Quotes

"A big thank you for yesterday - the event was great you should be really pleased with yourselves!"

"Just to say that I really enjoyed myself today, congrats on running such a great event."

"It was a really interesting day and I met a bunch of fascinating people."

"Congratulations, it was a brilliant event."

"May I congratulate you all on a very successful and thoroughly enjoyable conference. I noticed that the conference was being taped and am hoping that it gets a chance to be aired on mainstream TV, where it rightly belongs. I look forward to more of the same."

"Well done Director. A very stimulating conference and, as ever, it enabled me to meet and speak to colleagues I had not met before."

"Brilliant event and we met loads of lovely people. Let's take it forward!"

"It was very uplifting, there was a real buzz in the air."

"Today's conference at SOAS was thoroughly enjoyable and an opportunity to meet many interesting and like-minded people, particularly amongst the secular Muslim community. Thank you very much for your involvement in the organisation of the event."

"It was fabulous.....I'm still buzzing."

"Yes, wonderful day yesterday; can't stop talking or thinking about it! Thank you to all involved in its organisation. Could anyone remind me what the name of the Muslim/Christian/Jewish group that played us out at the end was? I'd really like to get hold of some of their music if it's available."

"Thank you for inviting me to the event. It was a great networking opportunity. I love Allegra's work .....and I intend to fuse some ideas with her, so watch this space!!"

"The event was great fun, loved the stand-up comedy."

"Thank you Tehmina, and everyone who took part. What a superb event! A model for many to come, insha'Allah. Such a breath of fresh air, after many years of suffering! :)"

"As a British Muslim I have come across many groups claiming to represent uk muslims but must say and it makes me proud to say that this event was the most representative and diverse of background and opinion I have seen, if anyone can claim to truly represent british muslims it would be the bmsd. Well done all concerned. I just hope the message gets out to the self styled british muslim groups who claim to represent us - we are awaking and taking responsibility for our own futures."

"Getting onto a coach from Leicester at 6am in the rain, I must admit I was wondering if I was doing the right thing! And disappointed, I wasn't. Whilst sitting there listening to all the speakers with their uplifting messages, I realised just how serious we take ourselves as Muslims and willingly accept the slot that we have been put in by the mass media. We become self-conscious in crowded places although we are law abiding citizens. We feel that we are being watched all the time, even though we dress and behave like everyone else. What a terribly sad situation to be in. How often will the average Muslim think about expressing his artistic side? Sadly, very rarely and I realise that passing on the message of the conference to other parts of the country would be so important. Of course, changing the mindset of people who seem to think that their Molvi's interpretation of the Hadith is the final word will be an uphill battle."

"Thanks once again for a truly enlightening day."