Lord Nazir Ahmed is Britain's first Muslim peer, raised to peerage as Baron Ahmed of Rotheram in the County of South Yorkshire. Born in Mirpur, Pakistan, he was brought up in the Uk. He studied Public Administration in Sheffield and joined the Labour Party when he was 18. He led one of the first delegations on behalf of the British government on the muslim pilgrimage of the Haji to Saudi Arabia and advocated legislation against religious discrimination, terrorism and forced marriages. In August 2006 he was a signee to an open letter to Tony Blair criticising the UK's foreign policy.

Of course, I met 'Kash' 8 years ago, when he was working on his photographic book on Kashmir. I appreciated straight away his careful and compassionate eye on the injustices and sufferings of this population. For this reason I wrote the introduction to his book 'The heart of Kashmir', presented 3 years ago to the House of Lords. I if you ask me what kind of person is Kash, I can guarantee you he is a fantastic pesone, an exceptional man.

 

I can't but express horror and concern for the situation. The abduction is an unjust act performed against a brother, since Kash is a muslim. I know him well, and I know he has always fought to show to the world the violence in Kashmir, and the violence of the places he goes or he's gone. In Afghanista too he went to witness and highlight a situation of violence and war.

 

Absolutely. He attended the mosque in Regent's park

 

In exchange for his release, they asked an afgan refugee who converted to Christianity. How do you comment the request?

I don't comment it. Besides being very strange, I also consider it a silly thing, of no use. As of no use are all kidnappings, expecially this, since a muslim brother has been kidnapped. What would you say to the kidnappers? I would ask for Kash's immediate and unconditional release. This group of people whose identity is still uncertain, made a big mistake. I feel very sorry for this act. Kash doesn't deserve this. Set Kash free.