Islamophobia: A Racial or Religious Discrimination? Why it Matters. Sunday 26th November

 

Densification along with misleading figures on community space and green space provide ammunition for South Kilburn residents to fight for a better deal

 

As tables were being cleared after the usual community meal at the Granville Centre in South Kilburn, Leslie Barson  of Granville Kitcheh stepped forward to introduce the evening's rather special speaker.

 She said, 'I have been thinking - you can't have a project without a place to do it. And you need a project for the place.'

The Granville and Carlton Centres have done so much, so many projects, over the Coviud crisis and proved its essential role in the community along with Rumi's Cave (now relocated in Harlesden) and had kept people together: 'We now understand its relevance.'

The planning application approved at the beginning of 2020 is to be actioned over the next few months.

Dr Pablo Sendra from UCL who had led the research project 'Co-designing social infrastructure for resilient communities in post-Covid cities' addressed the crowded room full of local residents. A rare collaborative effort between community and academics.

In his talk Pablo made a number of key points:

Researchers estimated that the Granville Centre over 65 weeks had provided £344,760 worth of volunteer labour,

Quoting the Mayor of London that organisations, projects and buildings need to be more connected and relevant he asked, 'How can the community be more involved in how the building and its spaces work?'

As a result of regeneration South Kilburn had increased in density and needed more community spaces. The 'Community Hubs' hailed by the Council were places to ask the Council for support, rather than for organising activity. Bland spaces were being provided that people did not feel comfortable in. [Later I mentioned the 1970s 510 community centre in the Harrow Road with its old settees and arm chairs, kettle in the corner, that people treated as home from home and housing many organisations involved in anti-racism, immigration, education and campaigns against SuS.]

The former hall in the Granville where people used to meet has been converted into an 'enterprise space' . Overall the research showed that the Council estimate of a overall loss of  community space of 5% had not included the Granville, Carlton and Rumi's and in fact the loss was 60%.

The workspaces were rigid, enclosed office spaces but the UCL survey showed that people wanted much more creative spaces for activities such as pottery and music.  At a time when people were used to working from home the space offered had to be more than a desk and internet - otherwise people would continue to work from home.

Green spaces were also important. Brent has a very low ratio of green space per person and regeneration will decrease the amount of green space.  And of course densification is going to increase the population significantly. During the pandemic green space became an important outdoor safe space for mental and physical health as well as a place to catch up with neighbours.  It also lent itself to food production and community gardening.

Summarising the recommendations (full details below) Dr Pablo Sendra listed:

1. No loss of community space

2. Creative and well-equipped workspaces

3. Address potential conflict between users (quiet activities versus noisy or messy)

4. Welcoming space to socialise

5. Diverse types of community spaces

6. Spaces for emotional support

7. Activities for young people

8. Flexible and well-equipped green space

9. Local food production and gardening

10. Inclusive process for decision making

11. Involvement of the community in the running of the buildings

12. Work on a resilient funding model.

In discussion questions were asked about the possibility of legal action against Brent Council over its decisions in the light of the research findings. whether the council had carried out a lawful consultation and how the council's action stood regarding the Equality Act.

Asked what next Pablo said that it was now a matter for the community to mobilise itself using the research findings to ensure that they maintained, managed and improved the good space that they had.

After the meeting Leslie Barson said:

Granville Community Kitchen is  very pleased to have this research that identifies and clarifies what needs to be done and why to safeguard The Granville and The Carlton as multi purpose community spaces. We hope the Council will find it useful too and help the South Kilburn community achieve the report's recommendations.

Pete Firmin, a local resident, queried:

When Brent says there has been little loss of green space with regeneration in South Kilburn, I wonder whether they take account of the fact that much of the green space previously was open to all, yet now much of such space is reserved for residents of certain blocks. And green space now is more more patchwork - many smaller spaces, rather than larger ones which allow for ball games etc.

 

The report implies that the Granville/Carlton Centres, whatever else is going on there, are under community control. They never have been and are not now. They are under the control of Council-appointed bodies, with South Kilburn residents having very limited say in their use.

Rumi's Cave say 'Stand by us' as they prepare to leave Carlton Vale premises

 

 

New video of Glaiza Padulla, Project Manager and Aminah Babikir, Director, explaining Rumi's history and current move as demonstrated in this video.

Donate to our new fundraising page 
https://www.ulfaaid.org.uk/rumiscavelegacy/

The amazing Rumi's Cave send a 'Love Letter' farewell to Kilburn as they start packing for move to Harlesden

 

 

From Rumi's Facebook page:

We have been given a month to move into our new Harlesden premises. Seeing the Rumi’s area is quite a contrast to the little touches we added to make our Cave special.

 

Whilst we move and get our premises in Harlesden ready for Rumi’s Kitchen projects feeding the most vulnerable and looking after our elders. We are going to be moving some of our events to a temporary hall. Till we find our new Cave home.

 

To donate and support please go to rumis.org/donate your donations will be used to help hire a space in the interim, look for a new home and start this new chapter God willing.

 

It is a sad day for Rumi's Cave as they pack up to leave their base in Carlton Vale, Kilburn after many years of work with and for the local community.  They are moving to a small site in Harlesden but are looking for a larger space to carry out their many activities.

The move comes despite valiant and well-supported efforts LINK to save their facility in Kilburn. They said farewell on Twitter:

 

I responded on Twitter:

Dear @RumisCave it is an honour to have had you here in Brent and see the positive impact you have made. You have given back so much and long may your work continue elsewhere in the borough. Thank you.

Congratulations to Rumi's Cave for winning the Beacon Mosque Award for Best Services to Women

 

Congratulations to the the amazing Rumi’s Cave who have just won the  Best Women's Services Award in the British Beacon Mosque Awards Dec 2021

Rumi's Cave  describes itself as an alternative community hub, arts and events venue in Brent (based in Carlton Vale, South Kilburn and Willesden Lane), presenting a diverse range of cultural and social programmes to connect hearts, minds and communities. It is a non-defined social space open to all to reflect and share, inspired by the legacy of poet Jalauddin Rumi.

 Introducing the video of the Award presentation on YouTube, Rumi's Cave said:

Thank you to everyone who voted and the panel from Beacon Mosque for this amazing award, alhamdulilah. All praise is due to God. Rumi's Cave is open to all, from all walks of life and religions. But we feel strongly about women at the forefront and being in positions of leadership following our blessed spiritual traditions of Islamic women of the past. Notably Khadijah (ra) & Aisha (ra) wife's of the Prophet Muhammad who were key business women, entrepreneurs and scholars. We would secondly like to thank Sheikh Babikir our chairman who has pushed the women to be at the forefront to stand alongside the men from Rumi's inception. Women being in the back has never had a basis in our Islamic tradition but following the Medinan example of women also supporting the wider community is a strong message Sheikh Babikir has promoted since the beginning. To all the amazing women who run / have run the cave Glaiza, Nazra, Rakaya, Sukina, Tayyibah, Nuria and Aminah to all the amazing volunteers who give selflessly without recognition we love you and we hope Rumi's always feels like your home and supports your voice inshallah.

Accepting the Award, Aminah Babikir, Director of Rumi's Projects said:

By educating and empowering women we are actually empowering and educating a whole generation.

She recalled her father Sheikk Babikir  telling her, 'Be brave, stand firm with the men, don't feel you can't be at the forefront,' - it had taken a decade to lead from the front and realise how important that is in developing and supporting the spiritual, intellectual and emotional needs of women.

Appeal from Rumi's Cave on Carlton Centre Planning Application

Message from Rumi's Cave

Dear All,

Although the consultation period has now ended, we can still send in concerns and objections as we uncover new facts.

The building where we are homed, the Carlton Centre, has been regarded as D1 use and this is identified as 'Class D1. Non-residential institutions':

Any use not including a residential use —

(a)for the provision of any medical or health services except the use of premises attached to the residence of the consultant or practitioner,
(b)as a crêche, day nursery or day centre,
(c)for the provision of education,
(d)for the display of works of art (otherwise than for sale or hire),
(e)as a museum,
(f)as a public library or public reading room,
(g)as a public hall or exhibition hall,
(h)for, or in connection with, public worship or religious instruction.

Putting offices in these buildings requires a change of use, even if the offices are for social enterprises and startups.

The Council have not applied for change of use on the latest planning permission application and therefore the planning application is not valid.

Keeping this in mind, please email your objections to patrick.Doyle@brent.gov.uk (Planning ref# 19/2378)

Thank-you for all your support.

---