Sponsored by Building The Bridge, thousands of
young people in schools, youth groups and
community centre across Bristol celebrated
Unity in Diversity this summer. The message
was brought through song and music by
international singer and songwriter Dawud
Wharnsby. His visits to Bristol have been
recognised internationally and he is now an
ambassador for the scouting movement
worldwide.
Conviction is a powerful and dynamic short film
built into an awareness raising package looking at
the issues around radicalisation and violent
extremism. The events of the film are based on a
Bristol young man who was convicted of terrorism
related charges in 2009. That package consists of
a twenty-minute film with an accompanying
learning package for partners, police, students
and community groups.

Consultation meetings with the Muslim community

at the Partnership Advisory Group were
With the theme of bridging nations and tribes
undertaken prior to the film’s release.
through the arts, Dawud, with his inspiring lyrics
and music, gave young people a direct message
If you are interested in bringing this to your
on their importance of contributing positively to
organisation or for more information please log
society, to encourage self esteem, respect and
onto:
acceptance of differences.
www.convictionfilm.co.uk

In primary schools Dawud

introduced pupils to
Saleema Rahman, a
This initiative is to encourage partnership
bright, colourful, child
development and effective communication
sized puppet who helps promote tolerance,
between mosques and to ensure that relevant
acceptance and the importance of being
community concerns are resolved appropriately.
"different.” The use of Saleema helped clear
misconceptions about her religion and culture as
The next meeting on the 4TH November will look at
she shares what her faith as a Muslim of
child protection implications for mosques and how
Pakistani heritage means to her and her family.
good practice around this area can be developed.
Through dialogue with her friends, a question &
answer session with students, Saleema helped
For more information contact Steve Vaughan at
students understand that celebrating our
Steve.Vaughan@avonandsomerset.police.uk
differences is a wonderful way of strengthening
our community in Bristol.

“Valuable, essential message which needs to be

reinforced all the time.” (Headteacher)

Naseehah is a community advisory network
currently being developed by members of the local
Muslim community for the community. The group
will look to provide a source of good advice and
sound teaching for Muslim parents and young
people, or friends, relatives and others concerned
about a young persons welfare.
Recently the group attended a fascinating and
enlightening two-day training programme on
recognizing radicalisation and further training is
being planned.
For more information contact Kalsoom Bashir on
kalsoom.bashir@bristol.gov.uk
Leadership and Governance Training for
Mosque, Madrassah Management and
Committee Members
This is a free two day training course to be run by
Faith Associates in Bristol in December. In
addition to the training participant will receive:
• Their own copy of the toolkit ‘A
Management Guide for Mosque and
Islamic Centers’
• Templates to help implement policies and
procedures
For more information contact Kalsoom Bashir on
kalsoom.bashir@bristol.gov.uk
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Bristol Muslim Women’s Network
The Bristol Muslim Women’s Network, in
partnership with the Bristol University Multi
Faith Chaplaincy were pleased to welcome to
Bristol two prominent women from the United
States, a human rights lawyer and a writer on
issues of the Middle East, Women and Race.
This was part of a project called “Living Islam
Out Loud”, a trans-national exchange
programme bringing American Muslim women
of prominence and expertise within community
cohesion and human rights.
The meeting was intended to:
• Generate an authentic interfaith,
intercultural and dialogue around
women’s empowerment
• Engender respect and understanding
across religious and gender lines
• Promote the development of discussion
around the issues of citizenship,
integration and also the dynamics
around Muslim women in Europe
In July we welcomed Amra Bone, a prominent
theologian and the only female member of a
Sharia Council in Britain. Amra spoke on
‘Knowledge, Authority and Muslim Women’ and
explored the role that the Ulema and the State
play in our lives. The talk covered:
• Personal and Communal obligation?
• Do Ulema have an absolute authority on
matters of faith?
• What is the role of Muslim women living
in non-Muslim countries?
Meetings are open to all members of the
community. For further information or to be
placed on the mailing list contact Kalsoom
Bashir on kalsoom.bashir.gov.uk
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Proud2B a Meader Project

Proud2b was taken to Southmead in the summer of 2010 when world renowned Muslim graffiti artist
Mohammed Ali came to Bristol to work with young people on the Southmead estate. Working with
Mohammed the project hoped to challenge stereotypes of Muslims and Islam and leave a publicly
visible statement defining what PROUD2B a Meader represents.

The project was initiated following the BBC Panorama programme that highlighted racist incidents in
the area. The project aimed to:

• Challenge young people’s assumptions about Muslims

• Create of a lasting piece of artwork and record of the week through video and film
• Develop a statement of welcome for everyone coming to Southmead

The project was a huge success and resulted in a group of young people arranging a trip to
Birmingham to visit Mohammed. We hope to develop this project further by creating a piece of
artwork with young people in Bristol City Centre.

For more information contact Shabana Kausar; shabana.kausar@bristol.gov.uk