INTRODUCTION
One of the recommendations that emerged from the Preventing Extremism Taskforce (PET) process of engagement in 2005 was the need to create a forum within which Muslim communities, recognizing their own inherent capabilities as a dynamic and forward thinking community with a sense of belonging to the United Kingdom, might come together and move the process of combating extremism in any context forward. Rather than reacting defensively to emerging challenges, political intelligence demands that Muslim communities recognize advantage in disadvantage and manipulate negative conditions for positive ends. This can best be achieved by applying ourselves to an astute consideration of 
prevailing realities in the interests of identifying and seizing strategic opportunities that assist our communities in achieving longer term macro objectives, such as challenging negative stereotypes, accentuating the positive, creating community confidence as well as cohesion, and so on.
Whilst the ultimate aim of the process undertaken by The BrItslam Partnership in collaboration with many grassroots and national organizations is to establish a National Muslim Communities Development Network (more about this later), the immediate task was to organize and coordinate a national two-day conference as an opportunity to test the waters, as it were, regarding both the potential and ability of our communities to work together to combat extremism. The conference, entitled, ‘Towards a National Muslim Communities Development Network – Filling the Void’, thus took place in the City of Birmingham, England, September 8th - 9th, 2007, following months of preparation.
The aims and objectives of the conference were clear from the outset: to propose a new vision, rationale and format for moving forward with a specific agenda for Muslim communities, allowing adequate space for deliberating and refinement of the main objectives. The two-day meeting was the outcome of a number of pre-consultations, both formal and informal, among members of the Muslim community, and its agenda had already emerged as an outcome of such consultations. A series of further consultations coordinated by BrItslam served to focus on priorities and propose, through the establishment of a working group, a roadmap for moving forward.
BRITSLAM WORKING GROUP
The pre-launch working group, made up of professionals, concurred that a process needed to be facilitated by those within the Muslim community with the conceptual resources, knowledge and vision to assist others in deliberating issues of concern and proposing answers.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF CONFERENCE
The primary objectives were: (1) The promotion of an aspirational vision for British Islam based on shared values and belonging and presaged and inspired by current and emerging best practice and exemplary enterprise in diverse spheres. (2) The formation and launch of a national network of community development workers and specialist delivery and facilitator agencies that will devise and implement community development strategies and programmes through partnerships and collaborations in the arenas of social welfare, education, culture, public relations and citizenship to realize this vision and address the symptomatic problems of disaffection, extremism and radicalization as well as their underlying root causes in British society.
PARTICIPANTS
Participants were selected for their actual or potential abilities to serve the conference objectives in a tangible, integral and sustainable way. Every attempt was made to ensure that participants were conscientious community stakeholders and not merely spectators. The participant categories were:(a) Advocates / specialist ideologues(b) Community Stakeholders / leaders (existing and emerging) / organizational representatives(c) Delivery Agencies(d) Facilitator Agencies
WORKSHOPS
THEOLOGICAL RESPONSES
EDUCATION
SECURITY
INTER FAITHMEDIA
ARTS & CULTURE
WOMEN
COMMUNITY COHESION
CONCLUSION
Key meetings were held between various stakeholders, coordinators and Government (DCLG). Pre-consultation meetings were organized throughout the UK. These were all followed up and a database of contacts among grassroots organizations emerged. FINAL PUBLISHED PRESS RELEASE8-9 September, 2007. Birmingham, UKMore than 250 Muslim grassroots community and organizational representatives met at Edgbaston Cricket Club, Birmingham, last weekend to strategize towards establishing a new National Muslim Communities Development Network. The proposed Network, which arose from Muslim communities themselves after a series of meetings following the attacks of 7/7, would be an independent structure that would not only acknowledge the continuing good work of existing organizations but would draw on expertise and experiences from further afield. Among other things, it would help address key concerns, including challenges posed by radical/violent extremism, and would help develop and broaden emerging leaderships within the communities themselves. The Network requires support from communities as well as public and corporate sectors, but the idea is to get communities to genuinely cooperate, to empower themselves through positive action and cutting edge initiatives, to emphasize delivery, and to help raise the standard of the debate on Islam, Muslims and Britain today which appear to have spiralled into trivia and subjective sloganism. It is essential that the debate on extremism, for example, is not polarised into two dichotomous camps: rabid secularism or religious fundamentalism. A kaleidoscope of more sophisticated and nuanced approaches from the commonsense silent majority seem to have been ignored up to now.The Network will seek to reach out beyond sectarian, ethnic or political ties, engaging with non-Muslims, as well as with professionals (without any leadership hierarchy or need for affiliation) with the aim of promoting an aspirational and progressive vision of and for Muslims in Britain – one that allows them to play their rightful and full role in wider British society and polity. The BrItslam Partnership Ltd11th September 2007
FUTURE PLANSTOWARDS A NATIONAL MUSLIM COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT NETWORK (MCDN)
This would be the first organization or body of its kind: a non-bureaucratic national body, devoid of any affiliates or member organizations. It would be an Open Network seeking to defeat violent extremism by developing strategies and policies with grassroots British Muslim communities and NGOs, as well as local and national government agencies and departments. The Network would open a mutual dialogue between British Muslims, policymakers as well as Government, creating solid partnerships.
SAMPLE RESPONSES FOLLOWING EVENT
Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:52:26 +0400From: "Ben Harburg"
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Subject: Many thanks…“It was unfortunate that I had to depart yesterday without being able to thank you in person. I had a tremendous time at the conference. I was particularly impressed with the caliber of the conference attendees. I have made the rounds at these things, but you assembled an incredible cast of individuals who were all selflessly striving - via a fascinating range of media and avenues- to effect great change where we need it most. I'm sure it was in no small part a reflection of your efforts and labours over the past months and your infectious spirit which pervaded the proceedings. If I can assist or support the network in any way, please don't hesitate to ask…”Ben Harburg, NATO http://www.pickledpolitics.com/archives/1334
Behind the Scenes comments24th August, 2007 at 9:18 am
Layla Sheriff - on 5th September, 2007 at 5:26 pm “Hi there. …This conference is a great way for Muslims to unite and discuss issues that affect all of us. …if we wish to better the current conditions that we Muslims face, then it is up to us to unite as one and make our voice heard. But it is never helpful to sit back and criticise people who have put their heart and soul into making life better for all of us. So I say this to you now, if you wish to make a difference then get off the computer and attend this event, because it is only by doing this, that your voice can be heard.”
© Report Prepared by Sayyed Nadeem A KazmiJanuary 2008
