London Assembly Member joins Southwark Lib Dems to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month 

The Liberal Democrats’ Group Leader on the London Assembly,  Cllr Hina Bokhari AM, joined Southwark Liberal Democrats at the Baitul-Aziz Masjid to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month. 

Hina was the first Muslim woman elected to Merton Council in 2018, and one of the first to the London Assembly. She has led major campaigns to challenge discrimination in the Met Police and London Fire Brigade, also urged the Mayor to tackle Islamophobia within the Greater London Authority, calling for formal Islamophobia awareness training across the organisation. 

Home Office figures show that hate crime against Muslims has risen by 19 per cent in London over the past year. 

This visit follows the far-right Tommy Robinson march that began in Southwark earlier this summer and caused deep concern among communities across the capital. 

Baitul-Aziz Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Southwark, founded in 1985. 

During the visit, Southwark Lib Dem Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain was shown how to perform wudu, the ritual washing before prayer. The group toured the mosque and met community leaders to discuss local experiences of Islamophobia, the impact of rising hate crime, and wider issues facing residents in Southwark. 

Commenting, London Assembly Liberal Democrat Group Leader Hina Bokhari AM said: 

“Whether it's here in Southwark, or around the country, it's so important that Liberal Democrats are reaching out to Mosques, at a time when Islamophobia is on the rise and British Muslims need allies to show up for us. As Liberal Democrats, we believe in equality and human dignity – and that means standing loud and proud against the far right, supporting people of all faiths and none, and fighting for the inclusive, united country we all want to see.”

Southwark Group Leader Cllr Victor Chamberlain added: 
 
 “It was a real privilege to visit a cornerstone of our local Muslim community during Islamophobia Awareness Month. Speaking with the mosque’s leadership about how we can bring communities together and tackle Islamophobia was invaluable. Liberal Democrats are proud of our borough’s diversity, and we will continue standing up for people of all faiths to live with pride and dignity.” 

Southwark resident Uthman Ukueku also said: 

“I’m really encouraged by what the Liberal Democrats are doing across London and here in Southwark to champion diversity, bring people together, and their focus on rooting out Islamophobia wherever it rears its head.  

Other political parties and politicians are seeking to sow division and fear, but it’s great to see positive action and working with local muslim communities to take their concerns head on.”