Hendon Town Hall
As Leader of Barnet Council, and as someone who calls Barnet home, I am proud of the borough’s diverse communities knitted together by close ties, which mean that people of all backgrounds get on well. We are a designated Borough of Sanctuary and actively oppose hate crime, which sadly all too often targets our faith communities. This Islamophobia Awareness Month, I call on all Barnet residents to pause and reflect on what they can do to tackle Islamophobia.
Barnet is home to a large Muslim population, with one in 10 residents identifying as Muslim. Together, they are communities that are all too often scapegoated and persecuted.
In the past year, my fellow councillors and council officers, working in partnership with the Police, have met with representatives of our Muslim communities to understand the concerns about safety and to look at ways to tackle Islamophobic hate crimes occurring in public, in our schools, and online. We have held sessions with women and girls to give them the opportunity to share their experiences, and to look at the specific actions we can take to support them to live their lives without fear.
In the past 12 months, we have worked with local mosques to make it easier to report hate crimes.
This Islamophobia Awareness Month, I want us all to think about what small things we can do to ensure Barnet remains a safe, respectful borough; where members of our Muslim communities can live confidently, without feeling the need to conceal their faith to stay safe. Our freedom depends on our resolve to stand up to Islamophobia.
For information on Islamophobia Awareness Month events taking place visit: Islamophobia Awareness Month – Mdx – Barnet Multi Faith Forum