Jo joins LSE students to launch Discover Islam week

4.07.00pm GMT Mon 29th Jan 2007

Those launching Discover Islam week formed the word 'Salam', captured by aerial photograph (Jo is in blue coat in the first 'A'!)

Jo Swinson launched Discover Islam Week at the London School of Economics with a speech at the event today.

At the launch, 100 LSE students of all backgrounds, religious and political beliefs combined to spell out the word 'Salam', meaning 'peace' in Arabic, in a gesture captured by aerial photograph. The week of activities, lectures, debates and film showings aim to challenge existing stereotypes of Islam.

Commenting on the launch, Jo said:

"As a former student of LSE I was pleased to be invited back to help launch this unique event.

"There is still much that needs to be done to promote understanding between religions and cultures in the UK. The students at LSE should be commended for taking very encouraging steps to meet the challenges of diversity by promoting better understanding of Islam."

Other speakers at today's launch included Howard Davies, director of the LSE, Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, Murad Qureshi, Labour Party Member of the London Assembly and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, head of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Discover Islam Week is hosted by the London School of Economics Islamic Society, and runs from Monday 29 January to Friday 2 February. Highlights of the week include: Al Jazeera's own Rageh Omaar, speaking about his new book, "Only Half of Me: Being a Muslim in Britain" on Tuesday 30th.

The week will include contemporary Islamic art exhibition, showcasing graffiti to traditional calligraphy, an interfaith forum and a film showing of "The Message".

Related Link:

Discover Islam Week - programme of events