On Sunday the Centre attended the third annual two-day Global Peace and Unity event (GPU) at London’s Excel Centre presented by the new Islam Channel and supported by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
The day didn’t start well: when we asked directions on the DLR, the attendant, completely deadpan, replied: “Oh the Muslim event, they gave me a free Quran, it’s interesting…haven’t got to the bomb-making section yet.”
The GPU’s aim is "building bridges for a better future." Clearly there is a long way to go.
More uplifting was the disastrous attempt at a boycott by the followers of Ahl us-Sunnah Wal al-Jamma’ah, the successor organisation to al-Muhajiroun, the Saved Sect and al-Ghurabaa, all of which have been banned for inciting racial hatred.
Representatives of the group handed out leaflets urging visitors to "retreat and retract your family members from attending this conference for it will only bring the anger of Allah upon you and will act as a cause to corrupt you taking you away from the true worship of Allah". None of those approached seemed overly concerned by their efforts.
Inside the hall, however, we found a diverse mix of people, food, music and exhibitions. The atmosphere was inclusive and representatives of the various Muslim organisations were keen to debate openly and welcomed feedback.
The positive atmosphere of the event and the GPU’s “global message of understanding” are undermined, however, by the organisation of the event, which does a disservice to the very people the GPU claims to represent.
Chosen for their “strong messages promoting global cohesion across all communities”, guests included Abdul Bari of the MCB and Sheikh Salman bin Fahd al-Oadah, a prominent Wahhabi cleric from Saudi Arabia.
It is disappointing and ironic that the Metropolitan Police and the Mayor of London support an event which welcomes such potentially divisive speakers.