LONDON'S Olympia will play host to tens of thousands of visitors at IslamExpo 2008 - Europe’s largest celebration of Islamic culture, tradition, innovation and art.

This year’s all-encompassing event, which follows the successful launch in 2006 will provide Muslims and non-Muslims 'unique' opportunities to appreciate the best of Islamic heritage. It will also provide an open forum for people to discuss key issues affecting society and the world today.


Director of IslamExpo , Ismail Patel, said: "This year promises to be bigger and better. Visitors can expect to enjoy concerts, fashion, comedy and cuisine from all over the Muslim world.

"With over 80 speakers from around the globe taking part in over 25 debates, IslamExpo aims to encourage dialogue and debate on a range of pertinent issues."

The themes this year will include are: How to understand the Quran, Who represents British Muslims?, The Islamist threat: Myth or Reality? and Muslims and the environment: The green Jihad.

Guests and speakers will also include:  Jon Snow, Channel 4 News,  Wadah Khanfar, general manager of Aljazeera Network, Tariq Ramadan, Lokahi Foundation,  Rageh Omaar , journalist and correspondent for Aljazeera, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion, Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director of Football, Azzam Tamimi, director of Islamic Institute for Political Thought, Yasmin Alibai-Brown, writer and journalist and  Martin Bright, political editor of the New Statesma.

IslamExpo’s vast exhibition space will feature 14 themed ‘zones’ over two floors comprising: sport, cookery, family activities, fashion, health & lifestyle, Islamic gardens, knowledge, entertainment, arts, education and much more.


On Saturday and Sunday evening there will be entertainment with performers including Outlandish, Sound of Reason, Kareem Salama, Zain Bhikha, Junaid Jamshed, Prince Abdi, Abu Rateb and Mo Amer as well as up and coming UK artists on the urban youth stage.


On Thursday 10 July, preceding the events at Olympia, Canary Wharf will be the setting for the ‘Ethical Investment in Britain Conference’ which aims to look at how London can become the world leader in Islamic Finance.

For more information or tickets visit www.islamexpo.com