As a Muslim woman in local politics, I have seen both the power of dialogue and the dangers of division. In 2015, I co-founded the Leeds arm of Nisa-Nashim, the first Muslim and Jewish women’s group in the city. What began as small conversations over cups of tea soon became something much deeper, friendships, shared experiences, and a recognition that dialogue between faith communities is essential.
We picnicked together, opened our homes to one another, and connected through the many similarities in our lives. And when tragedy struck, from the Christchurch mosque shootings to the Pittsburgh synagogue attack, we stood shoulder to shoulder. I saw with my own eyes how dialogue is more than words, it is about solidarity, compassion, and courage in the face of hate.
As a Muslim woman in public life, I cannot pretend that the rise of the far right and the deepening polarisation in Britain are abstract political trends. They create real and personal fear. I know what it feels like to be looked at as though you don’t belong. I know the unease of wondering whether my faith or identity makes me a target. When a synagogue or mosque is attacked, it is not only a blow to one community, but to all of us who believe in a shared, safe society. When one community is attacked, all communities are wounded.
Britain feels more divided today than at any point in my lifetime. Hate thrives on fear, misinformation, and silence. The only way to confront it is through dialogue, friendship, and solidarity.
We already know this is possible. During the pandemic, I saw faith groups running food banks, opening warm hubs, and supporting neighbours without asking who they were or where they came from. These moments showed us the best of Britain, a country where people of all backgrounds pulled together.
If we are serious about building resilient, compassionate communities, interfaith dialogue cannot remain a side project. It must be woven into everyday life and supported at every level. It must be on the government’s agenda.
Now more than ever, in the face of rising division, we must choose that path, more listening, more understanding, more standing together. That is how we build a stronger, more united Britain, one where no one needs to live in fear because of their identity. This is the vision I will continue to fight for in my work locally and beyond.
