This Saturday 5th July marks a historic day for UK Muslims as they celebrate the launch of MCBDirect, a community information portal.

"Muslims regularly feature in the news, and every day we receive an ever-increasing number of queries from members of the public and civic institutions about various aspects of the Islamic faith. The role of MCBDirect will be to provide accurate and authoritative information on Islam in Britain. Not only will MCBDirect be disseminating high-quality information, but it will also be responsible for gathering vital facts, figures and statistics to present a much clearer picture of Muslims in Britain, than has been achieved to date," said Mr Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

This innovative service aims to channel existing expertise in the Muslim community in order to provide the following facilities:

Telephone & email 'hotline' for media and public enquiries

Daily updated website providing community news, analysis and comment

Regular publications providing policy makers, academics and the media with summaries of research on Muslims in Europe

Electronic library of key policy & research papers

The launch of the MCBDirect service will take place at the Porchester Hall, London and will include a performance by the renowned Nasheed group, Ashik-e-Rasool, together with readings from the inspiring poetry of Rumi and much more. The Chief Guest on the night will be Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Commission for Racial Equality. Others in attendance will include the newly appointed Home Office Minister responsible for Race Equality, Community Policy, and Civil Renewal, Fiona MacTaggart MP, Heads of Diplomatic Missions in London, Community Leaders, Scholars and businessmen.


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For further information please contact: The Muslim Council of Britain, Suite 5, Boardman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NT,
Dr Aziz Sheikh, Chair of the MCB Research & Documentation Committee, Tel: 0208 432 0585/6 or 07956-353738, Fax: 0208 432 0587 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: http://www.mcb.org.uk