We strongly and categorically condemn any form of anti-Semitic or Islamophobic attacks on Jews and Muslims in response to actions by others. British Muslim and Jewish citizens are not to be held responsible for acts perpetrated in their name or in the name of their religions.

Physical and verbal assaults against members of the Jewish and Muslim communities should not be tolerated and must be collectively opposed. We also denounce any attempt to incite hatred and violence against both communities.

We call on Jewish and Muslim leaders and communities to work constructively together to defeat the evils of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.

FAIR and The Joseph Interfaith Foundation invite Jewish and Muslim organisations, as well as communities and religious leaders to add their names in support of this joint statement.

Please click here for the list of signatories.

Salma Mirza and Navid Akhtar presented at the Dialogue Society in London on 8th January 2009

Topics discussed included the constant spotlight of Islam and Muslims in the press and the wider media where stereotypes, misconceptions, inflammatory and biased reporting commonly feature in reporting surrounding Islam and Muslims. Today barely a day goes by without a sensationalized headline featuring some story about Muslims. Is Islamophobia the acceptable face of racism in the media and what role, do organisations like FAIR need to play to counter the negative impact that such media generates. The talk introduced FAIR’s work in the field of ISLAMOPHOBIA and RACISM, and its context in the media and outlined current concerns and future objectives.

Click here for more information on the Dialogue Society event (external link).

FAIR recently took part in a round table meeting on ‘Muslim Youth and Education’ organised by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The Meeting took place in Vienna on 17th December 2008 and was attended by over 30 NGO’s from across the OSCE participating states.

Participants raised concerns over rising anti-Muslim attitudes in member States and they also emphasized the importance of education in addressing many challenges young Muslims continue to face. The meeting was a useful platform to discuss and share examples of good practices taking place in other countries in combating Anti-Muslim discrimination and intolerance through youth work and educational initiatives.

Click here for the OSCE Press Release: Young Muslims at OSCE Rountable Meeting Voice Concern Over Increasing Anti-Muslim Attitudes (external link).

Show Racism the Red Card have Launched their latest Educational Pack. The pack's intention is 'to help young people to challenge stereotypes and prejudice towards Muslims, and to gain a greater historical and political awareness of the climate which has enabled Islamophobia to flourish in recent times'  The activities are organised around four broad areas: What is Islamophobia, Where does Islamophobia come from, Life as a Muslim and Show All Racism the Red Card.

Click here for more information about these DVDs.

As part of the Muslim Safety Forum (MSF), FAIR has worked closely with the Metropolitan Police, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) National and the Community Tension Team on the joint project to combat crimes against the Muslim community.

Islamophobia - Don't Suffer in Silence is a crime reporting scheme, set up in Tower Hamlets, which aims to encourage Muslims to report faith hate crimes. ...More 

Following the recent rise of Islamophobic incidences, FAIR are monitoring and recording such incidences against Muslims, if you have been or know of anyone who has been a victim of such crime, send us details of such incidences by email at fair@fairuk.org or call us on our helpline below.