The Muslim Directory has now become a household name within the Muslim and non-Muslim community yet it was all started by a group of individuals with just a few pounds and a computer! In an interview with one of its founders, Riaz Ramzan, we found out the how, why, where and when of it all!

Q: It is evident that the directory has got bigger and bigger each year, what were your goals when you started this project?

Riaz: We started with an idea, an ideal, a few pounds and a group of people with the will to see something all the way through. As such, the core team has been with the directory from day one! In addition, we felt the need to give our community something that would help them in their day-to-day lives.

Q: I noticed some of the people that wrote you support letters included the late Kalim Siddiqui, the late Ahmed Deedat, Yusuf Islam, Iqbal Sacranie and Muhammad Ali. The Muslim Directory brings together different people from different opinions. Did you aim to do this?

Riaz: Our aim has always been to unite the Muslim community in the UK and at the same time make the directory a vehicle for Dawah to the non-Muslim community and that is why we have a vast range of supporters from different organisations with different opinions. This year, our support letters are from people who are dealing with or have had their human rights infringed such as Babar Ahmad, Yvonne Ridley, Rached al- Ghannouchi, Saida Sherif, and many others

Q: What does the future hold for the directory and our community?

Riaz: People have mentioned that the directory has been one of the first collective steps in community awareness and unity and that it is becoming one of the first British Muslim institutions – this humbles us immensely and makes us want to work even harder for the community. It also encourages us to maintain our aim which has always been to enable the community to work together and network and use the resources at hand to improve our social, political and economic situation in the UK. As far as the future is concerned, it is a tough time for the community. Nevertheless, we are now a vibrant and active part of British society with our own morals, ethics, ideals, cultures and principles which are part and parcel of today’s Britain. The Muslim community has a lot to offer the whole of British society and we will play our part in ensuring that we have the opportunity to do just that.

For further details you can call the Muslim Directory on 020 8799 4455 or visit www.muslimdirectory.co.uk