The Friday Message - Issue No: 489 - Have you registered to vote? Do not miss it

The Friday Message - Issue No: 489 - Have you registered to vote? Do not miss it

Salamun alaykum,

Have you registered to vote?
Before one can vote in the UK elections or referendums one needs to be registered on the electoral register. The deadline to register to vote is 20th April, 2026. Do not miss it. It’s just 10 days away.

Who can register to vote?
You can register to vote if you are: 16 years old or over (but you cannot vote until you are 18 years old), A British citizen, An Irish, Commonwealth or European Union citizen who is resident in the UK.

If you are not yet registered as a voter, then please do so. Visit: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

You can either register online with your National Insurance Number or by writing to your council's electoral registration office.

The process for Online registration is simple and takes little time.

Why should you register?
Across the world people have died fighting for the right to vote. Some say it is disrespectful to them if you don’t vote. In U.K. the Suffragettes spent years campaigning to give women the vote- many even gave their lives. Today, many people across the world are still denied the right to vote. By registering to vote you will be respecting the sacrifice and you will be showing that you think that right is important.

If you don’t register, then you can’t vote. It’s as simple as that. You need to register in order to be able to vote. We live in a democracy. It is your right to vote.
Local council elections:
On Thursday 7th May 2026 the biggest set of elections since the 2024 general election will be taking place in the UK. A number of local council and mayoral polls will take place in England. Voters in Scotland and Wales will elect representatives to their national parliaments.

Role of the Council:
Councils are responsible for local services including care for the elderly and disabled, rubbish collection and recycling, housing, education and road maintenance.

If you care about housing, policing, transport, waste collection, Council tax, leisure amenities, park services, crime hotspots, jobs, racism, islamophobia and other issues affected by National and Local Governance then to have your say you need to be registered to vote.

Use this opportunity to register to vote and bite the ballot box by casting your vote on Thursday 7th May 2026. It’s only twenty-eight days away.
Why your vote matters?

1) In the 2024 UK General elections British Muslim votes showed their impact by playing a huge role in the elections. Your vote matters now especially at a time when the rise of hatred is increasingly seen. Your vote matters now especially at a time when the use of hatred is seen is an existential threat to British Muslims and other minority communities.

2) Your vote can help shape the agenda of the next council by either electing a new council or pressing the council to change direction for the betterment of your community

3) Voting gives you the power to have representation that best reflects your values and concerns.

4) As a Muslim your participation is very critical. If you do not do so then your local council decisions may be made by someone who does not prioritise your needs.

5) As a community, by voting in the local elections, we can shape our local areas in ways that help us all.

"Verily, never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (within their own souls)." Sura Ar-Ra’d 13:11

You need to be involved in improving your conditions.

Your vote is your voice. Use your voice. Don’t lose your voice. Make it heard.

Do not miss to vote on 7th May, 2026.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah

With salaams and duas

Shaykh Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat