Brent to mark 'Islamophobia Awareness Month' with exhibition and in-person event

From Brent Council

 

This Islamophobia Awareness Month, get involved in listening to people’s ‘Muslim stories’ to raise awareness of Islamophobia.

Islamophobia Awareness Month takes place annually during the month of November to celebrate the positive contributions of Muslims to British society and raise awareness of Islamophobia, with the hope of creating a society free from hate.

This year’s theme is ‘Muslim stories’, aiming to build connections among individuals from diverse backgrounds using the transformative power of storytelling to help raise awareness of all forms of discrimination and hatred.

All residents are invited to join an in-person event on 21 November from 6 to 8pm at Brent Civic Centre, Training Centre (First Floor), to discover the rich tapestry of Muslim Stories through engaging discussions, presentations, and thought-provoking narratives.

Our esteemed speakers will share their personal experiences, shedding light on the impact of Islamophobia and the importance of fostering understanding and tolerance. Through these powerful narratives, we hope to inspire change and combat misconceptions.

There will also be an exhibition to raise awareness of Islamophobia in society. The exhibition will be up at Wembley Library, from 15 to 17 November during opening hours, with stock displays at Wembley and Willesden Green Libraries every day throughout the month.

Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Equalities and Culture, said: 

Brent is a place where people of all faiths and backgrounds live and work side-by-side.

Islamophobia Awareness Month aims to bring people together in solidarity to stand against discrimination and hate crime in all its forms. We will always strive to make Brent an inclusive and accepting place for people of all backgrounds.

I hope many of you will join our in-person event to celebrate diversity, challenge stereotypes, and bring greater awareness across the borough. You’ll hear personal experiences from our guest speakers, shedding light on the impact of Islamophobia and the importance of fostering understanding and tolerance.

If you’ve been affected by Islamophobia or any other hate crime, report it online or contact Crimestoppers to report anonymously.

Book your place on Eventbrite.

 

Readers may be interested in a publication by the Brent-based An-Nisa Society titled 'Islamophobia: from Denial to Action'. LINK

Writen during Islamophobia Awareness Month 2022 it was launched on UN International  Islamophobia Day March 15th 2023.

The report rejects the definition that sees ‘Islamophobia as a form of racism’ and suggests 'a better way forward'.

An-Nisa write:

We believe the biggest obstacle to addressing anti-Muslim discrimination is classifying it as a ‘form of racism.’ We recognised this approach was not working for Muslims in the mid-1980’s and campaigned for faith discrimination to be made illegal on its own terms. We argued for a multi- ethnic British Muslim identity and faith-based needs for Muslims.

 

When the Equality Act 2010 came into force, finally making religious discrimination unlawful, we were hopeful this would be a game changer to positively changing theconditions of British Muslims. But this was not to be. We remain bogged down in arguments about the word ‘Islamophobia’ and what it means; freedom of speech about the criticism of Islam and denial that it even exists.

 

Prior to the Equalities Act 2010, which has nine protected areas, including for the first time “religion or belief’, there had not been any legal protection for Muslims against anti-Muslim discrimination. One of the critical issues An-Nisa Society found in the mid-1980’s was that the Race Relations Act 1976 recommendations, policies and services that come from it did not work for Muslims. It only extended protection to ‘racial’ groups and Muslims  are not one racial group. It did not recognise religious discrimination. Our realisation is not a denial of racism or that it can also impact Muslims, who in this country are mainly people of colour. The problem was the framework of tackling racism institutionally and in the delivery of race-based services which was bypassing the Muslim experience.