November marks Islamophobia Awareness Month – an annual event that aims to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims within society, as well as raising awareness of Islamophobia. . To make this, Andrew Western joined Afzal Khan – the MP for Manchester Gorton – to support British Muslims and to re-commit his commitment to stamping out Islamophobia.

During the event, Andrew and Afzal joined the Muslim Council of Britain and the Muslim Women’s Network. The group discussed the increase in Islamophobia we are seeing in Britain and across the world, the impact this has on British Muslims and what can be done to stamp out this hatred in our communities.

The most recent hate crime statistics have shown an alarming 9% increase in religious hate crime, with 39% of all religious hate crimes targeting Muslims.

Andrew Western said: “It was important to me to visit this event to mark Islamophobia Awareness Month, especially given the recent rise in religious hate crime. Islamophobia is a stain on our society. It should never be tolerated and I will do all I can to help stamp it out once and for all.

“There are many Muslim-based community and charitable organisations within Stretford and Urmston that I am proud to support.”