Introduction

On behalf of the Building the Bridge Programme Board, I am delighted to share with you this wonderful and evocative collection of photographs, which were taken in the winter of 2009/2010. This exhibition celebrates ordinary Muslims living in Bristol, photographed beside a city landmark or in a place that holds a special resonance for them.

These individuals have been selected as a typical cross section of the Muslim community, which has deep roots in Bristol and numbers 35,000 people. We have featured them to give you a glimpse of the richness and diversity of this community and to highlight the huge contribution that these individuals make to the city of Bristol. In these photographs you will see the smiles of confident individuals, who are inspired by their faith to play a vital role in the life of this city, which they have made their home.

Building the Bridge is a programme established to improve understanding between communities, religions and cultures, building respect for each others’ values and viewpoints. Our projects aim to give impetus to the full involvement of Muslims in the life of Bristol. Our aim is to empower them to work with their friends, peers and colleagues – to give them the confidence they need to help realise opportunities and provide solutions to the challenges that we face. Bristol can realise significant benefits by winning the full support from this talented, hardworking community.

I hope that you enjoy this book and that it gives you an insight into the aspirations and hopes of the Muslim community. I believe that through their words these individuals reflect Islam's core teachings of peace, love and tolerance. I hope that this document counters the media stereotypes and provides the wider community with a greater understanding of their Muslim neighbours.

I would like to thank all the individuals for taking part, for letting us into their homes and for allowing us to photograph them and explaining their personal insights and ideas.

I must also thank the representatives of the Muslim communities, who came together as a steering group to identify individuals who would reflect the diversity and range of Bristol Muslims. Finally, I would thank all those who helped fund this project.

Hz Mohammed Zaheer Shabir LLB (Hons)

Chair, Building the Bridge Programme Board