Hackney is a brilliant borough where people of all faiths and backgrounds live and work side-by-side, and we will never allow our shared values of inclusivity and diversity to be eroded by hate. 

We work with faith leaders and communities all year round through Hackney’s Faith Forum to ensure that everyone is equal, included and heard. We also work closely with our partners to encourage people to report hate crimes and to help bring those responsible to justice. 

Last year, the Council passed Cllr Humaira Garasia’s motion to commit to adopting the  All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims definition of Islamophobia, making it easier for us to tackle Islamophobia in all of its forms. 

This sets out how Islamophobia - like other forms of hate crime - can have a particularly harmful effect on its victims as it attacks an integral part of who they are. It’s shameful that people continue to be targeted and discriminated against due to their religion, race and background - and we will not tolerate this in Hackney. 

If you’ve been affected by Islamophobia, please don’t suffer in silence - there are a range of services that can help you. You may feel anxious about reporting hate crime or concerned that reporting it wouldn’t make a difference, but every case helps us build up a picture of hate crime in Hackney and supports the police to bring Islamophobes and racists to justice.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the incredible work that our voluntary sector and faith organisations do in their communities, in bringing people from different backgrounds together and embodying our borough’s inclusive spirit. Together, we can - and we will - root out all forms of Islamophobia and racism in our communities.