Muslim Liberal Democrat members and activists from across all parts of the country came together on Saturday 3 May in Birmingham to promote a strong Muslim network within the Party in support of greater inclusion, dialogue and campaigning.
The key aims of the Network are:
1. Promote the party amongst Muslim communities across the UK
2. Provide a support mechanism for Muslim members within the Party
3. Promote dialogue and greater understanding of Muslim communities in the UK
4. Promote interfaith dialogue, respect and understanding
Chief guest Rt Hon. Simon Hughes MP welcomed over 100 Muslim campaigners, many of whom were councillors and approved parliamentary candidates and gave his full support to the launch event. Simon said that he completely understood the value to the party and need for such an initiative whilst endorsing the invaluable role that it will play in acting as a bridge to the 2.7 million Muslims in the UK.
Simon Hughes MP acknowledged the positive influence and the contribution that the growing Muslim communities were having in the country, and that Muslims should be appropriately represented throughout the UK’s leadership
Simon Hughes received a standing ovation for his leadership and support in promoting diversity and his support to get the Network launched. He is a figure that many in the UK’s diverse BAME communities, respect and in recognition of his contribution to community cohesion, it was overwhelmingly agreed that he be appointed as its first Honorary President.
I had organised the launch and was also elected by the meeting to become the new organisation’s first interim Chair to lead the Network up until its first AGM. The meeting also appointed an interim Council of 30 members from across the country to support me in this role.
Supporting the event were Birmingham MP John Hemmings and Lord Qurban Hussain. Baroness Meral Hussein Ece, whilst unable to attend, played a key role in establishing the groundwork for mobilising members from across the country to attend.
Brent Central target seat Parliamentary Candidate Ibrahim Taguri sent a letter of support to the launch meeting and wished the new organisation well. He felt that this was a much needed forum for promoting the party amongst the 60 Parliamentary seats across the country with sizable Muslim communities.
I said that the new network would help to steer the Liberal Democrat Party towards a greater and more positive understanding of UK’s Muslim communities. I spoke about sharing the belief that the Liberal Democrat Party above all others has the ability to be at the forefront of the development of a more inclusive approach to politics whilst promoting liberal values not only in the UK, but internationally as well.
* Issan Ghazni is Chair of the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrats and former National Diversity Adviser for the Liberal Democrats. Issan blogs here
