London: Muslim Power 100 List, sponsored by The Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), compiled from 5,200 nominations from the Muslim Power 100 website, and judged by a 16-strong panel of judges, was announced at an award ceremony in the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane in London, on the 10th Of February 2007. It was a star studded testimonial evening for Britain's leading Muslim Men & Women. This is the first time ever that such an initiative is being held in Britain and, without doubt, caught the attention of the media and the British People.

Muslims from lords to lawyers, from authors to sporting icons, pre-eminent academics to giants of industry, from army to police and from businessmen to singer were there. They shared the same faith and are featured on the top of 100 List of the most influential Muslims, aimed at highlighting the positive contribution of the Muslim community to the life of the nation.

The UK Muslim population now numbers 2.1 million and is currently growing at a faster rate than any other faith based community in Britain. This community contributes £51 billion per year to Britain's annual GDP and forms the backbone of Britain's retail and healthcare sectors. Muslim Power 100 is the first initiative in Britain applauding the vital achievement and contribution being made by the British Muslim community to the social, cultural and economic well being of Britain.

The Muslim community contributes more than £31 bn to the economy. The business leaders, writers, academics, doctors, campaigners and aid agency founders who do most for Britain were honoured at an awards evening with a difference..

The Muslim Power 100 List, published for the first time, includes figures such as Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, secretary general of Amnesty International Irene Khan, and Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, the highest ranking Muslim officer in the armed forces.

Lord Patel of Blackburn was actually "delighted and honoured to be included in the Muslim Power 100 List."

On the List also included are broadcaster Rageh Omaar and the journalist Yvonne Ridley, the Political editor of the Islam Channel, who was once captured in Afghanistan by the Taliban. but later converted to Islam. Other journalists featured on the list include The Sun's Anila Baig and Independent columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown.

Politicians and religious leaders on the list include former secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the current MCB secretary general Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, Lord Bhatia, Baroness Pola Uddin, and MPs Sadiq Khan, Shahid Malik and Khalid Mahmood and Dr Ghayassuddin Siddiqui of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain.

The present Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, commented, "Muslim Power 100 is a big positive step towards a greater understanding of the Muslim contribution to the British society in economy, politics and other spheres of life. There is a tremendous amount of talents and potentials in the community and even in the face of multiple challenges this is shining. Together we want to make Britain a cohesive and peaceful land."

There are approximately 350,000 Muslim households in Britain and the Sharia compliant financial services market has grown substantially since 2003 - growing by almost 50% in the last year alone. Furthermore, there are over 10,000 Muslim millionaires in Britain making them among the most sought after customers by the UK's financial services sector.

Globally, there are 265 Islamic financial institutions providing almost £500 billion of investments. The UK's undisputed excellence in legal, financial and accountancy techniques has already contributed to Britain acting a major hub in the rapidly growing global Islamic finance sector.

Excellence awards were also given to nine guests, including Dr Hany El Banna, founder of Islamic Relief, and Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, chair of the Arab International Women's Forum.

There is a strong business presence in the Power 100; the Muslim community contributes over £31 bn to the British economy each year. Some 22 names on the list are company chiefs, including Sir Gulam Noon, whose curry empire is worth around £55m.

The first Power 100 to be launched was the Sports Power 100 in 2004. Car Anderson then produced another Power 100 lists for their Clients & Sponsors as part of their ongoing research undertaken for the Government supported Business lead initiative.

Power 100 was further developed in 2005 to include a high quality and widely distributed publication of each Power 100 list. This is now launched annually at each of the Sector specific Power 100 Award dinners. In addition, at each gala dinner, six power brokers, selected by a panel of esteemed judges, are awarded for their exceptional contribution to Business, Commerce and Community life.

Power 100's three main activities are: researching and validating each Power 100 list, producing the Power 100 publication for each list; hosting annual national awards events; and organising regional dinners for the Power 100 individuals and sponsors.

The Muslim Power 100 publication will be distributed to over 80,000 of the leading public and private sectors individuals both in the UK & internationally.

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