On 19 November 2025, the Consortium of Barnet Mosques hosted a powerful and an inspiring community-driven event at Hendon Town Hall as part of Islamophobia Awareness Month 2025.

The theme “Uniting Against Islamophobia” brought together an impressive lineup of speakers, Barnet Mosque’s Leaders ,council leaders, educators, police representatives, community activists and Barnet’s vibrant Muslim community in order to raise awareness of Islamophobia and strengthen borough-wide unity.The event served as both an awareness platform and a call to collective responsibility.

The evening opened with welcoming remarks by Irfan Hussain highlighting the purpose of the event: Connection , awareness, and collective action.
Dr Sufi ,Trustee of High Barnet and Finchley Mosque welcomed the Mayor of Barnet - Danny Rich .He later on addressed the issue of Islamophobia with clarity and passion in his opening speech quoting real life examples

This was followed by a reflective Qur’ān recitation by 16 year old A-level Student from Dame Alice Owen student - Hibaan Hussain, reminding attendees of Islam’s emphasis on diversity, dignity, and moral character.

Irfan reminded attendees:
“Tonight is about connection, action, and building a community where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. Barnet’s diversity is our strength.”

Attendees were moved by a heartwarming nasheed performance by the Barnet Hill Academy Choir.
Talks throughout the evening explored the roots, realities, and impact of Islamophobia—from institutional bias to hate crime reporting, community experiences, and efforts to promote inclusivity in education and exploring the rich Muslim history within Barnet.

Keynote speakers included

• Celsabil Hadj-Cherif - MEND(Muslim Engagement and Development)
• Bismha Afzal - EAI ( Educate Against Islamophobia)
• Akeela Ahmed MBE - BMT ( British Muslim Trust )
• Bibi Khan MBE DL - NLCOM ( North London Council of Mosques)
• AbdulMaalik Tailor - Halal Tourism Britain / Barnet Muslim History)
• Cath Shaw - Chief Executive, London Borough of Barnet
• Detective Superintendent Katie Harber - Met Police NW BCU)
• PC Mike Buckley - Hate Crime Outputs & Performance Officer for Met Police NW BCU

Special thanks were extended to Cllr Zahra Beg for facilitating the venue and to representatives from Finchley, High Barnet, East Barnet, Edgware, and Hendon Mosques along with Barnet Hill Academy for their volunteer support and leadership.

The evening concluded with the reminder that tackling Islamophobia is a collective responsibility, and that Barnet continues to stand as a borough committed to cohesion, understanding, and respect.The event demonstrated high engagement and strong partnership across institutions. The collective commitment shown highlights Barnet’s leadership in fostering inclusivity and tackling discrimination.

In the closing message Cllr Barry Rawlings emphasised Barnet’s commitment to inclusivity, safety, and partnership with the Muslim community, noting the vital importance of events like this in promoting awareness

The Barnet Multi Faith Forum (BMFF) and the Dialogue Society are delighted to have successfully co-produced this year’s highly impactful Sukkot Shalom gathering, hosted jointly with Finchley Reform Synagogue.

The event, which translates to "Shelter of Peace," was held during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, or the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, a time which commemorates the temporary shelters used by the Israelites after the Exodus and emphasises themes of hospitality, fragility, and shared community.

The gathering welcomed over 50 guests from across Barnet’s diverse communities, who came together in a spirit of unity, friendship, and mutual understanding. This significant annual event provides a unique opportunity for attendees to connect, celebrate shared values, and strengthen bonds of trust and respect among all faiths and backgrounds.

“Sukkot Shalom is more than just a place; it's a powerful statement that our differences enrich us, they don't divide us. The success of this gathering is a testament to the fact that Barnet's multi-faith community is not just coexisting, but truly flourishing together.”
– Es Rosen, President, Barnet Multi Faith Forum

The warm atmosphere, thoughtful conversations, and shared sense of purpose demonstrated the continued commitment of all partners to building a more cohesive and harmonious Barnet. The collaborative nature of this event, specifically between the BMFF and the Dialogue Society, underscores the power of working together to achieve shared goals.

Sadik Cinar, Director of the Dialogue Society, commented,

“Sukkot Shalom truly embodies the spirit of shared humanity and dialogue. Seeing so many people from diverse backgrounds gather under one shelter of peace confirms the strength of Barnet's community and our collective commitment to mutual respect.”

The Forum also wishes to acknowledge the valued partnership and support of Middlesex University and the Sonia Community, whose collaboration was instrumental in making the event both meaningful and memorable.

The Barnet Multi Faith Forum and Dialogue Society look forward to continuing this vital spirit of collaboration in future events that promote understanding, dialogue, and peace.