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Politics Starts at Home: Is It Worth Getting Involved In Local Politics

What is the point of becoming a councillor? Does it make any real difference? For many, local politics has been the poorer relation to the glamorous world represented in the national, parliamentary stage. Yet, a lot of our lives are affected by what happens in local councils up and down the country. Is it time, therefore, for British Muslims to think about making a make a practical difference at a local level?

These themes will be explored in a fascinating discussion led by Muslim councillors from the Conservative, Labour and the Liberal Democratic parties. Each will give their insight into life as a councillor and will address why they believe local Muslims should get involved in local affairs.

Tuesday, 15th July @ 6.30pm
Abrar House, 45 Crawford Place, W1H 4LP

New Realities in a Changing Middle East

New developments in the Middle East in recent times have forced a rethinking of many assumptions hitherto considered unchangeable facts. The reverses suffered by the US in the War on Terror, its inability to influence recent events in Lebanon, its failure to achieve international consensus on Iran's nuclear programme and its inability to see through meaningful developments in the occupied territories are influencing public perception in the region against the superpower. What is the shape of the future Middle East? Will a new US president continue the same engagement with the region? or will he opt for a different course of action and work to enhance US image in the world? The discussion to be led by Richard Beeston, the Foreign Editor of The Times will focus some attention on the Middle East today, with possibly some future perspectives.

Iraq...Five Years On: A Way Out?.... Michael Binyon

The joint American-British occupation of Iraq is five years old this month and with no sign of ending. Five years on – Iraq is a broken country with no security, severe power supply shortages and medical facilities and basic utilities worse than pre-war saddam era. Violence and insecurity for the Iraqis is the norm with an estimated million (other Iraqi sources estimates are even higher) Iraqis killed to date. Mr. Binyon discussed the reasons behind the failed occupation and the options available for a way out of this quagmire for the occupation.