The Muslim Safety Forum

MSF Press Release

Date: 19th January 2009

Latest Witch Hunt on Muslim leader by the Mail on Sunday.

The Muslim Safety Forum (MSF) is dismayed with the provocative article written in the Mail on Sunday, the Daily Mail and the Telegraph regarding MSF Trustee Azad Ali.

The central objective of MSF has been to build partnership between communities and the police service during very difficult circumstances and ensuring dialogue remains open. The MSF is a voluntary sector organisation built on good will and trust between communities, the wider public and the police.

Azad Ali embodies that civic commitment and led the bridge building efforts between the police service and the community following the terrorist atrocities of 7/7 and the failed bombings of June 2007.

MSF continues to be at the forefront of ensuring that dialogue and communication channels remain open during difficult times. We are seen to be an enabling mechanism for the Muslim community to question, scrutinise and receive answers from the police in connection to their activities.

Chair of the MSF Mujib Miah said:

“The language adopted by many sections of the media to depict British Muslims fosters a climate of fear, suspicion and intolerance.  This is contributing to the rise in Islamophobic hate crimes and discrimination against Muslims.

Instead of highlighting the positive community building work Azad Ali has accomplished throughout his career, sections of the media have sought to misrepresent his work. We understand he is taking legal advice in that regard.

I have been inundated with calls from members and the wider public expressing disappointment and alarm by the serious distortion of Azad Ali’s character. In these difficult times inflammatory headlines such as these are counter productive and damage community cohesion.”

END

Note for Editors:

The MSF is made up of national and regional Islamic organisations including:
Local and Regional Organisations: Al Muntada Al-Isami . Association of Muslim Police (AMP – MPS) . Al Ikhas Foundation / Musim Prisoners Support Group . Al Khoei Foundation . Amal Trust  . An Nisa Society  . Bangla 2000 &1990 Trust  . Barnet Musim Advisory Group  . Basildon Islamic Centre . Ershad Centre . Iqra Trust . Islamic Cutural Centre (ICC)  . Kingswood Islamic Committee  . London Muslim Centre (LMC)  . Muslim Directory (MD)  . Muslim Voices  .  Q News  . Somali Musim Community  . The Musim College . Women’s Relief

National  Organisations : Association Muslim Police, BTP  . British Muslim Forum (BMF) . Eritrean Muslim Community . Forum Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR) . Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS)  . Islamic Forum Europe (IFE) . Islamic Society of Britain (ISB). Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) .  Muslim Council of Britain (MCB . Muslim Welfare House Trust (MWHT).  Muslim Parliament .  Muslimaat UK . UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) . Young Muslim Organisation (YMO)

The MSF is an independent key advisory body for the Police Service and has signed a working protocols with the Metropolitan Police, ACPO and BTP to build better police and community relationship. It has been advising the police on matters of safety and security from the community perspective for over five years.  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)
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