Previous Speakers

Non-Muslim Guest Speakers

Philip C Bobbitt

Former US Director for Intelligence

I found the discussion very illuminating, and I would recommend others attending. You want to make clear, as you did the other night, that Dialogue with Islam is free standing, is not a front for any other group... I thought the audience was the best part of the evening: it is true that some were hostile, but by and large they seemed willing to listen to my answers patiently and respectfully and that is all anyone can ask of any audience... Good luck with your work. You were very kind to have us over to your event. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed meeting you.

Philip C Bobbitt was invited to speak on "The 'War on Terror': Does it make Sense?".

Philip Stephens

Associate editor of the Financial Times

Thank you again for inviting me to participate in the debate. It was stimulating and informative. If I took a single message away it was that western nations must be far more conscious of the damage inflicted on their foreign policies by double standards, perceived and real.
I thought the quality of the debate excellent and did not feel at all threatened by the audience. If I had a regret it was that one or two of the younger members did not take part. I do think other Non-Moslems should take part in such events as will happily recommend Dialogue with Islam. I cannot think of any obvious improvements save perhaps that having four speakers necessarily limits the space for the audience. That said, thank you again for inviting me and best wishes for an excellent project.

Philip Stephens was invited to speak on "What Can We Learn From The Iraq War?".

Lord Tim Garden

Former Asst. Chief of Defence Staff

The website is excellent - very professional and informative.
The debate was well structured, and our chair, Rachel Briggs, did an excellent job in keeping a coherent discussion. The audience were friendly and well informed in their questions. The topic was perhaps too broad for the time available, even though we extended the finish time. A panel of four is probably also a bit big for such a discussion, as each member can only address part of the question within the time constraints. If you are looking for changes, then I think that you would get a more developed discussion with just two speakers, and a more focused topic. We covered the past lessons of Iraq, the way ahead and also the wider question of intervention more generally. That was a lot to do.
The audience was impressive and articulate. I enjoyed the evening.

Lord Tim Garden was invited to speak on "What Can We Learn From The Iraq War?".

Dominic Lawson

Columnist of The Independent newspaper

I think the debate was of a high standard-- all participants had clearly thought deeply about the matter. My only regret was that I did not appreciate at the time that Professor Dawud's remark about the projected oil pipeline through Afghanistan is part of a conspiracy theory which is designed to suggest that 9/11 was all part of an American plot. Had I worked that out at the time, I would have denounced it as being on the same level as Israelis who say that the bombing of the children at Qana was a Hizbollah conspiracy. But that is my fault for not being sharp enough!

Dominic Lawson was invited to speak on "Muslim Grievances: Real or Percieved?".

Sir Malcolm Rifkind

Former British Foreign Secretary

I greatly enjoyed the meeting. The audience were combative not hostile. All credit must go the organisers as dialogue of this kind is essential in all our interests. A slightly longer time might have been useful as the dialogue had only just begun and there were several people anxious to contribute with question or statements.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind was invited to speak on "War On Terror: Winning Hearts and Minds".

Peter Lilly

Former Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

It was a very interesting debate and I enjoyed taking part. Given the context, I understand the emphasis the Muslim speakers put on conforming to Islamic teaching on banking and helping the poor. But that seemed to crowd out focussing on how poor countries can generate more wealth to enable them to help the poor in their midst.

The two non Muslim speakers were from opposite ends of the political spectrum and I should perhaps have asked them to challenge each others views more directly.

I am sot sure what issues you have considered so far so cannot really suggest additional subjects and speakers - obviously the debate about multiculturalism/integration in the UK is of central importance.

Thank you for inviting me.

Peter Lilley was invited to chair the dialogue on "Poverty: how to make it history ".

Mathew D'Ancona

Editor of the Spectator magazine

I thought it was an excellent event civilized, honest and constructive. I like the fact that most of the people there were not from inside the Westminster beltway, so one got a much clearer sense of the problems and the potential solutions.

I think you would find other newspaper comm-entators receptive to your invitation and can only wish you well in this very important undertaking.

Matthew D' Ancona was invited to speak on "Dealing with the aftermath of : 9/11 and 7/7".

Lord Norman Lamont

Ex Chancellor of the Exchequer

I found the evening very interesting and was impressed by the seriousness of most of the que-stions.I thought the event was well organised...I was very impressed by the seriousness of the speakers and their thoughtfulness.

I would recommend non-Muslims to speak and thought the Chairman was fine. I know he thought I talked too much.

For the future - I would suggest you ought to tackle Islam and Secularism and Islam and Democracy, and the position of women under Islam.

Lord Norman Lamont was invited to speak on "Dealing with the aftermath of : 9/11 and 7/7.

Lord Brian Griffiths

Deputy chairman of Goldman Sachs International

I greatly enjoyed the evening and was extremely impressed with the people whom I met. You organized a superb event and are a great ambassador for the Muslim community.... Any debate on monetary issues draws on what I would term, the 'exotic element'. This goes with the turf. That apart I thought the questions were thoughtful, well stated and interesting.

Lord Brian Griffiths was invited to speak on "Global Banking System: On Trial ".

Evan Davis

Economics Editor for the BBC

The debate was a fascinating departure from the normal (rather narrow) areas of economic controversy in which I tend to get involved. It veered between several very different strands -- the technicalities of banking sector balance sheets; the ethics of debt, and enticing people to consume; the interpretation of different religious texts; and various (impractical) schemes for providing the functions of modern currencies without modern currency.

Evan Davis was invited to speak on "Global Banking System: On Trial ".

Edwina Currie

Former UK Government minister, broadcaster and writer

This debate was a most interesting and informative event for me - I learned far more than I could impart, and feel privileged to have been invited.

Edwina Currie was invited to speak on "Family values: Are they changing or dissapearing".

Roger Mosey

Head of BBC TV news

I'd recommend it. I thought it was a fantastically good forum and the range of views was excellent and also a really good turn out.

Roger Mosey was invited to speak on "Is the media biased ? ".

Oliver Miles

Former British High Commissioner to Libya

I enjoyed the discussion, and was favourably impressed by its quality. The speakers were not only articulate and intelligent, but I had the strong impression that they were willing to listen.

Oliver Miles was invited to speak on "Middle East in Crisis: Is democracy the way forward ? ".

David Goodhart

Editor of Prospect magazine

First point to make - I very much enjoyed the discussion, we always talk about what a diverse society we live in but few of us ever meet people with fundamentally different world views, it is usually valuable for both sides when we do, which is, I guess, the point that your Dialogue with Islam discussions are premised on.

David Goodhart was invited to speak on "British Identity and Muslim Integration".

Alexandra Shulman

Editor of Vogue Magazine

I was extremely interested in the evening and have continued to be. I thoroughly applaud your idea of trying to promote an exchange of ideas although I doubt that anyone changed their minds much as a result. I did though learn facts about Islam which I didn't know.

I was struck by the articulacy of your audience and also by how discriminated against they seemed to feel. On the subject of the veil one of the things I didn't understand was that although the case was put very passionately that it was an equalising device and a way to have attention taken away from appearances - many Muslim women who although not veiled certainly wear the full gown - spend a lot of money on clothes to wear under it and designer headscarves and sunglasses, handbags and shoes - so that kind of "it's not about what we wear approach" can't apply to everyone.

Alexandra Shulman was invited to speak on "The Veil: A Mark of Separation or Statement of Identity ?".

Deborah Orr

The Independent

I learned a lot taking part in the dialogue with Islam debate about veils, even if some of it was information I'd have been more comfortable not knowing. I was very struck by the level of aggressive beleagurement expressed by the audience. The sensitivity displayed at the smallest inability to comprehend Islamic culture and practice is very much at odds with the relaxed and open enthusiasm for slagging off western culture and practice.

Deborah Orr was invited to speak on "The Veil: A Mark of Separation or Statement of Identity ?".

Mark Urban

Diplomatic editor of BBC Newsnight

I certainly learned quite a bit, and I think you put an excellent panel together. I was struck by how polite the discussion remained, despite the emotive nature of many of the topics. You had appealed for this at the start, and in retrospect there was no need for me to repeat it.

I think it would help to gather some questions in advance of the speakers giving their presentations. This way the chair could get an early idea of where the discussion might head and how to structure it. It's very hard to keep a free form discussion of that kind moving to some kind of structure - people just want to have their say, even it is a reply to something said 20 minutes earlier. Perhaps it is the case that with a very focused discussion topic, such as the veil one you are planning, it would be easier.

Anyway, thanks once more for organising it and good luck with your future events.

Mark Urban was invited to chair the dialogue on "Is Islam a Threat to The West?".

Polly Toynbee

The Guardian

Ex-Chief Inspector of Schools (1994 - 2000)

Ex-Chief Inspector of Schools (1994 - 2000)

Dr. Rosemary Hollis

Director of Research, Chatham House

Professor Raymond Kuhn

Professor of Politics and Head of Department at Queen Mary College, London

Alun Anderson

Editor of New Scientist Magazine

Prof. Alister McGrath

Christian Scholar from Oxford University

Muslim Guest Speakers

Tarek El Diwany

Author of The Problem With Interest

Many thanks for a well organised and enjoyable meeting. Brian was a polite and generous debating partner, Evan an entertaining host. I think this kind of discussion between genuinely different world views is immensely useful and it is certainly worth expanding the scope of topics. Perhaps you could also consider ways of including more non-Muslims in the audience.

Please do keep me in touch with developments and may Allah bless your future events.

Tareq El Diwany was invited to speak on "The Global Banking System: On Trial".