Latest news with #Equi
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK think tank calls for national strategy to tackle anti-Muslim hatred, rebuild social cohesion
LONDON: A new report from the think tank Equi released Monday has urged the UK government to adopt a coordinated national strategy to address anti-Muslim hatred, while warning that social division is harming trust in institutions and threatening the country's cohesion. Released as British Muslims marked Eid Al-Adha, the report highlighted growing levels of anti-Muslim narratives and attacks, but also pointed to polling by Savanta/ComRes that showed that the majority of Britons hold either neutral or positive views toward Muslims. A PDF Embed Here Equi argued that this provided a foundation for progress, and said that building trust, inclusion and civic resilience must be treated as a national priority. 'Britain's diverse and welcoming cultural identity is one of its greatest strengths. But we cannot leave social cohesion to chance,' said Prof. Javed Khan, managing director of Equi. 'Failing to address social division is not only unjust but fiscally draining, at a time when resources are scarce,' he added. The report identified anti-Muslim hatred as a key barrier to intercommunity trust, particularly in the aftermath of flashpoints such as the 2024 summer riots. It estimated the cost of anti-Muslim hatred last year at a minimum of £243 million ($328.9 million), including expenses linked to policing, imprisonment, and insurance claims. The report also pointed to alienating government policies, such as Prevent, and rising misinformation as major factors eroding social trust. Many British Muslims, it noted, feel disproportionately scrutinized and disconnected from wider society. Among its recommendations, Equi called for a strategic program of public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and stereotypes, combined with cross-government engagement with local authorities, faith groups and civil society organizations to help rebuild trust. It also advocated for increased investment in youth and community initiatives that promoted shared experiences and inclusive participation as a means of strengthening intercommunity ties. 'Knowing most Britons are not getting sucked into divisive language that can destroy community relations should give us great hope. The government should use its unique platform to articulate a unifying vision for the nation; one that focuses not on responding to division, but on championing shared values like respect, equality and liberty,' Khan said. 'As Britain's 4 million Muslims celebrated Eid, this report provides a timely and urgent reminder that with clear focus and leadership, a stronger, peaceful and cohesive UK is within reach.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamilton Accies supporters' chief voices new Broadwood concerns in 'critical' time
Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi says the club have 12 days to prove they have a ground for next season Accies Supporters' Association chairman David Equi says the next 12 days are 'critical' to the future of Hamilton Accies, and voiced new fears over the proposed move to Broadwood. Mr Equi says he has heard North Lanarkshire Council are only prepared to offer a three-month rolling lease for the use of the Cumbernauld stadium, which may force the club to look elsewhere. But Hamilton Accies only have until June 20 to prove there is a lease for next season. And he says any talk of a new stadium being built at Hamilton Palace Sports Grounds is a non-starter. Mr Equi told Lanarkshire Live Sport: 'This is an unbelievably critical time for the Accies. 'I got told they were only offered a three-month rolling lease by North Lanarkshire Council, and that isn't necessarily enough for the SPFL, who will want a full year, unless things have changed. 'It's super-critical. If that's not approved, then I know they need to tell the SPFL very quickly that they're not playing there and show them a proper lease before the fixtures come out. 'If they don't get to Broadwood they need to go somewhere else, but they need to do it very quickly, or it goes to the members' vote, who could vote them out of the league. 'We went to the SPFL as a committee, and they don't really meet fans. 'We were on the sixth floor of Hampden, going through it all, and they basically said even if they come back with a signed lease, if the supporters come to us and say they don't want to go to Broadwood, they would have to strongly take that into account, before approving the move. 'If they miss the deadline for the lease, I don't think the other clubs want to boot them out, so they could go and ask somebody else. I think that's as likely as anything else, that somebody else will let them play somewhere. 'I know they're going to East Kilbride for the Premier Sports Cup, but if the other clubs say it's too late, then [they could boot them out]. 'That puts the fans into an absolutely impossible position. If we vote to say 'no' to Broadwood then is that effectively us putting the club down – nobody wants that. 'My initial thoughts were I'm never going to Broadwood, but it's like a gun to the head and we as an organisation would not want to be seen as the ones that put the company down.' Mr Equi says lack of transparency is a problem, and isn't sure what to believe, but says there is no way that South Lanarkshire Council would fund a new stadium in the town. He said: 'We've had two sit-downs with the board, as a committee, before we were elected, but they can't answer questions. 'They wouldn't give a reason why they got the 15-point deduction and they hide behind legals, which I can understand. 'But there's no information, we have to take their word for it. 'They were quite clear that they were going to Broadwood, that was their choice, but 99.9 per cent of Accies fans don't want to go there, and might have to do it as a necessary evil. 'Generally, there is a lack of openness. You hear a lot of things, and we would like to trust 100 per cent the things that they're telling us, but I honestly can't say that.' On a new stadium, Mr Equi said: 'As far as I'm aware, that's absolutely pie in the sky, from the discussions I've had with the council, councillors, and having spoken to council officials. 'I don't think there's a suitable site in Hamilton and, financially, how can they afford it. 'If they're sitting there with four or five County Court judgements at the moment, how can they even afford to think about that. 'And what would be more ridiculous in a town the size of Hamilton having two football stadium – it doesn't make any sense. 'We know the idea of the Palace Grounds is a total non-starter, apparently, for all sorts of reasons. 'There's no way the council will be putting money in either, to help build us. There is no way the council would build us a stadium, that's just not going to happen – Accies would have to come up with the money. 'There's supposed to be this mystery American investor, but is he going to stump up the money for that kind of thing? '[Chairman] Jock Brown couldn't give us any kind of timescale at all, if we're going to Broadwood, with a gun to the head, you need to give us some kind of timescale.'
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Lone wolf? Watch dog social distancing from other pups during walks, worrying the internet
Lone wolf? Watch dog social distancing from other pups during walks, worrying the internet Peanut, a 9-year-old Maltichon in Scotland, has been garnering concern on social media for exhibiting loner behavior on his dog walks. His owner tells USA TODAY that there's nothing to worry about. Show Caption Hide Caption This dog's solo strolls capture 16 million views and spark viral debate Peanut, a 9-year-old dog from Edinburgh, becomes an internet sensation after people question why he's always alone in the dog walker photos! A pooch social distancing from other dogs on his weekly walks has the internet concerned. Peanut, a 9-year-old Maltichon (Maltese and Bichon Frise mix), in Edinburgh, Scotland, has been garnering attention on social media after his owner posted many photos of him standing a few feet away from the rest of the dogs during their walks with a dog walker. "This has devastated me beyond comprehension," one user commented under the photos. "And why would you show that to me 😭," commented another. Another wrote: "Crying pls tell him I love him." 'People's person' Elissa Equi, Peanut's owner, told USA TODAY that she isn't sure why her dog "is away in the photos because he's normally pretty excited when the dog walker comes." Equi, a gap-year student, thinks Peanut's behavior could be due to his age. "Peanut just turned 9 years old so (he) doesn't tend to play with younger dogs anymore," she said, adding that her dog "has always been more of a people's person" though he still "likes to play with dogs occasionally." Some social media users who say they're dog walkers said that Peanut's behavior wasn't unusual and that some dogs prefer to keep to themselves. But that doesn't necessarily mean that they are sad or lonely. Social media users blame outfits Some social media users blamed Peanut's outfits, including jumpers and sweaters, for his exclusion from the rest of the group, with one even commenting that Equi has the dog dressed "like a proper schoolboy from England" and another saying he looks like "young Sheldon" in his outfits. However, Equi is unbothered by the criticism and said she found it to be funny. "The outfits are to keep him warm and clean," said Equi, who has had Peanut since he was a puppy. "I honestly thought it was pretty funny people were blaming it on the jumpers." Despite being a lone figure on his doggie walks, Peanut is not without friends. "He has a friend at playgroup called Basil," Elissa shared. "But I am his best friend." Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@ and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
Middle East Eye
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Middle East Eye
British Muslim creators 'herded' into Prevent funding, says Equi think tank
A major report by a new think tank has found that British Muslims are important "cultural producers" - but that Muslim creatives are often "herded" into receiving counter-extremism related funding. Equi, which describes itself as a "think tank that was born out of the UK Muslim community", launched its report on "UK Arts and Culture and the role of British Muslims" in parliament on Wednesday. The packed event was hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims. It featured talks by the APPG's co-chair Labour MP Sarah Owen, its vice-chair Labour MP Afzal Khan and former Conservative Party chair Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Professor Javed Khan, Equi's managing director, told parliamentarians and civil society figures at the launch that the think tank is "seeing engagement" from the Labour government, including ministers and special advisers. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "It doesn't mean anything until serious change happens," he added. "The government needs to be faith literate in its policy development. Our report is about articulating why." The report, authored by Dr Muhammad Gulbar Khan, argues that British Muslims are "transitioning from cultural consumers to cultural producers in a global marketplace in which the global halal food and Muslim lifestyle market is at least $3.7 trillion". "The British Muslim cultural sector brings influences, connections, histories and a cultural capital that understands and intersects across large parts of our world," it argues. Singer Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, wrote in the foreword that Muslim cultural activities face challenges "such as severe funding cuts and reductions in arts funding, which threaten cultural institutions". Sarah Owen MP, co-chair of the APPG on British Muslims, addresses the launch (Supplied) Significantly, the report warns that Muslim creatives are often "herded" into receiving funding from the contentious Prevent counter-extremism programme which "often toxifies, devalues and limits artistic intent". "Artists who receive Prevent funding often feel uncertain about the limits imposed on their creative expression," the report finds. It urges the government to "repurpose funding to eliminate negative perceptions", to create a working group to support Muslim creatives and to ensure that they "can exercise their artistic freedom without fear of censure". 'Driver of winning hearts and minds' Bafta-winning British-Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi addressed the event, which featured a screening of trailers for her films The Teacher and The Present, both set in the occupied West Bank. Nabulsi told the crowd that although The Teacher, released in 2023, won several international awards, she was unable to find a British distributor for it, with some saying they liked the film but feared the potential backlash if they distributed it. Sarah Owen, a Labour MP and co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, told MEE: "It was a privilege to host an insightful event in parliament highlighting the significant contributions British Muslims make to the arts and culture sector. 'The government needs to be faith literate in its policy development' - Professor Javed Khan, Equi "Beyond arts and culture, British Muslim communities positively impact society through their contributions in healthcare, education, business, the charity sector, and much more - efforts that are often overlooked and underrepresented." Equi's Professor Javed Khan told MEE: "It was great to see such a fantastic turnout today of parliamentarians from across the houses [of parliament], stakeholders and community leaders at Equi's parliamentary launch, hosted by the APPG on British Muslims. "Our groundbreaking report emphasised a critical reality: arts and culture should not be an afterthought," he added. "They are the fundamental driver of winning hearts and minds. "We must continue to work together to ensure policymakers, industry leaders, and creatives alike recognise that supporting British Muslim artists is not about representation alone, but about unlocking a flourishing of talent, innovation and economic growth that strengthens the UK as a whole."
