Authored by Aisha and Zaynab Khan;
Reflections from the Liberal Democrat Eid Celebration, held on 16th July 2025 at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London. Speakers included Sir Ed Davey MP, Hina Bokhari AM, and Imran Sanuallah MBE
Earlier this month, we were invited to attend the Liberal Democrat Eid Celebration at the historic National Liberal Club; a space long woven into British political tradition, yet seldom reflective of the diversity characterising modern Britain. The event brought together individuals working at every level of public life, from senior political figures to grassroots organisers, each committed, in their own way, to fostering understanding and unity. Among those we spoke with were Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, Hina Bokhari AM, and others shaping the civic landscape from different vantage points. The conversations reflected more than just the present moment; they pointed to a future in which British Muslim leadership is no longer novel, but necessary.
A particularly resonant moment came during Sir Ed Davey’s address. Against a backdrop of rising polarisation directed at minority communities, his words struck a chord with uncommon precision: “We will work together to win.” This was more than a mere political slogan. It was a deliberate invocation; a reminder that unity, particularly for those long positioned at the margins, is not a passive ideal. Instead, it is something to be insisted upon, even in spaces where it has long been withheld.
As emerging Muslim leaders, we often find ourselves navigating institutions and conversations not originally built with us in mind. There is a subtle dissonance in entering spaces that expect representation, but rarely expect resistance. Being seen is often welcomed; being heard on one’s own terms, far less so. Still, it is in moments of discomfort and ambiguity that leadership reveals itself most clearly. To articulate conviction without compromise is not always easy. Yet it remains essential. Being in the room is only the beginning. What follows, inquiry, pressure, a refusal to dilute one’s voice. is what alters institutions over time.
The Eid celebration offered a rare space where difficult questions were not sidestepped, differences were not only acknowledged but respected, and alternative futures began to take shape through conversation. Such moments matter. Not because they offer ease, but because they demand courage. They invite us to step forward with thoughtfulness and determination, and to lead with integrity, especially when certainty is in short supply.
Beyond the formal proceedings, we were also deeply energised by the opportunities to network with highly esteemed individuals across a wide spectrum of public life, from law and politics to charity and advocacy.
The conversations we had were enriching, and we both came away feeling inspired and hopeful about the potential for collaboration and collective action. Among the most meaningful encounters was our conversation with Tayab Ali, the internationally renowned human rights lawyer who has advised the Egyptian Freedom Party and currently works with Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. His depth of experience and clarity of purpose left a lasting impression, and we both hope to draw on his insights in future development sessions, particularly around the art of negotiation and advocacy.
We were also fortunate to tour the National Liberal Club, where we came across portraits of key South Asian figures such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Maharaja Duleep Singh. Their presence on those walls served as a poignant reminder of the historical relationship between South Asia and liberal political traditions in Britain, ties that continue to evolve through the presence of diasporic voices today. Alongside Ed Davey’s powerful speech confronting the rise of far-right populism, this moment reaffirmed a quiet but vital truth: we do not occupy these spaces as guests or anomalies, but as rightful contributors to Britain’s political fabric.
As Avicenna scholars, we carry forward what this evening represented: a recognition that presence, in isolation, is not enough, and that principled leadership emerges when dialogue gives rise to action, and visibility is met with accountability. We are part of a generation that no longer seeks permission to lead. Rather, we engage with purpose, conscious that the most enduring forms of change often take root in quiet persistence, shaped during the difficult moments that test our resolve, and defined by the choices we make when recognition is neither promised nor guaranteed.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Liberal Democrat Party for hosting this celebratory event and for affirming that British Muslim voices are not peripheral to our national conversation, but central to the future we are building together.
