PRESS RELEASE
The Muslim Council of Britain welcomes the announcement of the upcoming British General Election in July 2024. We echo the sentiments expressed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who called for an election campaign where we treat each other with respect and kindness.
Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain said:
“I urge our political parties and all those seeking our votes to pursue a campaign that is hopeful: to resist the urge to scapegoat Muslims and minorities and proposing a future where all Britons can play a positive role.”
The call comes in a year where we have seen politicians and their supportive media double down on their rhetoric against Muslims: casting them as the enemy within and questioning their right to play an equal part in our democracy.
As the General Election campaign begins in earnest, we urge politicians and the media to resist the temptation of using Muslims as a punching bag to score cheap political points. Such actions are reprehensible and must be firmly rejected to foster an inclusive environment that respects all communities.
The recent local elections saw a significant turnout from Muslim voters. This engagement sends a clear message to our politicians: every vote matters, and the voices of all communities must be heard and respected.
British Muslim communities are diverse, yet there are common issues that affect us all. There is no doubt that the ongoing atrocities in Gaza is foremost on our mind. And Muslim communities are united with the majority of Britons in ending the killings, wanting their government to uphold international law and affirm Palestinian statehood.
There are also a range of domestic issues that we, as citizens and members of a faith community, will be considering when deciding our votes.
These include combatting all forms of racism, including the adoption of a definition on Islamophobia. It also involves defending religious liberty, and ensuring safety at places of worship. We urge proactive engagement with diverse Muslim communities, addressing health and elderly care disparities, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. We advocate for increased participation and integration of minorities, fair press standards, and reforms in the criminal justice system. Additionally, we emphasise equality in education and an ethical foreign policy that respects human rights and maintains foreign aid commitments.
All of these we will lay out for our politicians to consider as they engage with Muslim voters.
The Muslim Council of Britain will be embarking on its customary voter drive campaign, reminding British Muslims of the need to take part in our democratic process. The first national drive already has 17 leading mosques taking part with more to come across the coming weeks. While we will not endorse parties, we will be undertaking initiatives to help Muslims make informed choices
We look forward to a campaign that addresses these crucial issues and leads to a fairer, more inclusive Britain.”
Muslim Council of Britain