Political figures, religious leaders, trade unionists and human rights campaigners are amongst the individuals that have signed up to a new coalition aimed at defending freedom of religious and cultural expression. The coalition is being set up in the light of continuing media and other claims that different communities and faith groups openly expressing their culture or faith threaten community relations in Britain

Speakers at the launch included the Mayor of London; peace campaigner and activist Bruce Kent; writer Ismail Patel from the British Muslim Initiative; Dr Daud Abdullah, Deputy General Secretary, Muslim Council of Britain; Edie Friedman, Director, Jewish Council for Racial Equality; Andrew Stunell MP; and Steve Sinnott, National Union of Teachers.

The new coalition will bring together people of all faiths and none, to actively make the case that all communities should be allowed to express their culture or faith, as long as this is within the law and does not impact on the rights of others to express themselves similarly. Such claims have been most recently and strongly directed at the Muslim community, particularly focusing on the right of Muslim women to wear the veil. But such attacks have also recently included a high profile case where a staff member at British Airways was prohibited from wearing a crucifix. The established rights of Sikh community to wear turbans have also come under assault.

A Greater London Authority commissioned report into Islamophobia in the media showed that 90 per cent of reports on Islam were negative. However, the majority of Londoners – 94 per cent - support freedom of thought, conscience, speech and religion.

The coalition will put the case that that multiculturalism, especially in London, enriches society and that division will flow from repression of these rights, not their expression. And that it is necessary for individuals and different communities to come to gether to defend freedom of religious and cultural though that have been established over hundreds of years.

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: 'I am proud of London's reputation as the most diverse city in the world where the contribution all communities is celebrated and people’s freedom of religious expression is respected as it is one of the most essential of our civil liberties. Attacks on the rights of Muslim people to express their faith as they choose are ultimately a threat to everybody's rights to freedom of religious and cultural expression. It should be the right of every individual to be able live their life as they wish, so long as it does not do harm to any other individual. This ability to be who you are and live as you choose is what has made London a magnet for people bringing their ideas and energy to make this the successful and dynamic city that it is.'

Ismail Patel said, 'This coalition is not about the short-term problems for Muslims, it is about the long-term problems that any community may face if unfairly targeted and oppressed. It is a coalition that seeks to uphold freedoms and values which we fought wars to attain. This is a clear voice that refuses to concede these rights and freedoms because some politicians are deliberately creating a climate of fear and intolerance.'

Bruce Kent said: 'I am pleased and honoured to have been invited to share in the work of this new coalition. We all have a right to fair comment about us from others. Islamophobia and evidence of bias and hatred must be challenged, not just by Muslims but, even more strongly, by non-Muslims. The Coalition will do its best to make that challenge effective.'

Dr Daud Abdullah said: 'The MCB welcomes this important initiative. It constitutes a major step toward the protection of religious rights that have become increasingly under threat in the name of security. Millions of Europeans paid a high price to acquire the fundamental human right to freedom of belief and worship. The great challenge of our time is to secure it as we had inherited.'

Steve Sinnott, NUT General Secretary, said: 'Our cultural and religious diversity is a great asset and strength. It combines and unites a multiplicity of talents, abilities, insights and skills without which we would be deprived of an essential part of our humanity. At the same time, it constantly challenges us to become what we are supposed to be – human beings united in diversity.

'Schools are at the heart of promoting social progress, equality and justice and thus of enhancing the lives of future generations. We believe that schools play a vital role in challenging stereotyping and discrimination on religious grounds. At the same time schools also play a crucial role in defending human rights for all.

'This coalition is timely in the light of world events and the rise of hostility to various religious groups at home.'

Coalition patrons include Lord Herman Ouseley and historian and writer William Dalrymple and a steering group has been set up, which will be chaired by Bruce Kent. The steering group will meet quarterly to discuss emerging issues and to develop a coordinated approach to tackling Islamophobia and ensuring that religious and cultural expression is not under threat.

COALITION TO DEFEND FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION

The steering group members of the coalition include:

STEERING GROUP MEMBERS

• Anas Altikriti – The Cordoba Foundation
• Andrew Stunell MP
• Billy Hayes – Communication Workers Union
• Bruce Kent (Chair)
• Caroline Lucas MEP
• Cllr Salma Yaqoob
• Cristina Odone
• Diane Abbott MP
• Dr Abdul Bari – Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
• Edie Friedman – Jewish Council for Racial Equality
• Harpartap Singh - Sikh Federation representative
• Ismail Patel – British Muslim Initiative
• Jon Cruddas MP
• Karen Chouhan – 1990 Trust, Black Londoners Forum
• Kate Hudson – Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
• Lindsey German – Stop the War
• Lord Nazir Ahmed
• Milena Buyum – National Assembly Against Racism
• Mohammad Sawalha- British Muslim Initiative
• Paul Mackney - National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education
• Rajnaara Akhtar – Prohijab
• Ruqqayah Collector – NUS Black Students Officer
• Sir Geoffrey Bindman – Chair, British Institute of Human Rights
• Soumaya Ghannoushi – Islam Expo
• Steve Sinnott – National Union of Teachers