A MUSLIM singles night had to be postponed after attendees and their families were put off from going.

Now event organiser Kamran Beg has gone public to reassure the community it is in keeping with Islamic values and not a challenge to the arranged marriage system.

The Professional Muslim Singles Matrimonial Event, which should have been held in Blackburn last Sunday, was aimed at professionals, such as doctors, businessmen and women and lawyers and have already been successful across the UK and America.

Since the first event in Manchester last July, six couples have married and a further 13 were engaged.

Mr Beg said: "Apparently some of the attendees and their families have been discouraged by various community representatives.

"I recognise this is a new event for Blackburn but people should base their views on the evidence, not hearsay.

"Parents are of the view that having a guardian and team of consultants drawn from the same generation as the attendees allows for more progressive initial dialogue, rather than having chaperones drawn from the parents' generation, which can lead to apprehension and shyness on the part of the attendees.

"In particular, the rigorous telephone and written interview vetting coupled with the robust rules of engagement protect the female attendee"

The Blackburn event will now be on Wednesday, June 9, 7pm to 11.30pm, at the Blue Diamond Indian Cuisine in Whalley New Road.

Visit the Kamran webside www.kamranabegevents.com for details.