The Muslim News - Celebrating 20 years of The Muslim News

Issue 239, Friday 27 March 2009 - 30 Rabi' al-Awwal 1430

Celebrating 20 years of The Muslim News

On this, the 20th anniversary of The Muslim News, I want to congratulate all those who have made this achievement possible and to pass on my warm best wishes to all of your readers. For twenty years now The Muslim News has been informing and inspiring British Muslims and I’m always pleased to have the chance to read the news and views coming from Britain's Muslim community. Through your media reporting and the prestigious The Muslim News Awards for Excellence the impact of The Muslim News on British life has been substantial. Congratulations on the first 20 years and best of luck for the next 20. Prime Minister, RT Hon Gordon Brown

This is a great anniversary. The Muslim News has achieved a huge amount in the last 20 years – entertaining, informing, stimulating debate and raising the profile of issues of particular interest to British Muslims. I would like to send you my very best wishes for the years ahead. Rt Hon David Cameron, MP, Leader of the Opposition.

It is with great pleasure that I congratulate The Muslim News on this its 20th Anniversary. Over the last tow decades in independently reporting the stories and addressing the issues which are important to the Muslim community in the UK, it has firmly established itself as an authoritative commentator on British and international Muslim affairs. Beyond this, with its annual The Muslim News Awards the paper has led the way in acknowledging excellence and leadership in the Muslim community. I would like to sincerely commend all those involved in The Muslim News on reaching this very special milestone. Rt Hon Nick Clegg, MP, Leader of Liberal Democrats.

The Muslim News is an extremely important newspaper - it does the things that all good newspapers should - challenges, informs and promotes debate. I am delighted to send you my best wishes on your 20th Anniversary and wish you every success in the future. Jack Straw, MP, Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor

I am delighted to congratulate The Muslim News on its 20th anniversary - making it one of the oldest British Muslim publications. The Muslim News’ longevity and continuing popularity demonstrates its commitment to reporting with integrity and dignity. But The Muslim News goes beyond these qualities in reporting the news from a uniquely British Muslim viewpoint. For so many British Muslims, The Muslim News embodies the words of the legendary Newsman Edward R Murrow, who said, “To be persuasive we must be believable, to be believable we must be credible, to be credible we must be truthful.” May The Muslim News long continue to be persuasive, believable, credible and above all truthful. Sadiq Khan MP for Tooting and Minister for Communities and Local Government

For the past twenty years The Muslim News has performed a vital role reporting the news and views of Muslims in the UK. As the publication celebrates its twentieth anniversary I would like to offer my congratulations and hope that it will continue to inform its readers for many years to come. Rt Hon William Hague MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary.

I would like to congratulate The Muslim News on its 20th Anniversary. This newspaper continues to be a valuable source of information on Muslim affairs for people across the UK. I wish The Muslim News every success in the future. Rt Hon Alex Salmond, MSP, First Minister of Scotland.

As First Minister, it is my privilege to work with people from across all communities in Wales. I look forward to continuing our close working relationship with the Muslim community in Wales and I congratulate The Muslim News on its anniversary and long may it continue its good work. Rt Hon Rhodri Morgan, First Minister for Wales

Over the twenty years of its existence, The Muslim News has played an historic role by successfully presenting analytical news that provokes challenging and innovative thinking. One of its success stories is its ground breaking annual Awards for Excellence event that made a huge contribution in mainstreaming the community. I am proud to acknowledge its relentless struggle to achieve justice and fair-play for our community. Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain.

As The Muslim News celebrates its 20th year of serving as beacon for the British Muslim community, it is an opportune moment to reflect on all the causes it has personified such as its role in establishing a strong community of aspiring Muslims to name but one. Ms Aziza Al-Yassin, Chair, Noor Youth

A community is known by its media and The Muslim News is Muslim Britain par excellence. Besides being a rich source of news and views, it is also an essential policy aid on Muslim affairs. As The Muslim News completes 20 years of uninterrupted publication, let me invoke the great classical Urdu and Persian poet Ghalib (1796-1869): “May it flourish for a thousand years/ And in which one year had 50,000 days.” All the best. M H Faruqi, Editor, Impact International

Congratulations to The Muslims News on celebrating the 20th anniversary of a newspaper which keeps its finger on the pulse of the issues affecting Muslims. Tackling the difficult issue, and celebrating the successes, the paper has given a fresh voice and perspective to the dialogue between Muslims and the wider community. May the next 20 years be just as fruitful! Fatim Jumabhoy, Barrister

The Muslim News has come a long way in 20 years. It is not simply a newspaper; it has become an important community institution. The Muslim News is now an indispensable medium for anyone interested in getting to know and understand the passions, values and concerns of the British Muslim community. So congratulations and best wishes to Ahmed J Versi and his team of dedicated journalists, columnists, managers and staff. Sir Iqbal Sacranie OB, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Muslim Aid.

The Muslim News has successfully played a constructive role within the Muslim community in the UK for the last 20 years. The Muslim News has been the voice of British Muslims covering many issues such as education, social and cultural impacts. It has encouraged young Muslims from all different backgrounds to come forward and celebrate their achievement with The Muslim News Awards for Excellence. Therefore I feel very honoured to congratulate The Muslims News and Ahmed J Versi on behalf of the UK Turkish Islamic Cultural Centre on their 20th anniversary. I wish you more success for the future. Ismail Oyzoyn, Chair, Executive Committee, UK Turkish Islamic Cultural Centre.

I congratulate and wholeheartedly applaud The Muslim News for 20 years of dedicated and professional reporting. Today, The Muslim News has grown to become an integral part of British Muslim society. Contribution by its Editor Ahmed J Versi has added value to this publication. I pray to Allah (swt) to grant your publication with greater prosperity and success. Jaffer Kapasi OBE, Director, Leicestershire Asian Business Association Ltd

“Muslims in Britain will forever be indebted to Ahmed J Versi and his team for sustaining a publication for 20 years that has played an important role in the emergence of a sense of shared identity and brotherhood. The Muslim News is the best record we have of this roller-coaster experience and so a heartfelt thanks from all those interested in social history.” Jamil Sherif, Editor, Salaam Portal

On behalf of the Muslim community in Wales it gives me great pleasure and I feel privilege to extend heartiest congratulations to you and your team at The Muslim News for achieving 20 years of publication. I admire your and your team commitment, enthusiasm, determination, courage and sheer honesty and truthfulness in which you have reported matters in your newspaper. I have been a regular reader for last 8 years, and during this period there were times which needed vision, farsightedness and facts to be brought before the Muslim community and the authorities. Saleem Kidwai, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Wales

Every time I open The Muslim News I know I'll come across a story not found in the mainstream media. Congratulations on bringing us 20 years of stories relevant to the Muslim community and for inspiring us all with your annual Muslim News awards. Like a persistent stream of water down the side of a mountain you have made a lasting mark on British Society. I hope you get all the support you need to continue your invaluable work. Mariam Jilani, Journalist

It is my pleasure to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Muslim News, a paper which serves the cause of Muslim affairs in Britain by providing objective information on the issues, big and small, of our time. If the blood of the shahid (martyr) is of the same value as the ink of the scholar, then The Muslim News is of the same value as the mind and heart of the Muslim Community, whose existence would not be possible without it. May Allah provide The Muslim News with further success to continue to enlighten the Muslim Community as well as wider British society. Dr Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia

I can vividly remember the period before the launch of The Muslim News. This was before the advent of multimedia, internet and TY channels. We had no option but to be influenced by the main stream British media. Not only did The Muslim News provide us with analysis from different angle and news that otherwise would have not reached us but made me proud to feel that there was truly a “Muslim News media.” I congratulate you all at The Muslim News for your pains taking, unremitting and hard work with the production of a newspaper that has never failed its readers. Dr Nizar Merali, Partner, GP Direct and MD Homes

A newspaper is an important societal institution. It educates, empowers and mobilises. The Muslim News too is an important institution for the Muslim community in Britain and indeed in Europe and worldwide through its online version. I am happy to see MN playing a strategic information role on behalf of and for the Muslims all over. May Allah(swt) Grant it a long and fruitful publication life ahead. Rumman Ahmed, Consultant

Congratulations on your 20 not out. Hope to see the innings continue to be built up through methodical application tempered by occasional and risk-taking flair. Sarah Sheriff, ACL Tutor, SE.London

The British media landscape would be impossible to imagine without The Muslim News. Groundbreaking when first published twenty years ago, it continues to deliver a high profile Muslim voice. As a regular columnist and as a British Muslim, I’m proud of the paper’s ongoing contribution to British society. Congratulations! Shelina Zahra Janmohamed Columnist, Author

“The Muslim News is more than just a newspaper; it is an institution! Congratulations on having become one of the most enduring, dynamic, critical, and celebratory forces within the Muslim community in Britain. I am proud to have every published issue of the newspaper in my library. Best wishes in the decades to come.” Dr Sophie Gilliat-Ray, Director, Islam-UK Centre, Cardiff University

On behalf of Western Thrace Turkish Muslim community in Greece I extend my heartiest congratulations to The Muslim News for serving the Muslim community in the UK and Europe. The Muslim News has been doing a great job the last twenty years by promoting mutual understanding between communities in the UK and Europe. I encourage The Muslim News to keep up this trend in the future as well. My best wishes. Ahmet Mete, Mufti of Xanthi, Western Thrace, Greece

Our heartiest congratulations on reaching the 20th Anniversary of the publication of The Muslim News. It is an important voice as it strives to contribute towards creating a better understanding of the achievements, concerns and diversity of Muslim communities in the United Kingdom. Zauhar Meghji, President, The Ismaili Centre

I have had my doubts. Given all the trials and tribulations you have faced, I did not think you will survive for so long. But even a sceptic like me must acknowledge that it is a real achievement. Congratulations The Muslim News. May you continue forever…
Ziauddin Sardar, Writer and Broadcaster