Ms Shiban Akbar Chair, Social Affairs Committee. Muslim Council of Britain.

Shiban Akbar is Chairman of the Social Affairs Committee of The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). Since joining MCB in 1999 she has had extensive community and inter faith work experience at a national level. Recently she was an independent candidate on the selection board of HM Prison Services to appoint the new (second) Muslim prison advisor. Shiban is the author of two children’s books on Islam. Sufism is central to her religious belief. She is also a trustee of United Religions Initiative-UK. Shiban has an M.Phil (Oxon) in English Studies. Her MA and BA are in English and American Literature. She teaches (part-time) for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education in the area of social science and communication skills and has developed several inter-disciplinary courses for the department. Shiban is also a consultant and trainer in human resource development and inter-cultural communication. She was director of the North London Muslim Community Centre in Hackney from June 2003 to January 2004. At her invitation 'Action for Blind' the mobile bus unit advice surgery for the visually impaired visited the Centre, the first visit ever to any Muslim establishment. She is also a volunteer member of the Red Cross.

"Religious belief is among the most fundamental to human beings. The media must play a role in ensuring that everyone has the freedom to pursue that belief where it leads." Milica Pesic, Director	"OneWorld, a global online media network based on values of humanity and justice, is pleased to support the national conference on the media and a multi faith society." Miles Litvinoff, Programme Manager	"The Newspaper Society, the voice of Britain’s regional press, is delighted to support the national conference on the media and a multi faith society." Lynne Anderson, Communications Director

For general queries about the National Conference on the Media and a Multi Faith Society, please email:
info@faithandmedia.com

"This conference is so important. I hope it will open up a full debate on how we can stop the spread of division and fear and instead harness the immense power of the media to promote cultural and religious diversity as a positive benefit for our society."

Jennette Arnold, Londonwide Assembly Member and
Chair of the Cultural Strategy Group for London