Some of our co-chairs and trustees, Julie, Laura, Hifsa and Liz Arif-Fear attended this forward-looking conference in central London this weekend.
The conference aims to air and discuss Islam in Britain today in all its facets – and particularly to allow new voices and discussions to take place in a safe, inclusive space. It focusses on the development of British Muslim thought, identity and culture; as well as creating a space for the development of networks and partnerships. Delegates came from around the UK and took part in sessions as diverse as veganism/LGBT+ issues/hate crime/sexual abuse/secularism/hip hop/#metoo/dating/women reciting Qur’an and of course, Jewish Muslim relationships.
Laura gave a session with Samia Hathroubi, a French Muslim academic and part of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding about using women to break down barriers whilst Julie participated in three workshops with leading academics, experts and activists from the UK and the US, led by Peter Mandeville from Georgetown University and his ongoing project called the ‘Muslim Atlantic’. Topics discussed included UK and US perspectives on gender and faith, race, class and the impact on Muslim women of the #MeToo movement.
Many thanks to Dilwar Hussein, Rabia Hanan, Naved Siddiqi and Hirra Khan Adeogun for making this thought provoking and welcoming event such an annual draw.