Rotherham councillor urges more British-born Imams: VOTE

Cllr Mahroof Hussain has called for more British-born Imams in Rotherham’s mosques in a bid to understand the problems of young British Muslims.

He said that although the town was making good strides in terms of mosque leaders addressing problems that young Muslims may have, more could still be done.

The Boston Castle councillor added that activists like Anjum Choudhury were not doing Muslim communities any good either.

He was as bad for society as BNP leader Nick Griffin, describing them as “two sides to the same coin.”

“Anjum Choudhury is not someone who Muslims should follow.

“He and Griffin are two sides to the same coin. We should condemn people like this at all costs.”  

Cllr Hussain said that there were some good imams in mosques, but more young leaders were needed who understand English and can interact with the youth.

He added: “We have the Rotherham Council of Mosques, and the Mosque Liaison Group which I chair, and they do address some of the issues that need to be looked at but there is scope for more to be done,” he said.

“There is a generational issue with the mosque leadership in Rotherham and the rest of the country because a lot of them come over from abroad.

“Let’s get these young guys in who understand western problems a bit more and can work alongside our experienced leaders.”

Cllr Hussain said that a climate of fear was allowing parties like the BNP to grow.

“I think because we have given them a platform now with the whole BBC Question Time appearance, we shouldn’t be shouting them down anymore,” he added.

“After all, they are a political party so what we should do is treat them like one and take apart their policies because the truth is, they have none.

“My father came to this country and worked very hard in a steel mill. Who are the BNP to stop me from working hard for my community?”

Cllr Hussain called for more integration, admitting that segregation of Pakistani communities in Britain from people of other backgrounds did not help the situation.

“The problem is that just like our imams that come over from abroad bringing with them their own cultural values, in the same way towns have formed where people have recreated the communities of back home,” he said.

“I think we have the opportunity to mix with each other in this country so we should.”