Despite being the world’s fastest growing religion, misconceptions and negative press about women’s position and other discrepant issues still surround the Islamic faith.
The Director of Bournemouth Islamic Centre, and Imam, Mr Majid Yasin said that the Muslim Centre was established in 1988 and that the main idea was to provide constructive information about Islam. With around 4000 people in Dorset practicing the Islamic faith today, Mr Yasin holds that, “People are looking for clear guidance and discipline, Islam gives them that”

Mr Yasin was asked to comment on concern that a woman is to lead a mixed congregation in Islamic prayer for the first time in the UK. He replied, “A woman can give a sermon for females or organise mixed seminars, but can never lead a mixed prayer service by Muslim law. Doing so is unacceptable behaviour and can erode the religion”.

On the controversial issue of forced arranged marriages, he said that, “Though it comes from tradition, for me, such arrangements are absolutely wrong. Concern for their child’s welfare does not mean that parents should force their children or make drastic decisions for them”.

Given that the UK is a multi-cultural society, Mr Yasin was asked if services such as Bournemouth University’s Chaplaincy allow representatives of all religions to work together and spread greater understanding. “Well, there is much in common between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. A Chaplaincy service helps to inform people about religion and to share knowledge. Our aim is not to change other people’s religion but to educate them a bit more” he replied.

On the subject of the mass media’s tendency to spread negative attitudes towards Islam, Mr Yasin replied, “Journalists must not substitute conceptions of Islam and should be very careful in religious coverage. Islam is a very peaceful and friendly religion and everything we do, we do with good intentions”.