MECO (Muslim Educational Centre of Oxford) devoted its July Monthly Forum on Sunday, 2nd July 2006 to mark and commemorate the horrific outrages that occurred in London on 7th July 2005. In view of its progressive, multicultural and inter-denominational mission, MECO took intentional step and lead in being the only Muslim organisation in Britain to commemorate the killing of innocent civilians a few days ahead of the first anniversary of that dreadful day.

The July Monthly Forum was carefully chosen as the perfect time to examine and analyse the condition of Muslims today. DR GHAYASUDDIN SIDDIQUI, the Director of the Muslim Institute in London and a leading authority on Muslims discussed and dissected: THE STATE OF BRITISH ISLAM: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LONDON BOMBINGS.

Dr Siddiqui's critical presentation and enlightening Q&A session was preceded by a ground-breaking ceremony and solemn multi-faith remembrance for the victims of that terrible Thursday. Representatives of Judaism, Christianity and Islam offered joint prayers for peace and also commemorated all those who lost their lives in the horrific London bombings.

RABBI ELI BRACKMAN from the Chabad society of Oxford University, REVEREND JAN RUSHTON from St Michael's Church in Oxford and MUFTI BARKATULLAH of London officiated at this moving and tearful ceremony where the names, ages and occupations of each of the 52 victims were read out aloud and individual candles were lit in their memory.

This extraordinary initiative was deliberately designed so that Muslims would be in the forefront of expressing solidarity, sympathy and support with the British mainstream on the first anniversary of that fateful day. In addition to remembering the victims of the London attacks, prayers were also said for all the innocent civilians that have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of Western foreign policy.

For a full precis of Dr Siddiqi's talk, click here