Latest news with #GreenLaneMasjid
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Birmingham mosques urge Sir Keir Starmer to lead Israel-Iran de-escalation
The prime minister has been urged by more than a dozen mosques and Islamic centres to lead efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, in the wake of US strikes on Iran's nuclear mosques and Islamic community organisations in Birmingham, including the Green Lane Masjid and the Sparkbrook Islamic Centre, wrote in a joint letter that they felt "deep concern" over the US strikes on Saturday saw America join Israel in attacking Iran and on Monday, Iran launched missiles at Keir Starmer said on Sunday that the UK was "doing everything we can to stabilise the situation" and find a diplomatic solution. In their joint letter, the Birmingham mosques and Islamic centres urged Sir Keir to take "responsibility in leading de-escalation efforts".They added that the UK's role must be to promote "peace, justice, and the rule of law".They asked Sir Keir to oppose UK military involvement in an Israeli-Iranian conflict, adding that the British public was "war-weary" and had "no appetite for further military entanglement in the Middle East".Abdullah Saif, from Muslim Students House, a mosque and community centre in Balsall Heath that signed the letter, said there was a "fear that history might repeat itself"."Now that America has gotten involved, in previous incidents the UK doesn't take too long to follow suit," he told BBC Radio WM."It's not about picking sides here, we just want there to be a real call for de-escalation." Sir Keir spoke to the US president on Sunday and discussed the need for Iran to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible, a No 10 spokesman said at the British government has also made it known that, while it was told in advance what Washington was about to do, it did not take part in the strikes and was not asked UK's foreign secretary, David Lammy, told BBC Breakfast on Monday that he had spoken to the Iranian foreign minister and urged him to be "very careful about not escalating" the added that this was "a moment of peril" but he believed "diplomacy must and can prevail". Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Yahoo
Youngster hands survival machete in to Birmingham mosque in 'cry for help'
Religious leaders have promised to help a young man who handed in a lethal blade at a Birmingham mosque in a "cry for help". Green Lane Masjid said the Muslim man willingly surrendered the tactical survival machete when he brought it into the mosque during Ramadan last week. The Small Heath mosque, based in Green Lane, said it was a "symbol of the dangers" that young people face "every day". READ MORE: Birmingham bin strike - council and Unite's (very different) answers to 15 key questions "But more than was a sign deep down that they don't want this life," added the mosque. "They want a way out. They need guidance, support, and a safe space. And it's our responsibility to provide it." The mosque said it was a "wake-up call" to the challenges that young people face and the mentorship they need. Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here It said its knife bin was regularly emptied and that leaders work "tirelessly" to guide and protect young people. Explaining how the blade was brought in, Green Lane Masjid wrote on its website: "Last week, in Ramadan, a young Muslim man handed in a machete at the masjid. Yes, a machete. Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp "This wasn't just a knife—it was a symbol of the dangers our young people face every day. "This wasn't just a weapon. It was a symbol of the danger and darkness our youth are surrounded by on the streets. "But more than that, it was a cry for help."
