Tony Blair will address a high-level conference on Islam in London today as part of the Government’s strategy to engage with moderate Muslims and isolate religious extremists.
Politicians and religious leaders from more than 30 Muslim countries will attend the event. It will be addressed by Islamic scholars from Britain and overseas. In a sign of the importance attached to the event, it will open with a video message from the Prince of Wales, and this evening Gordon Brown will host a reception.
David Cameron will speak at the conference tomorrow, having been asked to do so by Mr Blair, as will the Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres.
There has been some criticism because the programme includes no speakers from the Muslim Council of Britain.