More than 10,000 people are expected to attend a charity concert in London to raise money for war-torn Darfur.
More than 10,000 people are expected to attend a charity concert in London to raise money for war-torn Darfur.
The event on Sunday at Wembley Arena will highlight the crisis in the Sudanese region and feature some of the Muslim world's biggest stars.
The event on Sunday at Wembley Arena will highlight the crisis in the Sudanese region and feature some of the Muslim world's biggest stars.
Among them is Sami Yusuf - dubbed the Islamic Bono - and Texan country and western singer Kareem Salama.
Among them is Sami Yusuf - dubbed the Islamic Bono - and Texan country and western singer Kareem Salama.
The director of Islamic Relief said British Muslims must unite and "raise their voices" over the issue of Darfur.
The director of Islamic Relief said British Muslims must unite and "raise their voices" over the issue of Darfur.
Jehangir Malik said the event - organised by Islamic Relief - was open to all, but the majority of attendees would probably be British Muslims.
Jehangir Malik said the event - organised by Islamic Relief - was inspired by the Live Aid and Live 8 concerts which drew global attention to famine and poverty in Africa.
He said the Darfur concert was open to all, but the majority of attendees would probably be British Muslims.
"We felt this was an important event to put on for the British Muslim community to be able to raise their voices and stand in solidarity and stand together with Britain to say, 'Look, we need to do something about Darfur'."
"We felt this was an important event to put on for the British Muslim community to be able to raise their voices and stand in solidarity and stand together with Britain to say, 'Look, we need to do something about Darfur'."
It is a challenge for us because people are highly motivated and get highly charged in other areas, and we need to do considerably more Jehangir Malik, Islamic Relief
Mr Malik said British Muslims had already raised £2 million for Darfur and he hoped the concert would generate another million.
The concert is timed to coincide with the end of Ramadan and the celebrations associated with Eid.
'Attack on justice'
'Attack on justice'
Two-thirds of Darfur's population of six million depend on humanitarian aid to survive.
Two-thirds of Darfur's population of six million depend on humanitarian aid to survive.
More than two million have been forced to flee their homes in the Sudanese region since fighting broke out in 2003 between rebels and government forces.
More than two million have been forced to flee their homes in the Sudanese region since fighting broke out in 2003 between rebels and government forces.
It is a challenge for us because people are highly motivated and get highly charged in other areas, and we need to do considerably more Jehangir Malik, Islamic Relief
It is hoped the concert will raise £2million to help those displaced.
It is hoped the concert will raise £2million to help those displaced.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has lent his support, recording a video message to be screened at the event.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has lent his support, recording a video message to be screened at the event.
In it he says the concert proves "how deeply people from communities all over Britain care about the people of Darfur and their plight".
In it he says the concert proves "how deeply people from communities all over Britain care about the people of Darfur and their plight".
"An injustice anywhere is an attack on justice everywhere and so we will continue working together with all of you to bring this suffering to an end," Mr Brown adds.
"An injustice anywhere is an attack on justice everywhere and so we will continue working together with all of you to bring this suffering to an end," Mr Brown adds.
'Thorny issue'
Everyone needs to know about what's really happening in Darfur Sami Yusuf, singer
Mr Yusuf, whose last album sold four million copies, was part of a Foreign Office-backed Muslim delegation which has travelled to Darfur to talk to refugees, tribal leaders and government officials.
Mr Yusuf, whose last album sold four million copies, was part of a Foreign Office-backed Muslim delegation which has travelled to Darfur to talk to refugees, tribal leaders and government officials.
The singer has urged fellow Muslims to confront the genocide in the region.
The singer has urged fellow Muslims to confront the genocide in the region.
He told BBC News 24: "We want to raise awareness among British Muslims and the British public - everyone. Everyone needs to know about what's really happening in Darfur.
"[And we want] to empower British Muslims into actually doing something and channelling their energy and efforts into something."
Mr Malik said: "This is a thorny issue for us and it is clear that we have to do more.
Mr Malik said: "This is a thorny issue for us and it is clear that we have to do more.
"It is a challenge for us because people are highly motivated and get highly charged in other areas, and we need to do considerably more."
"It is a challenge for us because people are highly motivated and get highly charged in other areas, and we need to do considerably more."
Are you planning to go to the concert? What are the main reasons for you going? Which acts are you looking forward to seeing and why? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you planning to go to the concert? What are the main reasons for you going? Which acts are you looking forward to seeing and why? Send us your comments using the form below.
