In an effort to combat rising Islamophobia in Britain, Muslims in Slough hosted an anti-racism event, bringing together prominent activists of different faith groups to inspire a fightback against a divisive far-right agenda.
The Muslim-led event organised by a group of concerned Buckinghamshire community members was held on 17 October at the Kashmir Karahi.
The event boasted a panel of motivational speakers, legal experts and religious leaders including: Reverend Dr. Tim Judson of Chesham Baptist Church, solicitor and former election candidate Akhmed Yakoob, Kashmiri rights activist Shakeel Afsar, and Sophia Choudry a business entrepreneur.
They shared their own experiences being victims of racism and how they combated such hate in the hope of inspiring others to stand up to racism.
Organisers told 5Pillars that events like this could help pave the way for a new generation of activism and encourage other Muslims to speak out when faced with similar threats or intimidation in their day to day lives.
Shaykh Muhammad Husnain, a local scholar and teacher, told 5Pillars: “I’ve come here today to raise awareness on racism I think we had a great event with people coming from different faiths, coming together behind a joint message – we all stand against racism. It is unacceptable to profile someone based on their skin colour or their religious beliefs.”
Birmingham based activist and independent election candidate Akhmed Yaqoob hailed the event, adding a message of encouragement: “A beautiful event today. We have to raise awareness of this issue. We need to physically stop this disease of racism which is afflicting our society right now.”
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Sophia Choudry, who was recently the victim of a vile racist tirade by kids on London public transport, added that the event raised her hopes of positive change.
“It has been absolutely incredible to have such a diverse range of people in the room. Hopefully this campaign will help bring about some positive change.”
On 7 September, Choudary says she was left “shaken” and “heartbroken” after being racially abused by four children while travelling on the Elizabeth line in London.
Choudry said she was repeatedly called the P-word on a journey from Paddington to Maidenhead. She called police before the youngsters left the train at Hayes and Harlington station.
A video Choudry posted of the incident has been viewed two million times on TikTok. The entrepreneur said she hadn’t had the term directed at her for 25 years.
Upon realising she was filming, the children tried to cover their faces – and other passengers criticised her for filming. One passenger replied “so what?” after she explained she had been racially abused.
British Transport Police (BTP) said it had launched an investigation and Transport for London (TfL) said it was “deeply sorry” and was investigating why Ms Choudry did not receive the help she needed.
Muslims under attack
The event comes at a time of rising Islamophobic hate in Britain, with attacks on mosques, racist graffiti and hate crimes against Muslims becoming commonplace amid a raging culture war.
In early October, a mosque in Peacehaven, East Sussex, was attacked by two men attempting to burn the building down.
Elsewhere, mosques across Scotland have stepped up security following a foiled terror plot and a series of Islamophobic attacks targeting Islamic centres.
Omar Afzal, from the Scottish Association of Mosques, said there was “a great deal of fear and alarm within the community.” He added: “It’s feeling really under threat and really vulnerable. Mosques across the country are really looking at their security measures and increasing them.”
Several mosques have already hired private guards, with Glasgow Central Mosque — the largest in the country — now under 24-hour protection. Afzal said this move reflected the escalation of threats in recent months.
In London, far-right groups have staged protests inviting hate driven speakers to peddle hateful Islamophobic messages to crowds sometimes tens of thousands strong.
The Metropolitan Police were forced to ban a new hate march planned for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets this Saturday, organised by the far-right Islamophobic political party UKIP.
Leader of the far-right UK Independence Party (UKIP), Nick Tenconi, called on his followers earlier this month to attend his “crusade through Whitechapel” in east London.
Severe concerns were raised over the march, which was aimed at “reclaiming” London from “the left, the socialists, the communists and the Islamists”. Tenconi has also been filmed performing a Sieg Heil Nazi salute at one of his rallies.
