Issue No: 230
1st May 2015
12th Rajab 1436 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
United Kingdom General elections, 2015:
In less than a week's time, the 2015 United Kingdom general elections are due to take place. The elections, taking place across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be held on Thursday 7th May 2015. On this day registered voters will exercise their right to vote for one of the candidates to represent them in the House of Commons as the M.P. for one of the UK's 650 constituencies.
To get votes, candidates campaign in their constituency.They are putting to use all forms of campaign methods such as bill boards, television debates, telephone calls, door step canvassing, print and electronic media coverage including social networking sites to seek our votes. Candidates and parties campaign until polling day. Then it's up to citizens to make up their minds. As the general election approaches it is tempting to be bored by angry debates and glossy campaigns and many develop an attitude of 'I have nothing to do with it!"
Do I have anything to do with elections?
Yes. As a muslim, you have a duty to advance the image of Islam and contribute towards creating a better society. One of the ways you 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 one a right to choose the people who will represent you, to determine who gets to affect your daily life and to say what you want the government to do.
Certainly there are a range of issues affecting British Muslims. The whole range of principles, ideas and concerns that British Muslims will have, not merely for their own interests, but for the common good of our shared future have been voiced in the document, Fairness, not Favours.
It won't make a difference:
British Muslims, many of whom will be voting for the first time, will have the opportunity to make a real difference in their country's future.
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.
Participation is vital:
In Ruling 223 of the book : A Code of Practice for Muslims in the West, our Marja Taqlid Ayatullah Al Udhama Seyyid Ali Husayn As Sestani states: "At times the higher interests of the Muslims in non-Muslim countries demand that Muslims seek membership of political parties, enter parliaments, and representative assemblies. In such cases, it is permissible for Muslims to engage in such activities as much as is demanded by the interest [of the Muslim community] that must be identified by consulting the trustworthy experts."
Let us participate:
This process of elections provides us with an occasion to be involved in making a decision of the condition we wish to be in.
"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
Let us vote for candidates who will discharge their duty in a spirit of serving the public and seeking the common good for all.
Utilise this opportunity to join hands with fellow Britons to then have your say on Thursday 7th May 2015 by participating in the elections.
So on this one day a little piece of paper with your mark plays a big role in deciding who leads our country. It's your vote. Don't lose it.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With Salaams and Duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat