The Message, May 2000:

"There is a lot of misunderstanding about Islam. It is a deeply reflective, a very beautiful religion," stated British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in an interview with the Muslim News, a United Kingdom based newspaper.

The Prime Minister stated that he "owns two copies of the Qur'an and carries one with him whenever he can," a habit he picked up from Chelsea Clinton. he also expressed his respect for Islam by saying that he "draws inispiration from it. If you read the Qur'an it is so clear, the concept of love and fellowship as the guiding spirits of humanity."

The public statements made by the Prime Minister illustrating his appreciation of Islam, and his call for the necessity of Britain to "reach out and build greater understanding of what Islam is and means and the values that underpin it," are an illustration of the growing recognition of Islam.

Mr. Blair also predicted that there would be more Muslim members of Parliament in the next election. In fact he said that he would be, "very surprised if teh Labour Party didn't have any Muslim candidates standing in winnable seats in the next election."

This interview with The Muslim News and Mr. Blair's words of praise, come after Britain sent the first ever official, British Hajj Delegation to offer consular assistance to British pilgrims. Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, who was nominated by Blair and became the first ever Muslim in the House of Lords, headed the Hajj Delegation.