Charity Name: MUSLIM EDUCATION CENTRE & WELFARE TRUST
Charity Registration Number: 1076268
Charity address: 4 The Parade, Totteridge Drive, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 6UH
Annual Report for year ending 31[st] January 2021
The MUSLIM EDUCATION CENTRE & WELFARE TRUST (MECWAT) has been a charitable organisation since 1999.
Trustees
The MECWAT has a board of trustees who manage and maintain the running of the charity on a daily basis. It was agreed that the Trustee Board should have full authority in which they may appoint or remove staff. The board give their time freely and do not receive a wage or any other financial benefits.
Regular meetings are held with the board where all matters of the centre are discussed. Elections for the board of trustees is held every three years and it is our aim to appoint younger, professional individuals who can use their experience to move the MECAWT forward.
The following make up the current board of Trustees:
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Naveed Hussain – Chairman
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Shabir Jogiat
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Irfan Khan
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Mazar Shah
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Javid Anwar
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Abdul Rashid
Imams
o Waqas Rashid
Aims
To serve the local Muslim community by promoting a greater understanding of Islam through charitable, educational, and social means.
To contribute towards building and preserving bridges between communities and people at all levels through the pursuit of common values and interests.
Our focus is split over 3 different ages/gender groups:
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Youth – Ages 5 – 18
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Adults
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Women 18+
Objectives & Activities
EDUCATION
Qur’anic Studies - Reciting the Holy Quran with tajweed (correct grammar and pronunciation) is taught for both girls and boys seven days a week. Classes are aimed at the youth between the ages of 5 and 18. However, there has been a demand to teach these classes to adults in the evenings and women from the Asian community who may not have access to just classes.
We have a variety of formal and informal classes set up to cope with the extra demands from the local community. The classes for the children are particularly in demand with the MECAWT having a huge waiting list for the 6[th] year running.
Hifz classes – Memorisation of the Holy Qur’an is seen as a rewarding and important part of the Islamic faith. We have regular number of youngsters and adults taking part in the classes which are running most evenings and weekends.
Islamic studies - In addition to the daily classes, we also provide the children with practical advice on morality, how to be good citizens and how to be of benefit to the local community. We feel this goes hand in hand with being a good Muslim.
Language classes - Basic Urdu/Arabic language classes are held over the weekend. These are predominantly for adults and older children who wish to learn.
English and Math tuition classes- There was a need highlighted a number of years ago for younger students who were struggling with their daily school work. They would struggle to get help from home where often English wasn’t the main language. The BME gap is increasing and The MECAWT is continually looking at ways to reduce this. We have enlisted the help of local professionals who are attendees of the MECAWT to help provide both English and Maths classes.
Lectures- Every month a renowned scholar is invited to deliver an influential speech to the youth, discussing current topics and issues. In addition, we have regular lectures which are held during the week, these are aimed mainly at the older youth and adults within the community.
Separate bi-monthly lectures are held for ladies covering a variety of subjects.
Counselling services - The MECAWT provides guidance and counselling to the local community via a variety of methods such as personal interviews, meetings, email correspondence and telephone. The overwhelming demand for this service has led to longer opening hours to ensure time is made to these important guidance and counselling needs.
We are often called into mediate marital and other disputes which take place within the family environment, all in a confidential manner.
Social Contribution - MECAWT has been active Addressing key health issues common amongst the local Asian community such as thalassemia, diabetes and high blood pressure. We hold seminars throughout the year to discuss issues commonly affecting the local community. We also offer Matrimonial Services i.e. performing Marriages (Nikah), counselling, and Study Circles – addressing Social Issues for both men and women. In addition to this we have teams who help out local charities such as helping with aid being collected for oversees disasters.
Youth – The centre recognises the need to help guide younger Muslims understand the issues that affect them. Group sessions are conducted in English and encourage open and frank discussions.
Issues such as racism, drugs, alcohol and respect for others are discussed and are aimed at social reform on an individual as well as communal level. By focusing this attention to youngsters we are hoping to build an integrated community where young Muslims grow up understanding and contributing the culture and society around them.
Young adults who are either studying at university or working provide a vital role in guiding and providing non-judgemental confidential sounding boards. Youngsters who find it difficult to approach parents with questions are able to discuss issues such as s e x and drugs in a relaxed atmosphere. These young adults are also offering free tutoring to teenagers to help them with their studies.
We have in the last year set up a Youth Group which looks at bringing the youth back in and off the streets. Currently we have a number football sessions, sewing classes and youth nights to provide the youth with a place to socialise and discuss their issues. We hope to expand our efforts over the coming year.
Charitable Contributions - As part of the Welfare work the charity has been doing we have fundraised to support a number of local and international organisations responding to international disasters in Pakistan, Syria, Palestine, and Africa to mention a few. We have also become more involved with local charities and projects which aim to send out aid to those most in need.
Bookshop – is run 7 days a week and is open to all. We stock a large range of classical as well as modern day books and clothing.
MECAWT also collaborates with the local community in interfaith projects and has representation on the Wycombe Muslim Communication Forum, a platform setup to actively engage with local council and Police authority.
MUSLIM EDUCATION CENTRE & WELFARE TRUST
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021
| INCOME Lillah Zakat Shop Income Parental Contribution Student fees Friday Collections Miscellaneous income Rental income EXPENDITURE Opening stock Shop Closing stock Miscellaneous - Donations Direct wages and NIC Rates Insurance Heat and light Water Premise and equipment repairs Subcontact wages Printing, stationery and advertising Telephone Legal and professional fees Cleaning expenses Youth Programme Bank charges Bank interest |
3,500 8,117 -4,500 2,000 79,801 |
2021 2020 £ £ 53,621 30,536 630 630 935 7,160 0 0 71,658 71,258 22,912 41,807 0 0 17,400 10,500 167,155 161,890 3,500 11,567 -3,500 180 72,783 88,917 84,531 78,238 77,360 2,083 1,599 4,097 1,462 1,795 0 0 1,122 1,575 1,052 100 32 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,710 80 13,125 1,878 2,471 0 0 1,110 1,625 42 10 3,181 0 |
| Travel expenses Transaction charges Depreciation of office equipment Depreciation of fixtures & fittings Donations to charity EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE |
4,884 0 0 1,125 0 |
657 0 0 990 0 31,241 16,564 46,996 60,796 |
|---|---|---|
Report to the Trustees of Muslim Education Centre
Registered Charity Number
On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the above charity for the year ended 31/03/2021
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the Charity Commission’s Directions. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ’true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
• to keep accounting records in accordance with s. 130 of the 2011 Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act, have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a . proper understanding of the accounts to be reached
Name: Shahzad Khan Relevant professional qualification or body: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Address: 37 Disraeli Crescent, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5EL Date: 23/01/2022