Dr Tariq Ramadan, Switzerland

Tariq Ramadan is Professor of Islamic Studies and currently Senior Research Fellow St Antony’s College (Oxford), Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) and at the Lokahi Foundation (London). He is a Visiting Professor, holding the chair: Identity and Citizenship, at Erasmus University (Netherlands). Through his writings and lectures he has contributed substantially to the debate on the issues of Muslims in the West and Islamic revival in the Muslim world. He is active both at the academic and grassroots levels lecturing extensively throughout the world on social justice and dialogue between civilizations. Professor Tariq Ramadan is currently President of the European think tank: European Muslim Network (EMN) in Brussels.

Speaking: Friday, 4:30pm Reviving Revivalism (Abu Bakr Marquee) Friday, 5:25pm The Meaning of Islam (Big Top)

Dr Jamal Badawi, Canada

Dr. Jamal Badawi is Professor Emeritus at St. Mary’s University in Canada, where he served as Professor of both Management and Religious Studies; and a Guest Scholar at the American Learning Institute for Muslims. A distinguished scholar and an expert in Christian-Muslim dialogue whose time and experience is in demand, Dr Badawi has spoken in 33 countries. Dr Badawi is Director of the Islamic Information Foundation, a member of the Islamic Society of North America’s Fiqh Council and of the European Council of Fatwa and Research. He has authored several books and papers and presented the 352 segment television series Islamic Teachings. In addition to his extensive commitments, Dr Badawi has also been serving as a volunteer Imam of the local Muslim community in Halifax since 1970.

Speaking: Friday, 10:55am The Good News (Big Top)
Fri, 3:40pm Divine Names: Understanding The Hadith (Khadijah Marquee)
Friday, 4:30pm Q&A Session (women only) (Uthman Marquee)
Saturday, 2:45pm The Truth About Jesus (as) (Khadijah Marquee)

Dr. Munir Ahmed, Cheshire, UK

The former President of the Islamic Society of Britain, Dr Munir Ahmed has studied under Europe’s leading scholar of Hadith, Sheikh Abdullah Yusuf Al-Judai, for eleven years, acquiring specialist knowledge of contemporary hadith analysis, Ulum ul Qur’an, Usul ul Fiqh and Ulum ul Hadith. He lectures regularly at the Islamic Studies Course in Markfield and is widely regarded as among the foremost voices on British Muslim integration. A practicing GP. Living Islam 08 is privileged to see the launch of his 26 CD Seerah box set.

Speaking: Friday, 2pm Jummah Khutbah (Outdoor Pray Area)
Friday, 3:40pm Fiqh of Seerah: Lessons for today (Abu Bakr Marquee)
Saturday, 12pm Don’t Get Mad, Get Even Better (Big Top)

Mahmud Al-Rashid, London, UK

Mahmud Al-Rashid is credited with bringing real change to the image of European Muslims, chiefly through his role as Editor in Chief of emel, the leading lifestyle magazine with a Muslim focus. He coordinated the influential Vision for Britain conference in London 1995, at a time of the Balkan war massacres when radicalisation and separatist thinking was rising sharply. The conference sealed the debate, winning the case for a full participation of Muslim citizens in the democratic process at mainstream religious and institutional levels. A barrister specialising in human rights law, Mahmud is an Executive member of the Association of Muslim Lawyers (AML), Former Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and a Council member of the Islamic Society of Britain.

Speaking: Saturday, 9:40am Human Rights in the UK and Muslim World (Abu Bakr Marquee)

Sarah Joseph, UK

Sarah Joseph is editor of emel magazine and a consultant on Islamic affairs and diversity training. A commentator on British Muslims, she is a writer and a broadcaster and has spent the past ten years lecturing on Islam both within the UK and internationally. Sarah was awarded an OBE, in 2004, for services to “interfaith dialogue”.

Speaking: Friday, 6:40pm ‘Living Islam’ Big Top

Fazlun Khalid, UK

After a long career with the Commission for Racial Equality, Fazlun Khalid forged a second as a foremost expert on ecology from the Islamic perspective. He has established the NGO, the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Science (IFEES), and is a consultant to the World Wide Fund for Nature and a Director of training at the Alliance of Religions and Conservation. Fazlun has written Qur’an, Creation and Conservation and has edited Islam and Ecology.

Speaking: Friday, 9:40am Islam, The Environment and Climate Change (Abu Bakr Marquee)

Rabiha Hannan, UK

A Pharmacist by training, completing an MA in Muslim Community Studies. Rabia is co- Director of the Community Relations Initiative and is Vice Chair of the local SACRE. She was on the implementation team leading to the formation of the national Christian-Muslim Forum. She has previously been President of the Leicester branch of ISB.

Speaking: Friday, 9:40am Celebrating Difference, Staying Faithful (Khadijah Marquee)

Dr. Usama Hassan, UK

Dr. Usama is a Senior Lecturer at London’s Middlesex University and an expert on astronomical sciences who co-authored The Einstein-Year UK Moonwatch Project, a publication presented at the Islamic Astronomical Conference in Abu Dhabi 2006. Dr. Hasan received his early training from Sheikh Suhaib Hasan and has memorised the Qur’an and serves as a part time Imam at a London mosque. He is a member of the Islamic Society of Britain and Director of the City Circle in London. Join Dr Hasan for live tours of the night sky after Isha prayers every evening (Fri - YMS Only, Sat for all).

Speaking: Friday, 3:40pm Qur’anic Astronomy - Moon sighting (Uthman Marquee)
Saturday, 4:00pm Qur’anic Astronomy - Prayer Times (Umar Marquee)

Sabin Malik, UK

Sabin is the Principal Community Cohesion Officer for the London Borough of Hounslow and is currently leading on a major study on far right extremism and religious fundamentalism. Sabin is also a Commissioner for the Women’s National Commission and is Chair of a specialist Migration and Asylum Working Group that brings together many government departments and experts. She is an active member of the Islamic Society of Britain.

Speaking: Sunday, 9:40am Down the Local (Abu Bakr Marquee)

Dr. Mamoun Mobayed, Ireland

Dr.Mobayed works as an Associate Specialist Psychiatrist in Belfast, Northern Ireland and is also an honorary lecturer at the Queens University, Belfast. An expert on behavioural psychology, Dr Mobayed has published many research papers on psychiatry and five books on various topics including marriage, children and behaviour. He lectures frequently in Europe and Middle East on various aspects on family issues (parenting, adolescence, and marital communications.) Dr. Mobayed is a former president of Belfast Islamic Centre, former chairman of the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum and Muslim Chaplain at Queens University Belfast.

Speaking: Saturday, 9:40am The Battle of the Sexes (Khadijah Marquee)
Saturday, 2:45 Family Matters Q&A Session (Uthman Marquee)
Sunday, 11:10am Mr & Mrs (Big Top)

Prof. Salim Al-Hassani

A Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, Salim al-Hassani has published over 200 papers in international journals and is an acknowledged world expert in his field. He served as an expert witness in the inquiry into the Piper Alpha oil rig disaster. He has received numerous awards and holds patents on engineering. Professor Salim Al-Hassani’s special interest is the history of Islamic science. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Foundation for Science Technology and Civilisation, publisher of MuslimHeritage.com, and founder of the 1001 Inventions global education initiative. He is a highly recognised international speaker on the Muslim contribution to building the foundations of modern civilisation delivering more than 150 lectures and is Chief Editor of more than 300 publications on Muslim Heritage including the best selling book, 1001 Inventions: Discover the Muslim Heritage in our World.

Speaking: Saturday, 6:40pm 1001 Inventions (Big Top)

Peter Sanders, UK

Peter Sanders was to chronicle on camera the iconic figures of 1960s seminal Rock ‘n’ Roll scene - Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones. Then at the end of the 1960s Peter became more concerned with his inner life and its significance for him. He travelled to India and beyond, a journey that finally brought him to Islam and his conversion to that faith. Since then his work as a photographer has continued, always travelling, always observing. Today, he has a reputation as one of the leading photographers of Islamic society, recording the diversity of its communities around the globe.

Speaking: Thursday, 8:30pm The Art of Integration, with Photo Slide Show Big Top

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah, USA

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah is a renowned scholar and lecturer on Islam across in the US. He obtained his Master in Islamic Shariah from the Islamic University of Islamabad and a PhD in Comparative Religion from Wales. He is the former President of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and also a former President of Shariah Scholar’s Association of North America (SSANA). He is currently the Director of South Asia division of Kind Hearts and the Religious Director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee

Speaking: Friday, 12:10pm The Power of Prayer (Big Top)
Friday, 4:30pm Music and Islam (Khadijah Marquee)
Saturday, 2:45pm The Transformers (Abu Bakr Marquee)

Dr. Zahoor Qureshi, UK

Dr Zahoor was a founding member of the Young Muslims UK in 1984. He steered YMUK for a number of crucial years in the 90’s. His experience of dawah and Muslim community work has spanned three decades. Obtaining his PhD in manufacturing systems, he set up his own business in 2003 in import and distribution, after a short period as a programme manager in industry and university lecturer. Dr. Zahoor is currently President of the Islamic Society of Britain elected in 2006.

Speaking: Sunday, 12:40pm A Fond Farewell Big Top

Iftikhar Ahmed, UK

Mr Iftikhar is CEO of NOOR TV. He brings more than 20 years experience, holds a MSC (Electronics) and a MBA. Prior to establishing Noor TV, he was Director of Community Education Nottingham Community College (1999-2001) CEO of Skills Choice Private Sector Education, Elected Member Of Nottingham City Council (2000-2003), Board Member Of National Probation Services (2000-2004) As CEO of NOOR TV his contribution is tremendous. He started the setup from scratch and made it popular throughout the world. Now NOOR TV is being watched in more than 165 Countries and one of the famous Islamic Channels

Speaking: Saturday, 2:45pm Muslim Media: Meet the CEOs (Umar Marquee)

Ahtesham Ali, UK

Ahtsham is the Muslim Advisor to HM Prison Service, ensuring the religious needs of all Muslim prisoners are met. He has had nine years experience working directly with Muslim youth and was part of the Review Team into the 2001 Oldham and Bradford riots. He is currently Vice President of the Islamic Society of Britain. Ahtsham completed his MA in Theology and has taught A Level Philosophy and Religious Studies.

Speaking: Thurs, 5pm Muslim Youth in Britain - A Ticking Time Bomb? (Uthman Marquee)

Muhammad Ali, UK

Mohamed Ali has been the catalyst which has driven Islam Channel to its current status. He studied Philosophy and Theology in Iran, Politics and Geography in the UK followed by Masters in both Linguistics and Diplomacy. Has memorised a good portion of the Holy Qu’ran and has attended circles of prominent Islamic Scholars, has a PhD in Fiqh and Islamic Political Thought. Mohamed Ali is a one man emblem of entrepreneurial success, he treats everyone like family, behind the manners and the modesty is a man who has kept himself focused, hedged and offset many risks to preserve and portray true Islam, offering an invaluable source of da’wah, making Islam Channel the leading light for millions of Muslims, guiding the Ummah towards the path of Allah.

Speaking: Saturday, 2:45pm Muslim Media: Meet the CEOs (Umar Marquee)

Ajmal Masroor, UK

Ajmal Masroor is Director of Communities in Action and a Council member of the Islamic Society of Britain. He provides consultancy and support to media and various government agencies, both here and abroad, on Muslim issues. He is a broadcaster and regular contributor on national radio and TV programmes, and presents his own programme on Islam Channel and Channel S.

Inayat Bunglawala, UK

Inayat Bunglawala, UK Inayat is a former Assistant Secretary-General and now Vice Chair of the Media Committee at the Muslim Council of Britain. He is also a co-presenter of the weekly ‘Politics and Media Show’ on Islam Channel and writes a regular blog on the Guardian ‘Comment is free’ website.

Lucy Bushill Matthews, South Africa

Lucy’s first book “Welcome to Islam, a convert’s tale” (publication July 2008) is a light-hearted and anecdotal look at the issues faced by an English Muslim when trying to integrate with the Muslim community and with everyone else. Having recently moved to South Africa, Lucy now works for Islamic Relief on skills development in poor communities, and on projects encouraging creative expression amongst the Muslim youth.

Speaking: Saturday, 4:00 Book Review: “Welcome To Islam: A Convert’s Tale” (Khadijah Marquee)

Imam Mojlum, UK

Mojlum Khan has a degree in Business and Social Policy. He is the manager of the Bangladeshi Support Centre in Ipswich and visiting Imam at Hollesley Bay Prison. He is a writer and literary critic and a regular lecturer in Islam for SIFRE. Mojlum studied Islamic Sciences and Qur’anic Arabic at the Hijaz College and is currently writing a book on Islamic Intellectual History.

Speaking: Friday, 3:40pm Book Review: “The 100 Most Influential” (Umar Marquee)

Taz Chaudhry, UK

Taz joined Eastern Eye - Britain in 1992 as Group Marketing Manager. He was head-hunted to spearhead ZEE TV’s corporate communications in 1988 and in 2003 launched Bangla Post, Britain’s first Bangla newspaper. In 2006, Taz joined Channel S, as Commercial Director, and saw revenue triple within a year. He is now serving as CEO. In 2007, he was appointed as Managing Director of Channel I – the first digital satellite TV in Bangladesh, launched in UK and Europe, catering for the needs of a growing community of professionals from Bangladesh as well as first and second generation expatriates.

Speaking: Saturday, 2:45pm Muslim Media: Meet the CEOs (Umar Marquee)

Elena Renier, UK

Elena is a Medical Herbalist, Nutritionist and Aromatherapist and a Neuro-linguistic Practitioner. Elena holds BSc Health Sciences: Herbal Medicine (Honours). University of Westminster.

Speaking: Friday, 4:30pm Sustainable Eating (Ali Marquee)

Erica Timoney, UK

Community activist and speaker. Erica has been involved in Dawah work for over two decades.

Speaking: Friday, 3:40pm A Guide to Death And Burial In Islam (Ali Marquee)
Saturday, 4:00 How To Make A Good Hajj? (Ali Marquee)

Batool Toma, UK

A graduate of St. David’s University College, University of Wales, Batool is a Research and Education Officer at The Islamic Foundation, and Coordinator of the New Muslims Project. This pioneering project offers a variety of services related to the overall support, education, and continuing development of converts to Islam in the UK. Batool is a member of the Islamic Society of Britain and has authored ‘A Simple Guide to Prayer for Beginners’.

Speaking: Friday, 3:40pm A Guide to Death And Burial In Islam (Ali Marquee)
Saturday, 4:00 How To Make A Good Hajj? (Ali Marquee)