As Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,
We at Islamic Network would first like to extend Eid greetings to you and your families and may Allah accept our fasting, qiyaam and good deeds during the month of Ramadaan. Ameen
We wanted to bring to your attention recent vulgar activities (by racist and Islamophobic groups such as EDL, Harry’s Place, Quilliam Foundation and others) that have transpired over the last few weeks in the United Kingdom blogosphere to pressurise our venue host to succumb to the cancellation of Islamia Village.
The campaign had intensified at the beginning of the week, whereby such groups had threatened to cause violence at this weekend’s event. Threats of burning down the venue with the people in it have also been made publicly by some supporters of this campaign.
The team at Islamic Network have been working tirelessly for the past 15 months right up until the last few moments, whereby our first batch of volunteers and guest speakers have arrived on-site in preparation.
We at Islamic Network are very disappointed to announce that due to the aforementioned pressure the venue has cancelled the event.
Islamic Network have held a diverse range of dawah activities over a period of fourteen years (since 1998) and our most recent events, Steps to Allah 2011 and Steps to Allah 2012, attracted a total of over 2,000 attendees. Alhamdulilah these have been successful, all with a similar line up of speakers to those at Islamia Village. Similar threats of protest, etc, were also made regarding these previous events, but both events passed with no problems, Alhamdulilah.
We are naturally disappointed at the owner of the venue who succumbed to the threats made by racist thugs who – in other comments in various forums and blogs – have themselves shown their hatred towards Muslims. Furthermore, Islamic Network as a registered charity will incur a substantial financial loss due to the cancellation of Islamia Village, in addition to the countless time and effort spent by our volunteers, may Allah reward them.
As I’m sure you are aware we are extremely busy dealing with the aftermath of this recent announcement. Rest assured, ALL GUESTS WILL BE GIVEN A FULL REFUND INSHA ALLAH. We will be in touch with all of you in due course to arrange this insha Allah.
Please have patience with us at this difficult time and we leave you with the words of Prophet Yaqub (AS) as stated in the Holy Qur’an, who had endured many tests in his life: ‘He said, “I only complain of my suffering and my grief to Allah , and I know from Allah that which you do not know.’ (Surah 12:86)
Wa Jazakum Allahu Khayrun
Wa As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
Islamia Village Team
Islamic Network