Pakistan

Niger

Sudan

Somalia

Donate

ISLAMIC RELIEF
Interfaith gathering calls for end to ‘debt slavery’
16/05/08

BIRMINGHAM’S Central Mosque was host to an interfaith gathering on Wednesday 14th May; the aim of which was to draw attention to the modern-day ‘slavery’ of debt. The two speakers; Rev. Professor Michael Taylor, and Tarek El-Diwany both gave passionate and eloquent speeches.



Professor Michael Taylor


Michael Taylor at journey to justice event at central mosque 2

 
 
 

The Venue


Journey to Justice - Muslim Christian Dialogue
The Day Centre - which is on the Ground Floor of Birmingham’s Central Mosque, on Highgate Road.


 

As part of these festivities, Birmingham-based charity, Islamic Relief, is hosting a lecture/seminar on Wednesday 14th May which will discuss not only the causes of the global debt crisis, but will also offer practical solutions derived from Islamic teachings to this modern-day slavery of debt.




At the event, Professor Taylor spoke about how much of Christian opposition to debt and usury has been lost; and that much could be learned from the Muslims on this subject.  Quoting directly from the bible, Professor Taylor argued that whereas the Old Testament had been flatly against interest and usury, this opposition has unfortunately dissipated in the modern world.


Tarek El-Diwany

Tarek spoke eloquently and passionately about how a society can function without interest, and argued that the Muslims had achieved this before the reformation.  He suggested reform of the financial system into something where the risk of lending money is shared between the lender and borrower; the lender at present would get their money back in most cases, so there is not much of an incentive to lend responsibly.


He also offered a model of lending and borrowing for house purchases, which he argued removed the need for interest-based transactions completely.


Irresponsible Lending

 


member of audiance at event

The point must be made however that debt is not always a bad thing, indeed, access to capital is vital in stimulating economic activity and therefore in creating jobs.  The problem throughout the last 30-40 years has been the issue of irresponsible lending; where countries were loaned huge amounts of money irrespective of their ability to pay it back.





Debt & Poverty

Everyone knows that debt can cause poverty and in the third world, this fact was demonstrated clearly by Professor Taylor who told the story of a cemetery he came across in Africa; all of the inhabitants of which were dead children.

Uniting humanity
Hamayoon Sultan, Development Education Co-ordinator at Islamic Relief said:
“The event showed that in a world where people are always seeking for things that divide us, there is a great deal that unites both Muslims and Christians of faith and no faith. We hope that this event will provide a springboard towards which people of all faiths and backgrounds can continue to call in one voice not only for change, but also for a better deal for the world’s poorest people.”



Islam & the Environment

Earlier in the week, the Midlands Islamic Network for the Environment (MINE) had organised a separate event linking the two key issues of our day; debt, and the environment.


Rianne ten Veen, who organised the event said:
“It was a positive interfaith gathering where we all learned about our shared challenge: ensuring the poorest of the poor are not unjustly exploited by burgeoning international debt. It is also a challenge to ensure that these poorest are not made to suffer from increased floods and desertification which are caused by the rich world, not by those who suffer its consequences.


We confirmed that Christianity and Islam have much more in common than often presented in the media, especially a shared duty to be just at all times, and a duty of care for Creation. There are plans to organise further such events.”


Jubilee Debt Campaign


Both of the above events were organised in conjunction with the Jubilee Debt Campaign, which on Sunday 18th May will be holding a rally at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham with speakers from all walks of life. 

If you would like further information about this rally, please contact them on 0560 150 7539.

 
Registered Charity No.328158