FEDERATION OF REDBRIDGE MUSLIM ORGANISATIONS

(FORMO)

Political Engagement Evening

Sunday 15th July 2012

WELCOME TO ALL

Mohammed Asif Chair. FORMO

FORMO - THE STORY SO FAR…. The Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO)

was established in 2008 as a coalition of mosques and Islamic organisation in the London Borough of Redbridge.

The aim was to have a collective voice on issues affecting both the Muslim and non Muslim community

FORMO currently has 13 affiliates from mosques, charities and schools - the door is always open for more!

General meetings are held approx bi-monthly to plan and respond to matters affecting our affiliates

HIGHLIGHTS Education Conference Lobbying of MPs at the height of the Gaza conflict Support for Al-Noor primary school bid Council meetings in support of Mosque planning permission

application Census seminar General Election 2010 Hustings in Ilford North and South Press releases and liaising with the local police following

attack on Redbridge Islamic Centre Alternative Vote awareness seminar Fiza Bashir stem donor campaign awareness

DID YOU KNOW?

According to the 2001 Census, the population of Borough of Redbridge was 238,635 – this figure is likely to substantially increase following the 2011 census

12% of this population considered themselves to be Muslim – the highest religious minority which is facilitated by 12 mosques

Cllr Muhammad Javed is the new Mayor of Redbridge

Olympic torch will arrive in the Borough next week!

Average price of a house in the borough is £290k

Local authority average of achieve 5 A*-C is 69%, whilst the national average is 55% (inc English and Maths)

Unemployment rate in Ilford North is at 4% whilst Ilford South is 5.8%. Nationally the rate is at 8.3%

Total number of reported crimes committed year to March 2012 in the borough stood at 24, 257 with violence against another person, residential burglary and car crime being the highest factors

REDBRIDGE MATTERS More police presence to tackle crime

School waiting lists especially at primary level

The proposed closure of maternity and A+E at King George’s hospital despite public pressure on the onward impact on Queen’s - Romford

Incentives for local jobs/local retail businesses, given the number of empty shops, especially in and around the Exchange

Westfield Stratford and the impact on retail businesses in the exchange

Impact of an ageing population and the provision of local services, especially care in the homes,

Impact of parking restrictions at peak times required by Muslim and other faith based communities, e.g. Diwali, Eid and Friday prayers, Yom Kippur, Vaisakhi etc.

Quality of local education given the changes being driven by central government e.g. free schools, changes to Ofsted inspections, faith schools, halal food, sex education, etc.

REDBRIDGE MATTERS

Local training and activity centres for the youth.

Increase of kerb crawling and anti social behaviour in Ilford lane

Visible pollution and the recent rodent infestation on Seven King’s High Road