An Exhibition Entitled Muslims of Britain was opened in the library by Mr. Chriss Merrit, Political Consul of the British General Consulate in Jerusalem, Mr. Ken Churchill, Director of the British Council in Jerusalem, Dr. Nabil Alawi, Director of the Public Relations Department at the University, Mr. Hani Jaber, Director of the Library and Mr. Muhammad Kubari, Director of the British Council in Nablus. <o:p></o:p>

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Mr. Merrit made a speech at the opening, saying that the presence of Muslims in Britain is rooted deep in the ancient history of Britain. He also said that Muslims there positively and actively participate in the social, political, and economic spheres, and that they contribute to the richness of the social diversity of the British community.  He assured that all ethnicities enjoy free life in Britain, and practice their religious freedom and freedom of beliefs. He also spoke about the support the British Government offers to international Muslims communities in times of crises, such as the Earthquake in Pakistan, and the Tsunami in South East Asia.<o:p></o:p>

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It was not until the beginning of the eighteenth century that the first large group of Muslims arrived in Britain from India. Over the next 200 years, trade and commerce led to increased contact between Britain and Muslim countries, particularly when British merchant ships began recruiting foreign seamen. By 1842 around 3,000 Muslim seamen, known as 'lascars', were visiting Britain every year. Some married and settled in cities such as Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow, and London.<o:p></o:p>

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