Saturday 20th October 2007
1.30pm - 4pm
Comfort Hotel, George Street, Nottingham [website]
NG1 3BP [map]
The Monitoring Group (East Midlands) are holding an open forum to discuss the rise of religious fundamentalism nationally and the challenge in tackling religious extremism both nationally and in the East Midlands.
No one can deny the devastating impact of the London Bombings on British society. The loss of innocent life is unjustified, painful and tragic.
For many experts the London events were entirely predictable - waiting to happen - and the danger signs were present if one acknowledged the genesis of religious hatred or extremism, not only in the UK but globally.
Ironically many of the UK's ethnic minority have continued to witness and challenge the dramatic emergence and acceptance of religious fundamentalism or communal violence entrenched in the political, social and cultural fabrics in their countries such as Iran, Pakistan and India. Yet that expertise is rarely acknowledged by policy makers.
The forum will examine the growth of the Religious right in the UK and abroad, explore the viability of the Human Rights agenda to change the problem, and attempt to frame a common agenda so that a more inclusive and pluralistic society can be developed.
The forum brings together a rare collection of academics, community activists, and victims to discuss the burning issue.
Speakers include:
Dr Chetan Bhatt, London University
Suresh Grover, The Monitoring Group
Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, Muslim Parliament
Yusuf Dawood, Dawood Family Campaign