Refugee Prophets: From Moses to Muhammad

Richard Stroud MBE worked in the textile manufacturing industry for over 20years, at senior and director level. He then spent 25 years as a joint partner in a Management Consultancy Business, working with a diverse range of FTSE 250 and SME clients, before retiring in 2013. Richard is involved in unpaid voluntary charity work including Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation which supports young people in Yorkshire, which has raised more than £1.3m to date. He was awarded the Order of the League of Mercy, in 2018, for his work. For over 10 years, Richard has maintained a strong relationship with SupportDogs, saving and improving the lives of children and adults with various challenging medical conditions, including autism. He is also a contributor to supporting MAP charity in Leeds, offering students the opportunity to study and gain qualifications in Art & Design, Creative Media & Music as well as functional skills in Maths and English. He is a Trustee of The Bradford Synagogue founded in 1873 and one of the oldest in the UK and Jewish Heritage Centre, which in 2023 celebrates its 150th anniversary. Richard was awarded the MBE in the 2022 Queens Birthday Jubilee Honours for services to the Interfaith Community in West Yorkshire.

MoYah is an Afro-fusion artist, award-winning Interfaith creative producer, workshop facilitator and public speaker. Born in Mozambique during a 16-year war, MoYah was forced to flee his country as a political refugee. Noted for his electrifying performances, MoYah’s music has been featured on BBC one, RTP & RTP Africa, and he has performed across Europe, United States, South America and the African continent sharing stages with internationally respected artists such as Nas, Africa Bambaataa, Yuna, Guru and Talib Kweli. Recently he received the 21 for 21 award as one of the most inspiring faith-based leaders increasing dialogue and breaking down barriers in the 21st century. In 2021 he was made Hip Hop Ambassador of May Project Gardens, a London-based grassroots organisation that empowers under-represented and marginalised groups to address poverty, disempowerment and access to resources and influence.

Toby Howarth was born in Kenya and has studied and worked in London, the United States, Pakistan, Oxford, Uganda, Egypt, Birmingham and India. He holds a PhD on Islamic preaching. After serving as Inter Religious Affairs Secretary to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he was consecrated Bishop of Bradford in 2014. Toby is married to Henriette and they have three daughters.

Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer, producer and scholar of religions. A recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Award, Aslan is the author of three internationally bestselling books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Aslan’s latest book, An American Martyr in Persia: The Epic Life and Tragic Death of Howard Baskerville, was longlisted for the 2023 PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography.