New MCB chief vows to transform organisation as 'unifying force' for UK Muslims

LONDON: The newly elected leader of UK's Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has vowed to "transform the structure, strategy, funding and culture" of the MCB, and for the organisation to be a "unifying force" in the Muslim community.

Dr Wajid Akhter’s comments came as he was chosen as the new secretary-general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

Using the issue of grooming gangs to misrepresent an entire faith is unacceptable, the newly elected leader of one of the UK’s major Muslim organisations, MCB stated.  

"One groomer is one too many, Muslim or otherwise," he said.

The organisation, established in 1998, describes itself as the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella organisation, with more than 500 members, but successive political administrations have followed a policy of non-engagement. 

They were restored the following year after the MCB stated its opposition to violence, but more recently both the Conservative and Labour administrations have refused any official engagement.

In his inaugural address, Dr Akhter spoke about the issues facing British Muslims, including recent spikes in Islamophobia on social media.

"We must sidestep the culture wars that force us into a corner and label everyone who criticises us as racist or Islamophobic. We must be willing to engage in good faith with even our most ardent critics. Build bridges, not barriers," he said. 

On the recent furore over grooming gangs, he said: "Let me make it crystal clear. One groomer is one too many, Muslim or otherwise. But using the heinous acts of a few to misrepresent an entire faith and an ethnicity is also unacceptable. We will act against both injustices". 

He had faced a vote on Saturday against Dr Muhammad Adrees to become the new secretary-general, and both men had been criticised in a think tank report for some of their previously aired views. 

The election took place at the MCB Annual General Meeting in London, where delegates representing 500 affiliated organisations cast their votes following a series of nationwide hustings.

The new Secretary General promised a root and branch review of the Muslim Council of Britain to ensure the organisation better serves Muslim communities for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

He said: "Since the MCB was founded in 1997, our community has changed, our country has changed and our challenges and opportunities have changed – as an organisation we must change as well". 

Dr Akhter called for a "community that has a unity of purpose, not a uniformity of views", and is "empowered to serve people regardless of creed or colour".

He outlined his vision of British Muslims "not just participating in the AI revolution but leading it and making the British Isles the next Silicon Valley".

Addressing accusations against the new MCB leadership ahead of the election, Dr Akhter said: "Dr Adrees and I faced familiar smears questioning our loyalty — the kind British Muslims in public life know all too well. As someone born and raised here, I find it painful to have my Britishness questioned by self-appointed judges of who is a 'good' or 'bad' Muslim. I will keep serving both my community and my country, regardless of attacks".

Maswood Ahmed was elected as deputy secretary general. A veteran community leader with over 35 years of experience in social work, Ahmed has been involved with the MCB since its inauguration in 1997.

Outgoing secretary-general Zara Mohammed made history when she was chosen to lead the MCB in 2021, becoming the first woman and youngest person to take on the role, at the age of just 29.