Minhaj-ul-Quran UK is the UK branch of the moderate and inclusive Minhaj-ul-Quran International education and welfare organisation based in London. MQI started its work in the United Kingdom in 1986 and held its first international conference at Wembley Arena, London. Its first official centre was opened in 1994 in east London. Since then Minhaj-ul-Quran UK has opened 10 community centres serving all parts of the country. It claims to have tens of thousands of affiliates and more than 5000 regular members.[1]
Minhaj-ul-Quran UK is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.[2]
It organised the launch of Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri's Fatwa on Terrorism in March 2010 in which various government officials participated.[3] Times Online claims that Minhaj-ul-Quran UK advices the British government on how to combat radicalism.[4]
BBC News reported that Minhaj-ul-Quran is "attracting the attention of policymakers and security chiefs who are continuing to look for allies in the fight against extremists." [5] The Times reported that "It is gaining influence in Britain as the Government seeks to gain ground among Muslim groups eager to combat the radicalisation of young people."[6]
In August 2010 Minhaj-ul-Quran UK organised the first residential anti-terror camp 'al-hidayah 2010' which aimed to train more than 1300 young Muslims to rebut arguments of the extremists.[7] A mobile library to promote moderate literature and to combat extremism was also launched at the camp. [8]
Minhaj-ul-Quran UK says that its core values are the same as British values.[9] It publishes its core values on its media website.[10]
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Since its establishment, Minhaj-ul-Quran UK has five main aims and objectives:[11]