We Stand Together

We Stand Together To celebrate our difference

Against hatred and intolerance To build a safer and stronger United Kingdom

Contents We stand together P2 Standing together in Manchester P3 Standing together in London P4 Muslim Youth Festival P6

‘We Stand Together’ will:

Show that an attack on one community is an attack on all communities

Show that communities inherently trust, respect and care for one another and this will not be broken by any form of extremism or hatred

Show integration between all communities and

that attempts to divide or separate will not succeed

Show a united community voice, feeling and

expression in the public space through the media, art, music, literature, commentary and events to starve extremism of opportunity and oxygen.

Show a strength and determination to root out all

extremism and hate wherever it exists

The police, partnership and governmental response to the attacks in Paris and Copenhagen has been swift, decisive and effective in meeting the needs of communities. We remain concerned that responding in itself to such atrocities is simply not enough and that a national strategic response is required. Our mission is to Stand Together to defeat hatred and extremism by actively looking for it wherever it lurks in our communities and neighbourhoods. Sir Peter Fahy inspired our national response with a strong strategic narrative of #WeStandTogether at its heart. This aims to mobilise all communities in all parts of the country around the simple but powerful ethos that as communities #WeStandTogether. #WeStandTogether needs to become a recognised campaign across the nation, actively supported and spoken about by all communities. This will be driven by events and activities that remind us of the power of unity to defeat hatred and extremism.

This leaflet presents the campaign launch and subsequent events in Manchester and London. All Chief Constables across all 43 Forces pledged to support the campaign without whose support and leadership this would never had been possible.

Regents Park Mosque

We Stand Together – to celebrate our difference

Standing together in Manchester Following the attacks in Paris and Denmark there had been increased tensions in some communities in the UK with many fearful that they could be the subject of future attacks or hate campaigns. Sir Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Manchester Constabulary, proposed a national campaign where all people, of all faiths and communities come together and show that ‘We Stand Together’ The purpose of the national campaign “We Stand Together” is for all communities to show support for each other, celebrate community cohesion and diversity and make a stand against those who try to spread hate, fear and division. The initiative was launched by Sir Peter Fahy in Manchester on Thursday 5th March and was attended by all communities strongly representing solidarity between all communities

Launching the event, Chief Constable of Manchester, Sir Peter Fahy said: “Greater Manchester has a long and proud tradition of celebrating differences and sets a positive example to the rest of the world, which we should be immensely proud of.

“Recent attacks in Paris and Denmark have inevitably caused tension and fear within our communities and it is more important than ever that we come together as one to send a strong unified message that any attempt to create disharmony or fear is futile.

“We all have a responsibility to encourage community cohesion and I am calling on people to stand together against hatred and intolerance and show their support for each other during this difficult time”.

Sir Peter Fahy Chief Constable Greater Manchester Police

We Stand Together – against hatred and intolerance

Standing Together in London

London’s campaign led by Commander Mak Chishty, was launched at the London Central Mosque on Sunday, 8 March 2015, as part of the national initiative celebrating diversity and helping build a stronger and safer UK.

Representatives from all faiths and communities, attended the event with key note speeches from Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, (Director General of the ICC & The London Central Mosque Trust), Fiyaz Mughal, (Director of Tell Mama, a public service for measuring and monitoring anti-Muslim attacks), Rabbi Jeremy Lawrence, (Senior Rabbi at Finchley United Synagogue, London), Rabbi Herschel Gluck, (chairman and founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum), Reverend Nims Obunge, (Pastor at the Freedom’s Ark Church in Tottenham, and Chief Executive of the Peace Alliance) and Commander Mak Chishty, (community engagement lead for Metropolitan Police Service).

Leaders from the Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh and Muslim communities stood together in the face of hatred and intolerance in a unifying display at an iconic place of worship. Following the launch of ‘We Stand Together’ all communities celebrated by ‘We Eat Together’, enjoying a fantastic international meal provided by the Islamic Culture Centre. Widespread media coverage including ITV, ITN, Channel 4 and community specific TV and newspapers attended to publicise the event. Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis said: “The Jewish community stands at one with all participants in the We Stand Together campaign against hatred and intolerance. We abhor all faith and race related hatred and crime. Through celebrating diversity we can help

build a more tolerant, stronger and more secure UK.” Dr Ahmad Al Dubayan, Director General of The Islamic Cultural Centre & The London Central Mosque Trust, said, ‘‘Under present circumstances of increased tension it is very important to show solidarity in society and unity among all faiths against any idea which spreads fear, terror and creates division amongst people. Let us be united and reject the incitement of hatred being spread among people. We stand united in preserving our heritage, our civilization in our united declaration that life is sacred irrespective of creed, faith, race or colour of skin. Let us be united in our pronouncement of rejecting evil, division and animosity and appreciate the values of our life and common heritage on this beautiful planet.’’

Commander Mak Chishty, the community engagement lead for the Metropolitan Police Service, said, “London is the most diverse city in the world with communities living and working side by side, demonstrating mutual respect, trust and care for one another every day. We are making a statement to those who seek to drive us apart that we are strong, united and that our differences are something we celebrate and cherish.

We Stand Together – to build a safer and stronger United Kingdom

Across London, 32 boroughs organised local ‘We stand together’ themed days, from interfaith forum events to Hate crime themed days of action with local authority partners in support. The campaign was built upon the strong bonds that exist between communities in neighbourhoods. By celebrating difference and diversity communities demonstrate their intolerance to extremism and hatred. Following the success of the ‘We Stand Together Campaign’ and its objective to promote the reporting of hate crime, the MPS lead Commander Mak Chishty has directed a lasting response in tackling hate crime in London. Led by Commander Chishty, Borough Commanders have organised a number of activities over the coming months to demonstrate a sustainable and lasting commitment to eradicate hate crime.

Numerous community events in partnership with local authorities have been arranged across London ranging from: Police/community sports matches Mobile Reassurance Units in town centres

with race hate awareness linked in with street pastors

Setting up of interfaith forums Hate crime themed day of action with rolling

arrest phase with the Local Authority partners in support

Public consultation day where members of the public can come and directly see the SLT and Borough Commander and ask questions

Open days and listening stations

Over 400 people from communities and faith groups across the Capital attended the launch event and signed a pledge of solidarity

We Stand Together – to celebrate our difference

Young British Muslims are increasingly at risk, vulnerable and targeted by Islamic extremist messages and propaganda that leads to harmful outcomes. This was recently demonstrated in during incidents such as the four girls from Tower Hamlets leaving the UK to become Jihadi brides; ‘Jihadi John’ being identified as growing up in Westminster and European Muslims carrying out atrocities in Belgium, Paris and Copenhagen. Significant enforcement and disruption work is taking place, however Police cannot arrest everyone involved and cannot shut down every extremist website. The Long-term plan has to be a reversal of radicalisation, through a change in attitudes and communities, especially those most vulnerable becoming resilient to the advances of extremist ideology. The starting point for this was the Muslim Youth Festival, which for the first time brought together young British

Muslims to discuss, debate, understand and offer ways forward to combat radicalisation. The festival included young British Muslims from across London and the UK, of all origins and Muslim denominations. All stood together as one with the voice of condemnation of extremism and hate at this very first #myfestival15 The event was held on the 28th of March 2015 and provided a symbol of young British Muslims providing a real alternative of how to move forward. In addition the Festival was a safe place to voice frustrations that young British Muslims harbour that they constantly feel they have to apologise and the impact of far right extremism/hate crime on their lives. An intrinsic part of this event was to showcase the reputation of young British Muslims as good citizens, excellent role models who absolutely adopt British values and are devoted to their Islamic values. This provides an opportunity to ensure diversity, difference and values are all integrated and coexist in a harmonious and tolerant way. This is the unique signature of the UK and London and something young British Muslims are proud to represent. 45 media interviews took place involving both local and national media.

Muslim Youth Festival – part of the #WeStandTogether campaign

We Stand Together – against hatred and intolerance

Lord Tariq Ahmad Baroness Warsi Kashif Siddiqi, Muslim Footballer Dr Zafar Iqbal, Ex FA medic and campaigner Shahid Khan, aka Naughty Boy, Muslim Sound

Creator Arifa Nasim, Student and Campaigner Humza Arshad - creator of the series 'Diary of

a Badman'

Inspirational Speakers included

We Stand Together – to build a safer and stronger United Kingdom

Key Event Objectives were: To bring young British Muslims from across London together to:

Provide a platform to give young British Muslims a voice

Become resilient against radicalisation and actively counter Terrorism

Promote role models and active citizenship Key Messages were:

For the first time show what Young British Muslims stand for and believe in

That ‘We Stand Together ‘ That we can proactively work together to

eradicate all forms or extremism Influence and Change – The festival enabled:

Young British Muslims to feel they are developing trust with the state with common aims

Increased support for Young British Muslims from general society

An endorsement that We Stand Together as all people, all neighbours and all communities

Syria Messaging:

“Preventing heartbreak and turmoil of families by stopping young people travel to Syria to join Isis”

The Event catered for 270 Guests, mainly students from Pan London Schools and Universities Group workshops were held including topics selected by young Muslims, which will be the basis of research to provide mandate in developing a programme of work to address radicalisation. Workshops were facilitated by teachers completely independent of Police and the media covering the following topics.

Perception of Jihad Islamophobia and far right extremism Media and portrayal of Muslims Government Role British Muslim Identity

Following the festival, there is now on-going work to develop a cross government social action plan.

We Stand Together

We Stand Together – to celebrate our difference