Tackling Islamophobia
Regional Conference at Braywick Centre Maidenhead – 21 November 2024
On 21 November 2024, the Thames Valley East Masaajid Council (TVMC) hosted a pivotal conference addressing the rise of Islamophobia in the UK. The event brought together political leaders, representatives from statutory bodies, community organizations, and religious leaders from across the Thames Valley East region.
Against the backdrop of increasing Islamophobic incidents, including attacks on mosques and asylum hostels, the conference provided a crucial platform for dialogue on tackling islamophobia and developing effective strategies for safeguarding Muslim communities and fostering a more inclusive society.
Attended by representatives from Thames Valley Police, education and social services from local councils, the NHS, alongside 200 community members from Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead, South Bucks, and beyond, the conference reinforced the importance of political, legal, and media accountability in combatting Islamophobia.
Dr Arshad Jarral, Chair of TVMC, emphasized the urgency of addressing rising Islamophobic incidents, stating, “The recent riots highlight the need for unity in confronting prejudice and building resilient communities.”
A distinguished panel of speakers, brought unique expertise to the discussion:
Dr Bharath Ganesh – Assistant Professor of Media Studies at the University of Groningen, specializing in racism, hate speech, and extremism on social media. His research explores far-right online cultures and platform governance, with prior work at the Oxford Internet Institute. Dr Bharath Ganesh discussed the global rise of Islamophobia through political discourse, social media, and far-right movements.
Amanda Morris A media reform activist, public speaker, and community organizer with experience in organizations such as the MCB’s Centre for Media Monitoring, highlighted British media’s disproportionate focus on anti-Islam rhetoric, often without accountability.
Dr Layla Aitlhadj – Director and Senior Caseworker at Prevent Watch, supporting individuals impacted by the Prevent duty. She has co-authored the People’s Review of Prevent, critiquing counter-terrorism policies, and has presented evidence on human rights issues to the United Nations. Layla critiqued the Prevent policy for unjustly targeting Muslims as potential terrorists.
Amer Ahmad – A solicitor with over 30 years of experience as a defence lawyer, representing clients in terrorism cases both in the UK and abroad. stressed the need for a legal definition of Islamophobia, suggesting the APPG definition as a starting point.
Superintendent Helen Kenny Local Area Commander, reaffirmed Thames Valley Police’s commitment to tackling hate crimes with dedicated resources.
The conference also served as an important opportunity for networking and collaboration, strengthening local relationships and reinforcing a collective commitment to tackling hate and division.
