"An admirable new organisation called Dialogue with Islam has had the idea of getting mainstream writers to debate the issues that concern the Muslim population - but on their own doorstep, rather than in the newspapers."
Dominic Lawson (The Independent 4/8/2006)

  
 
 

 

 

 

Lord Norman Lamont

Ex Chancellor of the Exchequer

I found the evening very interesting and was impressed by the seriousness of most of the que-stions.I thought the event was well organised...I was very impressed by the seriousness of the speakers and their thoughtfulness.

I would recommend non-Muslims to speak and thought the Chairman was fine. I know he thought I talked too much.

For the future - I would suggest you ought to tackle Islam and Secularism and Islam and Democracy, and the position of women under Islam.

Lord Norman Lamont was invited to speak on "Dealing with the aftermath of : 9/11 and 7/7.

 
Comments from Previous Guests:
 

 

I found the discussion very illuminating, and I would recommend others attending. You want to make clear, as you did the other night, that Dialogue with Islam is free standing, is not a front for any other group... I thought the audience was the best part of the evening: it is true that some were hostile, but by and large they seemed willing to listen to my answers patiently and respectfully and that is all anyone can ask of any audience...
Good luck with your work. You were very kind to have us over to your event. I enjoyed it and I enjoyed meeting you.

Philip C Bobbitt (Former US Director for Intelligence)

Philip C Bobbitt was invited to speak on "The 'War on Terror': Does it make Sense?".

 


 

I think the debate was of a high standard-- all participants had clearly thought deeply about the matter. My only regret was that I did not appreciate at the time that Professor Dawud's remark about the projected oil pipeline through Afghanistan is part of a conspiracy theory which is designed to suggest that 9/11 was all part of an American plot. Had I worked that out at the time, I would have denounced it as being on the same level as Israelis who say that the bombing of the children at Qana was a Hizbollah conspiracy. But that is my fault for not being sharp enough!

Dominic Lawson (columnist of The Independent newspaper)

Dominic Lawson was invited to speak on "Muslim Grievances: Real or Percieved?".

  


 

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