Islamophobia Awareness Month, now in its 11th year, raises awareness of prejudice against Muslims and encourages reform across policy and practice.
According to the latest police statistics, Muslims were targeted the most in religious hate crime offences in England and Wales.
In October, a rise in hate crimes around the country prompted London Mayor Sadiq Khan to host a round table with Muslim and Jewish faith leaders.
So what is the work being done to combat this targeted discrimination?
What is Islamophobia Awareness Month?
The month of awareness was co-founded by the Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) team and Mend (Muslim Engagement and Development), which empowers British Muslims to engage more actively with media and politics.
Now marking its 11-year anniversary, the group is looking to tackle stereotypes, and barriers between Muslim and non-Muslim communities, improve recognition of Islamophobia, and develop a working definition of Islamophobia.
What is the theme for Islamophobia Awareness Month?
The theme for IAM 2023 is #MuslimStories. This year’s theme aims to encourage connections among people from diverse backgrounds, including Muslims and non-Muslims.
Through storytelling, the organisation hopes to engage impactful conversations that can help shed light on discrimination and tackle Islamophobia.
“Our vision is to see the Islamophobia Awareness Month campaign widely recognised and supported every year. We want to see a society that is understanding and inclusive, and free from Islamophobia in all of its forms,” the organisation said.
Islamophobia awareness events
This month, several events are being held around the country to raise awareness and combat Islamophobia.
On November 2, Newham Council will mark the start of Islamophobia Awareness Month with a film screening of Leesa Gazi’s film, Barir Naam Shahana (A House Named Shahana).
In Peterborough, an Islamophobia Awareness Event 2023 will take place on November 6 to examine the underlying causes of Islamophobia in the UK.
The National NHS Muslim Network will also host an event on November 7 that will include a discussion among panellists about Islamophobia.
On November 8, the Islamophobia Conference 2023 will take place in Bolton. The conference will bring together speakers and activists to shed light on challenges facing Muslim communities in line with Islamophobia Awareness Month.
On November 20, the University of Westminister is hosting an evening called Westminster Conversations: Lights, Camera, Inclusion: Muslims in TV and Film. The event will feature a panel discussion as well as a look at the representation of Muslims in shows such as EastEnders.
A list of events linked to #IAM2023 can be found on the Islamophobia Awareness Month website.
What are MPs doing about Islamophobia?
Some efforts have been made by UK politicians to help combat Islamophobia; however, there’s still some way to go.
The Labour Party acknowledged the start of Islamophobia Awareness Month with a speech from Keir Starmer. The post read: “This Year, Islamophobia Awareness Month comes at a troubling time for Muslims in Britain. Labour, with @Keir_Starmer as Leader, is committed to working closely with all communities to ensure they have the security they need to feel safe.”
This Year, Islamophobia Awareness Month comes at a troubling time for Muslims in Britain.
— The Labour Party (@UKLabour) November 1, 2023
Labour, with @Keir_Starmer as Leader, is committed to working closely with all communities to ensure they have the security they need to feel safe.pic.twitter.com/T3ibPOW76Q
In May 2023, a debate was scheduled in the House of Commons to discuss how to tackle Islamophobia.
London’s mayor, in response to his recent round table with religious leaders, also wrote on social media: “Increasing cases of abhorrent antisemitism and Islamophobia show how important it is for us to be united. City Hall brought together Muslim and Jewish faith leaders, community groups and the @metpoliceuk to send a clear message: there is no place in London for hate.”
How to get involved
The IAM website offers users options to join as official supporters of the campaign, space to advertise their own events and resources, and an IAM official exhibition to host their own awareness campaigns.
Campaigners and allies can attend events and follow @IslamophobiaAM on social platforms to get involved.
