Markaz Umar
Charity 1189706
Overview
Summary
Markaz Umar appears to be building a faith-rooted education platform rather than operating primarily as a conventional local worship venue or community centre. Its stated model combines Islamic learning, access to recognised scholars, online delivery and subsidised places, while a proposed Birmingham building could create a physical base for wider educational and social-welfare activity. The organisation’s role therefore seems to sit between religious education provider, digital learning network and prospective community infrastructure anchor.
Operational geography
Coverage: Citywide
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- Direct evidence supports current operation across Birmingham City at a citywide level, but does not identify any current delivery venue, neighbourhood, ward or City Centre site.
- The registered Birmingham address is explicitly a PO Box and should not be treated as an operational location.
- The charity's latest annual report says it is raising funds to acquire a building and the Charity Commission records that it owns or leases no land or property; there is therefore no evidence of a current physical site in Birmingham.
- The organisation's website and annual report confirm online education for adults and children. These services may reach people beyond Birmingham, but available evidence does not establish the geographical distribution of current participants.
- The website records a Birmingham event as part of a 2022 national conference, but this is historic evidence and gives no sufficiently precise or current location for inclusion in an operational area.
Additional evidence needed
- A current programme, booking page or event listing naming the Birmingham venues and dates of in-person courses, lectures or conferences.
- Confirmation from Markaz Umar of any regularly used hired venues, partner mosques or community sites in Birmingham.
- A current annual report or impact report identifying the locations of Birmingham-based delivery and the relative scale of online versus in-person activity.
- Evidence of whether the planned Birmingham building has since been acquired, leased or opened.
Areas of work
- Education/training
- Recreation
- Religious Activities
Who they help
- Children/young People
- Elderly/old People
- People With Disabilities
- The General Public/mankind
How they help
- Provides Advocacy/advice/information
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
- Provides Services
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
A digital-first institution seeking a physical civic foothold
The available evidence suggests Markaz Umar currently delivers much of its offer through conferences, lectures and online courses, while treating acquisition of a Birmingham building as a strategic next step. The building may represent a shift from distributed educational provision toward a more locally rooted community presence.
Why it matters
This distinguishes current delivery from future ambition. Potential partners should not assume that the proposed community-centre role is already operational, but may see an opportunity to shape its future local relationships and use.
Show evidence
“The charity provides Islamic sciences education through conferences, lectures and online courses for adults and children and is seeking to acquire a building in Birmingham.”
Source:Charity Commission“The organisation offers general courses and children’s courses and describes free live lessons.”
Source:Organisation
Religious specialism paired with an intentionally broad civic mandate
Markaz Umar’s public identity is strongly centred on a particular understanding of authentic Islamic sciences, yet its governing objects also authorise educational, recreational and welfare activity for residents without distinction. This may give it scope to act as a bridge between a defined faith-learning community and wider local civic life.
Why it matters
The dual mandate is important when considering collaboration: its faith-based expertise is likely to be central, but its legal purpose leaves room for partnerships beyond explicitly religious provision.
Show evidence
“The organisation aims to establish itself as a global hub for authentic Islamic sciences in accordance with the understanding of the early Muslim generations.”
Source:Organisation“Its objects include advancing education and providing facilities for social welfare, recreation and leisure for residents without distinction.”
Source:Charity Commission
Access and affordability appear to be part of its emerging model
The organisation appears to frame educational access as more than a commercial course offer, using free, part-subsidised and sponsored places alongside appeals for donations. This may indicate a model dependent on philanthropy to widen participation.
Why it matters
This suggests a potential relationship with funders, donors and referral organisations, while also raising useful questions about who currently benefits and whether subsidy reaches people facing the greatest barriers.
Show evidence
“The website lists registered free student places, part-subsidised student places, sponsored student places and free live lessons.”
Source:Organisation“The organisation asks for support to provide more ongoing services.”
Source:Organisation
- Whether the Birmingham building has been acquired, and what services are already delivered locally.
- Which places, communities and age groups currently use the organisation’s courses and events.
- Whether it has active relationships with local authorities, voluntary groups or other community providers.
Remaining uncertainties
- Recent annual reports or impact data showing participant numbers, locations, demographics and subsidised-place uptake.
- Information on the proposed Birmingham site, its timetable, planned facilities and local partners.
- Examples of current collaborations and evidence of wider social-welfare or recreational activity.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
We provide authentic Islamic Sciences Education through conferences, lectures and online courses for both adults and children. We are currently seeking to acquire a building in Birmingham which will primarily serve as a community educational centre, and in addition provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for the residents.
Charity objects
(1)TO ADVANCE THE RELIGION OF ISLAM IN THE MAJOR TOWNS AND CITIES OF ENGLAND (WITH INITIAL EMPHASIS IN LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM) FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC, BY PROMOTING THE KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH (GOD) AS PORTRAYED IN THE AUTHENTIC SOURCES OF ISLAM AND ACCORDING TO THE WAY OF THE PIOUS PREDECESSORS, AND THROUGH THE PROVISION OF PRAYER SPACE FOR WORSHIP, MEETINGS, LECTURES, PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF RELIGIOUS EID FESTIVALS, AND PRODUCING AND/OR DISTRIBUTING LITERATURE ON THE RELIGION OF ISLAM TO ENLIGHTEN OTHERS ABOUT ISLAM. (2)TO FURTHER OR BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF MAJOR TOWNS AND CITIES OF ENGLAND (WITH INITIAL EMPHASIS IN LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM), WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE OR OF POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS, BY ASSOCIATING TOGETHER THE SAID RESIDENTS AND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, VOLUNTARY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN A COMMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION AND LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS. IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE OBJECTS BUT NOT OTHERWISE, THE TRUSTEES SHALL HAVE POWER: TO ESTABLISH OR SECURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TO MAINTAIN OR MANAGE OR CO-OPERATE WITH ANY STATUTORY AUTHORITY IN THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SUCH A CENTRE FOR ACTIVITIES PROMOTED BY THE CHARITY IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ABOVE OBJECTS.