Faith groups speak with one voice against far-right ahead of General Election

22 April 2010

With racism and hatred manifesting itself so starkly recently in the form of anti-Muslim hatred, Islamophobia and xenephobia, the Muslim Council of Britain today voiced its support for the following pledge:

“With the approach of the General Election we are all too aware of those political forces who would seek to divide our country by promoting ideologies of racism and prejudice. We are immensely proud of the fundamentally British characteristics of equality, respect and fairness and of British society’s uncompromising rejection of the demonisation of any group, whether religious, ethnic or otherwise.

We therefore urge every British citizen to use their vote to support any party of their choice which stands opposed to the destructive politics of hatred, to vote for freedom not fear, partnerships not prejudice, and hope not hate.”

This pledge is pertinent now when there is a very real prospect that far-right parties – emboldened by their hatred of Muslims and others – may make significant electoral gains at the General Elections.

The pledge unites organisations from across all of British society, including a range of faith-based and minority community bodies. It brings together people of diverse religious affiliations and political persuasions to deliver a clear message to those that seek to divide and cause conflict between people because of their religion, culture or ethnicity: we are united in our opposition to the politics of hate.

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Notes to editors:

1. The Muslim Council of Britain is The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.

2. In addition to the MCB, the growing list of signatories are: Aliph Aleph UK, Assembly of Masorti Synagogues, Board of Deputies of British Jews, British ORT, Christian Muslim Forum, Church of England, Churches Together in England, City Circle, City Hindus Network, City Sikhs Network, Coexistence Trust, Community Security Trust, Resource - The Jewish Employment Advice Centre, , Faith Matters, Federation of Poles of Great Britain, Federation of Student Islamic Societies, Federation of Synagogues, Friends, Families and Travellers, Hindu Academy Holocaust Educational Trust, Hope Not Hate, Institute of Jainology, Jain Samaj Europe, , JAMI, Jewish Action & Training Jewish Council for Racial Equality, Jewish Blind and Disabled, Jewish Care, Jewish Community Housing, Jewish Leadership Council Jewish Lads and Girls Brigade,Joseph Interfaith Foundation , Kick It Out, League of Jewish Women, Leo Baeck College Liberal Judaism, London Jewish Forum, Maccabi, Methodist Church, Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, Movement for Reform Judaism, Muslim Council of Britain , Muslim Safety Forum, Office of Chief Rabbi, , Operation Black Vote, Sikh Human Rights Group, Sikhs in England, Spanish & Portuguese Jews' Congregation, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace & Reconciliation, Three Faiths Forum, UJIA, Union of Jewish Students, United Synagogue, World Jewish Relief, Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe

3. For further information and British Muslims and the General Election, visit www.muslimvote.org.uk

4. Media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Media Office on 0845 26 26 786 or 07956 353 738. Email: media@mcb.org.uk.

5. Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the MCB Office at The Muslim Council of Britain, PO Box 57330, London E1 2WJ. Tel: 0845 26 26 786 Fax: 0207 247 7079
6. This press release and other MCB publications and information are available on the MCB website at www.mcb.org.uk