Ownership
5Pillars is owned by 5Pillars Media Ltd. You can find more information on the company that owns the website here.
When we launched this website in April 2013 we felt that there still wasn’t a quality Muslim community media platform which was independent and professional. So 5Pillars aimed to put that right.
We are primarily a news, opinion and analysis-based website which concentrates on British Muslim news but also looks to the wider Islamic world.
And it’s our belief that 5Pillars has the following unique attributes that no one else can match:
Independence
We are financially independent and that means that we are editorially independent.
Everything you see has been financed from ourselves, reader donations/subscriptions and advertising. This means that we are free to write what we wish, how we wish, and without fear or favour. And that’s the way we like it.
It also means that we don’t feel obliged to take an editorial line on every single issue. We see ourselves more as a forum for debate and a reflection of the Ummah as it is in the UK and abroad, rather than a propaganda organ. This means that the Editorial Board will publish material that it doesn’t agree with, as long as that material is professionally produced and well argued.
That said, we know that serious journalism requires serious investment but we give you the assurance that we will never accept money from any government because we know that money will come with strings attached.
We do, however, raise money for this site through advertising and through individual grants and donations which won’t impinge on our editorial impartiality.
Quality journalism
This site is run by people with journalistic pedigree. We are not amateurs playing at journalism, disrespecting the trade. We’ve been there and we’ve done it.
We have great contacts in the UK and around the world; we know many of the main players and actors in the Ummah. However, we also hope that a new generation of young, budding journalists and activists will find a home here.
Regulated
5Pillars is externally regulated by the independent press regulator IMPRESS.
This means that we have to adhere to a rigorous set of journalistic standards and that our readers have the option of going to an independent body to investigate any complaints they may have about our articles.
We have signed up to IMPRESS because we want you to know what we write is credible and we want you to know that any complaints you have about us will be independently investigated and judged.
For more information about our complaints policy click here.
Grassroots focus
This site will always prioritise the common man over the rich and powerful – they already have the rest of the media on their side after all. So we aim to reflect what people are saying on the ground, however uncomfortable that may be, and not just in the corridors of power.
We are also not obsessed with so-called “big names” writing for us. These big names already have their platforms. The only thing that concerns us is that the writer should know what he/she is talking about.
Non-sectarian
We strongly feel that the Muslim community is being divided on sectarian lines and that this is driven more by politics than theology. We believe a divided Ummah fighting each other is an Ummah destined for failure. Therefore, this site will do its best to represent all Islamic traditions fairly and without prejudice.
That said, we realise that there are genuine theological and political differences between Muslims worldwide. This site will not shy away from discussing difficult issues but this will always be done in an atmosphere of rationality and mutual respect.
Islamic ethos
We remain committed to an Islamic ethos so any overt contraventions of Islamic etiquette will not be tolerated on this site.
Non-Muslims
We believe in working constructively and living harmoniously with non-Muslims and we hope they will read and contribute to this website.
Donations
Please donate generously to this site. We promise to spend the money you give us on quality journalism and legitimate administration costs.
Facebook/Twitter/YouTube pages
1. Anti Islamic posts will be removed.
2. Comments and posts with profanity will be removed, including spamming.
3. No racism, fascism, sexism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
4. Takfir and sectarian insults will not be tolerated.
5. No trolling.
