Show Islamophobia the Red Card

On Sunday, we brought Birmingham together for an afternoon that none of us will forget.

Our Challenging Islamophobia in Sport & Society event was everything we hoped it would be and more. The room was full of energy, the conversations were honest and powerful, and people simply did not want to leave.

The feedback has been overwhelming. From community members hearing for the first time how to report Islamophobia and access free legal support, to professionals leaving with new partnerships and a renewed sense of purpose, this is exactly why the IRU exists.

A huge and heartfelt thank you to our incredible panel, who gave their time, expertise and personal stories so generously:

Naseem Akhtar BEM Akhtar, CEO of Sähëlï Hub, whose 25 years of empowering Muslim women and girls through sport speak for itself.

Iram Ditta and Kamran from the National Association of Muslim Police, for bringing an unflinching perspective on policing, community relations and discrimination.

Siraj Hussain, FA, Birmingham City FC Youth Academy and co-founder of Birmingham United Foundation, for his honesty about the realities facing Muslim communities in football.

A special thank you also to Asma Ajaz-Ali of Muslim Sports Foundation and Lorna Shaw of Birmingham Race Impact Group. Your support and partnership made a real difference.

Events like this do not just create conversations. They create momentum. We are already in discussions with a regional sports organisation to host a collaborative event of a similar nature, and this is only the beginning.

If you work in sport, community development, education, policing or public life and would like to be part of the next conversation, please follow the IRU and get in touch.

The work continues.