Maajid Nawaz: ‘I’m challenging the anti-Semite I used to be’
Read the speech given by Maajid Nawaz after he won the Jewish News' Community Ally award at the Night of Heroes
They often say that somebody who has truly seen and lived in the darkness is often very capable of lifting that veil and bringing to it some light, even if only for a little bit.
As some of you may know I have seen that darkness and lived it.
It’s why when I challenge anti-Semitism as much as I can through various platforms that I’ve been blessed with, why I do it is because often- and I’ve never said this before- I am challenging that anti-Semite that I used to be as a young man. I see that and I hate it, and I want to make sure that no other young Muslim grows up in this country or anywhere else in the world and adopts those ideas.
Back in those days when the genocide was going on in Bosnia and we were facing some severe racism here in the UK there were no role models.
There were no voices to speak out in the way that I and many others Dilwar ( Dilwar Hussein) and Fiyaz (Fiyaz Mughul MBE) and all of the others who have been nominated try and do so today.
So especially from within the Muslim community it is so important that those voices speak out, because you as a community face what I call these days the triple threat of antisemitism.
That’s coming from the far left, the far right and from the heaven’s above the Islamist theocrats.
But I’m here to say to you tonight that if we have anything to do with it, you will never be left alone again, so thank you very much.
- Transcript of Maajid Nawaz’s speech delivered at the Jewish News Night of Heroes
https://twitter.com/QuilliamOrg/status/965917639607496704
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
