Following two successful years, the Islamic Society at the University of Essex is organising its third international conference at the Colchester Campus.

Dr Mateen Durrani, Chairman of the Conference Organising Committee, explains: ‘This year the theme is " Islam beyond the veil" so we have a panel of male and female national and international speakers who will be addressing various misunderstood beliefs about Islam and Muslims beyond the obvious superficial rituals and stereotype.

‘This is not an academic conference and our aim is to help develop a better understanding and integration between Muslims and the wider community. We encourage people to bring family and friends along.’

The University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Riordan, will be inaugurating the conference. Conference participants will have the opportunity to ask a panel, of all speakers, questions about Islam and Muslims in a special one-hour questions and answers session at the end. There will also be an Islamic exhibition depicting various cultural and religious aspects of Islam and Muslims.

The conference attracts people from different religious and social backgrounds. Along with Islamic Awareness Week it is one of the most successful and widely recognised events organised by the University’s Islamic Society.

The Third Islamic Society International Conference runs from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 7 February in the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall at the University’s Colchester Campus. Registration is free and available online at: http://ueic.essexisoc.com

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Notes for editors:
The Third Islamic Society International Conference runs from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 7 February in the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall at the University’s Colchester Campus. Registration is free and available online at: http://ueic.essexisoc.com