When we look at art, architecture, or cultural expression, we’re really looking at how people see the world, their perspective, their values. It shows what they cherish, how they live, and what moves them. For me, art is the truest expression of a civilisation. It shows what connects us, not what divides us.
Yet today, it feels as if we are being pushed into categories – East and West, Islamic and Western, “us” and “them.” But the truth is that civilisations have always learned from one another. We must never lose sight of that. Islamic civilisation, in particular, has helped shape our world in ways that are deep and lasting. We rarely hear this story told.
Too often, when Islam appears in the news, it’s linked to conflict or division. This negativity hides and distracts from another reality – one of creativity, beauty, and light.
When I think of Islamic art, I think of illumination. The patterns, the calligraphy, the geometry – they don’t try to copy nature, they honour it. They reflect wonder at creation itself.
By founding the Forum, I want to create the space that celebrates this side of Islamic civilisation. A space that allows people to see the beauty, the craftsmanship, and the human stories behind it. The Forum was born from that idea.
Building bridges through culture
Islamic civilisation has influenced Britain and Europe far more than most people realise. You can see it in our architecture, our poetry, our music, even in the way we think about mathematics and science. But these links are rarely mentioned. The Forum aims to change that.
I’ve always loved the arts. I studied fine art at school, and I’ve helped with cultural exhibitions such as ‘The Uncut Cloth’ in Scotland, which explored Islamic textiles. But I’ve long felt that something is missing from our national conversation – an honest look at how deeply our cultures are intertwined.
At its heart, the Forum for Islamic Art, Architecture & Cultural Heritage is about education – the kind that’s open to everyone from schoolchildren, to policymakers, museum professionals, and the public. It’s about sharing knowledge in a way people can connect with. That’s how understanding begins.
There’s an urgent need to teach not only about Islamic art and culture, but about their lasting impact. Without the work of Islamic scholars and artists, much of what sparked the European Renaissance would have been lost. Science, design, philosophy, and architecture all carry that influence. We owe a great deal – and it’s time we acknowledged it.
A Forum for everyone
My hope is that the Forum helps to rebalance the story we tell about our collective civilisation. It isn’t about replacing or erasing. It’s about adding what has too often been left out. It’s about giving credit where it’s due.
And this isn’t just for Muslims to know. It’s for everyone. When we recognise how much of what we treasure today comes from cross-cultural exchange, we begin to see the world differently. From the arches of Westminster to the verses of Rumi that echo in Romantic poetry – the connections are already there. We only need to look.
The Forum is only the beginning. It started with conversations among colleagues in Parliament, but the vision is much wider. We want to encourage exhibitions, partnerships, and educational programmes that help people engage with this living heritage.
I believe this cause belongs to everyone. Whether you’re a policymaker, a student, an artist, or simply someone who loves beauty and history, there is something here for you.