Lesson video

Hello, I'm Mrs. Afshan, and welcome to today's lesson.

Today we'll explore how Muslims contribute to British society and some of the challenges they face in doing so.

We'll also dive into some important concepts like prejudice, Islamophobia, and the role of Muslims in shaping Britain today.

The lesson is called contributions and challenges from the unit Muslims: What are the Joys and Challenges of being Muslim in Britain? The outcome of today's lesson is I can talk about how Muslims make positive contributions to Britain and some of the challenges they might face.

Before we dive into today's topic, let's look at some of the keywords that we will be using a lot today.

The words are contribution, prejudice, Islamophobia, stereotypes.

Let's look at the meaning of these words to understand them even better and apply them during our lesson.

Contribution is something that you give or do to help make something successful.

Prejudice, judging someone unfairly before you really know them just because they're different.

Islamophobia is a fear or dislike of Muslims or Islam often because of misunderstanding.

And finally, stereotypes.

Simple ideas about a group of people that are often not true and don't show who they really are.

Let's start our lesson.

In today's lesson, we have two cycles.

First, we are going to look at how do Muslims contribute to British society.

Alex explains how we use social science in religious education.

Alex says, "Social scientists are interested in how people live, where they live, and how different factors affect them.

We can better understand people's worldviews by looking at photographs or analysing data.

We can survey or interview people to find out more." In this lesson today, we will use case studies to learn about the contribution of Muslims to British society.

This will help us better understand their worldview.

Let's get started.

Here, we have Izzy and Sofia who are thinking about what a contribution to society really means.

Izzy says, "Hi, Sofia.

What does it mean to make a contribution to society?" Sofia replies, "I think it's about helping others and making the world better, even with small things like picking up the litter or supporting community programmes." That's a good idea, Sofia, to describe what contribution really means.

Can you think of another example? Great.

Let's check if you got that.

Contribution is about, and making the world.

What do you think? Is it helping others and making the world better, or relaxing and making the world messy, or hiding and making the world quieter? What do you think? That's correct.

Contribution is about helping and making the world better.

You got that right.

Well done.

Izzy and Sofia are now curious to find out how Muslims contribute to British society.

To find out more, they will be interviewing some Muslims and looking at some case studies.

Here they meet Fatemeh who is a Muslim, and she'll try and help us understand how Muslims contribute to British society.

Let's find out what Izzy and Sofia are going to ask Fatemeh.

Izzy and Sofia asks, "What does contributing to society mean in Islam?" Fatemeh replies, "In Islam, contributing to society is really important.

We believe that helping others is a part of our faith." Let's check for understanding.

In Islam, why is helping others important? Is it it helps you become famous, or is it part of the faith, or it helps you get out of doing chores? What you think? That's correct.

They feel helping others is really important in Islam because it is part of the faith.

You got that right.

Well done.

Fatemeh explains what contribution means to her as a Muslim.

Fatemeh says, "I believe the prophet Muhammad taught us to be kind to others, help people in need, and make the world a better place.

Small acts of kindness like helping a neighbour with groceries or picking up litter are always to do good in Islam.

For me, volunteering at a community event or supporting my neighbourhood are ways I try to live as the prophet taught us, by showing kindness and making society a better place." Let's meet another person.

She's Julie Siddiqi.

She is a British Muslim from Berkshire.

She has a Muslim worldview.

Julie is a community leader who works to bring people together across different religions and worldviews.

Julie is also the co-founder of many events and organisations, including Nisa-Nashim.

Let's find out what Nisa-Nashim does.

Nisa-Nashim is a charity that brings together Jewish and Muslim women to learn more about each of other's belief and practises.

For Julie, this helps people to learn about and grow in their respect for people who are different from them and their family.

Let's find out what inspires Julie.

Julie says, "I'm inspired by people who are kind, people who help others and give their time.

People who think about others before themselves.

I'm inspired by those who can stay happy and peaceful even when things are tough.

I'm also inspired by nature because it shows me how big and beautiful the world is and that's we're just a small part of something amazing." Let's check for understanding.

What inspires Julie to bring people of different religions together? Is it a book she read at school, or her favourite TV show, or her Muslim faith? What do you think? That's correct, her Muslim faith.

Well done if you chose that answer.

Let's now meet another Muslim person who contributes to British society.

This is Sir Sadiq Khan.

He is a British Muslim and has a Muslim worldview.

Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London, so he helps and contributes to the wider community.

He was the first Muslim to become mayor of major city in the Western world.

Sir Sadiq was born in London.

His parents came from Pakistan to live in the UK.

His dad was a bus driver and his mom sued clothes to help support the family.

When he was young, Sir Sadiq worked hard in school and had small jobs like delivering newspapers.

He went to university and became a lawyer who helped people with their rights.

Khan's interest in politics began at a young age as he grew up in a politically active household.

His father was involved in trade union activities, which exposed Khan to the importance of social justice and equality.

This upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of public service and a commitment to fighting for the rights of his community.

Later, he became a politician and want to help people in his city.

In 2016, he was elected mayor of London.

He tries to make the city better by cleaning the air, making housing more affordable, and helping people from all backgrounds feel welcome.

Once he said, "London is more than just a city.

It's a symbol of freedom, diversity, and opportunity." He has helped British society by standing up for fairness, bringing people together, and making sure everyone is treated equally.

Sir Sadiq shows that anyone, no matter where they come from, can do great things if they work hard and care about others.

Ahmed is a British Sunni Muslim from Cambridge.

He shares how Sir Sadiq Khan's contribution to society inspires him.

Ahmed says, "I look up to Sir Sadiq Khan because he works hard to make London a better place for everyone.

He's a Muslim like me, and it makes me feel proud and hopeful that I can do something good for people too and contribute to British society to make it a better place." Now it's time for our task.

Are you ready? Here we have Izzy and Sofia, and they're reflecting on what it means to contribute to society and why some Muslims choose to do so.

Izzy says, "Why do Muslims choose to contribute to British society?" Sofia replies, "Some Muslims give money to charity to help people in need." Do you remember we looked at some case studies in our lesson today? Use those case studies to give two more ways that Muslims help in British society.

You can pause the video now and come back when you're ready to check your answers with me.

Let's check our answers.

You had to write two more ways that Muslims help in British society.

Some of your possible answers might be Fatemeh believes that volunteering at a community event is a part of her faith.

Sir Sadiq Khan is the mayor of London and he works to make the city fairer for everyone.

And we also looked at Julie Siddiqi.

Julie Siddiqi helps bring people from different religions together to build peace in British society.

Well done if you included those in your answer.

Great work.

We have now looked at how Muslims contribute to British society.

Let's now move and look at what are some of those challenges Muslims might face in Britain.

Izzy and Sofia want to explore the challenges Muslims might face in Britain.

They plan to ask different questions about their experiences and how these connect to wider issues in the community.

Let's look at the questions Izzy and Sofia are going to ask and think about.

Izzy asks, "How do Muslims stay connected to their identity in daily life?" Sofia's question is, "Does being Muslim affect their daily life in Britain?" Let's find out.

Izzy and Sofia now meets Nadia.

How do Muslims stay connected to their identity in daily life? Nadia says, "Being a Muslim in Britain is part of who I am, and I try to remember that every day by praying to Allah, God.

This helps me feel close to him." Nadia continues and shares, "Sometimes I wear clothes that show I'm Muslim like my hijab, and sometimes, I just show it by how I act.

During Ramadan, I fast and join in at iftar with my family.

We sometimes have special meals together with people from our community.

Even though not everyone around me is Muslim, these things help me feel connected to my identity." Time for another check.

Nadia wears a hijab as one way to show she's Muslim.

True or false? What do you think? True, that's correct.

Wearing a hijab is one way Nadia shows she's Muslim as it helps her feel connected to her faith.

Great.

You got that right.

Izzy and Sofia now talks to Layla, who is a British Sufi Muslim.

"Does being Muslim affect your daily life in Britain, Layla?" Layla replies, "Yes, sometimes being Muslim affects my daily life because of prejudice or stereotypes.

I've had moments where people ask questions or make comments that aren't always kind.

But let's find out, "What is prejudice?" Izzy asks? "Sometimes people make judgements that aren't fair before even knowing the person.

That's called prejudice." Let's check if you got that.

What is prejudice? Is it treating everyone exactly the same, or asking lots of questions to understand someone better, or is it making guesses about someone without knowing them? What do you think? That's correct.

Prejudice is making guesses about someone without knowing them, which is quite unfair.

Izzy and Sofia are not talking to Fatemeh to learn more about prejudice against Muslims in Britain.

Let's check what they are asking Fatemeh this time.

"Fatemeh, have you ever experienced prejudice because you are Muslim?" Fatemeh replies, "Yes, I've faced Islamophobia, where people are scared or suspicious of Muslims and Islam without really knowing us." Fatemeh shares, "It can feel really upsetting, especially when people judge me without knowing anything about me just because I'm Muslim or because of my hijab.

Sometimes, it feels like the belief stereotypes instead of seeing who I really am.

I know I can report this to Tell MAMA, an organisation that supports people like me and helps stop Islamophobia." Let's check if you remember what is Islamophobia.

Is it prejudice or stereotypes against Muslims and Islam, or a celebration of Muslim contributions, or is it a type of food eaten during Ramadan? What do you think? That's correct.

Islamophobia is prejudice or stereotypes against Muslims and Islam.

Well done if you chose that answer.

Izzy now talks to Imam Tareeq who has a Muslim worldview and is an imam to find out more about Islamophobia in Britain.

Imam is a leader who helps people understand their religion better and sometimes leads prayers at mosques.

Izzy asked, "Is Islamophobia allowed in Britain?" Tareeq Imam replies, "No, Islamophobia is not allowed in Britain.

It's actually illegal to discriminate against someone because of their faith or beliefs." Imam Tareeq explains more about prejudice and stereotypes in Britain.

He says, "Education is key to overcoming prejudice.

When we learn about different religions and cultures, we understand each other better and stop making unfair judgments.

Prejudice isn't something only Muslims face.

People of all beliefs or no belief can experience it.

It's important to treat everyone with kindness and respect." I totally agree with Imam Tareeq.

Everyone should be treated with kindness and respect.

Time for our next task.

Here are some keywords to remind us of our learning about the joys and challenges of being Muslim in Britain.

Use these words to help you write one sentence about a challenge and two sentences about the joys of being Muslim in Britain.

The key words are freedom, family, contribution, identity, prejudice, and Islamophobia.

Use these words to help you write one sentence about a challenge and two sentences about the choice of being Muslim in Britain.

You can post the video now and come back when you're ready.

Let's check our answers.

One sentence about a challenge and two sentences about the joys of being Muslim in Britain.

Some of the possible sentences are sometimes, Muslims face prejudice or Islamophobia, which can make them feel left out or unfairly treated.

The two sentences about the joys of being a Muslim in Britain, you might have included these.

Being Muslim in Britain is part of their identity, and it makes them feel thankful, and they have the freedom to be themselves.

Family is very important to many Muslims in Britain, and they feel proud of their contributions to their communities by helping others and sharing their faith.

Let's quickly recap what we've learned in today's lesson.

We now know that Islam teaches Muslims to care for others and make the world a better place.

Muslims make contributions to British society by being kind, giving to charity and volunteering in their communities.

Muslims like Sir Sadiq Khan and Julie Siddiqi work to improve life for everyone in Britain.

Muslims sometimes face challenges like prejudice and Islamophobia, which stereotypes people without knowing them.

Muslims are proud of their identity and stay connected to their faith through prayer, family, and doing good deeds.

Fantastic work today.

You've learned about the contributions Muslims make to British society and some of the challenges they face.

Understanding these issues helps us build a more compassionate and informed society.

Remember, it's always important to treat people with kindness and respect regardless of their background.

Thank you for your participation today, and I'll see you next time, goodbye.