A School projects dinner organised by the West London Mosque Forum took place on Friday evening.

It was held at the Saffron D’or banqueting hall which was completely full to capacity for the invitation only event.

Speakers included Lord Nazir Ahmed and well-known journalist Yvonne Ridley, with legal aspects of the case discussed by solicitor Mr Sultan Sabri and barrister Abid Hussain.

The theme of the event was the importance of education especially for children. A third of all the schools in the country are faith based schools and now there are around 140 Muslim schools in Britain.

Sharmake Yussuf, Chair of Darrussallam Mosque, gave the audience an introduction to the West London Muslim Forum and the schools Project.

There was a presentation on healthy eating by Ayesha Community Education. Entertainment was provided by the Suffah (Primary School) Girls Nasheed Group and the Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School of Southall.

The needs and accomplishments of the Faith Schools were highlighted by Mr Tahir Alam, Chair of Muslim Council of Britain Education Committee.

This was followed by speeches by local MPs and councillors:

• John McDonnell - MP for Hayes and Harlington
• Annie Mcleod - Mary Macleod - MP for Brentford and Isleworth
• Richard Barnes – represent Ealing and Hillingdon in the London Assembly (GLA)
• Councillor Julian Bell, Leader of Ealing Council
• Councillor Ruth Cadbury - Deputy Leader of the Hounslow

Ealing Southall MP Virendra Sharma was unable to attend.

Dr Mohammed El-Sharkawy, Imam and Chaplain (a former imam at the Regent's Park Mosque in London and a former teacher the Al-Azhar College, Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) called on unified syllabus and curriculum for all Muslim Schools..