Our Team

Editor – Roshan Muhammed Salih

Roshan has been a journalist for 26 years. After a brief stint in teaching he started his career in local newspapers in the UK before moving into TV journalism with London Weekend Television. He then went to work at Al Jazeera‘s English website in Qatar. Upon his return to the UK a few years later he became head of news at Islam Channel between 2005-2007. He then moved onto Press TV where he was head of news in London for five years.

During his career he has reported from over 25 countries. Highlights include the Iraq war and occupation, the Pakistan earthquake in 2006, the Lebanon/Israel war, the Iran nuclear crisis, the Egyptian revolution, the Libyan revolution, the World Cup, the Olympics and much, much more.

On a personal level, Roshan is of mixed Sri Lankan/Welsh heritage. He likes travel, reading and sport, and speaks fluent French and good Arabic.

You can follow him on Twitter @RMSalih and buy his book “Confessions of a Muslim Journalist” here.

Please note that any articles written by Roshan on the site will be initialled RMS.

Deputy Editor – Dilly Hussain

Dilly graduated from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, with a BA Honours in Politics in 2009. He went on to complete his NCTJ Certificate in Print Journalism in 2010 while reporting for the Bedfordshire on Sunday.

He left Bedfordshire on Sunday in 2011 and worked as a freelance documentary researcher at Press TV. Dilly has also contributed to numerous Islamic publications like Al Jumuah Magazine, The Revival Magazine and Islam21c.

Dilly regularly appears on Sky News, Channel 4 News, BBC Look East, BBC South, BBC One, Islam Channel, Russia Today and BBC radio stations discussing Middle East and North African politics, and domestic topics concerning British Muslims. He is also a blogger for the Huffington Post, a columnist for the Middle East Eye and Pakistan Today, and a freelance contributor for Al Jazeera English, the Ceasefire Magazine and the Foreign Policy Journal.

He enjoys reading and writing, as well as keeping up to date with current affairs. Dilly is also keen on learning about different cultures, traditions and history. He speaks fluent Bengali, and good Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi (Kashmiri).

Dilly plays Saturday league cricket, is a member of Bedford Amateur Boxing Club, and is an avid Liverpool FC and UFC fan. He loves reading historical fiction, crime novels and watching documentaries, as well as travelling and the gym.

Dilly is a British born Bangladeshi, raised and residing in Bedford.

You can follow him on Twitter @dillyhussain88

Please note that any articles written by Dilly on the site will be initialled DH.

Correspondent – Robert Carter

Robert Carter joined 5Pillars in October 2023 and has five years experience in journalism.

He is also a regular commentator on Muslim affairs in the media.

Robert converted to Islam while a teenager and you can find out more about his journey to the deen here.

And you can follow him on Twitter here.

Please note that any articles written by Robert on the site will be initialled RC.

Contributors

Bilal Abdul Kareem is an American journalist and filmmaker currently reporting from rebel-held Idlib, Syria.

Abdel Bari Atwan is one of the most prominent Arab journalists in the world and the editor of Raialyoum.

Ramzy Baroud is a Palestinian-American author and journalist and the editor of the Palestine Chronicle.

Hafsa Kara is an activist, political commentator and journalist.

Yousef Mawry is an American-Yemeni filmmaker and investigative journalist. 

Nishaat Ismail is a freelance journalist who is currently completing a Masters in Middle East in Global Politics.

Imran Shah is London based activist and blogger.

Ghulam Esposito Haydar is an activist and the co-founder the Myriad Foundation.

Dr Siema Iqbal is a Manchester-based doctor and activist.

Speakers’ Corner

Abdurraheem Green is the Chairman of the Islam Education and Research Academy (IERA).

Ibtihal Bsis is a barrister specialising in Prevent cases.

Fahad Ansari is a lawyer specialising on human rights and immigration.

Abdullah al Andalusi is a writer, thinker and debater for the Muslim Debate Initiative (MDI).

Moazzam Begg is a former GITMO detainee and the Outreach Director of advocacy group CAGE.

Dr Anas Altikriti is the co-founder of the Cordoba Foundation think-tank.

Ibrahim Hewitt is the Senior Editor of Middle East Monitor and the Chair of UK-based charity Interpal.

Dr Abdul Wahid is a doctor by profession.

Sufyan Ismail is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist and the CEO of MEND.

Hamza Tzortzis is a writer, thinker and the Chief Executive Officer of at IERA.

Faisal Bodi is a writer and political commentator. He is currently with the Islamic Human Rights Commission.