The year 2006 marks the beginning of the Festival of Muslim Cultures that takes place in the UK for the next 18 months. The festival is mainly a celebration of arts and literature from the Muslim world. It began with a large exhibition, opened by the Prince of Wales, entitled "Palace and Mosque" which featured Islamic artifacts from the Victoria and Albert Museum. The festival also includes films, plays, art exhibitions, poetry evenings and Qur'an recitation.

The organizers of the festival have said that they lack the necessary funding to carry out all these activities. Surely it is obvious that a festival of this nature will improve the public's idea and image of Islam. It should be a powerful counter to the many forces seeking to tarnish our religion. Such events as the festival should be highlighted and written extensively about in our press — especially at a time when our relations with the West could certainly be better. Our press, however, is concerned with ...

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