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Masroor was born in [[Sylhet District]], [[Sylhet Division]], [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh|Bangladesh]] and came to [[Great Britain|Britain]] at the age of one when his parents immigrated from the country.<ref name="qmul">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/newsrelease.php?news_id=189|title=‘Children of the ghetto’: A discussion on immigrant integration in the East End|work= |location= |publisher=Queen Mary University|date=3 May 2009|accessdate=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007184310/http://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/newsrelease.php?news_id=189 |archive-date=7 October 2008}}</ref> He moved back to Bangladesh a few years later at the age of nine due to his father's concerns about different cultures and the possibility of losing their Muslim identities. However, they returned when he was at the age of 13.
Masroor was born in [[Sylhet District]], [[Sylhet Division]], [[Provisional Government of Bangladesh|Bangladesh]] and came to [[Great Britain|Britain]] at the age of one when his parents immigrated from the country.<ref name="qmul">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/newsrelease.php?news_id=189|title=‘Children of the ghetto’: A discussion on immigrant integration in the East End|work= |location= |publisher=Queen Mary University|date=3 May 2009|accessdate=14 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007184310/http://www.qmul.ac.uk/news/newsrelease.php?news_id=189 |archive-date=7 October 2008}}</ref> He moved back to Bangladesh a few years later at the age of nine due to his father's concerns about different cultures and the possibility of losing their Muslim identities. However, they returned when he was at the age of 13.


When living in the [[East End of London|East End]], Masroor experienced racism against the Bangladeshis in the areas, with properties being damaged.<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/nov/30/islamandbritain22|title=Ajmal Masroor, 33|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=30 November 2004|accessdate=30 January 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090129160630/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/nov/30/islamandbritain22| archivedate= 29 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> He was brought up in [[Shadwell]], and attended the Bluegate Fields School on Cable Street. He is the oldest of six children. At the age of 19, his father attempted to force him into a marriage in Bangladesh, but was unsuccessful because Masroor challenged his father, saying [[forced marriage]] is not acceptable in [[Islam]]. He then married a [[Hungarians|Hungarian]], Henrietta Szovati (who had [[converted to Islam]]), and they now have two children.<ref name="seminar">{{cite web |url=http://www.judithtrust.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/seminarreportspeakers.doc|title=Forced Marriages of People with Learning Disabilities|publisher=The Judith Trust|accessdate=30 January 2009|format=DOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006071848/http://www.judithtrust.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/seminarreportspeakers.doc |archive-date=6 October 2011}}</ref>
When living in the [[East End of London|East End]], Masroor experienced racism against the Bangladeshis in the areas, with properties being damaged.<ref name="guardian1">{{cite news |last=Masroor|first=Ajmal|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/nov/30/islamandbritain22|title=Ajmal Masroor, 33|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=30 November 2004|accessdate=30 January 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090129160630/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2004/nov/30/islamandbritain22| archivedate= 29 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> He was brought up in [[Shadwell]], and attended the Bluegate Fields School on Cable Street. He is the oldest of six children. At the age of 19, his father attempted to force him into a marriage in Bangladesh, but was unsuccessful because Masroor challenged his father, saying [[forced marriage]] is not acceptable in [[Islam]]. He then married a [[Hungarians|Hungarian]], Henrietta Szovati (who had [[converted to Islam]]), and they now have two children.<ref name="seminar">{{cite web |url=http://www.judithtrust.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/seminarreportspeakers.doc|title=Forced Marriages of People with Learning Disabilities|publisher=The Judith Trust|accessdate=30 January 2009|format=DOC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006071848/http://www.judithtrust.org.uk/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/seminarreportspeakers.doc |archive-date=6 October 2011}}</ref>


After his GCSEs and A Levels, he was very active in student unions and Islamic societies.
After his GCSEs and A Levels, he was very active in student unions and Islamic societies.
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Masroor is a member of the [[Muslim Council of Britain]]. He is the Central Working Committee spokesperson for and member of its national consultative body of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]]. He is Chairman and Director of Communities in Action. He is the Chairman of ChildrenPlus, a charity that focuses on providing humanitarian assistance to poverty stricken and most vulnerable children around the world. He runs the Barefoot Institute, which provides support and education for Muslim relationship, including marriage, divorce and family mediation.
Masroor is a member of the [[Muslim Council of Britain]]. He is the Central Working Committee spokesperson for and member of its national consultative body of the [[Islamic Society of Britain]]. He is Chairman and Director of Communities in Action. He is the Chairman of ChildrenPlus, a charity that focuses on providing humanitarian assistance to poverty stricken and most vulnerable children around the world. He runs the Barefoot Institute, which provides support and education for Muslim relationship, including marriage, divorce and family mediation.


Masroor was selected as [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] [[prospective parliamentary candidate]] for [[West Ham (UK Parliament constituency)|West Ham]] in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 General Election]], but stood down after being criticised for posting on the [[Muslim Public Affairs Committee]] forum.<ref name="telegraph">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1488147/Liberal-Democrat-candidate-resigns.html|title=Liberal Democrat candidate resigns|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''|date=19 Apr 2005|accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="ukpolling">{{cite web |url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/bethnalgreenandbow|title=Bethnal Green and Bow|publisher=UK Polling Report|date= |accessdate=30 January 2009}}</ref>
Masroor was selected as [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] [[prospective parliamentary candidate]] for [[West Ham (UK Parliament constituency)|West Ham]] in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 General Election]], but stood down after being criticised for posting on the [[Muslim Public Affairs Committee]] forum.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1488147/Liberal-Democrat-candidate-resigns.html|title=Liberal Democrat candidate resigns|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''|date=19 Apr 2005|accessdate=3 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="ukpolling">{{cite web |url=http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/bethnalgreenandbow|title=Bethnal Green and Bow|publisher=UK Polling Report|date= |accessdate=30 January 2009}}</ref>


He stood in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 General Election]], for the [[Bethnal Green and Bow (UK Parliament constituency)|Bethnal Green and Bow constituency]] in East London, representing the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]],<ref name="tower-hamlets-libdems">{{cite web |url=http://tower-hamlets-libdems.org.uk/news/000154/ajmal_masroor_selected_as_ppc_for_bethnal_green_and_bow_parliamentary_constituency.html|title=Ajmal Masroor selected as PPC for Bethnal Green and Bow parliamentary constituency|publisher=Liberal Democrats (Tower Hamlets)|date=26 September 2008|accessdate=30 January 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090105191859/http://tower-hamlets-libdems.org.uk/news/000154/ajmal_masroor_selected_as_ppc_for_bethnal_green_and_bow_parliamentary_constituency.html| archivedate= 5 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> came second with 10,210 votes (20.1%) to [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] candidate [[Rushanara Ali]] won with 21,784 votes (42.9%).<ref name="bbc3">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a26.stm|title=Bethnal Green and Bow results|work= |location= |publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|date= 6 May 2010|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100412010337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a26.stm| archivedate= 12 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="moderngov.towerhamlets2">{{cite web |url=http://moderngov.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=20|title=Election results for Shadwell|publisher=Election results for Bethnal Green & Bow|date=6 May 2010|accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="thedailystar">{{cite news |last=Ullah|first=Ansar Ahmed|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2010/07/01/interview.htm|title=An exclusive interview with Britain's first lawmaker of Bengali origin|volume=9|issue=27|work= |location=Bangladesh|publisher=''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]''|date=2 July 2010|accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref>
He stood in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 General Election]], for the [[Bethnal Green and Bow (UK Parliament constituency)|Bethnal Green and Bow constituency]] in East London, representing the [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]],<ref name="tower-hamlets-libdems">{{cite web |url=http://tower-hamlets-libdems.org.uk/news/000154/ajmal_masroor_selected_as_ppc_for_bethnal_green_and_bow_parliamentary_constituency.html|title=Ajmal Masroor selected as PPC for Bethnal Green and Bow parliamentary constituency|publisher=Liberal Democrats (Tower Hamlets)|date=26 September 2008|accessdate=30 January 2009| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090105191859/http://tower-hamlets-libdems.org.uk/news/000154/ajmal_masroor_selected_as_ppc_for_bethnal_green_and_bow_parliamentary_constituency.html| archivedate= 5 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> came second with 10,210 votes (20.1%) to [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] candidate [[Rushanara Ali]] won with 21,784 votes (42.9%).<ref name="bbc3">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a26.stm|title=Bethnal Green and Bow results|work= |location= |publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|date= 6 May 2010|accessdate=7 May 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100412010337/http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/a26.stm| archivedate= 12 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref><ref name="moderngov.towerhamlets2">{{cite web |url=http://moderngov.towerhamlets.gov.uk/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=20|title=Election results for Shadwell|publisher=Election results for Bethnal Green & Bow|date=6 May 2010|accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref><ref name="thedailystar">{{cite news |last=Ullah|first=Ansar Ahmed|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/magazine/2010/07/01/interview.htm|title=An exclusive interview with Britain's first lawmaker of Bengali origin|volume=9|issue=27|work= |location=Bangladesh|publisher=''[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]''|date=2 July 2010|accessdate=1 July 2015}}</ref>
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He has also appeared on major news channels such as the [[BBC]], [[CNN]] and many other channels as a commentator on social, political and religious issues.<ref name="islamwales">{{cite web |url=http://islamwales.com/thefuturesbright/speakers.htm|title=Inspiring Guest Speakers |publisher=The Future's Bright|date=9 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713062213/http://islamwales.com/thefuturesbright/speakers.htm |archive-date=13 July 2011|accessdate=30 January 2009}}</ref> On 30 January 2011, he appeared on the BBC show ''[[The Big Questions]]''.<ref name="bbc4">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yc6zg|title=The Big Questions, Series 4, Episode 4|publisher=[[BBC One]]|date=30 January 2011|accessdate=30 January 2011| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110123013109/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yc6zg| archivedate= 23 January 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
He has also appeared on major news channels such as the [[BBC]], [[CNN]] and many other channels as a commentator on social, political and religious issues.<ref name="islamwales">{{cite web |url=http://islamwales.com/thefuturesbright/speakers.htm|title=Inspiring Guest Speakers |publisher=The Future's Bright|date=9 September 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713062213/http://islamwales.com/thefuturesbright/speakers.htm |archive-date=13 July 2011|accessdate=30 January 2009}}</ref> On 30 January 2011, he appeared on the BBC show ''[[The Big Questions]]''.<ref name="bbc4">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yc6zg|title=The Big Questions, Series 4, Episode 4|publisher=[[BBC One]]|date=30 January 2011|accessdate=30 January 2011| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20110123013109/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00yc6zg| archivedate= 23 January 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>


In October 2013, Masroor was alerted by anti-terrorist police that he and a number of other prominent Muslim figures in the UK who had spoken out against Islamist extremism were targeted by a propaganda video created by [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]], the terrorist group responsible for the attack on the [[Westgate, Nairobi|Westgate shopping mall]] in Kenya: the video urged jihadists in the UK to take action, citing the [[murder of Lee Rigby]] as an example to follow.<ref name="theguardian">{{cite news|author=Shiv Malik, Duncan Gardham and Vikram Dodd|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/17/al-shabaab-uk-muslims-police-protection|title=Prominent UK Muslims under police protection after al-Shabaab threats|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=17 October 2013|accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=aljazeera>{{cite news |last=Hooper|first=Simon||url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/10/british-muslims-defiant-over-al-shabab-threat-2013102591313719196.html|title=British Muslims defiant over al-Shabab threat|work= |location= |publisher="Al Jazeera English"|date=26 October 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> Interviewed by ''[[Al Jazeera]]'', Masroor said of the video: "It is a terrible piece of work and the content is vile and disgusting and horrific in many ways. It is a group of people who are glorifying violence and death. It didn't make me scared. It just made me angry and more determined."<ref name="aljazeera"/>
In October 2013, Masroor was alerted by anti-terrorist police that he and a number of other prominent Muslim figures in the UK who had spoken out against Islamist extremism were targeted by a propaganda video created by [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|Al-Shabaab]], the terrorist group responsible for the attack on the [[Westgate, Nairobi|Westgate shopping mall]] in Kenya: the video urged jihadists in the UK to take action, citing the [[murder of Lee Rigby]] as an example to follow.<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite news|author=Shiv Malik, Duncan Gardham and Vikram Dodd|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/17/al-shabaab-uk-muslims-police-protection|title=Prominent UK Muslims under police protection after al-Shabaab threats|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=17 October 2013|accessdate=7 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=aljazeera>{{cite news |last=Hooper|first=Simon||url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/10/british-muslims-defiant-over-al-shabab-threat-2013102591313719196.html|title=British Muslims defiant over al-Shabab threat|work= |location= |publisher="Al Jazeera English"|date=26 October 2013 |accessdate=6 November 2013}}</ref> Interviewed by ''[[Al Jazeera]]'', Masroor said of the video: "It is a terrible piece of work and the content is vile and disgusting and horrific in many ways. It is a group of people who are glorifying violence and death. It didn't make me scared. It just made me angry and more determined."<ref name="aljazeera"/>


In July 2015, Masroor was interviewed by [[Nadia Ali (broadcaster)|Nadia Ali]] on [[BBC Asian Network]] about his [[Ramadan]] memories.<ref name="bbc5">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02wxcz0|title=Ajmal Masroor's Ramadan Memories|publisher=[[BBC Asian Network]]|date=12 July 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>
In July 2015, Masroor was interviewed by [[Nadia Ali (broadcaster)|Nadia Ali]] on [[BBC Asian Network]] about his [[Ramadan]] memories.<ref name="bbc5">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02wxcz0|title=Ajmal Masroor's Ramadan Memories|publisher=[[BBC Asian Network]]|date=12 July 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Masroor currently lives in [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]], London. His interests include learning about new cultures and world food, playing badminton, and reading based on history, society and politics.
Masroor currently lives in [[London Borough of Haringey|Haringey]], London. His interests include learning about new cultures and world food, playing badminton, and reading based on history, society and politics.

On 17 December 2015, Masroor was stopped by a [[Embassy of the United States, London|U.S. embassy]] staff from boarding [[Virgin Atlantic]] flight at [[Heathrow Airport]]<ref name="theguardian2">{{cite news |last1=Gani|first1=Aisha|last2=Holpuch|first2=Amanda|last3=Sparrow|first3=Andrew|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/23/uk-imam-ajmal-masroor-us-business-visa-revoked-without-explanation|title= UK imam's US business visa 'revoked without explanation' before flight |work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Guardian]]''|date=23 December 2015|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="independent">{{cite news |last=Ng|first=Kate|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ajmal-masroor-at-least-10-more-british-muslims-denied-entry-to-the-us-says-imam-a6784171.html|title=Ajmal Masroor: At least 10 more British Muslims denied entry to the US, says imam|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Independent]]''|date=23 December 2015|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref> to [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]].<ref name="telegraph2">{{cite news |last=Harley|first=Nicola|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/12099978/Imam-banned-from-flying-to-New-York-because-US-did-not-like-one-of-his-Facebook-followers.html|title=Imam banned from flying to New York because US did not like one of his Facebook followers|work= |location= |publisher=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref> Masroor was informed that his U.S. business visa had been revoked and received no further explanation as to why he was being prevented from travelling,<ref name="ibtimes1">{{cite news |last=Patel|first=Romil|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uk-muslims-increasingly-barred-us-travel-practice-donald-trump-style-shutdown-1534753|title=UK Muslims increasingly barred from US travel with practice of Donald Trump style shutdown|work= |location= |publisher=''[[International Business Times]]''|date=24 December 2015|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref> despite travelling to the U.S. four times earlier in the year.<ref name="telegraph2"/> On 22 December, he was invited to the U.S. embassy to speak about the matter but was still not given a reason, nor an apology.<ref name="independent"/> On 13 January 2016, it was reported that he was prevented from travelling to the U.S. and his visa was revoked over concerns about one of his 28,000 Facebook followers.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-35301288|title=London imam stopped from flying to US over 'Facebook follower'|work= |location= |publisher=''[[BBC News]]''|date=13 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="standard">{{cite news |last=Alwakeel|first=Ramzy|url=http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/imam-was-barred-from-boarding-heathrow-plane-because-of-a-facebook-follower-a3155886.html|title=Imam was 'barred from boarding Heathrow plane because of a Facebook follower'|work= |location=London|publisher=''[[London Evening Standard]]''|date=13 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="tribune">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=http://www.tribune.com.pk/story/1027924/british-imam-banned-from-flying-to-new-york-because-of-facebook-followers/|title=British imam banned from flying to New York over Facebook followers|work= |location=Pakistan|publisher=''[[The Express Tribune]]''|date=15 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="getwestlondon">{{cite news |last=Joshi|first=Amita|url=http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/imam-claims-barred-heathrow-flight-10736526|title=Imam claims he was 'barred' from Heathrow flight because of a Facebook follower|work= |location=London|publisher=''Get West London''|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref> Masroor set up a website, called www.flyingwhilemuslim.org.uk, so other Muslims can document any similar experiences they have faced while trying to travel to U.S.<ref name="telegraph2"/><ref name="standard"/><ref name="tribune"/><ref name="getwestlondon"/><ref name="rt">{{cite news |last= |first= |url=https://www.rt.com/uk/328956-flying-while-muslim-website/|title=‘Flying While Muslim’: Imam barred from US launches site documenting travel bans|work= |location=Russia|publisher=''Russia Today''|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="ibtimes2">{{cite news |last=Berger|first=Sarah|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/flying-while-muslim-imam-launches-website-after-being-barred-plane-2265863|title=Flying While Muslim: Imam Launches Website After Being Barred From Plane|work= |location= |publisher=''[[International Business Times]]''|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=1 March 2016}}</ref>


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==

Revision as of 00:02, 1 March 2016

Ajmal Masroor
Masroor at Lancaster University in March 2008
Personal details
Born (1971-10-19) 19 October 1971 (age 52)
Sylhet District, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh
NationalityBritish
Political partyLiberal Democrats
SpouseHenrietta Szovati
Children2
Residence(s)Haringey, London, England
OccupationImam, television presenter
ProfessionPolitician
Websitewww.ajmalmasroor.com

Ajmal Masroor (Bengali: আজমল মাসরুর; born 19 October 1971) is a Bangladeshi-born British Imam, broadcaster and politician. He is well known for being a television presenter on political discussions and on Muslim channels.

Early life

Masroor was born in Sylhet District, Sylhet Division, Bangladesh and came to Britain at the age of one when his parents immigrated from the country.[1] He moved back to Bangladesh a few years later at the age of nine due to his father's concerns about different cultures and the possibility of losing their Muslim identities. However, they returned when he was at the age of 13.

When living in the

converted to Islam), and they now have two children.[3]

After his GCSEs and A Levels, he was very active in student unions and Islamic societies.

Career

Masroor is a local imam, who leads

Friday prayers weekly at four different mosques in London: Goodge Street mosque, Palmers Green mosque, West Ealing mosque and Wightman Road mosque in Haringey.[4]

Masroor is a member of the Muslim Council of Britain. He is the Central Working Committee spokesperson for and member of its national consultative body of the Islamic Society of Britain. He is Chairman and Director of Communities in Action. He is the Chairman of ChildrenPlus, a charity that focuses on providing humanitarian assistance to poverty stricken and most vulnerable children around the world. He runs the Barefoot Institute, which provides support and education for Muslim relationship, including marriage, divorce and family mediation.

Masroor was selected as

Muslim Public Affairs Committee forum.[5][6]

He stood in the

2010 General Election, for the Bethnal Green and Bow constituency in East London, representing the Liberal Democrats,[7] came second with 10,210 votes (20.1%) to Labour candidate Rushanara Ali won with 21,784 votes (42.9%).[8][9][10]

Masroor is a well known television presenter on various TV channels in the UK. He currently presents his own programmes on Islam Channel and on Channel S,[11] where he presents an English programme called Let's Talk.[12] He is also part of the panel in a programme broadcast by Channel 4, called Shariah TV.[13] On Channel 4, he also presented a programme called Make Me a Muslim - he asks six non-Muslims and one lapsed Muslim to follow Islamic teachings for three weeks.[14] On 10 May 2009, Masroor presented a programme called "Celebrity Lives - Sharia Style" which was broadcast on BBC One.[15][16]

He has also appeared on major news channels such as the BBC, CNN and many other channels as a commentator on social, political and religious issues.[17] On 30 January 2011, he appeared on the BBC show The Big Questions.[18]

In October 2013, Masroor was alerted by anti-terrorist police that he and a number of other prominent Muslim figures in the UK who had spoken out against Islamist extremism were targeted by a propaganda video created by

Al Jazeera, Masroor said of the video: "It is a terrible piece of work and the content is vile and disgusting and horrific in many ways. It is a group of people who are glorifying violence and death. It didn't make me scared. It just made me angry and more determined."[20]

In July 2015, Masroor was interviewed by Nadia Ali on BBC Asian Network about his Ramadan memories.[21]

Personal life

Masroor currently lives in Haringey, London. His interests include learning about new cultures and world food, playing badminton, and reading based on history, society and politics.

On 17 December 2015, Masroor was stopped by a U.S. embassy staff from boarding Virgin Atlantic flight at Heathrow Airport[22][23] to John F. Kennedy International Airport.[24] Masroor was informed that his U.S. business visa had been revoked and received no further explanation as to why he was being prevented from travelling,[25] despite travelling to the U.S. four times earlier in the year.[24] On 22 December, he was invited to the U.S. embassy to speak about the matter but was still not given a reason, nor an apology.[23] On 13 January 2016, it was reported that he was prevented from travelling to the U.S. and his visa was revoked over concerns about one of his 28,000 Facebook followers.[26][27][28][29] Masroor set up a website, called www.flyingwhilemuslim.org.uk, so other Muslims can document any similar experiences they have faced while trying to travel to U.S.[24][27][28][29][30][31]

Awards and nominations

In January 2013 and 2015, Masroor was nominated for the Religious Advocate of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.[32][33]

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Children of the ghetto': A discussion on immigrant integration in the East End". Queen Mary University. 3 May 2009. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  2. ^ Masroor, Ajmal (30 November 2004). "Ajmal Masroor, 33". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 January 2009. Retrieved 30 January 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Forced Marriages of People with Learning Disabilities". The Judith Trust. Archived from the original (DOC) on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
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External links

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