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What is on this site?

My writings, intended to help people succeed personally and to help them to change society by taking action and by learning more about aspects of the world.

Top 10 pages

The pages I recommended most in alphabetical order.

A brief introduction to Islam for non-Muslims

For many years non-Muslims have asked my wife and me for a simple and short introduction to Islam. Unable to find anything quite suitable, I decided to write it myself.

A perspective on shechita and halal slaughter

Animal welfare campaigners regularly allege that shechita and halal slaughter are cruel. I briefly review scientific evidence which contradicts the cruelty claim, and discuss the religious freedom issues.

Muslims misguided enough to abandon Islam are free to do so

Apostasy is a controversial subject, and this item generated more comments than any other blog I have written.

Playing Russian roulette with my baby's health

Marrying your first cousin increases the risk of your children having a serious genetic disorder. As well as discussing the risks, I link a number of scientific papers, so that readers are not left in any doubt regarding the facts.

Reading the Quran

If you want to understand the Quran and don't speak Arabic, you need a translation, but where do you start?

Reflections on visiting Auschwitz

I regard the Holocaust as the ultimate in human depravity. In 2009 with some other Muslims and Jews I visited Auschwitz.

The benefits and costs of joining a political party

Few British citizens are members of a political party. I explain how much influence joining a party gives you, even if you don't have time to get actively involved.

The Conservative Party, racial equality and national identity

My essay in the Demos publication "Are we there yet? A collection on race and Conservatism" edited by Max Wind-Cowie. I discuss the nature of race and the meaning of national identity, and how the Conservative Party has changed under David Cameron.

The importance of speaking proper English

You are more likely to succeed in life if your spoken English is outstandingly good. I give some simple advice on how you can improve it.

Triangulating the Abrahamic faiths

How do you measure the relative closeness of Judaism, Christianity and Islam?

There is a lot more on the site; use the menu above or the one page view.

What you do matters

We cannot change others except by persuasion. However, each of us can change ourselves. That changes the world.

Read "What you can do."

The logo

My logo is the Mandelbrot set.

Newest pages on this site

The latest 20, newest first, are listed below.

Use a good quality photograph

Many people have profiles on networking sites without a photograph. It looks unprofessional and is counter-productive.

Review of "Quranic Studies: Sources and Methods of Scriptural Interpretation" by John Wansbrough

This book is the source of the radical view that the Quran was not composed when generally believed, but around 200 years later, and in Mesopotamia rather than in Western Arabia. It is written in obscure academic language and very hard to read. I found it unconvincing and severely flawed.

Voting unites the country

Politics often creates strong emotions and is seen as disuniting people. However voting is a great national communal act and we need to remember that all politicians are loyal to their country.

The UK Government's consultation on equal civil marriage

The Government is consulting on replacing civil partnerships for same-sex couples with civil marriage. Many religious groups have objected to the change and so have I. The consultation closes on 14 June 2012.

Review of "Wandering Lonely in a Crowd" by SM Atif Imtiaz

This is a collection of the author's essays and speeches ranging over the nine years since 11 September 2001. In them the author gives a personal view what he calls "the Muslim condition in the West."

The arithmetic of giving to charity

The proposal in the March 2012 UK Budget to limit tax relief for charitable giving has caused great controversy. Much of the debate has misrepresented the issues which I explain with some simple numbers.

Review of "How not to die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer and Healthier" by Dr Jan Garavaglia

Medical examiners see the many foolish ways people manage to get themselves killed. The book is entertaining while being full of sound advice for reducing the risk of an early death.

Success tip: think about your CV

Most people see only their own CV. I have seen many, most of them written in ways that would get them rejected by a recruiter. I have illustrated the failings with a real life "before" and "after" example.

Review of "Islamic Law - Theory and Interpretation" by Michael Mumisa

A short and very readable introduction to the way Islamic Law is derived from its sources. The author The author believes that we need to interpret the Quran afresh for the modern world, rather than feeling bound by traditional interpretations.

The impact of management charges on your investment outcome

Unless you manage your investments yourself, you cannot avoid management charges. However the impact of management charges is much bigger than most people think.

Review of "How to get things done without trying too hard" by Richard Templar

This book is very easy to read, and quite short. It contains about 100 efficiency improving recommendations, and almost everyone will find something that they are not already doing.

Written interview on the UK retail Islamic banking scene

In response to questions from the magazine Islamic Finance News, I explain why the industry has grown so little and the competitive pressures it faces.

Review of "Countering Al-Qaeda in London: Police and Muslims in Partnership" by Robert Lambert

The author spent over 25 years in the Metropolital Police and founded the Muslim Contact Unit. He explains in detail how Islamists helped reclaim the Finsbury Park Mosque from Abu Hamza, and how salafis countered Al Qaeda recruitment on the streets of Brixton.

Interview with the WNY Muslims website - my view of life in 12 minutes

A video interview that a visitor recorded on a smartphone. I cover growing up in Manchester in the 1950's, how to choose a career, the troubles of the Muslim world and some advice for young Muslims growing up in America.

Review of "The Right Kind of History – Teaching the Past in Twentieth Century England" by David Cannadine, Jenny Keating and Nicola Sheldon

The authors have written the first history of how History has been taught in English schools from 1900 to 2010. The book is very easy to read and helps one to think clearly about this vital issue. Afer all, we are our history.

When do cross-border Islamic finance payments suffer withholding tax?

As tax law varies from country to country, there is no general answer to this question. However this article, first published in Islamic Finance News, explains how to think about the issues.

"Reflections" article about why I built my website

"Reflections" is a newsletter for former PwC partners and directors. I was recently asked to supply a short article about my website.

To save one life is like saving all mankind

This quotation appears in the Quran and in the Talmud.Two years ago meet a kindertransport child made this quotation vividly real for me. Accordingly I based my second "Thought for the week" radio broadcast around it.

TV discussion on Britain and Christian values

In a speech on the King James Bible, Prime Minister David Cameron explained his view of Britain as a Christian country and the importance of Christian values. The Islam Channel had a programme where I discussed this with Dr Jonathan Chaplin - Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics.

An illustrative political complaint letter

I have written to the Superintendent of West Point objecting to a proposed speaker. The email is reproduced with an explanation of my thought process.