Newham Council is proud to announce it will mark Islamophobia Awareness Month through the 30 days of November, highlighting the threat of Islamophobic hate crime.
The month will also spotlight and celebrate of the positive contribution of British Muslims to society in general and to this borough in particular.
Due to Coronavirus restrictions a range of events will held virtually, exploring the response of British Muslim community to rising levels of Islamophobia – which has seen Anti-Muslim hate crimes rise to over 7,000 a year.
There will also be a focus on discrimination against Muslims in the workplace and negative coverage in the mainstream media, but particularly the rise of vicious social media attacks on individuals and communities by right-wing hate groups.
Councillor Muzibur Rahman, deputy cabinet member for Communities said: “In December 2018 Newham Council unanimously agreed to accept the All Party Parliamentary Group definition of Islamophobia as being “rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
“Newham is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK, where our multi-ethnic and multi-religious communities are rightly celebrated and championed in the spirit of understanding and respect.
“By embracing Islamophobia Awareness Month, Newham is underscoring its determination to tackle and confront all hate crime, discrimination and racism whenever and wherever it raises its ugly head. It must be identified, called out and eradicated from our society.”
Islamophobia Awareness Month 2020 will feature a number of webinars with high profile and inspirational speakers, film showings, and radio shows. Please look out for details of the individual events of the Newham Council Website.