Dr. Haitham Al-Haddad, the chairman of MRDF, recently travelled to Cairo to record a series on the topic of ‘Living in the West’. He was invited by Huda TV, a leading English language satellite channel which broadcasts out of Egypt and has a large viewership in both the Middle East and North Africa. Shaikh al-Haddad discussed issues such as ‘Muslims living in the West’, ‘the importance of identity’ and ‘living in a multicultural society’.

Whilst in Egypt Shaikh Haitham took the opportunity to network with scholars of the region. They discussed issues related to Muslim minorities, community development, and the effect of the 'Arab Springs' on Egyptian society.

MRDF submitted a Shadow Report to the Advisory Committee of Experts for the Framework Convention on National Minorities in response to the State Report by the United Kingdom under the 3rd Reporting Cycle of the Framework Convention on National Minorities.

A delegation representing MRDF met with the Advisory Committee of the Framework Convention on National Minorities (FCNM) which included Murtaza Shaikh (author of the MRDF Shadow Report) and Dr. Haitham al-Haddad (chairman of MRDF).

On Friday 29th of January 2010, around 50 brothers attended the first Maqra’ah (intensive reading) to complete the entire text of Sahih Al Bukhari, under the supervision of Moulana Ahmad Ali Diwan Lajpuri Surati, who currently holds the highest ‘sanad’ (chain of transmission) to Imam Bukhari (ra) amongst the scholars of hadith. Other Scholars that attended and took part in the recitation of Sahih Al Bukhari included Sheikh Haitham Al Haddad, Sheikh Muhammed Akram An-Nadwi, Sheikh Anas Ibn Aqil and Sheikh Ahmad Ayoob Surti. Due to the presence of so many scholars at the Maqra’ah, it was decided that during the periods where the text of Saheeh Al Bukhari was not being read, other classical books should be covered. These additional books were:

• Usool At Thalatha by Imam Abdul Wahhab (ra)
• al-Faqeeh Wal Mutafiqqih by al-Khateeb al-Bagdadi (ra)
• Umdahtul Ahkaam by Imam Abdul Ghani al-Maqdisi (ra)

The reading of Saheeh Al Bukhari progressed until the end of the chapter ‘Kitab az-Zakat’. It is hoped that the rest of the book will be completed in the second part of this Maqra’ah programme.

Alhamdulillah the much anticipated Ijma (consensus) and Qiyas (analogy) retreat took place over the Christmas Holidays (24-28 December). It was by the grace of Allah a success. Eighty brothers attended – all the brothers doubling up in the rooms – I don’t think we could accommodate anymore! Many were regular and others had come for the first time. The retreat began with an emotional reminder by Shaikh Haitham about the reality of this life and the importance of the study of Ijma and Qiyas.

Alhamdulillah, we completed a successful Sabeel Sunnah Retreat in Markfield. There were over 70 brothers in total, some of them coming for the first time. Shaikh Haitham delivered the definitions, recording and history of the Sunnah. Ustadh Abu Rumaysah delivered an important section about the authority of the Sunnah that was focusing on the Aahaad Ahadith and the usage of daeef ahadith. The Sabeel Admin was very happy to have Shaikh Ahmad Al-Barouni to deliver some sessions on the science of hadeeth especially as his PhD was on the Saheehul Bukhari. We had a fruitful workshop conducted by Ustadh Fraz about Abu Bakra (RadiAllahuanhu).

The course covered the principles of the Sirah, analysing the tools in understanding the Sirah in the correct way. Workshops on specific incidents such as the Prophets journey to Taif and Ghazwatul Uhud were covered in some detail.

Last night I did a meeting of Dialogue with Islam near Brick Lane on How do we cure our greedy society?

Saturday, February 2nd 2002, I can still remember that day, sitting in al-Muntada al-Islami, Parsons Green, with a group of students preparing for the first lesson of ibn Abi al-`Izz’s monumental commentary to al-`Aqidah al-Tahawiyyah of Imam Abu Ja`far al-Tahawi, may Allah have mercy on them. Our teacher was to be Shaykh Haitham al-Haddad of whom, at that time, I had just heard of and was only vaguely familiar with.