Message from Fatima Khan-Shah, Chair of the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield
12th August 2024
Fatima Khan-Shah, Chair of REP share a message regarding the the disturbances last week.
Message from Fatima Khan-Shah, Chair of the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield:
I was intending to reach out to you all over the summer to introduce myself properly and lay the groundwork for us to collaborate together through the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield. However, I am now finding that my first communication with you is to express my shock and sadness at the events that have taken place around the country over the past week, and especially over the weekend. These events of violence and thuggery, fuelled by racism and Islamophobia, are truly horrifying.
Some of the recent violent scenes have taken place here in South Yorkshire as well as in our neighbouring communities, and many of those being targeted, including people seeking asylum, are among our most vulnerable and isolated residents.
I know that the violence is having a huge impact on people, particularly leading to a very real concern for personal safety. Thank you to those leaders and allies who have offered support and help.
If you experience, witness or have been involved in a hate crime you can report it through South Yorkshire Police. Reporting makes a difference – to you, your friends, and your life. If you see a crime that is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 999 without hesitation.
Stop Hate UK supports individuals and communities who have been impacted by hate crime. Any incidents of hate crime can also be reported here: Report all Hate Crime - Stop Hate UK.
Support is also available from Tell Mama, a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK. Their website features a number of different ways to report anti-Muslim incidents, including via phone or WhatsApp: tellmamauk.org. The site also hosts useful resources, including on mosque security.
As the new Chair of the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield (REPS), I stand in solidarity with all those impacted by the violence. Diversity is our strength, and we will always stand against those who seek to undermine our people and our communities.
REPS is an opportunity for everyone across Sheffield to work together to further our journey towards becoming an anti-racist city. If you want to know more about the Partnership, please look at the website here.
I am here to listen and I will be in touch again soon. Please also get in touch with me if you would like to share ideas, raise concerns or invite me to join any conversations. In the meantime, please take care and I look forward to discussing the ongoing and future work of REPS in the coming weeks and months as well.
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