Muslim Council of Britain leader visits prestigious research centre

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain has visited Cardiff University as part of a tour of Wales.

Zara Mohammed was welcomed by the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK’s director Professor Sophie Gilliat-Ray OBE. She also met with the Centre’s prestigious Jameel scholars and staff at an informal meet-and-greet.

The visit took place in the same month as the launch of the University’s Understanding Muslim Mental Health course.

Reflecting on her visit, Zara Mohammed said: “The research and work of the Islam-UK Centre is impactful to British Muslims and wider society. The research team is pioneering in the understanding and transformation of British Muslim communities and also providing development opportunities for future academics through scholarships. I commend them for their great work.”

She added: “As a British Muslim leader, the Centre’s work is really encouraging because being in the work I am in, this story matters and how we tell it and being able to define it in a way which is truthful to the audience matters too. I’ve been very inspired and enlightened, and hopeful that we can continue our partnership.”

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The Centre’s research encompasses a wide range of contemporary issues, including Informing Muslims about organ donation, a new project capturing the story of Islam in Wales, religious education resources for schools, the largest project yet examining the work of British Imams, and prison-based interventions for Muslim offenders.

Launched in 2005, the Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK is the leading research institute in Britain for the sociological study of Islam in Britain.

Applications for Jameel scholarships for 2022 are open until 13 June.