Previous Events/Programmes
City : SOUTHPORT
Topic : Mosque Open Day
Date : Sunday, 5th October 2025
Hundreds attended an Open Day at Southport Mosque, hosted by the Light Foundation, celebrating unity and resilience following last summer’s Islamophobic attack. Visitors toured the mosque, shared food, and took part in open conversations, fostering friendship and solidarity. Distinguished guests included: Mark Blundell, Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Patrick Hurley, Southport MP Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Leader Emily Spurrell, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Dr. Selwyn Goldthorpe, Chair, Southport and District Reform Synagogue Chief Superintendent Natalie Perischine, Head of Local Policing, Merseyside Police Reverend Jan Fraser, Southport Hospital Chaplain Father Kevin McLoughlin, Parish Priest, Holy Family Church
Cities : SOUTHPORT and LIVERPOOL
Date : Monday, 8th September 2025
We were honoured to host Members of Parliament from the cross-party Women and Equalities Committee in private meetings at Southport Mosque and the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool, chaired by MP Sarah Owen. Following our work in Southport and Liverpool after the riots, the meetings provided a chance to engage directly with local communities and discuss the challenges they face. Insights from these discussions will feed into a formal Committee report with recommendations to the Government on addressing these issues. The aim of the meetings was to: * Understand the nature and prevalence of gendered Islamophobia and its effect on women and girls and on their communities * Understand the experiences of Muslim communities of Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hatred. * Understand the impact of the summer riots on Muslim communities. * Understand the views of participants on community cohesion locally and nationally, including the work of the local authority and national Government. * Understand the views of participants on the role of social media on community cohesion and Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hatred. * Understand what they think could be done to improve community cohesion and to combat Islamophobia / anti-Muslim hatred and who needs to take responsibility for meeting these challenges.
City : PRESTON
Topic : Is Hostile Politics Endangering Refugees?
Date : Sunday, 5th October 2025
On a rainy Thursday evening, the Quaker Meeting House in Preston hosted a full-capacity public forum on refugee safety and the political climate, hosted by Shaykh Adam Kelwick. Attendees from across the county braved the weather and heavy security to engage with a diverse panel representing Reform UK, Labour, and the Independent Alliance: MP Adnan Hussain, Independent Alliance, Blackburn Councillor Tom Pickup, Reform UK, Padiham and Burnley West Councillor Matthew Brown, Labour and Co-operative Party Leader, Preston City Council The discussion explored the impact of current political narratives on refugees and asylum seekers, fostering respectful dialogue across political divides. A moment was also taken to remember the two members of the Jewish community tragically killed in the recent Manchester synagogue attack. The forum provided a safe space for public questions, highlighting the real-life consequences of hostile politics and promoting understanding, empathy, and collective responsibility.
City : BURNLEY
Topic : Is Britain Better Off Because of Immigration?
Date : Monday, 8th September 2025
As part of our UK tour, we held a public discussion in Burnley on 'Is Britain Better Off Because of Immigration?' The event brought together local leaders, academics, councillors, health professionals, and community members for a respectful dialogue on this topical issue. Panelists included: MP Adnan Hussain, Independent Alliance, Blackburn Councillor Tom Pickup, Reform UK, Padiham and Burnley West Gordon Birtwistle, Former Liberal Democrat MP The forum achieved its goal of fostering meaningful public discourse, offering a safe space for questions, while encouraging understanding, empathy, and collective responsibility.
