The new position will be filled by Miguel Ángel Moratinos of Spain, who also serves as high representative for the UN Alliance of Civilizations, an initiative to combat extremism.

Moratinos previously served in the Spanish government and worked closely with the UN during his time as foreign minister from 2004 to 2010.

He also served as EU special representative for the Middle East peace process from 1996 to 2003.

In that role, he promoted peace agreements and attempted to foster dialogue between Israel and the Arab world.

He also served as Spanish ambassador to Israel in 1996.

The UN marks the International Day to Combat Islamophobia each year on March 15. The day was first observed following a resolution put forward by Pakistan that was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2022.

The document was sponsored by the 60 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

This year on March 15, Moratinos spoke out against the “bigotry and dehumanizing rhetoric” that Muslims “have to quite often face in many parts of the world.”

“Hate speech drives wedge between communities, sparks fear and anger and may often lead to violence which threatens peace and stability in societies,” he said.

“All forms of hate should be rooted out wherever and whenever it occurs. This means pushing for policies that fully respect human rights and protect religious and cultural identities, particularly of minorities.

“This means investing in social cohesion by encouraging initiatives that promote dialogue, mutual respect and protects human rights and the dignity of all.”

Source: Arab News

As Muslims around the world come together to mark the holy month of Ramadan, many do so in fear – fear of discrimination, exclusion, and even violence.

We are witnessing a disturbing rise in anti-Muslim bigotry:

From racial profiling and discriminatory policies that violate human rights and dignity, to outright violence against individuals and places of worship.

This is part of a wider scourge of intolerance, extremist ideologies, and attacks against religious groups and vulnerable populations.

When one group is attacked, the rights and freedoms of all are at risk.

As a global community, we must reject and eradicate bigotry.

Governments must foster social cohesion and protect religious freedom.

Online platforms must curb hate speech and harassment.

And we must all speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination.

On this International Day to Combat Islamophobia, let us work together to uphold equality, human rights and dignity, and build inclusive societies where everyone, regardless of their faith, can live in peace and harmony.

Source: UNIS

An organization has been launched to serve as a bridge between Muslim communities and UK policy-makers. The British Muslim Network seeks to fills a void of 17 years after successive governments failed to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain, which was founded for the same purpose.

The British Muslim Network (BMN) was launched in London when 60 people began by taking part in round-table discussions on social mobility, storytelling, Islamophobia, philanthropy, community infrastructure and health and wellbeing.

The discussions were followed by a large reception with about 300 people, speeches from government officials including the health secretary, Wes Streeting; the deputy Commons Speaker, Nusrat Ghani; faith minister Lord Khan; and a former faith minister, Baroness Warsi.

Mr. Streeting acknowledged that governments had let down Muslim communities in the past and insisted on the importance of tackling anti-Muslim hate crimes and Islamophobia.

He said it was important that “the government gets this relationship right, to acknowledge with humility that successive governments have not got this relationship right“.

He said he “acknowledged … that the Labour party hasn’t always got this right, particularly in recent years” and added that he was committed “to underscore my commitment to defending the space for Muslims across our country“.

The BMN seeks to convene expert panels to share information on the views and practices of Muslim communities to policy-makers. Its co-chairs are Akeela Ahmed and Imam Qari Asim.

Imam Asim, who leads the Makkah Mosque in Leeds and was once a government adviser on Islamophobia, told the Religion Media Centre: “It was really uplifting to see such a diverse group of people, from different faith backgrounds to civil society, to organizations, as well as the diversity of the Muslim community, being reflected in this room. We contribute so much to society but sadly we are mostly seen through the lens of extremism.

“That’s painful. We see young people feeling frustrated and alienated. They’re not feeling welcomed in their own neighborhoods. So BMN wants to bring a range of voices, to hear their perspectives and to bring their own insight to share with think tanks, policy-makers and the government. We believe those pillars of society can benefit from this young talent.”

Speaking on the policy of disengagement, Imam Asim said Muslims were not “asking for special treatment” but rather “equal citizenship”.

The launch has been plagued with comparisons to the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and suspicions that it is seeking to undermine the organization, or create a split between “good” and “bad” Muslims.

However, all people affiliated with the group have insisted that is not the case. “BMN is going to be one of the voices among many other voices in this country, highlighting and showcasing the contributions, therefore it does not intend to replace any organization,” Imam Asim added.

“We believe in collaboration. Our faith encourages us to collaborate. We have been in conversation with many organizations, including the MCB. It’s about working together to defeat the defeatist mentality that is unfortunately rising in the minds of young people because of the way they’re treated in this country.”

Baroness Warsi pointed to the urgency of the work, stating that the engagement was important for democracy. “Courage is important. These times require you to be so,” she said. “We are not just talking about protecting British Muslims and creating a society where British Muslims feel like they have equal worth and value. We’re fighting to protect inclusive liberal democracies. That is where we are at now.“

Akeela Ahmed, who previously chaired the government’s working group on anti-Muslim hatred, agreed with the sentiment pointing to the “global backdrop” of the launch. “The far right is becoming more prominent again in Europe and in the UK as well,” she said. “We wanted to step up because we understand that there are huge challenges, external challenges that we all need to work to address.”

Nusrat Ghani, a Conservative MP, reflected on her own experience as she said that “earlier experiences of racism were down to the color of our skin,” whereas now “it is down to our faith”.

Professor Mike Clarke, chairman of the Together Coalition, which was set up to foster social cohesion after the murder of the Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, also backed the initiative.

“With the recent and shocking events of the riots last summer, we recognized the need to give expression to voices that need to be heard to have a diverse and inclusive society,” he told the Religion Media Centre. “We’ve been very proud to support that.”

Many commented on the energy and dynamism in the room throughout the evening, including Professor Clarke, who added: “My overwhelming sense is that there’s a lot of love and goodwill in this room, and I find that very inspiring.”

Addressing criticism about the Together Coalition’s involvement in the group’s setting up he said: “Frankly, I don’t think there are enough voices being heard. If the people here feel there is a need to create more opportunities for those voices to be heard, then it’s important to do that.”

The British Muslim Network intends to operate on the basis of the “Three C’s”: connecting, celebrating and collaborating.

• Connecting relates to “bringing people of different backgrounds together”.
• Celebrating pertains to honoring the “positivity within the British Muslim community”.
• Collaboration refers to organizations working together as well as inclusion of the “multiplicity of voices” within the demographic.

Members of the group’s advisory board include Sumayah Saadi, owner of the Sumayah modest fashion brand; Abdurahman Sayed, chief executive of London’s Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre; and Dr. Hina Shahid, who chairs the Muslim Doctors Association.

The network will include public figures from politics, media, business, entertainment and sport, as well as imams, lawyers, doctors and academics.

Some joined a panel which concluded the event including Shabna Begum, chief executive of the Runnymede Trust, and entrepreneur Jennifer Ogunyemi.

Many labelled the event an important one in British Muslim history. Mr. Streeting said: “This has to be a catalyzing moment that mobilizes grassroots communities right across the country to make sure that people feel able to be heard and genuinely listened to.

“But more than that [they must be] able to shape their communities, to shape our country and to do this together across the divides of difference and diversity uniting around what we have in common.”

Events will be held for Muslim communities to speak to each other and common concerns will be shared with the government to bring change.

Source: Religion Media Centre

Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia, is proud to announce the Government of Canada’s first-ever publication on Islamophobia – the Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada. Developed with extensive input from experts on Islamophobia, members of Canadian Muslim communities, civil society organizations, and government partners, this new guide serves as a comprehensive resource for combatting Islamophobia across Canada.

This guide intends to raise awareness on Islamophobia, explain its various manifestations and provides practical strategies for Canadians to counter Islamophobia in their lives. The Guide supports the objectives of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 and the Action Plan on Combating Hate, to strengthen social cohesion and build a more inclusive society.

The Guide provides a contemporary perspective on Islamophobia, exploring its adverse impacts on individuals and communities, and how these impacts can be compounded for people with intersecting identities. It spotlights the diversity of Canadian Muslims, addresses common misconceptions and challenges harmful myths.

Empowering Canadians to Recognize and Dismantle Islamophobia

The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada aims to familiarize, empower and equip the public including educators, employers, law enforcement, students, decision-makers, community leaders in their journey towards addressing Islamophobia. The Guide provides practical recommendations to enable Canadians to counter anti-Muslim discrimination by:

• Raising Awareness and Understanding: Educating people about Islamophobia, challenging stereotypes, and promoting religious literacy.
• Supporting Communities: Sharing resources, being allies, and reporting Islamophobic incidents.
• Underscoring Institutional Change: Implementing training programs, creating clear and safe reporting systems, and auditing workplace cultures for inclusivity.
• Providing Resources: Ensuring that those affected by Islamophobia have access to support networks and inclusive leadership.

For more information and to access the Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a More Inclusive Canada, please visit: The Canadian Guide to Understanding and Combatting Islamophobia: For a more inclusive Canada – Canada.ca

Quotes

“I am proud to introduce a new reference tool to combat Islamophobia in Canada. Establishing a shared framework for action is essential, and this educational guide will help us drive meaningful change at the national level. This is an important step in our collective efforts to ensure that Canadian Muslims can live with dignity and respect, free from harassment and discrimination. Together, let’s build a Canada where everyone belongs.”

– Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia

“This guide is an important contribution to understanding the specific experiences of Muslims in Canada, amidst a broader rise of hate and intolerance in Canada. Identifying and combatting racism, hate, and discrimination is key to protecting fundamental human rights and building a Canada where everyone is valued and respected and has access to equal opportunities, free from discrimination.”

– Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, Interim Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission

“This Guide is a vital resource to help all Canadians better understand Islamophobia and its harmful impacts in the workplace and society. Islamophobia continues to be a significant barrier to equity and inclusion. This resource will help ensure that Muslim workers are treated fairly, with dignity and respect, fostering a more inclusive and equitable workplace for everyone, and contributing to greater community inclusion and safety for all.”

– Bea Bruske, Canadian Labour Congress President

“Islamophobia is on the rise in Canada. Our members have experienced discrimination in schools and workplaces or support clients who have faced disproportionate harm from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination in all areas of life. This Guide comes at a pivotal moment—it’s more important than ever for Canadians to understand this widespread form of racism and take action to address it.”

– Husein Panju, Canadian Muslim Lawyers Association

Quick Facts

The Guide supports Canada’s broader efforts to build an inclusive society, contributing to the objectives of the Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2028 and the Action Plan on Combating Hate. Budget 2024 increased funding to bolster the capacity of the Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia ($7.3M over 6 years and $1.1M ongoing) to meet its mandate commitments.

Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s first ever Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia was appointed in January 2023, to provide guidance and support to the Government of Canada on policies and programs impacting Canadian Muslim communities, raise public awareness on Islamophobia and work with diverse stakeholders to develop community-informed solutions to challenges facing Canada’s Muslim communities.

Budget 2024 provides funding of $273.6 million over six years, starting in 2024-2025, and $29.3 million thereafter, for Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate, to support community outreach and law enforcement reform, combat radicalization, and increase assistance to victims of discrimination and violence.

Source: Canada Newswire

Article by Rakib Ehsan

This summer’s rioting across parts of England and Northern Ireland were a watershed moment in community relations – and the fall-out is beginning to emerge.

Fresh British Muslim survey data published by Tell MAMA (which stands for monitoring anti-Muslim attacks) provides much cause for concern. Carried out two months after the start of far-right public disorder following the horrific murder of three little girls in Southport, seven in ten British Muslims surveyed said anti-Muslim hate had become more widespread, with two in three also saying that the potential for risk and harm to their own religious communities had increased. However, it is not all doom-and-gloom and there are also some positive findings which make me feel optimistic. Three in five Muslims said they still feel safe in Britain, with half saying that they felt more open about their religious identity in the aftermath of the riots (especially when talking with friends and work colleagues).

The findings show that while we are a relatively successful multi-ethnic and religiously diverse democracy, there needs to be a more robust approach when it comes to ‘managing’ this diversity – which is not necessarily easy. For the newly elected Labour government, the Southport atrocity and subsequent disorder was quite the baptism of fire – but its response to the far-right rioting was left wanting and appears to have alienated a variety of groups in modern Britain.

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, sought to drain the riots of their political and ideological character from the get-go – characterizing them as “mindless racist thuggery”. In the aftermath of Southport, an unfounded conspiracy theory that the suspect was an illegal Middle Eastern Muslim migrant who had arrived in the UK on a small boat from France was allowed to spread like wildfire on social media platforms such as X, with little to no intervention by the relevant authorities.

Dismissing the rioting as “mindless” risks overlooking the fact that there was the deliberate targeting of Muslim communities – including mosques and businesses. This included the attack on the local mosque in Southport and the destruction of a café in south Belfast. In addition to this, in Manvers near Rotherham, a hotel accommodating asylum seekers was set ablaze and had its windows smashed in. The idea that all those involved in the riots were thoughtless racist thugs masks the reality that some have deeply ideological histories which include anti-Muslim hatred. Last week, it was revealed that a man who pleaded guilty to taking part in the disorder was previously sentenced to ten years in prison for deliberately setting fire to a mosque in Stoke-on-Trent. Back in his 2011 trial, Simon Beech – now 36 years old – said that he had been a member of both the neo-fascist British National Party (BNP) and the English Defense League (EDL).

Rebuilding after Southport

Starmer may have deliberately set out to downplay the ideological elements of the rioting because doing otherwise would leave him vulnerable to the accusation that he was justifying such violent disorder. But this strategy has meant that the Labour leader has failed to truly recognize the anti-Muslim nature of much of the rioting which unfolded in the summer – further widening the disconnect between British Muslim communities and their so-called ‘natural party’.

As the country looks to rebuild from the trauma of the Southport murders and the subsequent violent disorder, part of that must be reassuring law-abiding, hard-working, and security-oriented British Muslim families of their rightful place in modern Britain. To shore up our national ‘community of communities’, it is vital that we all learn the right lessons from what took place this summer – including the Prime Minister.

Source: City A.M.

A third of Muslims in the UK said the recent far-right riots have led them to consider leaving the country, a survey revealed.

The survey, conducted by Survation on behalf of Tell Mama, an NGO that tracks hate crimes targeting Muslims, revealed rising concerns within British Muslim communities following the violent unrest that swept across the UK this summer.

One in four Muslims interviewed, either online or by phone, reported experiencing anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia after July 30, the day following a mass stabbing in Southport.

The violence, which was sparked by false online claims that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for the fatal stabbing of three children in Southport, led to a significant surge in charges as authorities address the unrest.

Two-thirds of survey respondents said they felt the risk of harm to Muslim communities had increased since July 30, with more than two-thirds expressing that anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia had become more prevalent.

Nearly four in 10 participants also said they believed their local mosque was at risk from far-right groups and extremists, according to the survey.

However, despite the hostility, half of the respondents said the riots had made them feel “more open about their Muslim identity,” and six out of 10 said they still felt safe in the UK.

In a statement, Tell Mama said: “The poll findings demonstrate that anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia is having significant impacts on Britain’s Muslim communities.”

It added that in the weeks following the riots in late July, Tell Mama had been inundated with reports from the public, many of whom had been shouted at, threatened with death, spat at, or physically assaulted.

The survey, which contacted 750 Muslims in the UK between Sept. 30 and Oct. 14, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by British Muslims in the wake of the far-right violence.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The head of the Muslim Council of Britain has called for an explanation and a review of the government’s policy of non-engagement with the body after her appeals for contact during the summer riots were ignored.

Zara Mohammed, who was elected more than three years ago as the MCB’s youngest and first female secretary general, said there had been a “quite shocking” lack of contact with the new government at a time when mobs were targeting Muslims and mosques.

The MCB had been “heavily engaged” with Labour’s shadow cabinet when the party was in opposition, including a meeting in 2021 between Mohammed and Keir Starmer where they discussed “the importance of engaging with Muslim communities”, she said.

Downing Street then ignored attempts to discuss the dangers being posed to Muslim people during the riots, Mohammed said, even as Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, and senior police officers held talks with her in Belfast.

Mohammed, 33, whose tenure as MCB leader will end in January, said she hoped ministers would now review the government’s “baffling” approach to the UK’s largest Muslim umbrella group, which has more than 500 affiliated members including mosques, schools and charitable associations.

She said: “There’s been no official communication from government since the election, and when the riots happened, I guess that’s where we would have expected.

“We appreciated that, with any new government, they’ve got to settle in, and there’s got to be some time to work out [things]. There’s a lot of things going on in the country, economic downturns, we appreciate that.

“But I think what was really disappointing, and perhaps for many in the Muslim community, quite shocking, was no formal or meaningful engagement with the Muslim Council of Britain during a time when mosques and Muslims were being targeted by the far right in a terrifying way.”

The Conservative government had a policy of non-engagement with the MCB and in a statement to parliament on 1 August the Labour communities minister Alex Norris disclosed that there had “been no change to HMG [his majesty’s government] policy and there are no plans for ministers to meet with the Muslim Council of Britain”.

The new government has not expanded on its approach but the reason given to parliament by Rishi Sunak’s administration for its policy of non-engagement was that “previous MCB leaders have taken positions that contradict our fundamental values and these have not been explicitly retracted”.

That statement was a reference to a row dating back to 2009 when the then MCB deputy secretary general, Daud Abdullah, signed a document known as the Istanbul declaration, which advocated attacks on the Royal Navy if it tried to stop arms for Hamas being smuggled into Gaza.

The then Labour government said it would have nothing more to do with the MCB unless Abdullah stepped down. He did resign and the MCB said the views expressed did not represent those of the body, leading to a re-engagement in the last year of Gordon Brown’s government.

Liberal Democrat ministers in the coalition government elected in 2010 also engaged with the MCB. Penny Mordaunt, when she was the Conservative paymaster general, had a meeting with Mohammed in 2021 but was heavily criticised in parts of the media, including the Daily Mail.

Mohammed said the MCB had since been “locked out”, although she added that policy had not been consistent, with the body providing a reference service for the appointment of Muslim chaplains by the Ministry of Defence until it was highlighted in a Daily Telegraph article last year.

Last week the deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, told the Commons that the government was “actively considering” its approach to tackling Islamophobia.

Mohammed said she was “optimistic” that the government would “get its act together”.

She said: “I think what I’m hopeful of is that the government will review the former position and will look at offering a position of clarity as to why [they are not engaging], and having a conversation with us to see, you know, what are the challenges; what are the blocks in 2024, not in 2009.

“Ultimately, talking to a national body is critical when it comes to national representative issues. That’s why we exist, because those mosques sign up to be an umbrella where we’ve had big political issues to talk about.

“We never claim to be the only voice for British Muslims. We claim to represent our bodies. But just as other faith communities have representative bodies, of course, we have one, and of course we want to vocalize on the policy issues, on national representation.”

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The government engages regularly with faith communities. During the recent disorder, the minister for faith spoke to representatives of Muslim communities through numerous roundtables and visits to places of worship.”

Source: The Guardian

The theme for the campaign “Sharing Stories” comes in the aftermath of national unrest and extreme far-right violence targeting mosques and refugee communities.

This year, Visit My Mosque will take place on the 28th and 29th of September.

MCB Secretary General, Zara Mohammed, said:

“The launch of Visit My Mosque this year comes at a time where it has never been more important to come together. This year’s campaign is all about sharing stories, understanding one another and how we can challenge those that seek to divide us.

I am heartened by the resilience of Mosques who only weeks ago were fearful of attack, will continue to open their doors across the county, serving those in need, and welcoming guests to learn more about Islam and Muslims. Many mosques have unique and fascinating histories, with some more than a hundreds years old, dating from Victorian times or serving soldiers during World War I, very much challenging misconceptions of Muslims long history in Britain.

I hope in the wake of such terrifying far-right violence, we will continue to open doors, hearts, and minds for a Visit My Mosque weekend that reminds us all why we are proud of our diverse Britain. I invite everyone to take the invitation and join us for a cuppa.”

The launch event in the iconic London Central Mosque brought together guests from various faiths and sectors of civil society, reflecting the importance of working together between their communities.

Director General Dr. Ahmad Al-Dubayan reflected on the importance of the Visit My Mosque campaign in fostering connections with wider communities. He highlighted London Central Mosque’s 70-year tradition of welcoming its neighbors and building lasting relationships.

Dr. Al Dubayan also shared the mosque’s unique history, including its special relationship with King George VI, who in 1944, generously donated the grounds for its construction, symbolizing a longstanding tradition of unity and collaboration.

They hosted an icebreaker challenge for their guests centered around the concept of ‘Building Bridges’. They asked their guests to form teams using spaghetti, marshmallows and their imagination to construct bridges. The challenge helped spark meaningful conversations and connections, reinforcing the idea that even simple, creative tasks can bring people together to build understanding.

Some of the guests observed a congregational prayer and joined their Secretary General in a tour of the mosque. This experience provided them with a deeper understanding of the importance of the mosque’s role as a pillar in the Muslim community.

They also had a powerful speech from Bibi Khan MBE and a beautiful poem recited to end the event. They extend their heartfelt gratitude to the London Central Mosque Trust and The Islamic Cultural Centre for hosting the launch and to all of the guests for joining them.

Source: Muslim Council of Britain