The Art of Integration ‘Islam in England's green and pleasant land'

Photographs by Peter Sanders

'The Art of Integration, Islam in England's green and pleasant land', shows an alternative picture of Muslims integrated completely within British society and is a graceful and visually poetic reminder that Muslims have been part of British life for well over a century, have made and continue to make an important contribution to the United Kingdom’s rich cultural diversity. Contrary to the headlines and editorializing, the vast majority of Muslims live peacefully and productively in Britain and many have significantly enriched the intellectual and cultural landscape of this great island nation.

Peter Sanders captures a few of these wonderful people: physicians, scholars, writers, teachers, calligraphers, rock and folk-rock icons, a city councilor, award-winning architect, publisher, sculptor, graffiti artist, cosmetician, police constable, fashion designer, driver, Etonians, Oxbridgians, and many others. The architectural influences from the Muslim world expressed in Leighton House, the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking and a Turkish bath in the shadow of the Gherkin contribute to the pageant of images in this beautiful and vibrant photographic essay.

The book 'The Art of Integration, Islam in England's green and pleasant land' will be available from the SOAS Bookshop and more information on the project can be found at: www.artofintegration.co.uk for more information about Peter Sanders and his work, please visit: www.petersanders.com

The exhibition has been made possible with the support of the Muslims, Trust and Cultural Dialogue research project in collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Pakistan, SOAS and Mosaic Associates.

There will be an accompanying panel discussion ‘ You've seen the bad news, now see the good ’ on the 5th May with speakers: Peter Sanders, Farah Pandith, Navid Akhtar, Imam Monawar and Shaykh Babakir.