Leaders from Hull’s Islamic community came together yesterday to discuss how to tackle Islamophobia as part of Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM).
Islamophobia Awareness Month highlights the threat of Islamophobic hate crimes and showcases the positive contributions of British Muslims to society.
The meeting at the Guildhall was the start of a long-term commitment from community leaders and Hull City Council to work collectively to tackle Islamophobia and improve education.
Councillor Aneesa Akbar, portfolio holder for communities at Hull City Council, said: “Sadly, many Muslims encounter Islamophobia, in various forms, throughout their lives. Whether this is at work, school or in public settings, Islamophobia is completely unacceptable.
“By bringing leaders from the Islamic community together, we want to identify and discuss ways of tackling Islamophobia, ensuring that Hull is a safe place for all religions and all people.”
In 2019 the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims published a report defining Islamophobia.
This definition, along with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, was adopted by Hull City Council in 2020 to express solidarity with the city’s Muslim and Jewish communities.
Islamophobia Awareness Month, held every November, was co-founded by MEND with other British organisations in 2012 to discuss and challenge stereotypes about Islam and Muslims.
The month-long campaign aims to work with councils, media, councillors and local MPs, mosques, universities, schools and community organisations to raise awareness of Islamophobia and encourage better reporting of incidents to the police.
