When Tanweer Khan saw the abuse directed at PC Fiona Shaik Umar, he thought of the officer whose professionalism and compassion he had experienced himself.
She had just received an award recognising her contribution to women in policing. What should have been a moment of celebration had instead brought racist, Islamophobic and misogynistic attacks online.
Khan’s response was to launch Stand With PC Fiona Shaik Umar, a public fundraiser intended as a personal gesture of appreciation and support.
“This is my small gesture of gratitude and solidarity,” he wrote. “I hope it helps remind you that the decent majority stands firmly beside you. Let kindness be louder than hate.”
For Fiona, the importance of representation has a deeply personal starting point. In a Police Federation video reported by LBC, she recalled her daughter asking: “Can women like you do that job?”
Her daughter had never seen a police officer who looked like her mother. That question helped motivate Fiona’s work to create opportunities for women who might otherwise struggle to see a place for themselves in the service.
She went on to lead the Hijab Project, helping introduce uniform options that meet the needs of Muslim women officers. On 21 October, she received the Outstanding Contribution to Women in Policing Award at the Police Federation’s annual conference.
The abuse that followed prompted Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to publicly defend her.
“Fiona has my and the Met’s full support,” he said, as reported by LBC
Khan, who was elected as a Labour councillor for Redbridge’s Mayfield ward in 2022, said his own experience of Fiona’s dedication had made him want to act.
“Having personally experienced Fiona’s professionalism, compassion and dedication, I felt compelled to do something positive,” he said.
The fundraiser is intended to give Fiona a personal gift, with Khan saying she should be free to use the money however she wishes. He suggested a family holiday or a donation to a charity close to her heart as possible uses.
But his stated aim reaches beyond the money raised. He wants the appeal to remind Fiona, and other women who have faced prejudice because of their faith or identity, that they are not alone.
“They tried to turn her moment of pride into a moment of pain,” he said. “Together, let’s turn it into a moment of hope.”
The appeal is available on JustGiving.
