[IslamCity] UK - FOSIS Newletter 03-03-05

[Islahonline]

Title: FOSIS | The Federation of Student Islamic Societies in the UK & Ireland | www.fosis.org.uk

FOSIS Concerned at Recent Media Bias 18.04.2005 The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) expresses its concern over recent media reports on racism and discrimination within the student movement and more specifically the National Union of Students (NUS). FOSIS' stance on anti-Semitism is clear. We have unequivocally condemned it; a policy of zero tolerance has been made clear in the past few weeks not only through our press releases but also through statements made at NUS conference condemning anti-Semitism and all forms of discrimination. However it is totally unrepresentative to claim that anti-Semitism is the main form of discrimination within the student movement. Recent figures released show that whilst a Jew is 3 times more likely to be attacked, an Asian or a Black person is 10 times more likely to be attacked; and an Arab or Muslim is 11 times more likely. FOSIS has constantly reached out to support and protect those who suffer from all forms of discrimination by standing shoulder to shoulder with their plight. However, we cannot stay silent whilst individuals hijack the cause of anti-racism for their own personal gains. To claim that anti-Semitism is the only form of discrimination on campus or is the most prevalent is a form of ‘positive discrimination' itself. This year has seen NUS change for the better, whereby at the start of the year we saw Islamophobic motions (eg. The anti- Tariq Ramadan  motion, supported by those who are condemning NUS for being anti-Semitic) overturned after Muslim students took it upon themselves to seek representation and equality within the movement. The NUS has fought discrimination far more positively than ever before. FOSIS hopes that this unpleasant episode will come to an end, and that under the gallant leadership of Kat Fletcher and the work carried out by James Lloyd the National Secretary, NUS will continue fighting all forms of racism and discrimination through means of education and understanding. Mail on Sunday Continues in its Demonisation of British Muslims 18.04.2005 The Mail on Sunday has once again proved that old habits die hard. As if it were not enough to witch hunt asylum seekers, or tarnish the reputation of many Muslim leaders', the Mail has again surpassed itself by bizarrely claiming that FOSIS and the Mayor's office ‘plotted to nail Euan's girlfriend'. FOSIS denies in no uncertain terms any collaboration with the Mayor's office to oust Lucian Berger from her NUS position. Furthermore it is ludicrous to imagine that such collaboration or any intention was ever conceived by the Federation or any of its workers. Whilst the Mayor's office has been helpful to the Federation in exploring issues such as Islamophobia, never has it offered any incentive for our work. FOSIS' work is guided by clear principles outlined in our mission statement and above all set by our affiliates; it would be libellous to claim otherwise.   ....................................................................................................................... F.O.S.I.S. The Federation of Students Islamic Societies In the UK & Eire. For more information contact us: Tel: (0)20 8452 4493 Fax: (0)20 8208 4161 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] WWW: http://www.fosis.org.uk/   *************************************************************************** {Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided.} (Holy Quran-16:125) {And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33) The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim] The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)  also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all." [Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- All views expressed herein belong to the individuals concerned and do not in any way reflect the official views of IslamCity unless sanctioned or approved otherwise. If your mailbox clogged with mails from IslamCity, you may wish to get a daily digest of emails by logging-on to http://www.yahoogroups.com to change your mail delivery settings or email the moderators at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the title "change to daily digest". Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/islamcity/   To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]   Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.