23 Feb 06
The 5th annual Tatchell Human Rights Fundraiser will be held at The Blue Room @ Sound nightclub in London’s Leicester Square on Monday 20th March 2006 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, to raise funds for the Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund (PTHRF), which supports the work of human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell.
Adrian Gillan, spokesman for the PTHRF, said: “Peter’s human rights campaigns have gone global. His successes mean he is deluged with requests for help from activists all over the world. To meet these demands, he is working 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Such a huge workload is damaging his health and is unsustainable. We need to raise enough money to get Peter a fully equipped office and full-time staff support. The 20th March reception will help raise some of the extra funds we need.”
Guest Lecture by Sheikh Dr Muhammad Yusuf: Time for an Islamic Reformation in Britain
At the 20th March event, Peter Tatchell will be joined by Sheikh Dr Muhammad Yusuf of the Interfaith Alliance UK, who will deliver a provocative lecture, Time for an Islamic Reformation in Britain, arguing that “the moment has come for the development of an authentically British and European Islam - an Islamic Reformation - which reconciles Islam with democracy and human rights, including human rights for women and gay people, and which paves the way for a progressive Islam to be part of a liberal, humanitarian reawakening of British society and culture.”
Looking forward to the lecture, Peter Tatchell said: “Support for a liberal, progressive Islam is an urgent priority. It is the most effective way to counter the fundamentalist attitudes towards women and gay people that characterise many supposedly moderate, mainstream Muslim organisations in the UK. I hope Sheikh Dr Muhammad Yusuf’s lecture will demonstrate and encourage the possibility of an Islamic Enlightenment, whereby Muslims and non-Muslims can work together in the defence of universal social justice and human rights.”
Tatchell will also use the reception to report back on his current campaigns, including: Solidarity with gay and liberal Muslims who are resisting Islamic fundamentalists, in the UK and abroad; opposition to the government's demonisation and persecution of asylum seekers; exposure of miscarriages of justice and support for abused prisoners; and solidarity with gay and human rights campaigners in Uganda, Iraq, Darfur, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Palestine and Iran.
PTHRF chairman Reverend Richard Kirker said: “Peter Tatchell has an unquenchable thirst for justice, and a voracious appetite for work. He challenges discrimination fearlessly and helps the persecuted who - in their thousands - seek his advice and support from all parts of the world. Moreover - by writing, campaigning, demonstrating and lobbying - he is able to alert the wider public and media to the injustices that still blight the lives of millions. Supporting the PTHRF provides him with financial assistance that he puts entirely at the disposal of his work. What could be more worthwhile?”
Monday 20th March 2006, 6.30pm
Blue Room @ Sound nightclub, Leicester Square
SPONSORED BY FYNE TIMES & SOUND NIGHTCLUBBOOK NOWTickets will not be on sale at the door but must be pre-booked and will be posted out to you. Places are limited.
Tickets cost £20 (£10 concessions; £35 for two) and include drinks and refreshments throughout the evening. Send a cheque made payable to ‘PTHRF’ to ‘Peter Tatchell Human Rights Fund, PO Box 35253, London E1 4YF’, including your name(s), address and a contact telephone number. Those who cannot attend are invited to kindly send a cheque donation to the same address.
