29/11/2024 - Luton Stands Against Islamophobia: Council hosts Islamophobia Awareness Event and says no place for hate in Luton
This week, an event was held to show that Luton stands against Islamophobia.
Attended by staff from Bedfordshire Police, Luton Council as well as Councillors, the event was compered by Cllr Javed Hussain, Deputy Leader of Luton Council who set out the need for these conversations to be had as there was still more work to be done to counter Islamophobia in Luton. Councillor Hussain said:
“Islamophobia, like any form of hate, has no place in our society. It not only harms individuals, but also undermines the harmony and cohesion we’ve established through our diverse communities. This is why initiatives like "No Place for Hate" are so vital. They encourage us to maintain environments where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued, regardless of their background or beliefs.
“Let us take this opportunity to educate ourselves and others about the rich contributions of Muslim culture and history. By engaging in open conversations, challenging stereotypes, and standing in solidarity with our Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours, we can create a more inclusive world, a future where everyone belongs and make Luton a town built on fairness and social justice.”
Iman Rayhan, from the Luton Council of Mosques, set out what Islamophobia was and underlined that it was an attack on ‘perceived Muslimness’ which affected other faiths too, and how the media are contributing to the normalisation of Islamophobia in the UK. He continued:
“We need to take decisive steps to acknowledge Islamophobia in all it’s forms. The solutions come in the form of education for everyone, empathy for the victims, shared humanity and accountability in the media….”
Abdul Ghafoor, from the Discover Islam centre, hosted the main discussion session, emphasising the ripple effect of Islamophobia on society and urging the ‘silent majority’ to take a stand. He said:
“When discrimination becomes normalised, it doesn’t just harm Muslims - it erodes the fabric of society, creating an environment of fear and division for everyone. By taking action, the silent majority can reclaim their voice, showing that hate has no place in Luton or anywhere else.
“We encourage people to educate themselves and others, push for inclusive policies in public services and support anti--hate crime initiatives. We also need to foster safe spaces in which to encourage dialogue in our workplaces and communities.”
Attending the event, from Bedfordshire Police, Inspector Mohammed Nasar said:
“We stand against Islamophobia and we stand united in support of our Muslim partners and communities.
“We believe that hate crime remains under-reported and we need to be able to understand the true picture to be able to counter it, which is why during Islamophobia Awareness Month, we are promoting reporting methods for hate crime.
“It’s important to report any instance of hate crime, or hate incidents, when they occur so that we can take swift action to prevent tensions from escalating and demonstrate that we do not tolerate hate.
“Our Community Cohesion and local policing teams work across the county to spread the message that there is no place for hate of any kind in Bedfordshire.”