Industry Non Profit Website www.imamsonline.com | Founder Shaukat Warraich | |
Imams Online is a British organisation that aims to provide a voice for Islamic religious leaders. Imams Online has been involved in counter-extremism work.
Contents
History
In 2014, there was a growing concern about home-grown involvement in terrorism with an estimated 500 Britons having left the country to fight in Syria. In response, Imams Online organised an open letter with more than 100 Imams from across Britain asking young Muslims not to get involved in the wars in Iraq and Syria. In the letter it was advised that the British Muslim communities should continue to support all of those affected by the crisis in Syria, but do so from the UK in a safe and responsible way.
Imams Online organised a Digital Summit for Imams which was attended by Hamza Yusuf (Co-founder of Zaytuna College) & Abdallah Bin Bayyah. The summit brought together every group within Islam, from Deobandi, Sufi, Sunni, Shia and cultural groups that included Somalis, Pakistanis, Arabs and converts to Islam from many nations.
Imams Online organised and delivered a digital summit in Bradford on the 23rd January 2016 for Mosque leaders and community activists. The aim of the digital summit was to outline how social media can be used to promote positive messages. Shaukat Warriach, Chief Editor of Imams Online said; "Imams are doing great work but we need to help them communicate in an innovative way to the younger generation".
Online magazine
An online magazine called Haqiqah which means 'the reality' in Arabic was written by British Scholars who wanted to do more in educating young people about the reality of extremists movements. The goal of the magazine was to 'drown out' the voices perpetuating violence. A second edition of the magazine was released to deal with the direct online threat on social media by extremists.
Funding
Imams Online, according to Shaukat Warriach, has been funded by mosques, madrassahs and charities.