London Central Mosque Trust & The Islamic Cultural Centre

GPU Events increasing trust and respect between Faiths, beliefs, cultures and communities

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Global Peace and Unity (GPU) Event, an international conference, was held during Saturday and Sunday, 23rd and 24th of October, at Excel, London. A series of discussions took place with a panel of speakers who shared their expertise focusing on issues affecting our communities.

Established as the largest gathering of its kind in Europe, this entertaining, educational and family-oriented flagship GPU event is running for the fifth year. Over the last five years, the GPU Event has grown into a phenomenon that touches millions around the world. The GPU Event attracted more than 60,000 attendees last year. “With the insight, skills and experiences that our internationally renowned speakers bring, the GPU is now better equipped than ever to help shape a more inclusive narrative for all right-minded people,” said Mohamed Ali, chairman of the Global Peace and Unity Events.

Ali continued, “The GPU offers a crucial platform for interfaith dialogue and exchange of ideas towards fostering mutual understanding between people from every faith and background in a bid for greater community cohesion. The GPU Exhibition is an excellent place, facilitating great business opportunities alongside family entertainment, sporting and educational programmes.”

This is a multi-faith, multi-race and multi-ethnic event which was addressed by a most impressive array of speakers from around the world – prominent Islamic scholars to national and international political figures, alongside internationally renowned legal specialists.

Introduction
The GPU conference held a distinction in providing a common platform for the most prestigious scholars, politicians, academics, and business and social leaders from around the world. The GPU workshops, one of the most popular attractions, facilitate interactive knowledge seminars delivered by leading individual scholars and social and political personalities.

In March 2010, senior officials from the 118 member countries of the non-aligned Movement (NAM) met in Manila, Philippines. In this special ministerial meeting the heads of delegations declared their support for the extraordinary theme chosen for their conference: “Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development” – an implicit admission that the fault lines threatening the world’s unity today may no longer run across ideological lines, but more profoundly across religious lines.

In November 2008 King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia organised a conference appropriately called “Culture of Peace” looked at the concept of creating a new environment by the promotion of inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation for peace. The Saudi conference examined the need to build tolerant societies and durable peace by restoring values of compassion and solidarity and encouraging the promotion of dialogue among the different forums available in all cultures. The conference noted that achieving a culture of peace required effort from “the forces that hold our societies together,” which also included religious beliefs, among other worldviews and focusing on the shared values of these religions and not on the differences.

The final declaration of the Saudi conference emphasized the “importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and tolerance as well as respect for all religions, cultures, beliefs,” whilst expressing concern over “serious instances of intolerance, discrimination, expressions of hatred and harassment of minority religious communities of all faiths.”

Nick Clegg, MP, leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister said in his message, “I’m very much aware of the fantastic work done by GPU organisers, which touches millions of people around the world. Admirably, GPU is now recognised as the largest multi-faith gathering of its kind in Europe. The impressive line up of speakers, artists and exhibitors attest to the diverse and inclusive nature of the GPU. It is truly inspiring to see so many talented people of different nationalities, religions and cultures come together for one cause.”

An even wider array of Awards was given out this year in recognition of outstanding people who have contributed in some way to society. This year’s Awards are in the areas of: Education, Friends of Islam Media, Friends of Islam Politics and Lifetime Achievement.

National Qir’aat Competition Finals
In July 2005 Islam Channel Introduced the first televised National Qir’aat Competition aimed at youngsters between the ages of 4 to 16. From its very humble beginnings competition has captured the hearts of the British Muslims and has created an inspirational and motivational programme for youngsters from all backgrounds. This programme was designed with both a competitive and educational element, with view to encourage youngsters to improve their recitation of the Qur’an and learn the art of Tajweed. It also enabled youngsters to compete at a national level and win prizes for their efforts. In its first series, over 1000 youngsters competed across the country, through, live participation via live phone calls into the studio, to reach the final, which was held at the Global Peace and Unity Event at Excel in 2005.

The National Qir’aat Competition completed its 5th successful series this year at the Global Peace and Unity Event 2010. Every series is divided into five stages: Round 1: Live phoner participation stage-18 weeks. Round 2: Live studio participation – 12 weeks. Quarter Finals Round: Live studio participation – 6 weeks. Semi-Finals Round: Live studio participation – 3 weeks. Grand Final: Live atr Global Peace & Unity Event – Excel. The Final consisting of 3 finalists takes place live on the big stage at the GPU Event. This final lasts 60 minutes. *Prepare a 3 minute recitation in Tarteel. *Prepare a 5-minute recitation and English translation. *Prepare and deliver a 5-minute Khutbah. *Participants are required to prepare a dua in Arabic and English lasting no more than two minutes.

GPU Friends of Islam Politics Award 2010
Another Award is known as Friends of Islam Awards 2010. The GPU Friends of Islam Politics Award recognises a person or a group of people who have demonstrated excellence in a certain field within politics. It recognised the contributions of MP’s, MEP’s, regional and local politicians and activists over the past 12 months. The winner of Friends of Islam Minister of the Year Andrew Mitchell, MP, a Member of Parliament for Sutton Coldfield and Secretary of State for International Development; the winner of the Friends of Islam Parliamentarian of the Year Mr. Jeremy Corbyn, a Member of Parliament for Islington North in London since June 1983 and subsequently re-elected six times as a Labour candidate; the winner of the Friends of Islam Politician of the Year Rt. Hon Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats and became Deputy Prime Minister and Lord President of the Council in the Coalition government in May 2010 and the winner of the Friends of Islam Parliamentarian of the Year Rt. Hon. the Baroness Jenny Tonge.

GPU Friends of Islam Media Awards 2010
The Friends of Islam Media Award was designed specifically to recognise non-Muslim individuals who work within mainstream media and who have achieved or have contributed to achieving the highest levels of informative; accurate; fair and objective reporting or who have championed these values – particularly with reference to Islamic issues and news stories affecting Muslims and Muslim communities or countries. This year Friends of Islam Media Award was given to Mr. Peter Oborne, Chief Political Commentator for the Daily Telegraph, Contributing Editor to the Spectator, and presents documentary films for Channel Four. Peter Oborne’s films include Iraq: On the Front Line (2005); Darfur: Into the Death Zone (2006); Waiting for the Taliban (2009); Nigeria’s Killing Fields (2010) about the sectarian violence in Jos.

GPU Lifetime Achievement Awards 2010
The Lifetime Achievement Awards is a special award that recognises the outstanding contribution made by certain individuals who have carved a name for themselves through their sustained hard work in the social, public, and economic sectors of the community.

Dr. Yusuf Islam for his contribution to Dawah: This year Dr. Yusuf Islam, the celebrated British Muslim educator and activist, who is still known and admired by millions worldwide for his music and lyrics as Cat Stevens, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to Dawah. One of the world’s most famous converts, he embraced Islam in 1977 and went on to become an energetic supporter of Islamic education, was the founder of Muslim Aid and is a pioneering English Islamic Nasheed artist and producer. Yusuf’s groundbreaking work in education and humanitarian relief is recognised internationally. His efforts helped secure the British government’s first-time support for Muslim Schools.

Recently, he has turned his attention to Dawah through the mainstream media and his recordings. The newly founded Yusuf Islam Foundation is engaged in establishing a cultural and exhibition space, the Maqam Centre, in north-west London, which will project the universal Abrahamic message of Islam: the belief in One God, Allah, and the branches of Prophethood, completed by the arrival of Muhammad, peace and blessings on him.

Dr. Fareed ElShayyal for his contribution to Literature: Dr. M. Fareed ElShayyal, who has lectured in Islamic and Arabic studies for the last 40 years, worked in several Universities in the UK and abroad, including Westminster, Edinburgh, Salford, Birmingham and London Universities, was given Lifetime Achievement Award 2010 for his outstanding contribution to Literature. He has lectured, wrote, worked for and provided consultancy to different departments, academic and educational institutes, Muslim societies, organisations and charity trusts. Approximately 50 of his public lectures are circulated, no copyrights, and used as material for Dawah. Between 1975 and 2000 he also taught Muslim children Arabic and Qur’an in various weekend schools.

Mr. Syed Nawazish Bokhari for his contribution to the Community: Mr. Syed Nawazish Bokhari OBE, who became the first Muslim secondary Headteacher in the UK in 1985, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award 2010 for his contribution to the Community. He took the school from being undersubscribed and underachieving to one of the most improved in the country. As a founder member of the “Muslim Teachers’ Association” and formally the Chair of the Education Committee of the Muslim Council of Britain, he has dedicated his life to helping Muslims in education. After retirement, he continued to devote his time to education. In recognition of his expertise, he was appointed by the Secretary of State as a council member of the General Teaching Council of England. His commitment to improve and encourage teaching excellence nationally led him to be appointed as a UK Judge of the Teaching Awards. His work for Building Understanding through International Links for Development and UK One World Linking Association and the British Council also made an international impact to education.

Dr. Hany Abdel El-Banna OBE for his contribution to Muslim Heritage: Dr. Hany Abdel El-Banna OBE, the founder of Islamic Relief, the largest Western Muslim international relief and development organisation which aims to alleviate the poverty and suffering of the world’s poorest people, was given the Lifetime Achievement Award 2010 for his contributions to Muslim Heritage. He is also the President of The Humanitarian Forum which seeks to foster partnerships and closer co-operation among the humanitarian and charitable organisations from Muslim countries and their western counterparts.

Recently, Dr. El-Banna founded the Muslim Charities Forum, an umbrella organisation for British Muslim NGOs; International HIV Fund, an organisation revitalising he Muslim contribution to eradicating HIV and AIDs; and Zakat House, an innovative service to support small charities. In 2004, Dr. El-Banna was awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II.

GPU Educational Awards 2010
The GPU Educational Awards highlight the excellent role Muslim Schools play in the education system. The GPU Muslim Schools Awards, as part of GPU Education Awards, is a national competition celebrating the success of Muslim schools. The Award focuses on finding the most outstanding Muslim schools in the UK. The ultimate aim of the awards is to recognise and celebrate their achievements across the country.

This year, the GPU event also recognised the positive contribution that mainstream state funded educational institutions have made to the lives of 95% of Muslim pupils in the UK. The Excellence in Education Award recognises institutions that have made an outstanding contribution to the lives of Muslim students, with particular emphasis on meeting the needs of Muslim pupils, developing partnerships with the Muslim community and raising the achievements of Muslim students.

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