Building Links between QUB & the Ahmadiyya Muslim and Refugee Communities

Belfast and the UK, more generally, were convulsed by shocking racist attacks this summer, which were orchestrated by the Far Right. We saw the targetting of Islamic and refugee community groups, with attacks on property, racist verbal abuse, intimidation and physical violence. In response to the events of the summer, the School of HAPP and the Centre of Public History are inviting two Imams based on the island of Ireland who represent the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Imam Ibrahim Michael Noonan and Imam Mutaraf Ahmed. We are also inviting Mehrshad Esfandiari, who is a refugee who works in the homeless sector in Belfast. Our guest will deliver talks followed by a Q & A session. The event is aimed at creating understanding within the university of the concerns of Islamic and refugee community groups based on the island of Ireland and within the UK. It is also intended to build long-standing links and dialogue between Queen's University and Islamic and Refugee community groups within Northern Ireland, for the purposes of determining the means by which our university as a civic institution can be of assistance in promoting community relations and cross-cultural dialogue.

Host or Publisher Ashok Malhotra