Joint Motion in the name of Cllr Dan Thomas and Cllr Barry Rawlings
Council: Tuesday 20th October 2020

This Council notes that:

1. The Council agreed to create and adopt a definition of Islamophobia in July 2019
2. According to the 2011 census, over 36,000 Muslims live in Barnet, making up over 8% of the borough’s population
3. Muslim communities in Barnet are members of traditions from around the globe, including but not limited to Albania, Iran, Pakistan and Somalia
4. The below definition was written from consultation with Barnet’s Muslim community, and has the support of the Barnet Islamic Forum.

This Council believes that:

1. No form of racial or religious hatred has any place in the London Borough of Barnet
2. It is right that a definition of Islamophobia in Barnet was built by the Barnet Muslim community

This Council adopts the following definition of Islamophobia:

Anti-Muslim prejudice, also known as islamophobia, is a perception of Muslims, often expressed as adislike or hatred towards an individual, a group or their property, institutions and facilities for possessing the perceived characteristics of a Muslim.

This prejudice is often rooted in racism, and can be manifested in many ways, including but not limited to abusive behaviour, threats of violence, damage and desecration of property, assault and extreme violence.

On behalf of BMFF (Barnet Multi Faith Forum) we would like to send our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and colleagues and to the wider Police Family of Sgt Matt Rattana

Our thoughts and prayers are with them and all who knew him as they grieve for him on this very sad occasion

We pray for Sergeant Rattana’s Soul to Rest in Peace – Amen

With love, friendship and prayers

Asmina Remtulla, Secretary
on behalf of the President and Chair of BMFF

This month sees the 75th anniversary of the UN. To mark the occasion the Baha’i International Community released a statement titled “A Governance Befitting Humanity and the Path toward a Just Global Order”. This was presented to the Secretary-General and all the ambassadors of member states of the United Nations.

The statement highlights the need for systems of global cooperation to be strengthened if humanity is to address the serious challenges of our time and seize the immense opportunities of the coming years for progress.

To view the pdf report and read the full statement please click on the image

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have lost their lives and to the injured suffering from the tragedy of the Beirut explosion.

We express our deep condolences, and solidarity to all those who have local families and, in the UK, caught up in this tragedy, and express anxiety for those who have also lost their homes and livelihoods.

We salute all those helping to find, caring for and offering their homes to survivors and note the messages of support sent by the Queen, international governments, agencies, from countries bordering Lebanon, and faith organisations who have all offered immediate assistance in Lebanon’s time of need.

Signed jointly on Behalf of the BMFF Executive
Esmond Rosen President of Barnet Multi Faith Forum
Trevor Alexander Chair of the Barnet Multi faith Forum