British peer says Muslims should use talks to instill unity among themselves

Britain’s first male Muslim Life Peer has called for strengthening Muslims’ unity based on dialogue during the seventh international meeting of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought held in London.

Lord Nazir Ahmed, who entered the House of Lords in 1998, called on all Muslims to urge their political leaders to engage in talks and diplomacy to end divisions over such issues as Syria and Bahrain, IRNA reported.

Ahmed also hailed the role of Muslims in the British society calling on British Muslim leaders to play a more active part in dealing with social problems in the country.

The Muslim peer touched on increasing crime rates, addiction and education failure as the key problems facing the British Muslims.

According to official data released in bits and pieces over the past decade including analyses of the 2001 census, Muslims have been one of the most deprived ethnic groups in Britain, in terms of employment level, poverty and social rights.

Meanwhile, Ahmed called on the Muslim community in Britain to report to the government’s broadcasting watchdog, Ofcom, the satellite channels that preach anti-Muslim hate and violence.

The meeting of the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought on Saturday brought together 20 religious and political Muslim figures who discussed the ways to counter sectarianism and supporting Muslim community.