The British Muslim Initiative - together with Demos, the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies, Conflicts Forum, Forward Thinking and The Cordoba Foundation – is organising a seminar on Understanding Political Islam, to take place on 12-13 July 2008 in London.

Islamists have risen to prominence in the last two decades across the Middle East and much of the Muslim world. Today, Islamism is an undeniable fact of the political and cultural life of most Muslim countries in Asia and Africa, and even among Muslim minorities in Europe and the United States. Although much attention has been directed to the violent and radical forms of Islamism - particularly since the 9/11 terrorist attacks-, its more peaceful, mainstream manifestations continue to be largely overlooked. There has been little effort to grasp this socio-political phenomenon and comprehend its complexities. The need for a deep and coherent understanding of this important and highly complex movement has never been greater.

This two-day specialist conference will be held as an invitation-only event at Islam Expo, the largest Muslim cultural event in Europe. The aim is to open the way for a transparent and challenging discussion of a complex phenomenon which has been the subject of much attention but insufficiently objective and sophisticated analysis.