Al-Azhar Alumni UK echoes the statement of the Grand Imam, Dr Ahmad al-Tayyeb Shaykh al-Azhar, that Islamophobia, fuelled by ignorance and extreme rhetoric, distorts the true teachings of Islam, which calls for mutual understanding and cooperation.
The Al Azhar Grand Imam has said, “Combating Islamophobia is a universal struggle that requires collective effort.” He highlighted that Islamophobia — the phenomenon of a fear of Islam” — is the result of ignorance about the truth of this great religion and its tolerance, along with deliberate attempts to distort its principles, which are based on peace and coexistence. He further described Islamophobia as a natural consequence of media campaigns and extreme right-wing rhetoric that have long portrayed Islam as a religion of violence and extremism; “the biggest lie in contemporary history” that is built on false interpretations.
This month of November marks the Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM). IAM’s mission is to showcase the positive contributions of Muslims in the UK and raise awareness of Islamophobia in society. This year’s theme is ‘Flip the Script,’ calling on society to challenge narratives that misrepresent Muslims, reframe conversations based on stereotypes or assumptions, and platform stories that reflect everyday reality.
In 2025, 45% of religious hate crimes recorded in the UK were directed towards Muslims — a 19% increase. This means Islamophobic hate crimes have risen by 92% since 2023. The importance of recognising an official definition to tackle Islamophobic hate crime cannot be overstated.
Learn more about IAM: https://www.islamophobia-awareness.org/
