Rashad Hussain, US Special Envoy to the organisation of Islamic Cooperation was invited to speak at a BritBangla event hosted by Lord Nazir Ahmed.

The event took place at the House of Lords and was organised in conjunction with the US Embassy London and the Concordia Forum.

It brought together members of the UK and US Muslim communities in order to facilitate networking and discussion amongst some of the leading lights on both sides of the Atlantic.

The audience comprised of guests who had obtained great distinction within their chosen professions and are poised to become the leaders of the next generation.

The purpose of the evening was, according to Taryn Khanam, CEO of BritBangla, "To provide a platform for establishing bilateral links between US and UK Muslims”.

Taryn was inspired to work on developing this transatlantic relationship following her brief sojourn into the US where she participated in the prestigious International Visitors Leadership Programme.

Based on her experience in the US, Taryn stressed that it was “Important to create opportunities to connect with high profile leaders as it will generate an ideal pool for our talented BritBangla members to serve to the local and international community”.

US guests included Shahzad Bhatti, Director at Khazanah, Imam Abdullah Antepli, Muslim Chaplain at Duke University, Haris Tarin, Muslim Public Affairs Council, Washington DC, Wajahat Ali, Researcher at Centre for American Progres, Basim Elkarra, Executive Director of Council of America-Islamic Relations, California, Kashif Zafar, Managing Director Barclays Capital and Farhad Chowdhury, co-founder of Micro-philanthropy 100 Foundation.

Mr Hussain is an attorney who has served in the White House Counsel’s Office and plays a pivotal role, as a member of President Obama’s team, in advising the US Administration on issues relating to Islam.

Some of the Bengali Muslim representatives present were Dr Abdul Bari, Imam from East London Mosque; Murad Qureshi, Chair of the Environment Committee of the Greater London Authority, Councellor Jitu Choudhury and Syed Jaglul Pasha, Joint Secretary of the Privatisation Commission of Bangladesh.