We are delighted to welcome Faryal Iqbal, founder of Own Drum, to the programme for Changing hearts and minds, our flagship event taking place in London on Wednesday 4 June.
Changing hearts and minds: Countering harmful narratives will blend cutting edge science and data analysis with communications best practice to equip delegates with tools to shape a more just and equal world.
Faryal’s powerful session will focus on Putting out fires with kindness: How one mosque met hate with hospitality.
During this session, Faryal will present the inspirational case of Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool and its response to the far-right riots in the UK last summer. While others shut their doors, this mosque opened them – offering food and then day trips to rioters to keep the conversation going. The mosque leaders’ aim: to stay in dialogue, even with those who wanted to harm them.
Faryal's extraordinary example of how dialogue, kindness and calm can shift people from a state of fear to one which is more open, more rational and less polarised will be considered through the lens of neuroscience and polyvagal theory – a framework that explains how our nervous system responds to threats, and how safety and connection can open the door to change.
If you’d like to know more about how to meet fear with courage and hostility with humanity, this session is for you.
Faryal Iqbal grew up in Liverpool and has over a decade’s experience in intercultural dialogue and interfaith work at the British Council and the Faith and Belief Forum (formerly the Three Faiths Forum), where she created and facilitated creative training and workshops. Faryal also volunteered in migrant and refugee organisations, and wrote articles on cultural racism and refugees in detention. After meeting Jennifer Kidd at an interfaith dialogue training course in Ukraine, the two worked together to establish Own Drum.
She joins Georgina Laming, campaigns and communications director at Hope not Hate, Steve Ballinger, communications director at British Future, and other experts on the programme.
Changing hearts and minds: Countering harmful narratives offers participants blended learning. Presentations from experts, examples of best practice and group discussion will be accompanied by a practical session designed to help participants cement knowledge, enhance skills and network with their peers.
What: Changing hearts and minds: Countering harmful narratives
When: 10am to 5pm Wednesday 4 June in London
Who: Senior colleagues in comms, campaigns, public affairs and policy
How much: £297 (plus VAT)
Book now - places limited to 60 for a truly focused experience
