IslamExpo Seeks to Build Bridges

July 6, 2006

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/5150126.stm

On July 6, 2006 BBC News reported, "Building bridges between Muslims and the wider community is one of the aims of a four-day event in London about the faith, organisers say. The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) said it wanted to attract a wide range of visitors to IslamExpo.

Mayor Ken Livingstone, Lord Coe and Yusuf Islam - formerly Cat Stevens - will open the event in London, which is expected to attract 40,000 people.

Among those due to speak is former Iraq hostage Norman Kember.

A two-minute silence at midday on Friday, in memory of the victims of the 7 July bomb attacks, will be observed at the event in Alexandra Palace.

But organisers said the festival had been planned since 2002 and had coincided with the anniversary of the attacks by chance.

A series of exhibits on Islam, lectures, debates, films and concerts will feature in what MAB said was the biggest event of its kind ever staged in Europe."