A new national body, the British Muslim Network (BMN), is set to launch in February with the aim of representing British Muslim communities and fostering engagement with policymakers. This initiative, described as the most high-profile Muslim network ever established in the UK, seeks to provide a mainstream voice for the hyper-diverse Muslim population. Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, the first Muslim cabinet minister, and Mishal Husain, a former BBC Radio 4 presenter, are prominent supporters, although Husain will not hold a formal role.
Addressing the Government’s Disengagement
Baroness Warsi emphasized the importance of moving beyond the government’s historical focus on counter-terrorism when engaging with Muslim communities. “For nearly 17 years, we’ve had a policy of disengagement with British Muslim communities by successive governments,” she told The Times. The BMN’s mission is to change this narrative by highlighting the contributions and concerns of Muslims across the UK.
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A Platform for Unity
The BMN will be governed by a co-chaired board with representation from various sectors, including broadcasting, the arts, academia, and religious leadership. Akeela Ahmed, founder of She Speaks We Hear, highlighted the network’s focus on everyday issues and its intent to bridge the gap between communities and policymakers. “We want to bring together expertise and insight and share this with policymakers,” Ahmed stated.
Rising Challenges and Growing Frustration
The creation of the BMN is partially rooted in frustration over the government’s perceived neglect of British Muslim voices, particularly following significant events such as the October 7 Hamas attacks in Israel and subsequent far-right riots targeting mosques in 2023. Many see this as a turning point, revealing a leadership vacuum that the BMN aims to fill.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), historically the largest Muslim umbrella organization in the UK, has faced a decade-long government boycott. Former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown severed ties in 2009, and the Conservative-led coalition continued this policy. Despite the election of younger leaders like Zara Mohammed in 2021, the government has not resumed engagement with the MCB.
Collaboration, Not Competition
While the BMN is seen as a potential rival to the MCB, its organizers insist it does not intend to compete or replace existing organizations. Instead, the network aims to amplify diverse voices, particularly those of younger Muslims, and bring a fresh approach to representation. One source described the BMN’s model as loosely inspired by the Jewish Leadership Council, which successfully collaborates with the UK government on key issues.
High-Profile Support
The BMN has garnered support from various influential figures, including Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, and the Right Rev. Toby Howarth, the Bishop of Bradford. Cox described the network as “an incredibly influential group.”
Ahmed further underlined the network’s inclusive nature, stating that its diversity is its strength. “The British Muslim Network hopes to galvanize these incredible contributions and gather the expertise within British Muslim communities and put them forward in a positive way to policymakers and leaders across society,” she said.
Launch Event and Next Steps
The official launch event for the BMN, scheduled for February 23, is expected to attract senior political figures and members from across the political spectrum. Organizers hope the event will set the stage for long-term collaboration between the network, policymakers, and other stakeholders.
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Experts like Khadijah Elshayyal of the University of Edinburgh have highlighted the challenges the BMN will face in authentically representing grassroots voices and ensuring its relevance in the current political landscape. “Muslim activism and agency continue in our communities… and it makes impacts simply by virtue of the fact that it is deeply woven into the political fabric of our society,” Elshayyal said.