--- title: "Islam: challenges, questions and gospel opportunities" date: 2026-05-14T10:37:00+01:00 author: Zanna Meynell canonical_url: "https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/islam-challenges-questions-and-gospel-opportunities" section: Pages --- #### As Christians living and working across the UK, how can we reach Muslims, and do Muslims engage in politics and public life differently from Christians? This webinar is the second in a [two-part series](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism) where we look at the increase in public discourse around Christian nationalism and Islam in public life and British politics. On Saturday 16 May, Unite the Kingdom and the West will host another mass demonstration in London where both issues have been brought into sharp focus over the past twelve months. There has been shift in the visibility of Islam and Muslims in UK life. In the space of ten years, the Office for National Statistics note a population increase of Muslims in England and Wales, from 818, 000 in 2011 to 3.9 million in 2021. Alongside an increase in Muslims residing in the UK, there has been a notable change in Islamic beliefs shaping political debate and public commentary. For several years, there have been calls for a definition of ​‘Islamophobia,’ the emergence of a ​‘Muslim vote,’ with candidates campaigning on the Gaza conflict and successfully winning elections, and, more recently, frequent protests over Gaza and Open Iftar events in Trafalgar Square. We are pleased Dr Andy Bannister (Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity, author and commentator of Islam in public square) will be joining the conversation to discuss ​‘what is political Islam?’ and share reflections on how Christians can confidently reach Muslim neighbours with the gospel and engage with the outworkings of Islam in public life. We will also be joined by a Muslim background believer who will share their lived experience of Islam and of their hopes for Muslim people. **This webinar is designed to encourage every believer, whether in serving within a church ministry, active in local communities or the workspace. The scriptures teach us that the Lord is sovereign over all of creation and humanity (Psalm 24:1 and Psalm 66:4 – 5) and so as disciples, let us confidently represent Him in this cultural and missional moment.** ## Event contributors: [ ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Evangelical_Alliance_Square-10.jpg) Peter Lynas UK director ](#peter-lynas) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Evangelical Alliance Square 10](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Peter Lynas #### UK director Peter oversees the advocacy team and the work of the Evangelical Alliance across the four UK nations. He is passionate about faith in the public square and leads the Being Human project with Jo Frost. He previously worked as a barrister in Belfast before studying theology at Regent College in Vancouver, where he serves on the board. Peter is a regular media commentator, is married to Rose, has two daughters, and loves running. [ ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Alicia Edmund](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Alicia.jpg) Alicia Edmund Head of public policy ](#alicia-edmund) ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Alicia Edmund](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Alicia Edmund #### Head of public policy Alicia joined the Evangelical Alliance as head of public policy in August 2021. Since then, she has worked on a range of issues from asylum resettlement, refugee integration, poverty relief and religious freedom in the UK and overseas. Alicia leads the advocacy team’s parliament and Whitehall engagement and is focusing all legislative engagement this year on three core themes: dignity, freedom and justice. [ ![Andy Bannister up mountain](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==) ![Andy Bannister up mountain](https://cdn.eauk.org/people/_800x1066_crop_center-center_82_none/Andy-Bannister-up-mountain.jpeg) Andy Bannister ](#andy-bannister) ![Andy Bannister up mountain](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Andy Bannister up mountain](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ### Andy Bannister Dr. Andy Bannister is the Director of Solas Centre for Public Christianity. Andy holds a PhD in Islamic studies and have taught extensively at universities across Canada, the USA, the UK and further afield on both Islam and philosophy. He also has an Adjunct Research Fellow at the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology and am also Adjunct Faculty at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. #### Event details: Tuesday 16 June 7 – 8:15pm **Zoom link will be sent out to all registered attendees the week before the event.** #### Sign up here: Error: Please check your details and try again. If this error continues, please contact us. Thank you! Your registration has been submitted successfully. Loading... Keeping your data secure is very important to us. By providing your personal details you agree to allow the Evangelical Alliance to contact you either on the basis of the consents you have given us or for our Legitimate Interests in accordance with current data protection regulations. We will never make your personal data available for marketing purposes to external individuals or organisations. For more information view our [privacy policy](/privacy-policy) or email [info@eauk.org](mailto:%20info@eauk.org). [ ![What are you worth?](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![What are you worth article pic](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/What-are-you-worth-article-pic.png) ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-are-you-worth) [#### What are you worth? ](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-are-you-worth) Damilola Makinde explores how Christianity and Islam differ in their understanding of human worth [ ![Damilola Makinde](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ](/author/damilola-makinde) [ Damilola Makinde ](/author/damilola-makinde) 10 April 2026 [](https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/what-are-you-worth) [ Event ![Flag, faith and kingdom: engaging with Christian nationalism](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271%27%20height%3D%271%27%20style%3D%27background%3Atransparent%27%2F%3E) ![Pope notitle250913 np Gel](https://eauk.org/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,quality=90,width=400,fit=cover/https://cdn.eauk.org/pope-notitle250913_npGel.jpg) ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism) [#### Flag, faith and kingdom: engaging with Christian nationalism ](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism) Join us and Rev Dr Helen Paynter as we engage with the issue of Christian nationalism and unpack how Christians can respond. Tuesday 02 June 2026 Upcoming event [](https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism)