Racism & Islamophobia

Remembrance Sunday

On Remembrance Sunday, I stood alongside my friend Julie and at one point looked up into the blue-sky and sighed. I sighed noticing the lack of diversity and the failure to recognize the contributions of our armed forces by my community that included 1.5 million Muslims contributing to the Allied cause in WW1. It had …

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Deluded Defenders of God II

When news of Asia Bibi’s aquittal disseminated across the world, there was largely a sense of relief. Some rejoiced, others wondered if the Naya (new) Pakistan Imran Khan had promised was finally coming to fruition. However few were reluctant in celebrating this monumental victory against Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws, it seemed too good to be …

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Roundtable on Islamophobia and Hate Crime during National Hate Crime Awareness Week

National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2018 took place from 13th – 20th October 2018. Organised by It marks an annual week of action, with the aims to bring people together, to stand with those affected by hate crime, to remember those  lost, and support those who need ongoing support. Local authorities (Police and Councils) are encouraged to …

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Ofsted, hijabs and the hypocrisy of British values

  Apparently, many faith schools do not adhere to British values, states Ofsted in their annual report and little girls wearing hijab are rejecting British values and on the top rung of the ladder down to violent extremism with nebulous references to sexualisation.  Acres of space both in print and on line will be given …

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70 years on, Partition deeply impacts my life.

“Partition. An event that would drastically transform the South Asian landscape forever.” August 1947 – a month that not only saw the division, murder and separation of thousands of people, but the creation of two new nation states in the region. 70 years on, I discuss my experience and understanding of Partition – as an …

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More needs to be done to protect the mental health of young British Muslims

In a society where Muslims are constantly placed under the lens, examined, picked apart and policed for their views, it can be argued that the chances of young Muslims developing and suffering from mental disorders is increasing. From anxiety to depression, the mental and physical health of the Muslim community is deteriorating, with there being …

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Muslim women MPs winning nation-wide is the best response to UKIP lies

UKIP peddled lies about Muslim women during their election campaign, yet Muslim women won 8 times more seats than them – becoming a Muslim Women’s Powerhouse. On 23rd April 2017 Paul Nuttal, UKIP leader (at the time) told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that “58 per cent of Muslim women are economically inactive”. He then …

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The Irony of Oppression

According to Google, the definition of oppression is the prolonged, cruel or unjust treatment or exercise of authority. And according to UKIP leader Paul Nuttall, the burqa is a symbol of oppression and is the latest headline act (so to speak) of the party’s attempt to gain favour. Politicians have used Muslim women as targets for …

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Impact of hate crimes on mental health

In the UK the rates of depression and suicide are on the rise, with the last known statistic suggesting 1 in 4 adults experience a diagnosed mental health issue. The statistics suggest that 1 in 10 children and young people have a mental health problem including depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, with 70% of children …

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A tribute to my uncles who were gunned down in the Nazimabad attacks

You never think it’s going to happen to you… until it does. Just over a week ago, I was in a queue with my four-year-old son. We were waiting for a train ride around the park near my parents’ house, when I received a phone call from my mum. It was the phone call that nobody ever …

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