We are proud to announce the appointment of Shahid Malik as a Co-Chair to the national TELL MAMA project. Shahid Malik joins Richard Benson who was recently appointed to help lead the project and who brings with him decades of experience leading the well-respected Community Security Trust which provides security to synagogues and Jewish institutions, as well as the monitoring of antisemitism.
The appointment of Shahid completes the leadership team heading up the only project in the United Kingdom, which maps, measures and monitors anti-Muslim hate, or Islamophobia.
Shahid Malik served as both a Commissioner for Racial Equality in Great Britain and an Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland – as part of the “Good Friday” Peace Agreement – and brings a unique insight and powerful experience in the field discrimination and bigotry. In addition, he served as the Member of Parliament for Dewsbury till the 2010 general election and held four ministerial roles across the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the Department for International Development. His final government role included being Minister for Race and Faith, and Against Extremism. He also served as the Chairman of the National Faith Consultative Council and Minister for Europe’s largest development area, the Thames Gateway.
He brings significant senior level experience as a Chairman, Chief Executive and Board member of numerous national and international companies and organisations.
As well has his experience in fighting Islamophobia he has also been a keen advocate of fighting all forms of discrimination and is currently a Patron of the renowned Wiener Library.
Commenting on the appointment of Mr Malik, the current co-Chair Richard Benson stated:
“With Shahid’s appointment, this now becomes a very exciting time for TELL MAMA as it strengthens its leadership team to provide important support to its founder and driving force, Fiyaz Mughal.
As co-chairs we bring a wealth of experience in tackling hate crimes and our focus will be to ensure that this important work helps and supports all victims of Islamophobia, to work with the Police and Government and to make sure that this form of hatred is eradicated.”
Mr Malik, who has spoken many times in his ministerial roles about the need to tackle hatred in all its forms added:
“I am looking forward to working with Richard and Fiyaz to continue the development of this excellent initiative and ensure that it is universally viewed as the pre-eminent source of independent data for policy makers and practitioners alike in the fight against bigotry and hatred in our country. The fight against Islamophobia is not a Muslim fight and as Richard demonstrates, it is a fight for all those who believe in a fair and just society – hatred towards any group in our society should be a call to action for every group in our society.”