Issue No: 117
20th April 2012
28th Jamadi ul Awwal 1433 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
United Kingdom local elections, 2012:
In less than a fortnight, the 2012 United Kingdom Local Council elections are due to take place. The elections, taking place across England, Scotland and Wales will be held on Thursday 3rd May 2012.
On this day, in our region of the country, the Portsmouth and Southampton English Unitary Authorities will have one third of council seats up for election whereas Fareham District Council will have half of its council seats due for election.
Some of the responsibilities of the Local government in U.K. include services such as education, waste management, strategic planning, housing, leisure amenities, waste collection and local planning. Local governments play critical part in the governance of a nation. They do have an impact on our communities and neighbourhoods we live in.
The election candidates are putting to use all forms of campaign methods including telephone calls, door to door canvassing, distributing leaflets and print media coverage to seek our votes.
As the election candidates canvass for your vote it is tempting to be bored by the campaign and develop an attitude of 'I have nothing to do with it!"
Do I have anything to do with elections?
Yes. As Muslims, we have a duty to advance the image of Islam and contribute towards creating a better society. One of the ways we can be able to achieve this is by political involvement and participating in the democratic process.
Voting is the first part of the process. It is an important civic duty. As citizens, the ability to vote gives us a right to choose the people who will represent us, to determine who gets to affect our daily lives and to say what we want the government to do.
It won't make a difference:
The common argument repeatedly heard from many people is that,"my single vote won't make any difference."
If everyone thinks along these lines then only the minority who vote has the power to rule over the majority who chose to ignore their right of voting.
Let us participate:
"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
This process of elections provides us with an occasion to be involved in making a decision of the condition we wish to be in. We need to be involved in improving our conditions. 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 Local Governance then have your say on Thursday 3rd May, 2012.
Let us use this opportunity to join hands with fellow Britons to participate in the local elections. Let us vote for candidates who will discharge their duty in a spirit of serving the public and seeking the common good for all.
It's your vote don't lose it.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat