Over the last year we have had three central focuses to our work:

• Setting up systems that will help us monitor the quality of our programme of activities

• Consolidating and expanding the number of quality of programmes offered

• Renovating our premises

I am pleased to report that we have attained our targets and in some cases have exceeded them! SMWA has a wide-ranging and comprehensive set of policies to ensure quality in all areas. We have spent much time and effort over the last year developing working policies for our pre-school, after-school and supplementary school projects. In addition we have developed new programmes for Adult Education and the

Elderly. We are determined that these policies are not merely paper policies but real working documents that aid us in the delivery of high quality programmes.

Consolidation of good projects is as important as the development of new ones. We have over the years, developed a programme of activities that meet the needs of Muslim communities in Southwark and the surrounding areas. The Adult Learning, Elderly, Supplementary Schools and Youth Projects all remain very

well attended. We extended the Supplementary School Project with extra sessions now taking place during week days. For adults, we introduced a series of workshops on issues that touch on the everyday lives of our members and will make them better-informed in making important decisions.

Then there is the work we do in the wider community. The Muslim Festival and the Arts and Crafts week were two highly successful and enjoyable events bringing many more people in touch with Muslim culture and aspects of Islam. In addition to these two events we also arranged an exhibition at the Horniman Museum .

It is with regret I have to report an old friend of ours has moved on to a new post. Helen Dorfman, until recently the head teacher at Waverley School , took up a new challenge in West London . I would like to thank Helen for all her support over the years and to wish her the very best for the future. We hope to

establish an equally good working relationship with her successor.

The events of September 11th and the response to them created considerable hostility towards Muslims in the area. This had a negative impact on attendance at the Centre and our minibus was in great demand for some months whilst women remained fearful of going out. Matters were exacerbated by an article in the South London Press which included an article on the Association alongside coverage of terrorist

attacks. Following this article we received abusive telephone calls and objects were thrown at the building, which caused staff at the Centre to feel threatened. We have held meetings with local police and Council

representatives to discuss how best to support the Muslim community in Southwark in the face of this kind of hostility.

Our Association is working hard to build bridges and we are strongly opposed to acts of terrorism. Notwithstanding this, we have had to work doubly hard this year to combat prejudice against and stereotyping of our members.

We are heartened by the support and acknowledgement that we receive for our work in raising awareness of our faith and culture amongst the non-Muslim communities, in ensuring that regard is taken of Islamic values when developing local initiatives and in giving support to our members in enabling them to play a full social and economic role in the life of their community.

We remain commited to working with our many partners and friends in the community.

Zafar Iqbal

Centre Director