Debating Multiculturalism, Panel Discussion 1 - The Origins, History and Development of Multiculturalism in the UK

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:00 in Discussion Forums

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Where: University of Oxford, Oxford Centre for Christianity and Culture, Regent's Park College, Pusey St, OX1 2LB
Date: 13th February 2013
Time: 17:00

Speakers:

Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Woolf Institute
Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke, World Congress of Faiths
Dr Hazim Fazlic, Connect Foundation

Abstract

This event is the first discussion in the ‘Debating Multiculturalism’ panel discussion series. Four discussions led by prominent academics and practitioners will explore and evaluate multiculturalism as an ideology and political project. Should multiculturalism be jettisoned for failing to guard against social fragmentation and extremism? Or is it the only path to a truly inclusive and harmonious society? The series will look at criticisms of multiculturalism along with the case for it, considering its place in the future of the United Kingdom.

This first discussion will look at multiculturalism from a historical perspective, exploring the following questions:

What historical factors contributed to the rise of multiculturalism?
How has the meaning of the term developed over time?
What political factors and social factors are now shaping the government approach to diversity and integration?
What form of multiculturalism, if any, is an acceptable approach for our own times?

Biography of Mohammed Abdul Aziz

Mohammed Abdul Aziz was the founding CEO of the Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism, and the founding Director of FaithWise Ltd. He subsequently worked for 8 years in Central Government in the UK as Advisor and then Senior Advisor to senior civil servants and ministers on race, religion and cohesion issues. He has held various public appointment positions, including Commissioner at the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and TUC’s Commission on Vulnerable Employment. He was a member of the Government Steering Group that set up the UK’s Equality & Human Rights Commission. He has also been a Chair of the European Network Against Racism and is currently a Vice-Chair of the Equality & Diversity Forum. Mohammed is currently Director of the Centre for Public Education at the Woolf Institute, Cambridge and a Nohoudh Scholar/PhD Candidate at SOAS, University of London.

Biography of Marcus Braybrooke

Rev Dr Marcus Braybrooke is a retired Anglican parish priest, living near Oxford, England. He has been involved in interfaith work for nearly fifty years. He joined the World Congress of Faiths in 1964 and is now president. He served as executive director of the Council of Christians and Jews from 1984 to 1988, is a co-founder of the Three Faiths Forum and patron of the International Interfaith Centre at Oxford. He has travelled widely to attend interfaith conferences and to lecture. Professor Braybrooke is author of over forty books on world religions, including Pilgrimage of Hope: One Hundred Years of Global Interfaith Dialogue (1992), the history of the interfaith movement’s first century. A number of his books address shared worship, prayer, and meditation. In September 2004 the Archbishop of Canterbury awarded him with the Lambeth Doctorate of Divinity “in recognition of his contribution to the development of interreligious cooperation and understanding throughout the world."

Biography of Hazim Fazlic

Dr Hazim Fazlic obtained his doctoral degree from the University of Birmingham and has specialised in Islam in the Balkans. He also holds a BA in Islamic studies from the University of Sarajevo. His current research interests revolve around the Balkan Muslim diaspora and the issues Muslims face today in Europe, such as integration and assimilation. He has published several papers and articles about the intellectual discourse of Balkan Muslims. Dr Fazlic is a founder and managing director of Connect Foundation, an interfaith charity based in Birmingham, dedicated to the promotion of the knowledge of different faith groups in the wider area of Birmingham.