From: Islamic Human Rights Commission

09 October 2018

PRESS RELEASE:  Germany – Venue for Islamophobia meeting changed due to security concerns

It is with deep sadness that IHRC announces that the venue for the Counter-Islamophobia Toolkit Knowledge Exchange Programme has been changed due to security and safety concerns for the speakers and attendees.

The meeting was scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the Center for the Study of Antisemitism, Technical University Berlin.  However the Center was advised by the project this morning (Monday 08 October) that due to various inaccurate accusations against IHRC and people involved in the project, the organisers wished to change the venue in order to protect those attending from harassment and threats.  This climate of hatred against an anti-racism project has been whipped up by irresponsible and inaccurate political and media commentary.  It is a very sad day for all involved in tackling all forms of hatred, including and especially Islamophobia and Antisemitism.

IHRC is deeply saddened by the attacks on Dr. Luis Hernández Aguilar, who was commissioned to work on this project which is co-funded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship Programme of the EU, and which is led by the University of Leeds.  He is not an officer of IHRC nor is he associated with any of our campaigns.

IHRC reiterates that claims against it and the project are irresponsible and dangerous.  Our involvement in events like Al-Quds Day is based on the fact that this event is a joint venture between Muslim, Jewish, Christian and other activists and groups from the UK and Israel.  Not only does it argue for equal rights for Palestinians, but is an example of Muslim – Jewish partnership in the struggle for equality and rights for all.

IHRC can be contacted for comment by email on info@ihrc.org before 1100 on Tuesday, 09 October, 2018.[ENDS]