Launch of East London Professionals Association

The East London Professionals Association (ELPA) was launched at its inaugural dinner on Tuesday 16 January 2007. The event was held at the Naz Express restaurant in Brick Lane and was attended by around 50 Muslim professionals from various professions. The guests included lawyers, teachers and those working in the City. There were three presentations from guest speakers.

Majad Hussein, involved with Islam Channel and also working in the City of London, called for unity in the Muslim community and greater co-operation in community work. He stressed that community projects will be more effective when initiated in a spirit of unity.

Mahbub Ali, Trustee for Cityside Primary Trust, an educational trust launching an Islamic primary school in Tower Hamlets, highlighted the increased demand amongst Muslim parents to send their children to Islamic schools. He called for more focus to be channelled in the area of education where the national curriculum is integrated with Islamic studies. He urged the guests to contribute to similar educational projects so that access to Islamic education is available in greater number.

Kamran Khan, a presenter at Bangla TV and also working in the City of London, highlighted the greater need for Muslim professionals to engage with the wider society to dispel the countless myths surrounding the community. He emphasised the need for a proactive approach by professionals at a time of heightened fear and suspicion vis-à-vis the Muslim community.

Wakil Ahmed, hosting the evening, expressed the objective and vision for ELPA, “With the wealth of skills and knowledge in the community, we believe that it is possible to initiate projects as well promote the existing ones in Tower Hamlets to better our community. We wish to inspire and motivate professionals to make positive contributions by coming forward and partaking in these projects”.

ELPA aims to provide an effective network for the ever-increasing number of Muslim professionals in East London. It is a forum to discuss issues affecting the community in areas such as education and culture in the UK and organise social activities to promote and initiate projects for professionals to participate.

Website: www.elpa.org.uk
Email: info@elpa.org.uk