The two-day Global Peace and Unity event concluded here on Sunday evening with a call by speakers for Ummah to unite on a single platform by sinking its differences and face challenges being posed to Islam through building bridges with other faiths.
The event was the first of its kind to be organised in Europe to highlight and promote the need for global peace and unity among Britain's varied and distinct communities.
Among those who spoke on the concluding day were noted Islamic scholar Dr Israr Ahmad, Lieutenant General Hamid Gul (Retd), former Mauritius President Cassam Uteem, Lord Sheikh Muhammad of the Conservative Party, MP George Galloway, MP Simon Hughes, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs Lord Falconer of Thoroton, MP Sadiq Khan, Dr Abdul Bari of Muslim Council of Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie, Journalist Yvonne Ridley, Yousaf Islam of Muslim Aid, Dr Jamil Badawi, Councillor Salma Yaqoob, Saudi Arabian scholar Dr Salman bin Fahd Al-Qudah and others.
Representing the British government, Lord Chancellor said, "the event showed that the true face of British Islam is vibrant, engaged and reminded everybody that unity bring real benefits to this country." He said there were people attempting to divide British Muslims and cautioned that people must not be misled by their extremist views. "We should recognise that extremists view do not represent the view of the people of this country or of Islam. We must join together to defeat them. We are tolerant and would remain so and those who are tolerant will win the battle of ideas."
Lord Falconer said the Muslim community had contributed a lot to the success of Britain, adding that the vast majority of Muslims and non-Muslims alike wanted the spirit of co-operation and unity to continue. Lord Sheikh, who is also the chairman of the Conservative Party Muslim Forum and Ethnic Diversity Council, said the promotion of interfaith dialogue and harmony among various racial and religious groups was of utmost importance for peace.
He said Britain was a diverse and multicultural country and mutual understanding and respect for each other religion was essential for the promotion of peace and harmony. Lord Sheikh said Islam had a long and proud history of tolerance and respect for people of other faiths.
Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes said his party had established funds to support ethnic minority to contest elections on all tiers of the British political system. He said his party had opposed the invasion of Iraq from the first day and the efforts to create a new world order.
Dr Israr Ahmad said, "Islam is a messenger of peace and the West need not to fear from it." He also called upon the Muslims to practice teachings of Islam in true spirit and observed that their deviation from their own religion had led to their weakening.