We host high-impact policy gatherings in global centres of power — from Berlin and Brussels to London, Washington D.C., and New York — bringing Muslim communities into direct, solution-focused dialogue with decision-makers.
Timed with key political moments and built with local partners, each forum is grounded in data and focused on turning conversation into action. Themes range from representation and religious freedom to economic empowerment, ensuring Muslim voices are heard where they matter most.
Our engagements align with key global moments, such as:
The Concordia Forum and the German Marshall Fund co-hosted a bipartisan policy conference: “Bridging Divides, Strengthening Unity: American Muslims and the Next Chapter of U.S. Policy.” A keynote by Pastor Mark Burns, spiritual advisor to US President Donald Trump and a leading conservative voice, set the stage for dynamic exchanges and coalition-building. Additional speakers included Suhail A. Khan, Senior Director of External Affairs at Microsoft; Salam Al-Marayati, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council; Wa’el Alzayat, CEO of Emgage; and Samra Luqman, conservative political activist and community organiser.
The Concordia Forum convened a policy conference at Westminster to develop inclusive and actionable recommendations for government. MPs from multiple parties joined diversity advocates and civil society stakeholders to examine equity and inclusion challenges and generate practical proposals for strengthening social cohesion. Speakers included Marion Lalisse, European Commission Coordinator on Combating Anti-Muslim Hatred; Afzal Khan CBE MP, Labour MP for Manchester Rusholme and Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability (East Ham).
Convened by the Concordia Forum immediately following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, this conference brought together leading American Muslim organisations - including Emgage, MPAC, The Table, and the ISB Leadership Institute - alongside bipartisan policymakers. Discussions examined the implications of Donald Trump’s re-election, focusing on unity, constitutional values, and the evolving role of American Muslims in public life. Panels explored election outcomes, global implications for Muslim communities, and forward-looking strategies for governance and inclusion. Speakers included Bill Bazzi, Mayor of Dearborn Heights, Ilhan Omar, U.S. Congresswoman (D-MN)...
The Concordia Forum’s 2nd Annual Diplomatic Reception, held alongside the UN General Assembly, convened over 200 diplomatic, policy, and civil society leaders and Concordians for an evening of international engagement. Speakers included Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia; Sara Minkara, U.S. Special Advisor on International Disability Rights; Rashad Hussain, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom; Nomvula Paula Monkonyane, First Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congress; and Shahidul Alam, Bangladeshi journalist and photographer.
The Concordia Forum hosted a Ramadan iftar featuring a thoughtful address by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who condemned the ongoing “terror” facing Gazans and reaffirmed a commitment to zero tolerance for Islamophobia. Other guests of note included David Lammy, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth, and Shabana Mahmood, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.
The Concordia Forum hosted the first-ever iftar at London’s historic Reform Club, marking a landmark moment in the institution’s nearly two-hundred-year history. The evening brought together parliamentarians, diplomats, business leaders, and faith representatives for dialogue, reflection, and fellowship. Speakers included Ashwini K.P., UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism; Ndileka Mandela, head of the Thembekile Mandela Foundation; Shabana Mahmood, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice.; and Faisal J. Abbas, Editor-in-Chief of Arab News.
The Concordia Forum marked its 15th anniversary with a special celebration spotlighting the achievements of leading figures in law. Lubna Shuja, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, was honoured for breaking barriers as the first Asian, first Muslim, and seventh female to hold the role. Shabana Mahmood Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice was recognised for her service and commitment to justice, while Keith Ellison, Attorney General of Minnesota, reflected on his landmark prosecution in the George Floyd case and the insights shared in his book Break the Wheel.
The Concordia Forum hosted its inaugural diplomatic reception at the historic St. Bartholomew’s Church during the UN General Assembly week. The evening gathered ambassadors, senior diplomats, policymakers, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to foster dialogue and build meaningful international partnerships. Notable speakers included Rashad Hussain, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom.
The Concordia Forum hosted a special reception to celebrate the primary election victory of Dr. Yusuf Salaam, member of the Exonerated Five, award-winning author, motivational speaker, and thought leader. The evening honoured his resilience and leadership, marking his success as a powerful symbol of justice, representation, and inclusive leadership.
On 7 October 2022, the Concordia Forum hosted a special webinar titled Where Hate is Going & How It’s Growing: Past, Present & Future of Antisemitism. Ambassador Deborah E. Lipstadt, U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University, delivered a keynote on the causes and consequences of antisemitism and the urgent need to confront it. Contributions followed from Sir Keir Starmer, current UK Prime Minister; Mike Katz, National Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement; Rabia Chaudry, attorney and author; and Abdullah Antepli, Associate Professor at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy.
The Concordia Forum convened a full-day “Muslim Futures” conference in Oslo. The event brought together policymakers, academics, journalists, and community leaders to address issues such as Islamophobia, representation, and transnational solidarity. Highlights included a presentation by Haroon Moghul, Pakistani-American author of Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future, and a roundtable on “Faith, Freedom & America: Protecting Religious Liberty for All in a Divided Nation.”
On 7 July 2022, the Concordia Forum hosted an evening conversation in London with Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN). In dialogue she reflected on her journey to becoming one of the first Muslim women elected to the U.S. Congress and on the importance of resilience, inclusive leadership, and building strong transatlantic partnerships.
On 24 May 2022, the Concordia Forum, in partnership with Dechert LLP, hosted a reception in Washington, D.C., honouring H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha, Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. The event gathered OIC ambassadors, senior U.S. State Department officials, policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders. Secretary General Taha received an award for his outstanding contribution to advancing the interests of the Muslim world and promoting international peace.
In mid-March of 2022, the Concordia Forum organised a timely panel discussion on strategies to confront the rise of far-right extremism across Europe, moderated by Muddassar Ahmed. The panel featured Naz Shah, British Labour Party MP for Bradford West; Shazia Majid, columnist and senior investigative reporter at VG, Norway’s largest daily newspaper; and Mohammad Usman Rana, head of the Norwegian Muslim think tank Wasila and an award-winning author and columnist, and Zahed Amanullah, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.
A formal evening gala held after the policy symposium, co-sponsored by the Atlantic Council, Meta, and Unitas Communications. The event brought together policymakers, diplomats, business leaders, and civil society figures for an evening of networking, cultural exchange, and celebration of shared values. Highlights included remarks from Concordia Forum Founder and President, Muddassar Ahmed, alongside senior representatives of the Atlantic Council and leaders from Meta, who reflected on the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing global challenges.
A day-long symposium in Washington, D.C., co-hosted with the Atlantic Council, explored systemic racism and the challenges facing Muslim communities in the West within the context of America’s future policy priorities. Opening remarks were given by Muddassar Ahmed. Keynote addresses were delivered by Alex Johnson, Deputy Director of U.S. Foreign Policy at the Open Society Foundation; Congressman Adam Schiff in Conversation with AG Keith Ellison, Farah Pandith, the first-ever U.S. Special Representative to Muslim Communities and author of How We Win; and Uzra Zeya, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.
A public dinner in Oslo brought together 50 Norwegian Muslim leaders for an evening of dialogue and reflection. Naz Shah, British Labour MP for Bradford West, delivered the keynote address, followed by a panel discussion on combating extremism and Islamophobia with Shazia Majid, senior investigative reporter at VG, and Mohammad Usman Rana, head of the Wasila think tank and award-winning author. Guests also viewed a photographic exhibition on Boko Haram’s kidnappings in Nigeria.
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