LONDON, Aug 27 (APP)- Four prominent British Muslims have visited Ethiopia and Hargeisa in Somaliland as part of a Projecting British Islam visit.  The main aim of the visit was to build stronger partnerships between British Muslims and the Ethiopian and Somali Muslim leadership.  According to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office release, the delegation helped showcase the integral role of British Muslims in the UK and highlighted the work being undertaken in both countries by British organisations.

An important outcome of the visit was to add the voice of British Muslims to those in Ethiopia and Somalia who are opposed to extremist ideology.  The four delegates were: journalist Fuad Nahdi ,educationalist Sheikh Babikir Ahmed Babikir, Sabin Malik a Community Cohesion specialist and Habib Malik of Islamic Relief charity.

The delegates met students, civil society and religious leaders in both Ethiopia and Hargeisa. A highlight of the visit was when Sheikh Babikir Ahmed Babikir, one of the delegates, addressed 10,000 people during Friday prayers at the main Mosque in Ethiopia.

Other highlights included meeting the President of Somaliland and taking part in two lively Q&A sessions about Islam with young Somali and Ethiopian Muslims.

Speaking about their visit, the  delegates said:

“We went to Ethiopia and Hargeisa for discussions about issues of mutual concern, in particular to build partnerships between British Muslims and communities in both countries. We enjoyed an open and frank discussion with leading figures in Ethiopia and Hargeisa including Muslim scholars, community representatives, educational and women’s leaders.  “We shared our experiences as British Muslims in Britain today and helped counter the misperceptions that existed about the role of Muslims in UK society.  We also learned a lot from the experiences of our Ethiopian and Somali hosts. We were proud to represent the diverse range of British Muslim communities on this visit.”

Projecting British Muslims is a programme of visits by British Muslim delegations facilitated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to a range of Muslim majority countries, and countries with Muslim communities. The aim is to share their experiences as Muslims in Britain today and engage in constructive dialogue and debate with a range of political, religious and social groups and figures.