People from all backgrounds were today coming together at an event in London to show unity against a "rising tide of Islamophobia" across the capital.
With organisations such as the British National Party (BNP) accused of "cashing in" on racial tensions across the capital, the Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) group has organised a celebration to hit back over inflammatory anti-Muslim remarks.
The organisation has joined forces with Westminster University Students' Union to provide a focus and forum which can raise the level of debate around this issue.
At the "Love Music Hate Islamophobia" event in Westminster University, guests were first hearing a discussion around "Islamophobia - the new racism" featuring a panel of guests before then enjoying a night of hip-hop music featuring a range of Muslim and non-Muslim acts.
Speakers were due to include Labour MP Sadiq Khan, Islam Channel presenter Yvonne Ridley, Weyman Bennett from Unite Against Fascism, as well as musicians and anti-racism campaigners.
Sadiq Khan MP said: "The BNP now has 14 councillors in London and have gained ground on the back of a rise in racism.
"In the recent council elections, the BNP declared that this was a 'referendum on Islam', and they are dividing communities with vicious, racist lies.
"It is vital we tackle the BNP head on and start a united campaign now to stop them making further electoral gains in the 2008 Greater London Assembly elections - the work of Love Music, Hate Racism is vital in celebrating diversity, not extremism."
Weyman Bennett, joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism, said: "The tide of Islam that is being released by politicians has allowed the fascist BNP carte blanche to attack, intimidate and to justify their politics of racial hatred.
"We must not allow Muslims to be isolated and scapegoated in our society."
University of Westminster Students' Union president Salima Lanquaye added: "Too long has the student voice been marginalised on the view of Islamophobia in schools, university and public life.
"This event is so important in displaying what Muslim and non-Muslim students alike feel on the matter - and that's no to Islamophobia in all its ugly forms.
"Our students' union is proud to be part of an event that's one of the first of its kind. Fascism should not be accepted - here's to more events like this."
Love Music Hate Racism is a national organisation aiming to use the positive energy of the multicultural music scene to bring people together to oppose racism and fascism.
Re: Londoners urged to unite against 'rising tide of Islamophobia'
This is a nice gesture of goodwill. I hope to see more of them. I also hope to see more Muslim organizations (and individuals) helping out in the wider community, and more, um... non-white people in politics and the media.
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