Ealing Council has joined other London councils, including Barnet and Haringey, in marking Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) this November by reaffirming its commitment to standing against hate and promoting unity across its seven towns.
The annual campaign, which was launched in 2012, aims to raise awareness of Islamophobia and celebrate the positive contributions of Muslim communities to British life.
This year’s national theme, “Flip The Script”, calls on people and organisations to challenge stereotypes and counter misinformation about Muslims. In outlining this year’s theme, the organisers said: “We’re calling everyone to challenge narratives that misrepresent Muslims, reframe conversations that are based on stereotypes or assumptions and platform stories that showcase the positive contributions.”
The organisers added: “The aim is to encourage people to move beyond false narratives and highlight the real, lived experiences of Muslims — celebrating achievements, confronting discrimination, and challenging misconceptions. Creating a fairer, more inclusive society for all.”
The campaign encourages schools, workplaces, councils and community groups to host events and discussions that promote inclusion and understanding.
Recent figures cited by IAM show that, for the year ending March 2025, Muslims were the target in 44% of all recorded religiously motivated hate crimes in England and Wales – a 19% increase compared with the previous year. Organisers say this underlines the continued need for education, engagement and positive dialogue across communities.
Locally, Ealing Council said it is working with communities and faith leaders to promote inclusion and tackle hate in the borough.
Councillor Jasbir Anand, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour, told EALING.NEWS: “We work closely with Muslim leaders, mosques, and community organisations throughout the year to build a safe, welcoming and inclusive borough where everyone feels they belong.
“This month is not only a time to raise awareness about the impact of Islamophobia, prejudice, and discrimination but also a time to recognise and celebrate the enormous contributions of our Muslim communities – their rich culture, faith, and traditions that continue to shape and strengthen Ealing borough.
“Ealing is one of the most diverse boroughs in the country, and that diversity is our greatest strength. It’s what makes our borough so vibrant, caring, and resilient. We will always stand together against hate and champion the values of respect, unity, and celebration that define who we are as a community.”
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Councillor Gary Malcolm, leader of Ealing Liberal Democrats, added: “Liberal Democrats have observed locally and across the country an increased amount of hate crime targeted at a number of groups including Muslims. I will continue to link in and work with a number of groups to help reduce hate crime and discrimination in our borough. Liberal Democrats see much positiveness in our borough’s diversity.”
As part of its ongoing work to address discrimination and promote community safety, Ealing Council said it is developing a new hate crime strategy. The strategy aims to ensure that all forms of hate crime – including those based on religion, race, gender, sexuality or disability – are effectively tackled while victims receive appropriate support.
Residents are being invited to take part in a public consultation to share their experiences and views before the survey closes on 31 December 2025.
Submissions can be made via haveyoursay.ealing.gov.uk/hate-crime-survey-2025
 this November by reaffirming its commitment to standing against hate and promoting unity across its seven towns.){kind=link}