MPs and influencers including Chunkz mark UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia at V&A

Celebrity influencers and senior politicians gathered in the V&A Museum last night to persuade the UK government to recognise the UN’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

Among the stars representing Britain’s Islamic community was Chunkz, a social media influencer and content creator with over 30 million followers.

Speaking to Jewish News he said: “It’s difficult for Muslims to stand alone and we need our friends in the Jewish community to tackle prejudice. It’s great to have the Jewish community involved in our joint struggle.

“Though I haven’t experienced Islamophobia myself, tonight is about fighting for those without a voice. We must eradicate Islamophobia and this will be a big step forward.”

42% of religious hate crimes target Muslims, almost double that of any other religion.

Hosting the event was Citizen Khan star Adil Ray, who said: “Truthfully, it is a shame we need events like this but fundamentally we must avoid being fearful to talk about Islamophobia.

“We need our allies, especially the Jewish community, to speak out against anti-Muslim prejudice. Nobody has experienced more prejudice than the Jewish community, we know that.

“As minorities we are one and the same and we must look after each other.”

Businessman Asif Aziz, who established the Aziz Foundation and is the prime mover behind the success of UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia, told Jewish News: “The Jewish community faced prejudice in this country long before Muslims, and we have much to learn in terms of tackling Islamophobia.

“We have so much more in common than divides us and we must work together.”

Over 140 countries, including the UK Government, passed the UN resolution to declare the 15th of March the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, with the aim of creating a dialogue in which respect for all beliefs is promoted.

The 15th of March commemorates the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019, in which 51 Muslims were killed and 40 injured by a 28-year-old white supremacist in New Zealand.

Now campaigners want the Government to go one step further and enshrine the definition into UK law.

Labour MP Naz Shah, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, told over 200 attendees: “You don’t have to be a Muslim to understand Islamophobia.

“Muslims are not asking for special treatment- we want equality, justice and fairness. To me, equality means being the best I can be with equal opportunities- I want that for every person regardless of their faith or skin colour.”

Other speakers included Mariah Idrissi, the first ever Muslim hijab-wearing model, who spoke of the “power of the arts” to drive change, and Ahmed Shaheed, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Edwin Shuker, vice president, Board of Deputies, told Jewish News: “Amid rising anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate, it is more important than ever that we stand side by side in support of each other. Attacking a person because of their beliefs is an attack on all people of faith . This event was an opportunity to stand by our Muslim sisters and brothers in our common  fight against racism.”