Reading List: The Dragon and the Crescent

Grahame Davies, The Dragon and the Crescent (Seren, £12.99) "In the early twenty-first century, the relationship between the West and Islam has, due to recent political events, become the subject of intense study, curiosity and tension.

"But to understand contemporary anxieties, we need to trace their historical roots. The Dragon and the Crescent does this for one small European nation, revealing for the first time, the full and surprising story of the Welsh relationship with Islam."

More info from Seren books

I've yet to read this, but it sounds interesting.

Islamic Psychology Conference

BME Mental Health: ISLAMIC PSYCHOLOGY CONFERENCE

27 Jul 2011 - London
28 Jul 2011 - Manchester

"This conference aims to explore and debate the critical perspectives, themes and concepts that underpin 'Muslim Psychology' in theory and therapeutic practice; and how these might relate to 'mainstream' psychological and mental health services in the UK."

Report: Britain urged to intervene to end forced marriages

Guardian/gulfnews : Britain urged to intervene to end forced marriages, 27 Jun 2011: "Plan UK will publish a report this week entitled Breaking Vows, which states that ten million under-18s become child brides every year. In developing countries in South America, North Africa and parts of Asia, one in three under-18 year olds, and one in seven of all girls under 15, are married."

The Platform launched

MCB, The Platform is Raised: Celebrating the launch of a revolutionary new site, 7 Jun 2011 "The event celebrated the launch of a blog designed to facilitate a space for expression, promote proactive engagement and encourage a renewed and dynamic thinking for progress. The Platform is a site that unites talented Britons of diverse ages and backgrounds in the common cause of bettering Britain."

And here's the site itself (logo shown):

The Platform

'Newport Muslims launch anti-terror campaign'

South Wales Argus, Newport Muslims launch anti-terror campaign, 15 Jun 2011 "A coalition of Newport Muslim groups yesterday launched a grassroots campaign that spells out why terrorism and extremism are against the teaching of Islam."

Shari`ah-compliant Pensions

OnIslam, Shari`ah-compliant Pensions for UK Muslims

"Eyeing to get a share of the booming Islamic finance industry, a British firm has launched a Shari`ah-compliant fund to enable Muslims to save for retirement, the Zawya website reported."

Sheffield's Muslim Environmentalists

OnIslam, Sheffield's Muslim Environmentalists, 11 Jun 2011 "Drawn together by appreciation of mother nature and teachings of faith, a group of Muslim environmentalists in the central British city of Sheffield rolled up their sleeves in the service of their wider community and their religion as well.

"“For Muslims the Qur'an is very clear: Islam teaches us about our duty," Nabeel Nasser, the vice-chair of the Sheffield Islamic Network for the Environment (ShINE), told the Sheffield Telegraph on Saturday, June 11."