British imams to give sermons to encourage voting

Imams across the United Kingdom are being urged to give sermons to encourage Muslims to vote in the June 8 general election.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), an umbrella group of the country's mosques and Islamic bodies, has circulated a suggested sermon for imams to deliver during Friday prayers that declares: "Muslims need to be more politically active."
The sermon warns against the rise of the far-right and of bans on the hijab and niqab across Europe and a "constant threat to halal food".
"This is no longer just scare-mongering. If we do not vote carefully in our local areas and ensure that those who are not suitable to govern or be MPs are removed from power, then we will suffer even more harm. Voting is our key tool to safeguard our rights," the sermon draft reads.

Harun Khan, secretary general of MCB, said the group's aim was to ensure British Muslims engage with their local prospective parliamentary candidates and sensitise them on Muslim issues.
"As the election approaches, we hope that all the main parties engage with Muslim communities and Muslim communities themselves engage in the democratic process. We have seen many arrange hustings, Q&A sessions and even go out campaigning for their local candidate - it is an important election - make your voice heard," he said.
The MCB has also launched a list of eight key issues affecting the community, calling on parliamentary candidates to engage more proactively with British Muslims and combat Islamophobia.