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