LONDON, Jan 26 (Alliance News): Dr. Wajid Akhter, the newly elected Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), has pledged to reform the organization’s structure, strategy, funding, and culture to make it a “unifying force” for the UK’s Muslim community.
In his inaugural address, delivered after being elected at the MCB’s Annual General Meeting in London, Dr. Akhter emphasized inclusivity and tackling key challenges such as Islamophobia and misrepresentation.
He vowed to reshape the MCB to better serve the needs of British Muslims amidst evolving societal and cultural dynamics.
“Since the MCB was founded in 1997, our community, country, challenges, and opportunities have transformed. As an organization, we too must evolve,” Dr. Akhter stated.
Responding to the issue of grooming gangs, he denounced the acts of perpetrators but also rejected using these crimes to tarnish an entire faith. “One groomer is one too many, Muslim or otherwise,” he said. “However, using the heinous acts of a few to misrepresent an entire faith is equally unacceptable.”
Dr. Akhter urged the Muslim community to move beyond “culture wars” and engage in meaningful dialogue with critics, aiming to “build bridges, not barriers.”
Dr. Muhammad Adrees, Dr. Akhter’s election rival, joined him in addressing criticism often faced by Muslims in public roles. Both condemned what they called “familiar smears” questioning their loyalty to the UK.
The meeting, attended by representatives from over 500 member organizations, also saw Maswood Ahmed, a veteran community leader, elected as Deputy Secretary-General. Ahmed has contributed over three decades to social work and has been involved with the MCB since its establishment.
Outgoing Secretary-General Zara Mohammed was celebrated for her leadership, making history in 2021 as the first woman and youngest person to lead the MCB.
