About IAW

Why Islam Awareness Week?

The Islamic Society of Britain initiated Islam Awareness Week in 1994, to raise awareness and remove misconceptions surrounding Britain’s second largest faith group. In 1997 the Commission on British Muslims by the Runnymede Trust confirmed the existence of widespread prejudice and discrimination against Muslims in Britain. Their report, 'Islamophobia - a challenge for us all' (1997), launched by the Home Secretary at the House of Commons, proposed sixty recommendations, one of which was the desperate need for awareness and understanding of the true meaning of Islam. This was confirmed by the Commission’s second report on Islamophobia launched in 2004.

Sadly, since then we have seen misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Islam and Muslims increase in society to the point where today it appears to be an acceptable form of denigration. Muslims are depicted as unreasonable, intolerant, violent violators of human rights and anti-women. These popular images come down from age old myths and fears and are fuelled by political and economic interests and reinforced by the actions of extremists on the margins of society.

These perceptions breed suspicion, hatred and even violence. We believe that these misconceptions must be tackled both within wider society and amongst Muslims themselves - if we are to see the development of a Britain at ease with its diversity. We believe that through awareness and understanding of one another we can create better relations and develop respect and harmony in our society. The national Islam Awareness Week (IAW) is an opportunity for all of us to come together in addressing the threats posed by misunderstanding one another.

The UK’s 1.6 million Muslims consist of diverse communities, representing many backgrounds. They can be found in every field and walk of life, and do play their part in contributing to Britain’s wealth and culture. Indeed, Islam is very much a part of everyday life for many Britons. Islam guides its followers to respect, preserve and strengthen all that is good in British society. Furthermore, it helps them inculcate the inner strength to resist and change those aspects of themselves and society which cause harm.

Islam is not a new religion, it is not specific to any people or region. It is a message to all to live in service of their Creator, to live a life that is good and that helps those who are less fortunate. It is the action of submitting to God and attaining peace carried by Prophets that has formed the core message from God at all times to all people. There should be no compulsion or coercion in matters of faith and religion,the freedom to hold dialogue however is key to understanding the commonalities between people - respect of differences is an essential part of this paradigm.

During Islam Awareness Week communities throughout the country will be organising a range of activities and events aimed at opening dialogues about their way of life, developing contact with individuals and institutions, promoting social interaction and celebrating art and culture. Thousands of events have taken place over the years, they have all had an impact within communities. We believe IAW has already made a significant and historic contribution to community relations.

How does it do this?

With a national team of volunteers the theme is arrived at through consultation, we then seek to work in partnership as much as possible with others. Nationally we encourage and support local activities and provide resources to supplement events. Our website highlights activities undertaken and provides useful ideas.

We also encourage schools to get involved by offering a range of resources. These include a specialist webpage for schools, a teaching resource pack, leaflets and volunteers who are available on request to conduct specially commissioned classroom presentations.

Who takes part?

IAW has received high profile support from politicians and celebrities. However the bulk of the work is carried out by volunteers who organise dinners, coffee mornings, lectures, concerts, mosque open days, exhibitions, inter faith events, community volunteering and film shows – to name a few. IAW aims to create a better awareness of Islam in our society by involving everyone throughout Britain, irrespective of creed to come forward and join hands in practical efforts to build bridges within communities. These volunteers are the back bone of IAW. The excellent work done by them was acknowledged in 2005 when IAW received an award for Excellence in community relations at the Muslim News Awards ceremony.

Why not get involved? There are many things that you can do and some ideas are listed on this site. So however you can contribute whether by finding out what is happening locally and supporting it or setting up your own Islam Awareness Week it all adds up to the bigger picture – so do take part in this year’s IAW.

Below, you will find a brief summary of the activities of earlier years. For an overview of more recent years, please click here.

2008: - 'Celebrating the Best of Britain' promoting shared values

The official launch of Islam Awareness Week took place at the Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament on Monday 17 November 2008. Speakers at the launch included Shahid Malik; Minister for Justice, Dr Hany El Banna; President of Islamic Relief, Michael Metcalfe of NASACRE, Dr Zahoor Qurashi; President of ISB and Tahmina Saleem; National Coordinator IAW,

The IAW Best of Britain Online Survey revealed during the launch that the six most popular responses by British Muslims on what they liked best about Britain was  Freedom (12.8%), Diversity (8.9%), Legal and Political Rights (8.3%), Education (7.4%), Environment (6.1%), Order (6.1%).

Several resources on the theme were produced including an exhibition, a leaflet and a film on the ‘Best of Britain and Shared Values’. The film allowed us to hear the voices of three ordinary British Muslims with their perspective on life in Britain.

2008 also saw the launch of a new and unique interactive experience on Islam for schools and the continuation of the partnership with Barnardo’s with the ‘Open Eyes Schools Competition’ running for a second year.

Dawud Wharnsby the Canadian singer-songwriter toured as part of Islam Awareness Week for the third year running. He shared an inspirational message of common values to thousands of young people and their communities; visiting London, Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield and Bradford.

2007: - 'One World' Our Children Our Future

The theme for Islam Awareness Week 2007 was ‘One World: Our Children, Our Future’. IAW 2007 was launched at the British Library on Friday 16th November. The first part of the day comprised a series of short presentations. Tahmina Saleem and Zahoor Qurashi introduced the launch, giving a background on the need for IAW. Sir Sigmund Sternberg spoke about the work of the Three Faiths Forum. To complement this year’s theme of “One World: our children, our future”, Ruth Watson spoke about the work of Barnardo’s Hamara Project. We were privileged to have representatives from the Islamia Girls School, who gave a short but impressive presentation on their school council project for this academic year to raise funds for orphans around the world. Islam Awareness Week teamed up with national charity Barnardo’s and organised a sponsorship campaign in schools. The funds raised went to Barnardo’s Mazbhoot Nia Strengthening Communities Appeal to ensure:

1.     Children do not suffer domestic violence at home or bullying at school

2.     Those living with HIV/AIDS get support to enjoy life

3.     Children with or without disabilities are able to enjoy inclusive play together.

Schools got involved with IAW and were supported by a range of resources. These included a specialist webpage for schools, a teaching resource pack, leaflets and volunteers who were available on request to conduct classroom presentations and assemblies. A fully booked IAW tour took place with Dawud Wharnsby, the Canadian singer songwriter, and his American colleague Idris Philips who acted as ambassadors for the One World theme. The pair visited seven cities and played at over 40 events as part of the combined schools and community tour. The presentations aimed to motivate youth to contribute positively to society and to realise their own potential by working to achieve their goals. This positive message was taken to thousands of young people in their local communities.

2006: - 'One World' the myth of the clash

The Royal Geographic Society in London played host to the launch of the 13th Islam Awareness Week on Monday 20th November. The 2006 theme was One World – The Myth of the Clash.

The previous week, twenty prominent world leaders submitted the Alliance of Civilisations report to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in Istanbul. The report dismissed the notion that a clash of civilisations is inevitable, but said that swift action is needed. The group argued the need to build bridges has never been greater. Professor John Esposito, Professor of International Affairs and Islamic Studies at America’s Georgetown University, delivered the keynote speech at the IAW launch on his return from the Istanbul conference. In his speech he explored the common thread of humanity which binds people together.

The popular Canadian folksinger Dawud Wharnsby with his colleague Idris Phillips also gave a special performance at the launch. Dawud and Idris also toured parts of London with the Fletcher Valve Drummers as part of the East London One World Festival.

A specially commissioned exhibition was produced to promote the One World message, the Big Issue magazine also carried a special feature on the theme of Islam Awareness Week 2006.

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2005: - 'Past and Present: 1000 years of Islam in Britain

In 2005, Islam Awareness Week told the tale of two peoples as never told before. The Islam and Britain you never knew. Knowing that we live in a climate in which misunderstandings and hostility are all too common, this year’s theme was critical to help unearth our historical truths in order to carve a new public consciousness, one of commonality and inter-dependence.

It told a story of kings and paupers, of soldiers and sailors, of alchemists and anatomists and of mosques and universities. The story was one of interchange, of dialogue, of political alliances and of friendships from across continents and cultures. Above all it told the tale of interplay between Islam and Britain, of ordinary men and women here in Britain, of communities shaping themselves and of revolutionary ideas that shaped the Britain we have today. Today's Britain would be very different without Islam!

A specially commissioned publication introducing this history was produced for Islam Awareness Week 2005. By highlighting this relationship we can see that the presence of Muslims in the British Isles is not just a recent phenomenon and also raise awareness of the mutually enriching role that Islam and British culture have played in the past and continue to play today. An awareness which gives hope for the future.

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2004: - 'Your Muslim Neighbour'

The theme for IAW 2004 was 'Your Muslim Neighbour' and highlighted the often unnoticed contribution made by Muslim neighbours, co-workers and citizens in enriching British society. At the heart of last year's activities was the desire to bring British communities together in neighbourliness and understanding.

These projects aimed to build bridges and break down misconceptions, harnessing the very strong ethos within Islamic teachings relating to taking care of one's environment and one's neighbours - our common concerns.

Last year’s launch was at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre where, as part of the theatre’s Shakespeare and Islam season, there were readings, recitals, lectures a souk and other special events.

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2003: Muslim Heritage

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