Exclusive: UK Muslim leaders condemn abuse of MPs and Labour members
Religious, business and community leaders share statement singling out minority of Muslim activists who have confronted MPs in the wake of the ongoing crisis in Gaza
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Dozens of British Muslim leaders, including religious figures and political candidates, have backed an open letter condemning the abuse of MPs and Labour party activists by sections of the Muslim community in the wake of the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The statement, shared exclusively with Hyphen, marks a significant public intervention by senior UK Muslims ahead of next week’s general election. It appears directed at a small group of Muslim activists who have confronted Labour MPs offline and online in recent months over the party’s position on Palestinian deaths.
Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed more than 37,400 people since October, according to the territory’s health ministry. It came in the wake of Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, which left 1,300 people dead and 250 taken hostage.
“We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent abuse, threats, and harassment directed at politicians and activists, especially Muslim MPs and Labour party members, regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza,” said the statement.
“It is deeply concerning that our fellow Muslims require police protection from others claiming to act in Islam’s name. This misrepresents our faith and hinders the Palestinian cause.”
Signatories include Azim Kidwai, CEO of Mercy Mission, an Islamic donor investment fund; Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, a senior imam from Leicester; Ismail Yusuf Lorgat, who is campaigning for the Labour party’s parliamentary candidate in Blackburn; Mohammed Ali Amla, the founder of the interfaith group Christian Muslim Encounters; and Syima Aslam, founder and director of the Bradford Literature Festival.
MPs and activists who have received abuse over the issue include Labour’s parliamentary candidates Naz Shah (Bradford West), Shabana Mahmood (Birmingham Ladywood) and Rushanara Ali (Bethnal Green and Stepney), as well as members of the Labour Muslim Network.
“We can’t normalise the attacking of politicians when all they’re trying to do is be public servants,” said Shah, who has backed the statement.
In an interview with Hyphen she described an unsettling encounter with one pro-Palestine activist while out campaigning earlier this week. She said that the incident, which is currently under investigation by local police, has led to her being accompanied by a close protection officer when campaigning in her constituency.
“Politically, people can disagree and it’s absolutely right to hold people to account,” she said. “But that’s critical when it gets to a place where people have to worry about their safety.”
Concern over MPs’ safety has been heightened since the murders of Jo Cox, the Labour MP for Batley and Spen, in 2016, and Sir David Amess, MP for Southend West, in 2021.
The statement also said: “We commend the tireless efforts of political campaigners advocating for our communities and Palestinians. Many have dedicated decades to public service, often working behind the scenes at great personal cost. Their commitment deserves our respect, even when we disagree politically.”
One of the figures behind the statement is Muddassar Ahmed, chair of the East End Citizens Advice Bureau and Bow Food Bank in east London.
Ahmed, who is also the founder of the transatlantic thinktank the Concordia Forum, hosted Keir Starmer for a Ramadan iftar in March, during which the Labour leader called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemned the “fear and terror” inflicted upon Palestinian civilians.
Ahmed received violent threats on social media for hosting the iftar, and said his home address was posted online, putting his family’s safety at risk. “Those who resort to harassment and threats, whether from within the Muslim community or far-right bigots, are cut from the same cloth,” he said. “They seek only to destroy because they lack the courage and vision to build a better world. Our challenge is to rise above this destructive behaviour and continue working towards positive change, even in the face of adversity.”
The statement confirms the importance of highlighting the ongoing violence in Gaza but condemns any justification for abusive behaviour towards those with differing political views.
“While we recognise the deep anguish felt over the situation in Gaza, this pain cannot justify intimidation or abusive behaviour towards those with different political views,” it reads. “Such actions violate Islamic principles and undermine the very cause we seek to support.”
Labour’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, including Starmer’s now notorious comment in an LBC interview last October that Israel “has the right” to withhold water and electricity from Gazans, has alienated both Muslim and non-Muslim party members and voters.
More than 23,000 people have cancelled their Labour memberships since February and more than 100 Labour councillors have resigned since the beginning of Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza in October 2023.
The conflict has become a critical issue in UK politics. Earlier this month, a Hyphen poll revealed that most voters who rank the crisis among their top five election concerns would consider voting for a pro-Palestine, independent candidate on 4 July, given the chance.
The full statement and list of signatories can be found below:
“Not in Our Name: British Muslim Leaders Condemn Harassment of Politicians”
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim
In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
We, the undersigned Muslim leaders, activists and scholars, issue this statement to address a deeply troubling trend within our community ahead of the UK general election.
Condemning Abuse and Upholding Islamic Ethics
We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent abuse, threats, and harassment directed at politicians and activists, especially Muslim MPs and Labour party members, regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza. This behaviour, both online and offline, contradicts Islamic teachings and the example of Prophet Muhammad, who said:
“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe” (Bukhari).
While we recognise the deep anguish felt over the situation in Gaza, this pain cannot justify intimidation or abusive behaviour towards those with different political views. Such actions violate Islamic principles and undermine the very cause we seek to support.
Acknowledging the Efforts and Intentions of Muslim Politicians
We commend the tireless efforts of political campaigners advocating for our communities and Palestinians. Many have dedicated decades to public service, often working behind the scenes at great personal cost. Their commitment deserves our respect, even when we disagree politically.
There is no justification for attacking those devoted to serving the community. Our faith demands we hold ourselves to the highest standards, especially in times of high emotion. We call upon anyone who has acted or spoken inappropriately, whether in public or private, to seek forgiveness and amends.
It is deeply concerning that our fellow Muslims require police protection from others claiming to act in Islam’s name. This misrepresents our faith and hinders the Palestinian cause.
Moving Forward with Dignity and Effectiveness
We urge our community to channel their passion into ethical, effective advocacy. Let us embody Islam through our conduct, even amid disagreement. As the Qur’an guides us:
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good teaching. Argue with them in the most courteous way, for your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way and who is rightly guided.” Qur’an 16:125
Muslim politicians already face abuse from Islamophobes; we must not contribute to their vilification. Our strength lies in our commitment to Islamic values. Together, we can advocate for justice while upholding our spiritual principles.
May Allah guide us to what is best, unite our hearts, and grant relief to the oppressed everywhere. Ameen.
- Aamna Khokhar, Leaf Coaching — Director
- Adeem Younis, Single Muslim — CEO
- Annie Khan, ImamConnect — Head of Partnerships
- Azim Kidwai, Mercy Mission — CEO
- Aftab Muhaudden Al Azhari, Pakistan Muslim Welfare Society, imam
- Dr Bilal Hassam The Muslim Agency — Director
- Hanan Ashegh, Goodwill Caravan — Executive director
- Hassen Rasool, Rumi Fest / Creative director
- Dr Hina J Shahid, Muslim Doctors Association & Allied Health Professionals — Chairperson
- Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Imam and former Assistant Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain
- Dr Ikram Butt, British Asian Rugby Association — Executive Director
- Ismail Yusuf Lorgat, Campaigning for Blackburn Labour party candidate
- Ismael L. South, The Salam Project CIC — Director
- Julie Siddiqi, Open My Mosque — co-founder
- Luthfur Rahman OBE, (Manchester)
- Dr Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed FSI FRSA, System Shift Lab — Director
- Mohammed Ali Amla, Christian Muslim Encounters — Founder
- Muddassar Ahmed, The Concordia Forum — President
- Imam Qari Muhammad Asim, Mosques & Imams National Advisory Board — Chair
- Mustafa Field OBE, Faiths Forum for London — Director
- Nyron Gonzales, Harlesden Islamic Cultural Centre — Secretary
- Omar Shahid, Spirituality of Business — Founder
- Rukaya Hussein, Faiths Forum for London — Engagement Officer
- Shabina Qayyum, Peterborough Labour Group
- Syima Aslam, MBE
- Zahed Amanullah, Institute for Strategic Dialogue — Senior Fellow
- Zubeir Hassam, Muslim School Oadby — Principal
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