The British Muslim Initiative, together with the Greater London Authority and a host of human rights, faith and anti-racism organisations, has launched a new project to address attacks on freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

The launch of the coalition follows the national rally held in November 2006 which highlighted the realities of demonising faith communities as well as minority groups and the considerable impact on community relations.  The initiative for this coalition came from the British Muslim Initiative (BMI), and with the support of the Mayor of London, now involves individuals  and organisations of all political, ethnic and religious and cultural backgrounds who agree on the necessity to combat prejudice and promote an inclusive and diverse Britain.

Ismail Patel, spokesperson for British Muslim Initiative said, 'This coalition is not about the short-term problems for Muslims, it is about the long-term problems that any community may face if unfairly targeted and oppressed. It is a coalition that seeks to uphold freedoms and values which we fought wars to attain. This is a clear voice that refuses to concede these rights and freedoms because some politicians are deliberately creating a climate of fear and intolerance.'

Coalition patrons include Lord Herman Ouseley and historian and writer William Dalrymple. And a steering group has been set up, which will be chaired by Bruce Kent. The steering group will meet quarterly to discuss emerging issues and to develop a coordinated approach to tackling Islamophobia and ensuring that religious and cultural expression is not under threat.

COALITION TO DEFEND FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS & CULTURAL EXPRESSION

STATEMENT

'We believe that our most fundamental human rights include the rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and cultural expression.

'These rights, which must be defended for all groups in society, are presently severely threatened by the rise in hostility and attacks against the Muslim communities – echoing in many ways experiences of religious groups and communities such as different Christian faiths, Jewish people, Sikhs, Hindus and others.

'It took hundreds of years of struggles, including international and civil wars, to establish the freedoms of religious and cultural expression and these must be vigorously upheld subject only to the proportionate protection of the human rights and freedoms of others.

'We believe that at this time it is necessary for democrats, of all faiths and none, to come together to defend these fundamental freedoms, which are the cornerstones of liberal and democratic society.'

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1. To work to defend the right of every individual to freely pursue their beliefs, regardless of creed, gender or ethnicity, subject only to their conscience and to the necessary and proportionate protection of the rights and the freedoms of others.
2. To raise awareness of violations of freedom of religious and cultural expression.
3. To challenge through constructive means, encroachments upon freedom of religious and cultural expression, and promote mutual understanding and respect among individuals of all faiths and none.
4. To monitor and raise awareness of the existence and extent of Islamophobia throughout society - in political discourse, media, education, employment, service provision, and in day-to-day life.

STEERING GROUP MEMBERS

Anas Altikriti – The Cordoba Foundation
Andrew Stunell MP
Billy Hayes – Communication Workers Union
Bruce Kent (Chair)
Caroline Lucas MEP
Cllr Salma Yaqoob
Cristina Odone
Diane Abbott MP
Dr Abdul Bari – Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
Edie Friedman – Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Harpartap Singh - Sikh Federation representative 
Ismail Patel – British Muslim Initiative
Jon Cruddas MP
Karen Chouhan – 1990 Trust, Black Londoners Forum
Kate Hudson – Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Lindsey German – Stop the War
Lord Nazir Ahmed
Milena Buyum – National Assembly Against Racism
Mohammad Sawalha- British Muslim Initiative
Paul Mackney - National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education
Rajnaara Akhtar – Prohijab 
Ruqqayah Collector – NUS Black Students Officer
Sir Geoffrey Bindman – Chair, British Institute of Human Rights
Soumaya Ghannoushi – Islam Expo
Steve Sinnott – National Union of Teachers