Opinion Editorials, May 2011

Al-Jazeerah, CCUN, May 16, 2011

SATURDAY 21 MAY: DAY CONFERENCE 11AM-6PM  

CONFRONTING ANTI-MUSLIM HATRED IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE   LONDON MUSLIM CENTRE  

 WHITECHAPEL ROAD LONDON E1 1JX  

Muslims in Britain are constantly harassed, on the streets, by the authorities and in the media. Politicians across Europe are   inflaming anti-Muslim prejudice, David Cameron's speech on   multiculturalism in February being just one example (see   http://bit.ly/kXYMRm ).  

In parts of Europe the situation is critical. Women are being arrested on the streets in France for wearing a full veil. In Switzerland minarets have been made illegal. In Germany there is   a widespread public debate about 'the scourge of Islam'. Physical   attacks are on the increase almost everywhere.  

The rise of the overtly racist and anti-Muslim English Defence League is a direct result of politicians and the media stoking    the fires of Islamophobia.   Stop the War has always seen the rise of Islamophobia as initimately linked with the "war on terror", and a cover for the   West's invasion of Muslim countries, and for its intervention     across the Middle East region.  

In this context, the importance of the conference on Saturday 21 May cannot be over-stated. It takes place in the heart of East    London's Muslim community and will discuss the threat Islamophobia presents and how best it can be confronted.  

The conference will be addressed by leading activists, experts and public figures, from Britain, across Europe and the United States. We are particularly pleased to welcome Marwan Muhammed the French writer and campaigner against Islamophobia, Dr Sabine Schiffer from Germany who courageously challenged the police courtroom killing of Elvi Ali Okaz and faced prosecution by the police, and Hiba Aburwein from the European Forum on Muslim Women.  

Other speakers include Tony Benn, Daud Abdullah, Salma Yaqoob, Mehdi Hassan (New Statesman), Lindsey German, Seumas Milne (The Guardian), Peter Oborne (Daily Telegraph) and Lowkey.  

For more details, the full list of speakers and the conference agenda, go to: http://bit.ly/f43fUZ )  

The conference -- which will aim to launch a united, effective opposition to the growing threat of Islamophobia -- is open to all.  

Admittance is free but pre-booking is highly advisable: email info@enoughcoalition.org.uk

Opinions expressed in various sections are the sole responsibility of their authors and they may not represent Al-Jazeerah & ccun.org.

editor@aljazeerah.info & editor@ccun.org