PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION CELEBRATES MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN BRISTOL

An exhibition is being launched in Bristol to build understanding between the city’s Muslims and the wider community. This project, which celebrates ‘ordinary Muslims living in Bristol’ is being launched at Bristol Central Library on Monday 15 February. 

 

The Building the Bridge exhibition features members of the Muslim community photographed beside a city landmark or in a place that holds a special resonance for them.

 

Latif Ismail, for example, chose Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge as the backdrop for his photograph: “This fabulous bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the son of a refugee from the French revolution. As a representative of the Somali community, I find this bridge to be a great inspiration for me. Bristol is our refuge from war and atrocities.”

 

A strong theme running through the exhibition is a conviction that Islam is a religion of peace and that the acts of terrorists are abhorrent.

 

Dr Masuda Mian, a Bristol magistrate says: “I watched the first television reports covering 9/11 with total disbelief. I just could not believe that anyone could do something so evil. When I found out that Muslims were involved I went numb. For two or three days, every time I looked at the television the nightmare returned. How could anybody kill innocent people.

 

“Suicide – taking your own life – is forbidden in Islam. In our religion life is given by God and he is the only one who can take it. I don’t know where the terrorists get their ideology. How can they believe that our peaceful religion justifies the killing of innocent people’.

 

Zaheer Shabir, Chair of the Building the Bridge Programme Board said: “The individuals featured have been selected as a typical cross section of the Muslim community, which has deep roots in Bristol.

 

“I hope that this exhibition gives you an insight into the aspirations and hopes of the Muslim community. I believe that through their words that these individuals reflect Islam’s core teachings of peace, love and tolerance.”

 

 The Building the Bridge exhibition, which will be at the Bristol Central Library for two weeks, is open to the general public. It will then move to Easton Community Centre, where it will remain for a further two weeks.

 

A book featuring the photographs from the exhibition will be distributed to community and youth groups, mosques and other community venues to ensure that the project can be enjoyed and is accessible to as many people as possible.

 

For more information on the exhibition visit www.buildingthebridgeexhibition.co.uk (this site goes live on Monday 15th February).

 

ENDS

 

This press release was issued on behalf of Building the Bridge by Brandon Hill Communications. For further information contact Brooke Nolan on 0117 933 9518 or email brooke.nolan@brandonhill.co.uk.