British Muslims, American Muslims: Empowerment, Engagement, Enrichment
Location
New Hunt's House, King's College London
Speakers
Key note address: Rt Hon The Lord Goldsmith QC, Attorney General
Details
A one-day Saturday conference organised by the Fulbright Commission in partnership with the City Circle.
Attorney General addresses young professional Muslims Courtesy of The Muslim Weekly (1 July - 6 July 2005)
Lord Goldsmith QC, the attorney general, addressed an audience of young British Muslims on Saturday re-affirming the government’s belief that Islam and Muslims are an invaluable asset to the country. He was addressing a conference on "British Muslims, American Muslims – Empowerment, Engagement, Enrichment" organised by the Fulbright Commission in partnership with the City Circle.
Following his remarks on both existing and proposed legislation of concern to British Muslims, he answered a series of tough questions that delegates felt passionately about, including when he felt the war on terrorism would be declared over, the extradition rules, international law, and the proposed closure of Belmarsh and Guantanamo Bay.
Other speakers at the conference included CEOs, laywers and tax partners from city firms who discussed issues affecting Muslim progression at the work place. There were also Muslim professors, lecturers and students giving their personal insights.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Lib Dem spokesperson for home affairs in the Lords chaired a lively round table panel which included a discussion on the lack of women in leadership roles in Muslim organisations and Mosques.
Issues of political empowerment were also discussed. Mansoor Ijaz, a multi-millionaire American entrepreneur who has established close links with the American administration, explained how American Muslims must understand how the US political system works in order to use it to the advantage of their community. He urged delegates to see themselves as citizens of their country first, and campaign on issues not as Muslims, which may alienate mainstream, but as citizens who seek what’s in the best interest of their country. He justified his relationship with Fox News saying that it was the only way to bring balance to what is a widely viewed channel.
Rashad Yaqoob of the City Circle, also an entrepreneur, explained how Muslims could keep strong to their faith and also pressure for real change. He gave personal examples of how he often chose what was "the right thing to do" over his career. Rashad also cited his sister’s example, Salma Yaqoob, and how she almost toppled a safe sitting Labour MP in the general election without compromising any of her views.
Carol Madison Graham, Executive Director of the Fulbright Commission, expressed her delight at how the conference went and complimented the City Circle for its ability to push the boat out in tackling controversial issues with confidence.
Those interested in future Fulbright Commission or City Circle events should visit www.fulbright.co.uk and www.thecitycircle.com.
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Conference Programme
10:30 - 10:45 REGISTRATION
11:00 - 11:15 WELCOME
Asim Siddiqui, Chair, The City Circle
11:15 - 12:00 Equality, Diversity and Human Rights: HOW CHANGE TAKES PLACE
Chair: Asim Siddiqui
Panel: Carol Madison Graham, Executive Director, US-UK Fulbright Commission;
Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Commission for Racial Equality (UK).
12:00 - 12:45 ARE MUSLIMS SAFE AT HOME AND ABROAD?
Rt Hon The Lord Goldsmith QC, Attorney General
Chair: Carol Madison Graham
12:45 - 14:15 LUNCH/PRAYERS
14:15 – 15:15 TO BE MUSLIM IN AMERICA
Chair: Fiyaz Mughal, Deputy President, Liberal Democrats
Panel: Mansoor Ijaz, Crescent Partnerships;
Tanvir Hussain, US Fulbright Scholar;
Dr Haifaa Khalafallah, Director, Center for Islamic Mediterranean Studies
15:15 - 16:15 MUSLIMS and the PROFESSIONS: A BLUE PRINT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION
Chair: Zafar Patel, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Students:
Tanvir Hussain, US Fulbright Scholar
Professionals:
Farmida Bi, Partner, Denton Wilde Sapte
Senior Ranks:
Dr Aziz Sheikh, University of Edinburgh;
Mansoor Ijaz, Crescent Partnerships
16:15 - 16:45 BREAK
16:45 - 18:00 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION:
BRITISH MUSLIMS, AMERICAN MUSLIMS: EMPOWERMENT, ENGAGEMENT, ENRICHMENT
Chair: Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Lib Dem Home Affairs spokeswoman,
House of Lords
Rashad Yaqoob, Islamic financier & entrepreneur;
Fauzia Ahmed, University of Bristol;
Dr Haifaa Khalafallah, Director, Center for Islamic Mediterranean Studies;
Mansoor Ijaz, Crescent Partnerships
18:00 CLOSE
Carol Madison Graham
About The Fulbright Commission The Fulbright Commission was established by treaty between the US and the UK in 1948. It provides post graduate and professional scholarships for British and American citizens while also encouraging intellectual exchange between the US and Britain. This one day conference is part of the Transatlantic Dialogue series.
For information about Fulbright scholarships or about studying in the United States please visit www.fulbright.co.uk.
