Sayeeda Warsi and Mishal Husain back new lobby group for British Muslims

Sayeeda Warsi: ‘For too long British Muslims have been made to feel their voices do not matter … The British Muslim Network is part of a much-needed effort to change that.’ Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian

Prominent British Muslims in politics, media, business and sport have come together to influence government policy on behalf of 4 million British Muslims.

The minister for faith Wajid Khan, the Tory MP and deputy speaker Nusrat Ghani, the former Conservative party chair Sayeeda Warsi, the broadcaster Mishal Husain, the ex-England cricketer Azeem Rafiq and the anti-racism group Hope Not Hate are backing the newly formed British Muslim Network (BMN).