| Global Peace and Unity | |
|---|---|
| Dates | Third weekend in October |
| Location(s) | ExCeL Exhibition Centre |
| Years active | 2005 – present |
| Website | Global Peace & Unity Event |
The Global Peace and Unity event (often abbreviated to GPU) is an annual two-day conference held at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre in London and organized by the Islam Channel. It is the largest Muslim conference of its kind in Europe, having attracted over 55,000 visitors from five continents during the 2006 event.[1] There have been four conferences since its inception in 2005, with others in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. The conference includes an Islamic exhibition, an evening nasheed concert, as well as a series of lectures from international speakers spanning the two days.[1][2]
According to the official website, the Global Peace and Unity event is designed to promote "global cohesion across all communities", as well as "break barriers and build bridges between the variety of cultures and groups that follow the Islamic faith."[2] According to Khurram Mujtaba, director of operations of Islam Channel, the event is a means through which to promote dialogue.[1]
The event consists of three main parts. One is an exhibition which houses numerous stalls, selling Islamic gifts and serving cuisines emanating from a variety of cultures. Other stalls promote Islamic business, while yet others are reserved for the collection of charity donations for organizations like Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief. The other two parts of the event are composed of an evening concert on the first day and series of talks and lectures by international speakers on the second. Throughout both days artists provide entertainment on-stage in the form of nasheed pieces or comedy sketches.[1][3]
Numerous individuals have spoken at the event, including political figures and community leaders such as former (and then serving) London mayor Ken Livingstone, Respect MP George Galloway, former MCB Secretary-General Sir Iqbal Sacranie OBE, Simon Hughes MP, Dr. Joel Hayward, James Caan, Sarah Joseph OBE, Lord Nazir Ahmed, Sadiq Khan MP, Stephen Timms MP, John Rees; ex-sportsmen such as Saeed Anwar and Imran Khan.[4]
Islamic scholars such as Dr. Jamal Badawi, Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Dr. Zakir Naik, Yasir Qadhi, Yusuf Estes, Abdal Hakim Murad and Prof.Tariq Ramadan. Guests from other faiths including Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss and Rev. Riah Hanna Abu El-Assal.[1][5][6]
Muslim pop singers including Jermaine Jackson and Yusuf Islam. Nasheed artists to have performed at the GPU include Zain Bhikha, Ahmed Bukhatir, Junaid Jamshed, Native Deen, Najam Sheraz, Dawud Wharnsby Ali and Outlandish.[5]