British Muslims at the 8th World Islamic Economic Forum

British Delegation to World Islamic Economic Forum in Malaysia * Muslim Council of Britain organises largest delegation to Forum from outside the Muslim world * Forum to be organised in London in 2013, heralding trade and investment opportunities for London and the world. The 8th World Islamic Economic Forum concluded today in Malaysia, with the Muslim Council of Britain sending a strong delegation of business professionals and entrepreneurs. Organised by the Council's Business and Economics Committee, the delegation consisted of professionals from a range of backgrounds including finance, technology and the media. This year, over 2,000 delegates from around the world convened to discuss the changing dynamics in global business today after the Arab uprising and the Eurozone crisis. The Forum provided an opportunity for the delegation to engage with and seek business opportunities with the Muslim world. Leading the delegation, the former (and founding) secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, Sir Iqbal Sacranie said: "The Muslim Council of Britain has been honoured to contribute to the success of the World Islamic Economic Forum since its inception. Annually we have organised a diverse and talented range of British business people to not only engage, learn and seek opportunities through trade in the Muslim world, but also to drum up business for UK plc." There was a strong UK presence in the agenda of the 2012 Johor Baru World Islamic Econom Forum, with panel contributions from Sir Iqbal Sacranie (who is also a member of the International Advisory Panel of the WIEF Foundation), Navshir Jafer, Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, the Rt. Hon. Alan Duncan MP, the Minister of State for International Development, Rushanara Ali MP, the opposition International Development spokesperson and Sir Edward Lister, the Deputy Mayor of London. The Forum also show-cased the work of Mohammed Ali, a.k.a, Aerosol Arabic whose DreamCube installation was the main exhibit. World Economic Forum comes to London in 2013 The organisers of the World Islamic Economic Forum have chosen London to be the host city for 2013. Welcoming the decision, Farooq Murad, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said: "In deciding London as the host city for the 9th World Islamic Economic Forum, the organisers recognise our capital city to be a truly global metropolis that acts as a bridge to the Muslim world. In London, delegates will find easy access to markets, innovation and expertise. They will also find a city whose Muslim population reflects the diversity of our Ummah, representing any gathering of the the Organisation Islamic Conference or even the annual Hajj. British Muslims will join Londoners to host the Forum and demonstrate how London is very much a major city for the Muslim World." Notes to Editors: 1. The 8th World Islamic Economic Forum was held between 3-6 December in Johor Baru, Malaysia. The annual event is organised by the World Islamic Forum Foundation www.wief.org.my 2.OIC - Organisation of Islamic Countries 3. The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.