During this Islamophobia Awareness Month, the Government has shamefully reversed its position on developing a definition of Islamophobia after years of promises. This is why I wrote a letter to Michael Gove along with my colleague, Shadow Faith Minister Sarah Owen, about this issue.
Read my letter in full by clicking here.
I wrote a piece for Politics Home about the Government’s lack of action to fight Islamophobia in our society. The Government have yet to carry out an independent investigation of Islamophobia and Michael Gove has scrapped all plans for a government definition of Islamophobia. This all shows the Government’s shockingly complacent attitude towards fighting Islamophobia in our country.
Read my piece in full here.
Then, I hosted an Islamophobia Awareness Month drop-in. It was great to see cross-party support on this important subject as we pledge to say no to Islamophobia. I believe that, together, we can tackle Islamophobia in the UK and worldwide.
Thank you to all the MPs that attended my Islamophobia Awareness Month drop-in today.
It was great to see cross-party support on this important subject.
Together we can tackle this awful hatred which impacts Muslim communities in the UK and worldwide.#IAM2022 pic.twitter.com/e64HYBVwx0
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) November 23, 2022
I asked the Commons Leader for an urgent debate in Government on Islamophobia because the Government have failed to produce a definition of Islamophobia after 3 years of promises.
Take a look below:
Today I asked the Commons Leader for an urgent debate in Gvt time on Islamophobia
I commended @PennyMordaunt for showing leadership in the past by meeting with @MuslimCouncil's Secretary General
But after 3 years of promises, the Gvt hasn't produced an Islamophobia definition👇 pic.twitter.com/xfnLVcNw0a
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) November 24, 2022
I took part in an interview for That’s Manchester to highlight the real life implications for British Muslims of Islamophobia, whether it’s online or in the workplace or in education.
Watch my interview below:
Islamophobia has real life implications for British Muslims, whether it's online, or in the workplace or in education.
That's why I am determined to stamp out this awful form of discrimination.
Check out my latest interview for @ThatsManchester👇🏽 #IAM2022 pic.twitter.com/QwUHuivOy7
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) November 26, 2022
I chaired a report launch looking at British Muslim prison leavers. I believe it is essential that there is a system that reduces reoffending but also addresses rehabilitation and social inequalities.
Great to chair today’s report launch looking at British Muslim prison leavers.
The report reveals how British Muslims are disproportionately impacted in the CJS.
It’s important to have a system that reduces reoffending but also addresses rehabilitation and social inequalities. pic.twitter.com/NVGAfWq0Rh
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) November 28, 2022
My friend and human rights activist, Benedict Rogers, and I came together as a Christian Conservative and a Muslim Labour MP to appeal against religious hatred and for religious freedom.
You can read more about this by clicking here.
I concluded Islamophobia Awareness Month by asking the Government the status of the Islamophobia inquiry that was ordered in January. The Government is choosing to not define Islamophobia and the Tories continue to pretend this is not an increasing and serious issue.
Nus Ghani’s allegations laid bare the extent of institutional Islamophobia in the Tory Party.
Nearly a year on, the Gvt doesn’t even have an ethics advisor.
On the last day of #IAM2022, I asked the Gvt about the status of the Islamophobia inquiry that was ordered in January👇🏽 pic.twitter.com/Ogzls24bMf
— Afzal Khan MP (@Afzal4Gorton) November 30, 2022
Take a look at what else I have done this Islamophobia Awareness Month by clicking the links below:
To read about my first 10 days, click here.
To read about the second 10 days, click here.
Despite Islamophobia Awareness Month coming to an end, Islamophobia is an ongoing issue in the UK and across the world. It is vital that this issue is not ignored. I will continue to raise awareness about Islamophobia and press the Government to take urgent action in tackling hate crimes against Muslims in the UK.