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British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) congratulates the new coalition Government

13/05/2010

British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) congratulates the new
coalition Government. We welcome the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime
Minister's strong emphasis on civil liberties in their coalition talks,
including plans for a new Freedom Bill. We wish the new Government well
and hope they work towards upholding values such as legal and
constitutional equality for all, equal rights for women and minorities,
and religious freedom, including the right to be free of any faith.

bmsd also congratulates the eight Muslim MPs who have been elected,
including three Muslim women.  However, we are concerned that only four
women have been appointed to a 23-strong Cabinet. This equates to less
than 20%, which compares unfavourably to other European democracies like Sweden (50%) and Spain (53%). We hope there will be increased
opportunities for women and minorities to progress to senior posts in
Government.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said, "We look forward to watching the new
Government honour their commitment towards good community relations and a healthier, more transparent democracy."

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Notes to the editors:  

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175