By Naheem Zaffar

Yep, Ladies and Gentlemen. It’s that time of the year again. Time to name and shame. Who are the people who have done the most damage to Islam and Muslims over the past year? The underlying theme this year for our turkeys has always been terror and terrorism.

We’ve had the Right Honourable Charles Clarke, for his heavy-handed anti-terrorism laws, and Sir Ian Blair for his attempted cover-up following the shooting of Brazilian Jean Charles De Menezes. And who can forget the ‘turkifying’ of fanatics who fan and support heinous acts of terrorism and butchery.

So who has been a great role model for Muslims this year? Who has carried out great work? Who is the individual who has done us proud?

Well first of all we had Amir Khan for his boxing achievements, then we had sisters Yvonne Ridley and Ruqayyah Waris Maqsood for their tireless efforts in dawah, media and education. We had a list of scholars including the likes of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf who have portrayed a very positive image of Islam in the West.

lmran Younis and Sajid lqbal

Are you a gangster wannabe?

Gangsterism means the way of life of a gangster. The word isn’t used much though, especially not by gangsters. Some don’t wish to call their way of life anything whilst others make a song and dance about it by using catchy words like ‘Thug Life’ and M.O.B or call themselves playas, pimps, hustlas, souljahs and the list goes on.

Are you fed up with your Mosque? Are you tired of the constant in- fighting? Are the women being sidelined? Is there even a place for women in your Mosque? Do you understand the Friday Khutbahs? Does your Imam cater for the needs of the community? Do you wish that your Mosque did more? Is your Mosque the centre point of your life?

The Revival has come up with some ideas of how to improve our mosques and passionately argues what every mosque should do.

1. Dawah/ Non Muslims

A regular course on dealing with and answering misconceptions against Islam.

Jamal spots Ali in the street...

Jamal: Assallamu Allaikum Ali, How are you bro? Last time I saw you it was before Eid. Eid Mubarak Ali

Ali: Eid Mubarak to you as well Jam. Eid was phat. Me got me new clothes, had a sick ride....it was buzzin’. But I remembered what you said and spent time at home as well. All 10 minutes of it....hahaha

Jamal: My Eid wasn’t the same because of the Earthquake in Kashmir. That was terrible and sad news...

Ali: Yeah, bad buzz.

Ok, admit it. You may be fifteen, or you may even be twenty-five, but there’s no way in hell you can get away with doing anything behind your parents’ backs. You get the third degree if you come home from school or work five minutes late. Your mates can stay out late clubbing, partying, and smoking sheesha whilst you have a silly four-thirty curfew... that is to say, 4:30 pm.

Haroon Rashid from Bolton travelled to Kashmir to help distribute the money and aid that was collected from the UK. Here, he gives his personal account.

We returned exhausted from our mission of transporting aid to the earthquake stricken region of Kashmir on behalf of the people of Bolton. Mentally and physically drained from the reality of our experience, nothing could have prepared us for what we witnessed.

What a year it has been! Blimey... I think it’s one for the Muslims to forget. Or is it?

Well, let’s find out shall we.

First of all we had the terrible and unforgettable bombings in London which were carried out by four Muslims. Not exactly what we needed, was it? As a result every Muslim was seen as a potential terrorist and suicide bomber! The media had a field day, doing its best to demonise Islam and the Muslims.

Find out how you REALLY spend Ramadan and what kind of Muslim you are:

1. The moon has been sighted, Ramadan has officially begun - how do you feel?

A. Excited! You can't wait to keep your first fast. You intend to derive the most out of Ramadan this year.
B. You get irritated at the thought of waking up for Sehri but look forward to keeping your first fast.
C. You feel depressed. This is gonna be a loooooooong month. You can't do jack in Ramadan.

2. Mums waking you up for Sehri - do you…

A. Jump out of bed at the first call, there's BARE blessings at this time! This is the time prayers get accepted.

In the name of Allah the Most Beneficent and Merciful

There are many different recommended methods of finding a suitable partner for marriage which are allowed under Shariah law.

1. The first and most common is for the parents of the individuals to find a suitable partner via their connections within the Islamic community. Here it is important that you have a good relationship with them and you have a say in what type of partner you are looking for and you have final approval.

2. Another method is to use influential people within the community to find a partner for you, such as the Imam or a female scholar who has contact with other people looking for a suitable partner.