E-Mail Digest FOI 0238-10

Annex A

FOI REQUEST 0238-10

E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE between the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Quilliam Foundation

{NB: redacted names and personal information have been replaced with `xxx'}

20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 23/06/2009

Hi XXX,

Apologies for the delay in responding to you on this; as I mentioned, I was out of the office yesterday. I've now spoken with our programme team to get a grasp on this issue. They have come back with the following:

As you'll be aware, last year we set aside a sum of money for security costs, arising from duty of care. However that figure was only for last financial year. Going forward, the programme team tell me that security mitigation costs would have to be part of project budgets as an integral cost of carrying out this project. The original project bid submitted by XXX included security estimates for work in Pakistan, Syria and elsewhere. It was agreed that any additional funding would have to be bid for separately.

Since the original bid was approved the funding position has changed. Given the huge pressure on our money and the fierce competition for other projects requiring funding, projects facing duty of care costs in Pakistan now have to manage within existing budgets. This, of course, might mean some scaling back of activities, which would be factored in when it comes to evaluation.

Having said this, I suggest the next step is to agree the revised programme of follow-up work in Pakistan which focuses on work which requires less security mitigation (ie utlising students to act as 'agents' for change with campuses) and do less of the security-heavy work such as further tours. XXX remains the lead on this from our end and has discussed several of your ideas with XXX about how to do this on future Pakistan work. XXX and I will be kept closely in the loop as these plans develop.

I am sorry for what might be disappointing news but I'm confident that we can work around this and still deliver a high-quality project which meets its objectives.

Best wishes,

XXX

RE: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 22/06/2009

XXX,

How are you? Any news on this? We need to start committing budget's… which of course depends on whether we have security (as initially promised).

XXX

RE: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 18/06/2009

Thanks XXX,

To be honest, I'm glad it's with you.

XXX

FW: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 18/06/2009

XXX,

Hope you're well. Just to let you know that this email has now come to me. I'm looking into it and hope to get back to you soon.

Best,

XXX

FW: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 18/06/2009

Habib,

Is everything okay? Did you get my below email?

XXX

FW: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 17/06/2009

Salam XXX,

I hope you are well? Sorry to bring you bad news Habib. XXX has informed me that he spoke with XXX recently on NAP. Our agreement had been that the NAP budget would fund our initiatives, and that security would be covered externally under a separate budget by the FCO.

Apparently, XXX said that there are now no more funds to pay for security, and that we will now have to use the NAP funds to pay for it. This will mean a huge reduction in our NAP commitments and a significant cut back on absolutely everything we are doing. This will be a huge shame and a set-back for work we had already committed to due to the nod from XXX and XXX in our last meeting. His reason was that he FCO pot for such initiatives has run out of money for this year?

Any clarification habib? This puts us in a real pickle...

Regards,

XXX

FW: 20081120 - QF and FCO meeting 17/06/2009

Hi XXX,

First email I am searching for a much clearer confirmation from the FCO scroll down.

2. QF should contract an external security company to provide advice - funds will need to be revaluated to factor this in

Kind regards, XXX

20090824 - Quilliam ItoI Intros 24/08/2009

Hi XXX,

Relevant emails CCd into this email.

XXX - tele nos XXX

XXX - please add XXX to mail our list

XXX - XXX is carrying out your external evaluation for PK, I have explained that you have taken over from XXX.

http://www.quilliamfoundation.org/pakistan-university-tour.html

This link has Newsnight clips at the bottom plus all other media surrounding our work in PK.

Please look at the home page as well, the BNP paper is there to download.

Kind regards,

XXX

Alliance of Youth Movements Summit - Mexico 2009 14/10/2009

Hi XXX,

Great talking to you on the phone earlier. As discussed, below is all the relevant information on the conference that XXX is going to be attending:

Documentary on the Summit: http://www.howcast.com/videos/163441-Alliance-Of-Youth-Movements

Summit Programme: http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09/agenda

Link from where summit sessions can be viewed:

Key speakers at the AYM Summit will answer questions from online submissions during their speeches and panels. The entire event will be simulcast on the web from Mexico City on Thursday, October 15 and Friday, October 16, 2009. Via this widget anyone can submit a question, and then tune in to see it answered by watching the live stream. Simply choose the language of your region for the video widget, copy the embed code, and put it on your site.

http://info.howcast.com/youthmovements/summit09/partnerinfo

I'll be watching most of the sessions live online for possible ideas that we can incorporate for our social movement in Pakistan. XXX will of course also be networking with the summit speakers and delegates for useful tips and potential areas for future collaboration. We thought it would be useful for people at the FCO to be aware of this initiative as it would definitely be something worth replicating here. XXX returns on the weekend, and I'm sure he'll have lots more to tell us then. In the meantime, if you have any questions about this please feel free to get in touch.

I will wait to hear from you regarding the following:

Your trip to Pakistan (confirmed dates, arrangements for flights, accommodation and security)
Outstanding issues with GardaWorld
The deadline for when you would like our message delivery plan to be sent to you (as mentioned earlier, I would prefer if this were drawn up after our upcoming trip to Pakistan, as I would have a much better picture of things by then)

Speak soon!

Kind Regards,

XXX

XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX, for your situational awareness, this went to about 800 mosques today in letter form. We're not press releasing: 03/11/2009

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

November 2009

Dear Imam,

Every year millions of people in Europe stand together on Remembrance Sunday to remember all those who have been killed in conflict — both military and civilian. Those of all faiths and of none are remembered and their sacrifices honoured.

The event particularly commemorates the First and Second World Wars, in which hundreds of thousands of Muslims fought, as part of the British Armed Forces, to defeat European and Japanese fascism.

We would like to call on all mosques to remind their congregations this Friday of the importance of this day and to ask them to join other British people in marking this Remembrance Sunday (8 November). Muslims in Britain should be proud to participate in commemorating our shared history.

This is a wonderful opportunity for British Muslims to demonstrate our gratitude to our national and religious forebears, and to the sacrifices they made. Your local church, interfaith group or council will have further information about Remembrance Sunday events.

Your brothers and sisters at Quilliam.

Embassy Iftar invitation - 10 Sept 20/08/2009

Dear XXX,

Please find attached your invitation to the Embassy Iftar event in Washington on 10 September. I'd be grateful if you could confirm your attendance.

Best wishes,
XXX

FCO Iftar Reception and delegation 01/09/2009

Dear XXX,

Thank you for this, most appreciated.

Kind regards,

XXX

FW: Iftar Reception and delegation 01/09/2009

XXX,

As promised.

XXX

RE: Iftar Reception and delegation 25/08/2009

Completely understandable and I will do all that I can to get these firmed up as soon as I can.

I am looking to do the YPFP roundtable on Thursday Sept. 10 at 530-630 pm and walk down to the residence for the iftar, if that doesnt work then we will do it wednesday evening. The congressional iftar is the evening of Wed. Sept. 9, waiting on the start time.

CMSA will be on Friday, sept. 11 with Jummah Prayer at 1400 and the group meeting directly afterwards.

State department is not yet confirmed because I only talked to them yesterday and its dependent on XXX schedule and the others they will get around a table for us at State. I am supposed to be hearing from her office and our desk officer today but I will push her office again later today but that will probably be either the morning/afternoon of wed/thur.

As soon as I know more, I will let you know.

Thanks,

XXX

RE: Iftar Reception and delegation 25/08/2009

Thanks for this, XXX. XXX travels to the US on 31 Aug (next Monday) so really needs to have some dates/times for these meetings before then. Can you give me any indication as to what the dates are likely to be (and whether in morning, afternoon or evening). Sorry to push you on this; I understand the difficulties with people being away etc.

XXX

Feedback on our Quilliam YouTube media 30/09/2009

FYI:

Some feedback we get stuff like this regularly, that we log, but sometimes we share it with interested parties such as yourself

Warm Wishes to You,

I viewed some of the videos! and I would just like to say that I believe sincerely that the work Quilliam have undertaken is much needed in Britain as we see events unfold in Birmingham and Harrow!

The noble ideals of taking this to Pakistan are timely and commendable! It is actually heart rendering and powerful the way both XXX and XXX have come across. These faces show men who have been on both sides with a vast array of experience but I would imagine mental agony and torment within after dedicating their lives to something and realizing it was political for someone's ends! That must be so hard.

I wish the whole team success in each and every difficult road they have taken with conviction. Make no mistake the aim of this group are vital to diff axis be it Islam in the UK, Pakistani communities, other sub Continent Asian coms, and Fostering better Race Relations..

If the media listen to you more, society will then begin to piece the puzzle together on all sides..

I wish you all the very best, keep your head up. You may get called many insults and names, but this country needs you and what you say!

Yours Sincerely My dear brothers and sisters at Quilliam and wishing you a bountiful Ramadan

XXX

FW: New Abyssinia Project - FCO project manager 14/10/2009

All,

Please see email below, for info.

XXX

New Abyssinia Project - FCO project manager 14/10/2009

I am writing to formally notify all those concerned at The Quilliam Foundation that I have taken over project management for the New Abyssinia Project. I'll be following on from XXX excellent work over the past year.

This decision was taken as a result of an internal review of staff workloads and resources available. XXX will now concentrate on other work, but will still be involved in the NAP project whilst we conduct a handover.

Best wishes,

XXX

FW: Project bid deadlines 12/10/2009

XXX,

As requested.

XXX

RE: Project bid deadlines 12/10/2009

XXX: We do not have a date yet for submission of bids for the February board. In answer to your question, I can confirm that there should be no problem with Quilliam skipping the November board and submitting a bid for consideration in February. Caveat being that we cannot guarantee funding of any projects as our budget for next year is not known, however, bids that are building on existing successful projects stand a better chance of securing funding.

XXX

FW: Project bid deadlines 12/10/2009

XXX,

Grateful if you could confirm our discussion in writing as soon as possible.

Thanks,
XXX

E-MAIL ATTACHMENT (E-MAIL):

RE: project bidding deadlines 12/10/2009

Hi XXX,

Many thanks for your voicemail and text message earlier on to confirm the extension of the NAP bid deadline to Jan (exact dates TBC). If it's not too much trouble, could you please send me an email to this effect so that I can pass it on to XXX and XXX in writing.

Once again, thank you so much for everything. I shall see you this evening 

Regards,

XXX

Project bidding deadlines 12/10/2009

XXX,

We spoke on the phone. This is to confirm that I am still awaiting confirmation from our Programme Office of the exact bidding deadline for Quilliam's project bid. As I mentioned earlier, we've been told that the Board will meet on two occasions to agree funding for the next financial year: once in November and once in February (2010).

As soon as I hear further, I'll get back to you.

Thanks,
XXX

ATTACHMENT END

FW: Washington 08/09/2009

XXX,

Please see below email. It appears that the parcels weren't sent until 7 September. I'm told it's a 24-hour service but I need to wait until tomorrow morning to establish what time the parcels are expected in Washington. I can only deeply apologise for this, but please be assured that I am doing everything to resolve this.

I'll be back in touch tomorrow,

XXX

Next year's funding 26/08/2009

XXX,

We just spoke. As mentioned the deadline for bids is Wednesday 14th October 2009. I'm attaching the most up-to-date version of the bidding form.

Thanks,
XXX

QF bid for next FY 18/12/2009

Hi XXX,

Hope you're well. Did you manage to finish the first draft of your bid for 2010 funding? Please do send it over when you've had a stab at it so I can send it on for comments more widely.

Thanks,

XXX