The Muslim Safety Forum

MSF Press Release

Date: 3^rd July 2009

MSF ELECTS NEW CHAIR COMMITTED TO THE FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA

Abdurahman Jafar, the newly elected chair of the Muslim Safety Forum (MSF) announced that campaigning for the recognition of Islamophobia as a hate crime and working to reduce Islamophobic crimes will be one of the key priorities of the MSF under his leadership. “With the rise of the far right, we have seen an increased number of attacks on Mosques and Islamic Centres. Islamophobia is a crime and we will work with the police and other partners to ensure that it is being fought.”

Abdurahman Jafar was joined by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham and Commander Shaun Sawyer of the Counter Terrorism Unit at the bi-election and Annual General Meeting where Fatima Khan was also elected as Vice-Chair.

Commander Shaun Sawyer acknowledged the importance of community engagement and expressed his desire to strengthen the working relationship the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has with the MSF. He said, “The MSF is a valued partner, with an extensive reach into the Muslim community.  I look forward to working with the new Chair and other colleagues of MSF.”

END

Note for Editors:

The MSF is made up of national and regional Islamic organisations including: Al Ershad Centre, Al Ikhlas Foundation / Muslim Prisoners Support Group, Al Khoei Foundation, Al Maghrib, Al Muntada Al Islami, Amal Trust, AMP – BTP, AMP – MPS, An Nisa Society, Bangla 2000 - 1990 Trust, Barnet Muslim Advisory Group, Basildon Islamic Centre, British Muslim Forum (BMF), Eritrean Muslim Community, FAIR, FOSIS, IFE, Iqra Trust, ISB, Islamic Cultural Centre, Kingswood Islamic Committee, LMC, MAB, MCB, Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, Muslim Directory, Muslim Parliament, Muslim Voices, Muslimaat UK, Q News, Somali Muslim Community, Cage Prisoners, The Avenue School, The Muslim College, UKIM, Women’s Relief, YMO, UMO.

The MSF is the key advisory body for the Police Service and has signed a working protocol with the Metropolitan Police & ACPO to build better police / community relations. It has been advising the police on matters of safety and security from the Muslim perspective for over five years now.  It meets on a monthly basis with senior representatives of ACPO and the MPS, the MPA, Home Office, CPS and the IPCC amongst others.

If you have any further queries then please contact:

Muhammad Abul Kalam (07939 059 819) or Naeem Darr (07887 553 419)
Tel. No. 020 7375 1811
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