Successful Conference against racism and Islamophobia
The ‘Speak out against racism and Islamophobia’ conference – held by One Society Many Cultures in London on 11th December – struck a blow against the rising tide of Islamophobia.
Parliamentarians, trade unionists, students, academics, Muslims, other faith communities and around 200 participants discussed the causes of the growing climate of Islamophobia and racism, and how to respond.
Labour front-bencher, Shabana Mahmood MP and Green MEP Jean Lambert opened the conference arguing that the core responsibility for challenging the rise of racism lay with the mainstream political parties and process. Kay Carberry, on behalf of the TUC, outlined the strategy of the TUC in delivering on its commitment to diversity and multiculturalism, and the impact of racism in the workplace. Anas Altikiriti of the British Muslim Initiative spoke of the urgent need to challenge the rise of Islamophobia. Bruce Kent, Vice President of Pax Christi put the case for the framework of One Society Many Cultures, that defending the rights of all to freedom of faith, conscience and culture demands a defence of all those under attack.
A session entitled Muslims Under Siege refuted some of the pernicious myths that are being spread about the Muslim community. Jonathan Githens-Mazer (European Muslim Research Centre) outlined how sections of the media set a hostile agenda regarding Islam and belittle the real impact of hatred against Muslims, which ranges from physical violence against people through to attacks on buildings associated with Islam. David Smith from London Citizens outlined the need for the engagement of all sections of civil society in the political process including the Muslim community and challenged the media furore that has been whipped up against the Muslim community in Tower Hamlets. Dilowar Hussain Khan of the East London Mosque debunked many of the myths that have been propagated against the Mosque and outlined how it is a centre of community interaction in Tower Hamlets that is considered exemplary within the Muslim community.
All sessions at the conference included a lively discussion from the floor. One delegate questioned if the term ‘Islamophobia’, just means ‘an irrational fear of Islam’, then it does not adequately characterise the direct hatred which Muslims are facing.
No racist concessions to the EDL and BNP – a session focusing on the need to oppose the rise of fascist and neo-Nazi organisations – saw Martin Smith (Love Music Hate Racism) spell out the threat from the BNP and EDL to our communities and lay out the different types of responses needed from the anti-fascist movement. He discussed the need for a broad community response to the EDL, along the themes of One Society Many Cultures, of the type that have been organised by Unite Against Fascism and Love Music Hate Racism. He described the success of the campaign against the BNP in Barking. Muslim artist Nabilla G has been stalked by the EDL, who even masquerading as a recording company in an attempt to intimidate her. Her account was a graphic example of the impact that fascist hatred is having on the Muslim community. NUS Black Students Officer Kanja Sesay outlined the need for young people and students to be active in the fight against fascism, as fascists are targeting campuses, and the role that students have played in effectively challenging them both on campus and in the local community.
This floor discussion in this session was disrupted by the intervention of an EDL supporter. The person, and their friends, who had got into the conference clearly intended to be disruptive. They were asked to leave and then removed from the conference when they refused to do so. Although the incident only lasted a few minutes, and did not pose any physical threat to anyone attending, it is a mark of the growing confidence of the EDL that they seek to attend this conference and anti-fascist meetings around the country.
In the afternoon, Ken Livingstone spoke to the conference in a session highlighting the need to oppose bans like those introduced in Europe on the Burqa and on Minarets. In the session No to Religious Bans he discussed how polls showed that far from being a threat, the Muslim community felt more loyal to Britain, had a higher support for the rule of law and were more opposed to extremism than other ethnic groups, including the white communities. He described how emphasizing the strengths of the diversity of London ensured it stood united after the 7th July 2005 bombings. Lisa Nandy MP outlined how racism and Islamophobia impacted on her campaign to become an MP in the general election. Salma Yaqoob (leader of the Respect party) spoke eloquently of how to take up the challenge of Islamophobia, refuting myths, arguing about foreign policy, and the need for the mainstream parties to totally reject racism and Islamophobia. She expressed support for the Labour leadership’s position distancing Labour from the type of campaign that Phil Woolas had run in Oldham. Sir Geoffrey Bindman explained how the right to wear religious clothing and other personal rights were embedded in the fundamental approach of British law, and that the attempt to introduce bans of this type challenged its entire framework of individual rights. Billy Hayes (General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union) laid out the important role of the unions in anti-racist solidarity and the support of his union for campaigns against Islamophobia and racism.
The floor discussion centred on a lively debate as to whether there is anything positive in the idea of trying to develop a new ‘English national identity’ – based on the radical traditions of the Levellers for example – as a response to the rise in support for the EDL. Most speakers challenged the notion that this is a helpful area to explore. Contributions argued that responding on the EDL’s own defined ground simply conceded the argument to them. Others argued that the basis of this seemed to be the creation of an exclusive identity that only embraced the white population; that it was a fool’s errand in any case as there is no uniting features of being ‘English’, especially as a defining feature of British society is its’ diversity, which includes the contribution of people from many different cultures.
The final session saw Doreen Lawrence OBE’s presentation on the continued impact of institutional racism on black communities. Diana Holland (Unite Assistant General Secretary) celebrated the diversity of the work force as a positive attribute and the need for continued anti-racist campaigning as a fundamental part of the equalities agenda. Talha Jamil Ahmed brought support and solidarity from the Muslim Council of Britain. In an uplifting show of inter-faith solidariy, Rabbi Lee Wax (Jewish Council for Racial Equality) drew comparisons between the treatment of Jewish people in the early part of the 20th Century and contemporary racism directed at Muslim communities. Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman, the first ethnic minority, and first Muslim, directly elected Mayor in Britain, spoke of the need for politicians to represent all communities and he described some of the racist campaigning he had faced during the elections. He stressed the importance of celebrating and encouraging the cultural expression of all communities while challenging racism and prejudice. Pav Akhtar (UK Black Pride) gave the perspective of LGBT Muslims challenging racism and homophobia.
The conference saw a very diverse audience discussing with a broad and representative set of speakers and panels at a timely event against the rise of racism and Islamophobia.
One Society Many Cultures challenges racism and Islamophobia and will continue to do so. The daily media campaigns whipping up fear and prejudice against Muslims are continuing and demand vigilance and constant refutation. The violent EDL are still active on our streets, whilst US Pastor Terry Jones, who threatened to publicly burn the Qur’an, is planning to come to Britain with the clear intention of whipping up fear and hatred of Muslims.
The need for a campaign that challenges racism and Islamophobia, and celebrates strengths and positive contribution of the diversity of our society was never more pressing. If you share our aims we urge you to support our work by becoming a member today.