Rohail: Assalam o Alaikum, Welcome to ”Confabulation with Rohail Amjad”? How are you? How are the Inter- faith dialogues going on?
Kristiane: Fine thank you, Al-hamdulillah. We try and do what we can…

Rohail: How difficult was it for you to cope with the cultural change considering your transformation from a VJ on MTV to a Muslim preacher?
Kristiane: I have written a book about it all  From MTV to Mecca.. In a nutshell, it was a gradual process- so you grow into

Rohail: What in your opinion, having understood Islam better than many muslims round the globe, the reason behind the huge gap existing between Muslim character now days and the teachings of Quran and Sunnah?
Kristiane: A lot of young people are not interested in religion because of the way it is presented to them- as scary and full of dos and don’ts. I was lucky, I encountered a more intellectual and spiritual approach. So I learned about the concepts, the philosophy, the arts, the culture and the inner dimension at the heart of the religion. This is what opened my heart and eventually made me want to practice.

Rohail: One perception is that most of the converted Christians do revert back? Have you ever faced such a situation?
Kristiane: The reason is that converts often feel isolated from their old circle of friends and are not really included in mainstream Muslim communities. This isolation is too hard for some to take. How are Muslims failing converts and what can be done about this questions every Muslims should be asking themselves.

Rohail: If I ask you to tell your reader what really is the purpose of life is? What would it be, in short please?
Kristiane: To worship and serve God- to serve the Good in whatever way you can.

Rohail: Did the embracing the Islamic life style affect your life?
Kristiane: Of course! My life now has meaning and a purpose. The emptiness I used to feel is now filled with God. It is such a gift to be able to connect to the Divine.

Rohail: What is the difference you feel between “KRISTIANE BACKER” as an MTV presenter and “KRISTIANE BACKER” who is the presenter of an inter faith dialogue?
Kristiane: Well, before it was pure entertainment. Now I go on stage with God! And that is a humbling feeling.

Rohail: You have been featuring in many adverts in London’s underground tube stations praising “Mohammad (S.A.W) (P.B.U.H)? What was most that inspired you of “Prophet Mohammad”(P.B.U.H)?
Kristiane: As a woman I love Muhammad for his kindness, his nobility, and the way he cherished, respected and cared for women- apart from being a model Statesman, a Judge and a Prophet who guided people to salvation.. He was also an environmental champion and that was what I highlighted in the IBM (Inspired by Muhammad) Campaign. His teachings are universal and applicable now as before!

Rohail: What is your opinion on the US Stance of the DRONE ATTACKS in the northern areas of Pakistan? You have seen those people, most of the people who are killed are the innocent civilians?
Kristiane: I believe the drone attacks must be stopped immediately, they kill too many innocent people and that has repercussions. Violence breeds violence- a better way would be to negotiate and bring education to those areas! Imran has quite a task there, I wish him well.

Rohail: One of the British Parliamentarian namely “George Galloway” had been warning the British government about the residence of a guy whose party had been declared as a terrorist organization by the Canadian court and he is being harbored ? Why is it so?
Kristiane: Very good question! And why is he only being investigated now I wonder?

Rohail: What motivated you towards Islam?
Kristiane: I was touched by the Muslims I met here and in Pakistan- their hospitality, their willingness to sacrifice for others and their dignity even when poor. Reading about the concepts and philosophy of Islam – the essence of the teachings, not the cultural interpretations- I realized it is the truth. I converted because I wanted to feel Islam and practice it- start praying and generally bring God into my life.

Rohail: Do you think that the friendship with Imran Khan (ex-cricketer) was the person who initiated your journey of faith?
Kristiane: Yes, Imran introduced me to Islam. He did a lot of dawah on me for nearly three years. But he didn’t present a fire and brimstone version of Islam, rather he explained to me the Islamic world view and we debated so many issues from women’s liberation, fashion and plastic surgery to environmentalism or spirituality. His view was always fueled by faith and on deeper reflection it began to make sense. Having said that I always had a fascination for the unseen and passion for philosophy. Part of my family is quite religious although I never knew that till recently. So I think I have inherited my leanings to a degree.

Rohail: You met Imran Khan, courtesy your friends, how did you find him as a guy?
Kristiane: Charismatic, inspiring, idealistic

Rohail: Do you think that the recent terror attacks in London will affect UK-Pakistan relation?
Kristiane: No for once the culprits were not Pakistani. However it did set back Muslim – British relations as Islamophobic attacks have increased since the attacks.

Rohail: Any message for Muslims?
Kristiane: Revive the character of our Prophet (PBUH), follow him in good actions, lead by example.

Rohail: Pleasure talking to you, take care, wish you all the best. Allah Hafiz.
Kristiane: Thank you for having me, ma’asalamah.

The very first time I tried fasting eighteen years ago, it was a bit of a disaster. I’d gone out the night before and drunk a few glasses of champagne and the next day lay in bed with a pounding headache, hung over and dehydrated. At 3 pm I gave up, thinking Ramadan is not for me. Am embarrassed to say it was winter time which means the fasts are very short compared to now. By the following year I’d given up alcohol and I was back on TV presenting a daily entertainment show for NBC Europe. Ramadan came round again, and even though we were only a few months into the show, I was determined to see it through. I did my best to psych myself up for it and mobilised all my energies.

It was particularly challenging because Ramadan coincided with the pre-Christmas period, and we were producing twice as many shows as usual so that we could all have a two-week break during the holiday season. I was in front of the camera all day every day, and also had to record endless voice-overs. Normally, I would boost my energy levels with a snack or two and sip water between takes to keep my mouth and vocal chords moist. But for a whole month I wasn’t going be able to eat or drink between dawn and sunset. Despite my good intentions, I really wasn’t sure that I would manage.

The first day or two, I had a headache, but then my body seemed to adjust and it actually wasn’t as difficult as I thought. After a while, I even enjoyed my Ramadan. In the afternoons, I felt a little light-headed and as though I was in an altered reality – sober, but on a different plane. Fasting just seemed to make my heart and soul more receptive. And it heightened my sense of smell and taste when I got to eat. The discipline of fasting gave me a sense of achievement, a small triumph every time I broke my fast.

And with that I discovered an important principle of Islam. The Prophet had first mentioned it when God revealed on his tongue the following: “When my servant takes one step towards Me, I take ten steps towards him. When my servant comes walking towards me, I come running towards him.” The secret is that we must take the first step, and then God makes things easy for us.

Not least, fasting is a test of willpower and, whenever I felt my willpower weakening, I would tell myself that I could eat as much as I wanted after sunset. But then the strange thing was that after fasting all day long, I tended to feel full with just a small snack. Traditionally, Muslims break their fast with a few dates, as the Prophet did. I liked to have one or two large and succulent medjool dates with a glass of milk. I usually took some to work with me. My colleagues at NBC were very sweet and supportive. Once one of my producers suggested getting me some lunch because I had to work straight through, but then he remembered I was fasting and apologised profusely for offering. They were quite impressed by my stamina, and some even complimented me on how radiant I looked, perhaps because fasting is a process of purification on many levels, both physical and spiritual. As well as renouncing food and drink during the day, I also tried to avoid gossip, impatience and anger, and instead tried my best to be polite and kind to one and all: not sure I always managed but I made a conscious effort. I read a little bit of the Quran every day, and joined a friend for tarawih prayers in the evening at a mosque in South London. Perhaps all these things do give a person a special radiance.

All in all, despite the hard work, I was sailing through my second Ramadan unexpectedly smoothly- and by the grace of God through every Ramadan since then. I am always encouraged by the fact that Ramadan is a time of intense blessings, because it was in this month that the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad. ‘When Ramadan comes, the gates of paradise are wide open and the gates of hell are closed,’ fast’, said the Prophet. In this sense, fasting is like a spiritual shield. Knowing this gives me extra strength and confidence. Only towards the end of the month it becomes exhausting but, then, once the thirty days are completed, a certain euphoria sets in. I feel cleansed, fulfilled and closer to God. It is a wonderful feeling; I wished this high would last forever. To mark the end of Ramadan, a month dedicated to the worship of God, we celebrate Eid al-fitr, the festival of breaking the fast.

Although as a new Muslim without a family I often struggled to find people to celebrate with. I like the link between the word fitr and fitra, which means primordial nature, the pure state we are born in and which we aim to move back to through the spiritual discipline of fasting in Ramadan. The more we accomplish that, the greater the triumph in the sight of Allah.

As-salamu alaykum dear reader!

My name is Annisa Omar a 23, year old Muslim born and raised in London, England. Below is my thoughts on Kristiane Backers’ conversion to Islam.
I met Kristiane late last year whilst walking home I saw a tall, pretty woman in beautiful modern Islamic dress walking towards me and I thought I should dress like this woman, I drew closer to her (ashamed somewhat of the fitted leggings I was wearing) only to see that it was Kristiane Backer – whose conversion to Islam I had recently researched, and admired. I instinctively said hello blurting out all the above, including my desire to be journalist and better my understanding of Islam. Kristiane replied very graciously and said she was impressed by my boldness in speaking to her; such an attribute she added would be perfect for journalism. Kristiane then explained she was on her way to a course to study the Islamic holy book the ‘Quran’ and invited me to come, still blushing from her compliment I accepted the invite (luckily I happened to have a long dress and scarf in my bag for which to change into).

After speaking more with Kristiane during the course, I was struck by her sheer conviction of Islamic belief coupled with her success as a TV presenter and journalist in Europe. There are of course countless other successful Muslim career women with such conviction and success in Europe. However, what makes Kristiane and other white European Muslim reverts alike different and more striking to me and I am sure to many young European Muslims is their upbringing in a wholly modern European culture; whereas most born Muslims are raised in homes following the Asian, African or Middle Eastern cultures of their parents. Such cultures more easily underpin the Islamic way of life than European or Western culture at large, for instance strong family ties, community spirit, marriage and charity are all very important in Eastern and African cultures just as in Islam. This is not to say modern European culture does not hold such values it does particularly given its’ Christian heritage, however as secularism, materialism and individualism continue to grow such values are becoming weaker. As a result, television programmes idolizing celebrities and their lavish lifestyles such as Kristiane experienced while presenting on MTV and more recent shows like X factor, Big Brother or Strictly Come Dancing have become part of the daily television diet for European Muslims. This concern of creeping militant secularism was already flagged this year, interestingly by Britain’s’ first female Muslim minister Baroness Warsi in a historic visit to the Vatican she expressed, “to create a more just society, people need to feel stronger in their religious identities and more confident in their creeds”. She added ‘one of the most worrying aspects about this militant secularization is that at its core and in its instincts it is deeply intolerant’.

Young Muslims raised in Europe are to varying degrees adopting this modern European culture, as the influence of their parents’ non-western cultures lessens from one generation to the next and they integrate further into European culture in both the public and private sphere. Note, I cannot speak for all cultural backgrounds, nor do I know the speed of this change. However, from my own experiences as a young second generation Muslim of Somali descent, born and raised in Britain my Somali culture in my life is minimal. Thus comes my dilemma how can I combine my European culture and Islamic faith?

Kristianes’ story proves one can and more fascinatingly she has chosen to do so. Unsurprisingly, many ask Kristiane for her reasons to convert given Islam, if one believes the media, is a cesspit of misogyny, violence and hate, and a religion, which caused her to forfeit her glamorous career as an MTV presenter. The truth is conversion or rather reversion as Muslims call it (Muslims believe all are born Muslims) has occurred ever since the birth of Islam and the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The universal appeal and permanency of Islam was observed by an Anglican Church Reverend, Canon Issac Taylor on the 7th October, 1887, reported in the British Times newspaper the following day he explained ‘The faith of Islam already extends from Morroco to Java, from Zanzibar to China, and is spreading across Africa with giant strides. … It is not the first propagation of Islam that has to be explained; but it is the per- manency with which it retains its hold upon its converts. … When Mahomedanism is embraced … The natives begin to dress, filth is replaced by cleanliness, and they acquire personal dignity and self- respect. Hospitality becomes a religious duty, drunkenness becomes rare, gambling is forbidden, immodest dances and the promiscuous intercourse of the sexes cease, female chastity is regarded as a virtue, industry replaces idleness, license gives place to law, order and sobriety prevail, blood feuds, cruelty to animals and to slaves are forbidden. A feeling of humanity, benevolence and brotherhood is inculcated. … Christian converts are … thousands, Moslems convert… by millions. … Islam is not an anti- Christian faith, but a half-Christian faith.’

This statement was taken from the novel ‘Faith of Islam’ written by a British convert to Islam from Christianity Abdullah Quilliam (born in 1856, Liverpool). Formerly known as William Henry Quilliam, he founded Englands’ first mosque and Islamic centre. His conversion marks the first known wave of white Europeans’ converting to Islam in Industrialized Britain. The last Ottoman Caliph appointed Abdullah to be Sheikh-ul-Islam of the British Isles and Abdullahs’ ‘Dawah’ (preaching of Islam) led to around 600 people in the UK embracing Islam. After two World Wars the Muslim community he established was destroyed but another such wave has gradually begun once again as recent media reports highlighted. Kristianes conversion is part of this wave, which expands across not only Europe but also North America and Australia. Other famous reverts include Britain’s’ Yusuf Islam formerly known as Cat Steven, Lauren Booth, United States’ Malcolm X, Muhammed Ali and Frances’ Nicolas Anelka and Bruno Metsu to name but a few. According to Faith Matters, a multi-faith organization in Britain, in 2010 there were over 100,00 Muslim converts in the United Kingdom and of these converts 56 % White British, 16% Other White, 29% non- White; 62% female and 38% male with an average conversion age of 27.5. As the fastest growing religion in the world, clearly, there is something to Islam.

I look forward to reading Kristianes’ book ‘From MTV and Mecca’ which, I will review and post here.

Salam

Annisa

Enjoying my stay at Sharjah International Book fair tremendously! It all began with a fab women’s only session ‘in conversation with’ at the Emirates Literary Festival for Emirati and expat women- it was an intimate frank conversation with Isabel, the director of the festival and a lot of thought provoking questions. during the q n a. One lady afterwards came up and said my talk brought tears to her eyes when I mentioned how I found my faith via Pakistan and what a fascinating beautiful county it actually is that sadly is in the news constantly for the wrong reasons. Books sold out in no time.

I managed to check into Dubai mall with Fiona from Midas who found a fashionable abaya for me, which I wore the next day to the lavish opening ceremony of the Sharjah International Bookfair in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Dr Al Qasimi. We were all served a banquet while the speeches went on and awards were distributed on stage. With that and some dancing in traditional costumes the book fair was officially inaugurated. I checked into a few book stands to see if I can find an Indian and/or Pakistani publisher. After lunch I spoke about my journey to Islam at the Technical College to a group of female media students who were watching my contribution to the discussion Does Islam need PR on BBC Question Time when I arrived. The girls were taken by my story, which I tailored a little to their interests, and asked a lot of questions during the q n a.

I was happy and honoured to see the Daily Mail journalist and The Telegraph journalist  walk in during my speech – just wished they’d turned up so regularly to my events in the UK.  At the end one of the students suggested she’ll speak to some influential people about the pilot I produced for a Muslim cultural show. It was a heart warming event and afterwards the students asked me to sign pieces of paper as my books hadn’t arrived in time. That same evening I found myself on the panel The significance of Cultural Journalism in this political world with a number of famous local journalists. I was interested and saddened at the same time to learn how little importance is given to culture– books, films, music, design, fashion, arts  and architecture in the Arab world. Also they were talking about a disconnect between the older generations of journalists and the youth who predominantly engage in social media. I suggested they involve the youth and shared MTV’s secret of success: to make TV by young people for young people. With this in mind I think our pilot, for a magazine show featuring contemporary global Muslim culture really would fill a gap in the market and help revive not only an interest but also pride in our rich Muslim heritage as well as contemporary culture and lifestyle which would be an inspiration to Muslims and Non Muslims alike, insha Allah.

At the gala dinner under the stars the Ruler of Sharjah HH Sheikh Sultan al Qasimi greeted me personally and asked how I was, then he asked about Imran and his children and suggested I assist with their Muslim education. We had met two years previously when his wife, HH Sheikkha Jawaher had invited me to speak at a conference in Sharjah. (See From MTV to Mecca chapter 17) As His Highness left he passed by my table again and when I suddenly heard my name, I jumped off my chair in surprise, lost the translation machine and tried to look dignified as I greeted the Sheikh. He then asked me where my book was! Of course to my embarrassment I didn’t have one to hand.

At the next book fair dinner for authors the following night on the water front we witnessed an amazing fountain light show with superimposed images that could compete with Dubai. This time I was better prepared and handed my book to the director of the media centre Osama, who promised he will personally give it to Sheikh Sultan.

It’s been such a treat to enjoy balmy evenings every night with really interesting publishers, agents, scouts, authors and journalists from around the world exchanging ideas and experiences till late into the night. Only the visit to far away Bedouland the other day was a bit of a non event when we finally arrived in the desert yet the company was still great. I had a long chat with Jake from the book review section of the Telegraph over dinner at Bedouland while we were both tucking into our chicken without cutlery. I noticed that all the English participants were really interested in the local culture, the fashion and the customs and many asked me questions about the hijab, the different styles, and other aspects of Muslim culture. To my surprise Patrick, the Harper Collins publisher complimented me on my new Abaya and confessed he loves long robes, also for men. This was the general consensus amongst all visitors actually. A lot of them also said they can’t wait to read my book.

What touched me most again was the friendliness and hospitality of the local people I meet. As a traveler I was helped and given assistance whenever needed. Salem from the Dubai Culture Centre arranged a meeting in Dubai and sent a driver to collect me who was actually his colleague, the real driver had the day off. But the colleague didn’t mind- how humbling is that.

Friday, the public holiday, I was finally able to catch up a little with my sleep and then enjoyed a few hours swimming in the sea and relaxing at the superb Sharjah Lady’s Club thanks to glamorous Ameera, who I’d met on my previous visit to Sharjah. (See chapter 17 of my book From MTV to Mecca). This time we had a chance to catch up with two of the other fabulous women I’d met before – Erum and Noura from Her Highness ‘office- Noura was at the fair to  launch her pioneering book, the first Arab science fiction novel.

Just as the sun set, Ameera’s friend, Iman, a beautiful and talented young designer joined me for some Moroccan mint tea. We discussed a collaboration between her label Ghizlan and she invited me to her sumptuous show room, a treasure cove of Eastern designer delights. She decked me out in the most exquisite Abaya creations-all of which are elegant multi- purpose designs and I look forward to wearing them at special events. I put one on straight away and have received so many compliments ever since. The next morning I caught a Saudi guy bashfully eying me up in the lift and when our eyes met in the mirror he said that the Abaya looks so nice on me I must bring it to my county. I assured him I will.

That evening I headed back to the book fair for the celebrity talk of the week: Arundati Roy, author of The God of Small Things.

In the first row I saw an eclectically dressed Asian arty type with a long ponytail. When Tony from Midas PR brought me over to sit next to him, I realised  it is Salman from Junoon whom I had met some 20 years before in the Salt Range as he reminded me. We caught up briefly; he is convinced our common friend will be PM of Pakistan in 2013. Sheikha Badour, daughter of HH, who is in charge of the book fair sat down in the front row not far from me and we chatted for a moment. Finally the petit but powerfully charismatic Arundati Roy took to the stage, by then there must have been about 2000 people there, most of them standing. She did a short reading for us and spoke about the timelessness and universality of her only book to date which addresses issues that are still relevant today. It may have been some 15 years since she published her acclaimed book for which she won the Booker Prize, but AR has been far from silent since then, she established herself as an outspoken voice on global political and environmental issues. In Sharjah she vehemently condemned the drone attacks in Pakistan that only create more terrorism. She highlighted the plight of the Kashmiris criticising India for having been a colonising power ever since gaining independence in 1947 and questioned the sanctity of nation states. Roy instead endorsed the philosophy of resistance which she called sophisticated as well as the principle of justice. She encouraged the audience to engage with society, to be involved and to make a difference, just like the small farmers in India’s forests who she admires for standing up against the big corporations who want to clear the land.  When asked about happiness- she instead pointed to fulfilment, beauty and love. The way Arundati Roy spoke I thought she must be a Muslim at heart. She certainly is a great lady and a courageous champion of the truth. When I told her my thoughts afterwards as we bumped into each other while exploring the book fair, she just beamed a radiating smile at me.

The next day Mohammad Ameen, a publisher from Abu Dhabi and friend of Habib Alli Al Jifri and his sister Ebtihal kindly picked me up at my hotel in Sharjah to take me all the way to Abu Dhabi for a meeting with Jifri’s Tabah Foundation and then we returned back to Sharjah. Each journey takes nearly two hours. Mohammad assured me he didn’t mind, he saw it as a service to God.  Bless him! We were both happy to spend time.  Before we reached Tabah we prayed in the imposing Grand Sheikh Zayed Mosque, created by the late Sheikh who was known for his generosity of spirit and is buried outside. Nearly 24 hours people (not a tape) recite the Quran over him.  The snow white mosque with its feminine domes reminiscent of the Badshahi mosque in Lahore glowed in the sunshine against the bright blue sky and I couldn’t wait to get inside. Crossing a huge white marble courtyard with flowery inlay surrounded by endless white Moorish looking columns we entered. The grandeur of the light ambience and some of the design elements were  striking but I felt it would have been a more spiritual place if the interior design was based on traditional principles if Islamic art. When I prayed in the lady’s section I struggled to concentrate as the unusual patterns on the carpet distracted me. After reciting the fatiha for the Sheikh we left for the Tabah Foudnation. I was glad to meet the editor of my Arabic translation, M. Samer Alsit. His day job is to translate for Sheikh Habib Ali al Jifri, so it is a great honour to be able to work with him. Samer is a real wordsmith and is fine- tuning the translation with great care, love and attention for detail. Watch this space! There is only one big problem I yet have to solve: Raising the funds for the Arabic translation and the edits! So far both the translator and the editor are working fi sabiliLlah, trusting I will manage it. Ya Rabb, please reward them and please help us soonest!

On our return to Sharjah, Mohammed and I went to check out the book fair together. It was very busy as every evening with lots of panels and discussions going on and lit thirsty people from around the region, many in long white or black robes pushing huge shopping carts filled with books through the isles- a wonderful scene. Sharjah TV broadcasted live from the fair and spontaneously interviewed me. This was followed the next morning by an interview for the paper Al Bayan before I set off to Dubai to meet the TV channel Dubai One on my way to the airport.

It was a packed and blessed six days in the UAE, I made wonderful new friends, met important contacts, including a Turkish book agent and some interesting doors opened. Insha’ Allah I will be able to come back soon to do some good work in the region – in the media, hosting events and giving talks and/or consulting – must make use of my 20 years experience in Western media – and perhaps also dealing with new Muslims as my book seems to be an inspiration and may be of help to them as they find their feet in the faith.

Thank you to all the angels who helped me and made my stay so wonderful. You are in my prayers. Mabrouk Sharjah International Book fair!

Post by Mohammed Marikar

We had walked right into the 80s rock scene, and they were all there – Bob Geldof, Tony James (Generation X & Sigue Sigue Sputnik) and Richard Strange (Doctors of Madness) to mention just a few.

The guests who were squeezing into the basement of Momo’s in London last Thursday would’ve quickly realised that this was a book launch like no other. The clue was of course in the title; Kristiane Backer’s autobiography From MTV to Mecca was no ordinary journey (“from babe to burka!” as Bob Geldof joked) and had no ordinary characters.

Many had taken a different path since – Allegra Mostyn-Owen, who once graced the cover of Tatler, now teaches disadvantaged pupils in East London. Peter Sanders, once one of London’s key photographers of rock musicians, is now one of the Muslim world’s most acclaimed photographers.

Also in the room was director James Dearden who was screenwriter for Fatal Attraction, and the Marquess of Worcester, heir to the Duke of Beaufort and the 52,000-acre Badminton Estate.

Kristiane told us about the person who first introduced her to a different path, Imran Khan, the former international cricketer now running for president of Pakistan. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but this part of the story is a must read – Imran was a gentle introduction to the difference in attitudes between ‘East and West’. If you had it, you didn’t need to Flaunt It (for the uninitiated, Sigue Sigue Sputnik’s first album).

From the Muslim world we had Sharif Hasan al-Banna, CEO of the Muslim world’s biggest record label, Awakening – which is also a co-publisher of From MTV to Mecca; there was Ovideo Salazar, director of Roads to Mecca; BBC newsreader Asad Ahmad; and Sarah Joseph, editor and CEO of the glossy Muslim lifestyle magazine emel. Entertaining us for the evening was Aziz Ibrahim (Stone Roses guitarist post-Squire).

It was testament to Kristiane’s unique ability to bring people from different walks of life together, and to her courage to stay the course despite all that was thrown in her way. It also showed us all that while we may think we’re worlds apart, we’re not too different after all.

It felt as if veils were lifted and barriers were broken down with music, conversations and good humour- when we celebrated the launch the English edition of my book with friends from all phases of my life – from the MTV days to now. It is not often that pop stars, aristocrats, film makers, journalists and TV people mix with Muslim movers and shakers from different industries and have fun together. Aziz Ibrahim – former Stone Roses guitarist and his tabla player- the future of British drumming- rocked the party before the DJ took over with vibey Arab fusion mixes. Sure Bob Geldof didn’t mind getting mobbed by a harem of Asian beauties. Great fun evening! Thank you all for coming!