PRESS RELEASE
At the start of the General Election campaign last week, the Muslim Council of Britain called on our political leaders 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.’
One week on, we have had our airwaves dominated by Nigel Farage doubling down on Islamophobic tropes and a former Conservative MP condemning his party for its Islamophobia in his exit speech from Parliament.
Now, we note with grave concern of fresh allegations of Islamophobia coming out of the Labour Party. This is exemplified by a British Muslim woman reportedly being blocked from standing as a Member of Parliament.
We have said in the past that there should be no room for any form of racism and Islamophobia in our political parties. As citizens keen to take part in our country’s democratic culture, our political parties should not allow hostile environments to emerge for British Muslims. The Labour Party above all, as the home of the UK’s first black woman MP and first Muslim member of parliament, should be mindful of this.
We will be seeking urgent clarification from the Labour Party leadership and remind all parties once again of the need to pursue a hopeful and respectful campaign.
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