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Projecting British Islam visit to Ethiopia and Hargeisa 18-23 August

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE News Release issued by The Government News Network on 27 August 2008

Four prominent British Muslims visited Ethiopia and Hargeisa in Somaliland from 18-23 August as part of a Projecting British Islam visit. The main aim of the visit was to build stronger partnerships between British Muslims and the Ethiopian and Somali Muslim leadership. The delegation helped showcase the integral role of British Muslims in the UK and highlighted the work being undertaken in both countries by British organisations. An important outcome of the visit was to add the voice of British Muslims to those in Ethiopia and Somalia who are opposed to extremist ideology.

The delegates met students, civil society and religious leaders in both Ethiopia and Hargeisa. A highlight of the visit was when Sheikh Babikir Ahmed Babikir, one of the delegates, addressed 10,000 people during Friday prayers at the main Mosque in Ethiopia. Other highlights included meeting the President of Somaliland and taking part in two lively Q&A sessions about Islam with young Somali and Ethiopian Muslims.

The delegates said:

"We went to Ethiopia and Hargeisa for discussions about issues of mutual concern, in particular to build partnerships between British Muslims and communities in both countries. We enjoyed an open and frank discussion with leading figures in Ethiopia and Hargeisa including Muslim scholars, community representatives, educational and women's leaders.

"We shared our experiences as British Muslims in Britain today and helped counter the misperceptions that existed about the role of Muslims in UK society. We also learned a lot from the experiences of our Ethiopian and Somali hosts. We were proud to represent the diverse range of British Muslim communities on this visit."

Background information to editors:

1. The four delegates were: Fuad Nahdi (Journalist); Sheikh Babikir Ahmed Babikir (Educationalist); Sabin Malik (Community Cohesion specialist); Habib Malik (Islamic Relief).

2. Projecting British Muslims is a programme of visits by British Muslim delegations facilitated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to a range of Muslim majority countries, and countries with Muslim communities. The aim is to share their experiences as Muslims in Britain today and engage in constructive dialogue and debate with a range of political, religious and social groups and figures. To date there have been over 25 such delegations to approximately across the Middle East, Asia and Africa involving over 70 delegates.

3. Members of the Delegation are not spokespeople for the Government. They represent the UK and their communities. They are free to express their own opinions during the visits. The FCO and our Embassies arrange programmes that enable the delegates to engage with a wide range of opinion-formers or young people in the country they are visiting e.g. university students; community leaders, civil society groups. The groups they represent are not in any way affiliated with the British Government. Participants all freely volunteer their time.

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL