The Islamic Society of Britain (ISB) elected a new President, Dilwar Hussain, at the Society’s AGM on 25th June 2011. Dilwar has over 20 years of experience in the voluntary and community sector, and will serve as President of the Society in a voluntary capacity. His professional background is in policy research and consultancy.
In his speech to the membership, Dilwar welcomed the newly elected policy board of the Society and paid tribute to the outgoing President who will continue to serve on the board.
Looking at the road ahead, Mr Hussain gave a clear message to outline his vision for the ISB. He said, “the ISB is well placed to help develop a British Islamic practice, based on knowledge,integrity and purpose. Such that Islam feels like a normal and integral part of British life. This also means connecting with the people around us, as ‘our people’, breaking down mistrust and the dichotomy between ‘them’ and ‘us’. To me this is a really exciting venture and I think it gives us a sense of purpose and distinction and allows us to proudly earn and claim the title of being the Islamic Society of Britain.”
He also spoke strongly about the danger of extremism: “as we come to the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and the sixth anniversary of 7/7 – we are reminded of the danger and evil of extremism, violence and terrorism in the name of Islam. I say this because it relates to the safety and security of our country, and it also relates to our role as an organisation…We live in a time when so many people fear Muslims and are deeply suspicious and mistrusting of us…The people that have created this climate are not on ‘our side’…they are in fact our opponents. They remain an obstacle to our cause.”
Dilwar also pointed to some immediate challenges for the organisation in terms of financial stability within the voluntary sector, the need to reach out to members and to communicate more effectively in an age of social media.
The outgoing President, Ahtsham Ali, said, “He is a balanced individual that brings a wealth of academic and strategic expertise in British Muslim communities at a time of significant change and anxiety”.
The Woolf Institute, in collaboration with the American University in Washington, will soon be launching a new e-learning course: Bridging the Great Divide: The Jewish-Muslim Encounter.
Further details are available from The Administrator of Academic Programmes
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