IslamExpo Launch

IslamExpo was officially launched on Monday 23rd of January at City Hall in London. The launch was hosted by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, and attended by around 200 guests representing Muslim and non-Muslim organisations, businesses, embassies, and the media. Opening the event, the Chair and Member of the IslamExpo Board of Directors Anas Altikriti introduced the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone as “a constant backer of our initiatives … to build bridges between the West and the Muslim world, to portray Islam and Muslims in a light other than that it has been portrayed in widely, to fill the vacuum that is there, the vacuum of dialogue”. The Mayor of London highlighted the great need for a project such as IslamExpo at a time when “here in the west, time after time, the whole tradition and history of one quarter of the world’s humanity is defined by one speech by one individual, one action by three or four men; and that is a gross betrayal of our own intelligence that we allow this stereotyping to on again and again so often unchallenged”. The Mayor stressed his belief that “there couldn’t be a better time to reach out to the millions of people who are not Muslims, and help them understand the history of Islam, the basic tenets of Islamic teachings, and just the sheer contribution that generations of Muslims have made to building this country both here and abroad”. He revealed that he had been engaged in “talking with leaders of London’s Muslim community for some years about the need to do something like this, the need to make it a regular event, something that isn’t just for Londoners who happen to be Muslim, but something for all Londoners to come and see and understand, to grow in their own knowledge of the others they share this city with”. The significance of IslamExpo’s launch in London was also highlighted, as the Mayor shared the organisers’ belief that “there couldn’t be a better city in which to do this, because we have already made immense progress in bringing people together”. The multicultural diversity which IslamExpo aims at celebrating is the same characteristic that contributed to the choice of London as the hosting city for the Olympic games in 2012, as highlighted by the Mayor: “We said to the Olympic Committee there are 300 languages spoken in this city, which rather topped New York’s claim that they had 200! This is undoubtedly the most diverse city on the face of the planet, and it’s one that works remarkably well”. The Mayor further stressed the robustness of this diversity in the face of recent events: “In the aftermath of the bombings of last July, not one single Londoner physically attacked another; Londoners stood together, Christian and Muslim, Hindu and Jew, non-believers, all ages, all races; they weren’t going to be divided”. London’s diversity is in fact what 85% of Londoners say they love most about this city, according to an opinion poll covering all aspects of Life in London, which the Mayor’s Office conducted over an extended period of time and the results of which were published last week. Highlighting the European and global significance of the multicultural diversity of London which IslamExpo wishes to celebrate, the Mayor expressed his belief that “we pose a great alternative to this emerging pattern of views across Europe that somehow different cultures and beliefs must be suppressed, that if you live in a country you must respect its ‘indigenous’ whatever that means…The simple reality is that when we look at the success of London and posit that against this quite unpleasant backlash that’s there in the Netherlands and in France, where whole peoples are judging Islam by the actions of one or two individuals, I think we can honestly say that what we are doing in this city represents a better way forward”. Locating IslamExpo in this context of celebrating diversity and presenting London as a model, the Mayor stressed that “anything we do to build this tolerance, to strengthen understanding, to open up to all Londoners, and the chance to participate in the richness of the cultures that comprise this nation is welcome”. The Mayor lent his continuous support to this project: “We will build on this Expo. We’ll be back with another, and another after that”. He also stated his intention to use the Olympics and the preceding period “to celebrate the culture of each community in this city, the celebrate the achievements of the nations they have come from, to celebrate each of the religions, to actually build up, over those four years, the greatest celebration of the diversity of this city the world has ever seen.” The Mayor expressed his willingness to give his full support to IslamExpo, and his anticipation of what this event will bring: “I shall look forward to going to it; I shall look forward to taking my children to it, so that they can begin to understand the wonder of this city and the people of this city in which they live”. The audience was also addressed by Sir Iqbal Sacranie, General Secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain, the umbrella for all Muslim organisations in the UK. Sir Iqbal said he feels “very pleased and fortunate that such a wonderful initiative has been planned, an initiative that will not only explore the various avenues open to us in bridge-building which is really needed after the number of man-made and natural disasters that we’ve witnessed over the years, but more so in the manner the Muslim community has been advancing its activities and particularly its participation in the mainstream over the last few years”. Sir Iqbal also stressed the need for IslamExpo which “will give an opportunity, not only to the Muslims in Britain and the non-Muslims to come together again and celebrate this diversity, but also to bring the opportunity for Muslims in different parts of the world to come here and see for themselves how Britain is able to absorb the different cultures and able to strengthen that understanding of working together”. In turn lending his support for IslamExpo, Sir Iqbal said that “the Muslim Council of Britain is fully supporting IslamExpo as it will enhance its own aims and objectives of bringing a better understanding of Islam and the role of the Muslim community in the UK”. Sir Iqbal expressed his gratitude for the support of the GLA and “such a distinguished personality as Ken Livingstone”, and for the efforts being made by IslamExpo to plan “the first event of its kind that has such varied and diverse activities within a short period of time”. Ismail Patel, on behalf of the Board of Directors of IslamExpo, said that today “Islam is the topic of conversation from dining tables, to cafes and current affairs programmes”. IslamExpo’s 4-day July event which will take place in one of London’s most prestigious venues, Alexandra Palace, he noted “will provide food not only for the hungry stomachs, but also for the enquiring minds”. It will “provide an opportunity for all of us to celebrate differences, allay fears and explore myths and distortions spun around Islamic concepts”. Echoing the words of the Mayor, Ismail Patel also expressed IslamExpo’s honour “to have London, the Olympic city as a venue. London has the largest Muslim population of all the cities in England; soon one in ten Londoners will be a Muslim. It must be acknowledged that through the efforts of the Mayor Mr Livingstone, London has become a beacon of multiculturalism, a city of tolerance and cohesion, where people of all colours and faiths and languages can call this great city of London theirs”. On behalf of the IsmalExpo team, Ismail Patel expressed gratitude to “the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone for his encouragement and his enthusiasm”, as well as international media outlets, businesses, various embassies in London, and individuals who have all lent their support to this great project. Special thanks were given to “the Qatari Council of Arts who made the first investment in this project” and to “the Muslim Association of Britain who initially conceived and pushed this idea forward”. Ismail Patel expressed hope that IslamExpo will “give a clear signal and a sign to British society that the British Muslim community is a permanent and positive part of the British nation and to those outside our shores that Britain is one country and a united people”. Following the introductory speeches which stressed the importance of IslamExpo and the great need for it in the current British and global context, more detailed presentations from members of the IslamExpo team gave the audience a clearer picture of what has been planned and what to expect to see in July. IslamExpo’s Head of Research Soumaya Ghannoushi elaborated on the aims of the project, and particularly “the Knowledge Zone”, which seeks to challenge the distorted view of Islam and its culture and civilisation as monolithic, alien and distant. Instead it wishes to highlight how “Islam and its civilisation have shaped every aspect of our modern lives”, and how “Muslim civilisation is intrinsic to our civilisation”. In its quest to “shed light on the intimate links that bind the West to the Muslim world” and promote mutual understanding, IslamExpo will “address itself to a diverse audience drawn from different backgrounds, ages and walks of life; adults and children, experts and ordinary men and women”. The themes to be covered in the Knowledge Zone will revolve around the following: 1. Discover Islam 2. Islam in History 3. Islam in Britain 4. The Muslim world today In the Discover Islam Zone, there will be “a prayer platform, with graphic displays on the five pillars of Islam”; “a Quran wing with manuscripts, displays of the different Arabic scripts and an audio corner where visitors can explore the different rhythms of Quranic recitation”; and other features introducing the basic tenets of Islam. In the Muslim Civilisation zone, there will be “an interactive exhibition on Muslim contributions to science, mathematics, medicine, astronomy, geography, agriculture, art, architecture, and the art of living”; “an art wing with photography exhibitions, calligraphy exhibitions, and art exhibitions by leading Muslim artists, calligraphers and photographers from around the world”; “an indoor Islamic garden, a place for tranquility and reflection”; “a walk-through experience taking visitors on a journey back in time through over one thousand years of forgotten Islamic history”; “a gallery of leading Muslim female historical figures, warriors, poetesses, jurists, queens and mystics called ‘Extraordinary Women of Islam’” and many other fascinating features. In the Muslims around the World zone, there will be “large interactive maps of the Muslim world”; “exhibitions on the traditional folklore, costumes and crafts of the Muslim world”; “a wing on the sounds of the Muslim World, with graphic and audio displays introducing the musical riches of the Muslim world”; and a wing dedicated to “Islam in Britain with a photographic and fact- oriented exhibition, outlining important dates such as the building of the first mosque, and profiles of prominent figures in the history of British Islam, highlighting the contributions of the Muslim community in Britain in all walks of life”. The mediums used will be as diverse as the audience that IslamExpo wishes to attract: lectures and seminars on a vast array of topics which range from “the contribution of Muslims to gardens and agriculture” to “ethical foundations of Islamic environmentalism”, from “Al-Andalus and the European renaissance” to “the beautiful architecture of Jerusalem”, from “The future of Islam in the era of globalisation” to “Prospects of Democratic change in the Muslim world”, from ”Muslim youth between national identity and the ummah” to “British Muslims and participation in politics”. There will also be debates and panel discussions throughout the four days. More practical and interactive sessions have also been planned, such as “live demonstrations of ancient trick devices; How to make your own soap; Ibn al-Haytham’s pin hole camera and tricks of the eye”, in addition to “workshops on Islamic art, calligraphy, tile painting fabric printing, pottery, carpet design and many more exciting subjects”. The performance arts will also be highlighted, with live shows planned throughout the four days, including poetry readings, stand-up comedy, nasheed concerts, theatre plays and a film festival. The Head of Research also promised ”a feast for kids and families” with “a fun-packed programme” of games, activities and shows. Ms Ghannoushi also took the opportunity to reveal that in order “to encourage creativity among Young British Muslims”, IslamExpo will be announcing Photography; Short Film; Poetry and Short Story awards. The Knowledge Zone presentation was followed by a presentation on Islamic finance and how IslamExpo aims to “encourage Investment in London; promote Islamic Finance and its contributions; and highlight the Muslim Community’s contribution to the British economy”. Harris Bokhari highlighted developments which have “led to revolutionising Islamic Financial Products, not only benefiting the Muslim community and the community as a whole, but also creating opportunities to make the UK the Islamic Investors’ Capital”. Mr Bokhari announced that IslamExpo will be “working with Muslim Embassies; Arab Trade and Commerce Groups; LDA and Governmental bodies, and leading businesses in the UK and internationally” in order to achieve the above financial aims of IslamExpo. This will be done through pioneering talks and forums on topics such as “Investment and Entrepreneurship in the UK and London”; “Latest Issues in Islamic Finance Industry”; “What is Islamic Finance?” to workshops and panel discussions on Islamic Mortgages; Child trusts funds; Islamic Wills and Inheritance Tax Planning; Understanding & Calculating Zakah; Islamic Investments; Islamic Banking, and other emerging fields. The third presentation was by IslamExpo’s Head of Marketing Nick Bond who illustrated the current and planned strategy to market such a huge project to reach its wide and diverse audience, as well as enable businesses and interested bodies to have access to that potential audience.