| UK Muslims "want sermons in English" |
| Thursday, 11 August 2005 00:00 | |||
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The majority of UK Muslims say clerics should preach in the English language. A poll found 65% of Muslims backed such a move, compared with 39% of the national population. More than half of UK Muslims were born in the country and younger generations, backed by progressive leaders, have long advocated more English in mosques. Many believe English-speaking imams helps break down cultural divides between Islam and mainstream society. 'Duties' The findings emerged from a survey of 204 Muslims on multiculturalism. Commenting on the poll, imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, chair of the Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony, said it was important for "integration and communication" that imams in the UK spoke English. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme "nobody knows" how many imams could not speak English, but added: "My feeling is that only 10% are well versed in English and 90% probably speak in their own mother tongue - Turkish, Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, Arabic and so on." 'Home-grown imams' He said the "majority of people" in mosques did not understand the imams because "56% of our young people are born British and the only country they know of is England, the United Kingdom". He said British Muslims needed "home-grown imams" who "can be the real leaders of the community not just simply preachers". Increasing numbers of imams are British-born and educated in the country. Many pursue their higher education in both British universities and the Islamic seats of learning in the Middle East. Muslim leaders also supported a Home Office move to impose language tests on all religious ministers coming to the UK, saying they regarded it as key to imams being able to do their job. Sadia Hussein of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, an organisation that has campaigned for reform of mosques - particularly over access for women - welcomed the poll results. "The poll further reinforces the need for 'Mosque reform', ackowledged by many Muslims who are requesting Imams to deliver educational programmes and sermons in English with a wider knowledge of British society and politics," she said. Source: BBC News
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