United Kingdom: Prime Minister receives Muslim leaders and promises to fight Islamophobia

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham received several representatives of Muslim organizations on Tuesday October 27 at Downing Street. For this first meeting since coming to power, he called for turning the page on a decade of divisions, recognizing the discrimination and hatred suffered by British Muslims. The head of government also denounced the speeches of certain opposition groups towards them. He sent a message of support to young Muslims, affirming their full belonging to the country and his desire to open up more perspectives for them.

Among the projects discussed are the appointment of an advisor responsible for combating anti-Muslim hostility and a national memorial dedicated to the contribution of Muslims to the two world wars. Announcements which come in a worrying climate: according to the British Muslim Trust, a British organization committed to combating anti-Muslim hatred, a mosque is targeted by an attack or hate incident every five days on average.

Muslim organizations welcomed this dialogue, while awaiting concrete follow-ups. The Muslim Council of Britain, a federation of Muslim organizations in the United Kingdom, has particularly insisted on the need to involve the diversity of Muslim voices in public policies. The government must still specify the missions of the future advisor and the measures that will result from this meeting.