Islamophobia workshop empowers communities against hate

COMMUNITY groups and local organisations came together at Dukinfield Town Hall to discuss working together to address concerns about anti Muslim hatred within the community. The workshop on Wednesday 22 November was organised by Cllr Tafheen Sharif, Cllr Naila Sharif, Cllr Shibley Alam and Atta ul Rasool, a member of the local community. It was timed to coincide with Islamophobia Awareness Month, in November.

Islamophobia Awareness Month serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Muslim communities. At a time when unity is paramount, the organisers wanted to raise awareness of this form of discrimination, emphasising that there is no place for Islamophobia, antisemitism or any form of hate crime, in our society.

The workshop featured information from the council’s Community Safety Team, Greater Manchester police and groups across the community, with Muslim women playing a pivotal role in recognising the need for action. 

Cllr Taf Sharif said: "As women, we felt the urgency to come together and address the growing concerns related to Islamophobia. Our goal was to shed light on the issue, ensuring that everyone, especially women, are aware of how to report hate crime and feel confident in reporting hate crime incidents to the police."

Over the past year, Greater Manchester has seen nearly 400 recorded hate crimes against Muslim people, however this IS under reported, hiding the true extent of the problem. The workshop addressed this, highlighting how important it is to raise awareness and provide the confidence to report hate crime.

The Islamophobia Workshop welcomed a diverse range of attendees, including representatives from Greater Manchester Police, local councillors, Tameside College Policing unit, Ashton Central Mosque, Hyde Bangladesh Welfare Association, Khush Amdid women's group, Umeed Women’s Group, Sajjadur Rahman Foundation, Diversity Matters North West, West African Development, and local community representatives.

By encouraging collaboration amongst these diverse groups, the workshop aimed to empower the community against all forms of religious hatred.

Cllr Taf Sharif added: "Now, more than ever, it is vital that we stand together against all forms of discrimination. By working collectively, we can eradicate Islamophobia or any other forms of hate, creating a kinder and inclusive society for all."

Anyone who has been a victim of a hate crime should report it by either calling 101 (999 in immediate danger) or visiting the Greater Manchester Police website: https://www.gmp.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

People can also report anti-Muslim incidents to the organisation Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks), an independent and confidential support service for those who face anti-Muslim hatred and prejudice across the UK, by visiting their website: https://tellmamauk.org/submit-a-report-to-us/.