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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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25th June 2004
Strictly embargoed until 26th June 2004
PRESS RELEASE: Winners of Islamophobia Awards 2004 announced
The winners of the Islamic Human Rights Commission’s annual ‘Islamophobia Awards’ were announced today ahead of the ceremony to be held in Maida Vale, London Saturday evening.
The top awards were given to:
Most Islamophobic British Politician: Nick Griffin
Most Islamophobic Media Personality: Polly Toynbee
Most Islamophobic International Politician: Jacques Chirac and Ariel Sharon (joint winners)
Most Islamophobic Media: The Daily Telegraph
Islamophobe of the year: George W. Bush
For other nominees see end of release.
This year a special one-off award for outstanding achievement in promoting Islamophobia was given to the Metropolitan Police Service for, amongst other things, Muslim profiling suspects, disproportionately targeting Muslims for stops and searches under terrorism laws and equating Muslim festivals with increased threats of terrorism.
IHRC Chairman Massoud Shadjareh said today:
“It is with great sadness that we reveal this year’s winners. Sadly the competition was extremely tough and we see no signs of this abating in the year to come.
“On a serious note, the harm done by Islamophobia needs to be evaluated in the light of recent history. Before every genocide there has been demonisation, be it the Balkans, Rwanda or Nazi led Europe. We need to break this current cycle before it is too late.”
The ‘Islamophobia Awards’ is IHRC’s annual comedy event aimed at highlighting prevailing prejudices and subverting them using humour. The evening consists of satire, musical entertainment, a fundraising auction, a sumptuous meal and of course the spoof awards themselves.
Press wishing to attend the awards need to register with the Press Office in advance. An embargoed list of winners will be available in advance as well as opportunities to interview senior IHRC personnel.
IHRC’s annual Islamophobia Awards will take place this year Saturday 26th June 2004 at the Islamic Centre of England, 140 Maida Vale, London, W9. On street parking is available. Nearest tube station Kilburn Park / Maida Vale (Bakerloo line), British Rail, Kilburn High Road (Euston to Watford Junction).
For more information please contact, awards@ihrc.org or call (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958 60 74 75.
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The names of all short-listed nominees and winners follows:
Most Islamophobic British Politician: Nick Griffin (winner), David Blunkett, Evan Harris, Sarah Ludford
Most Islamophobic Media Personality: Polly Toynbee (winner), Barbara Amiel, Daniel Pipes
Most Islamophobic International Politician: Jacques Chirac and Ariel Sharon (joint winners), Islam Karimov
Most Islamophobic Media: The Daily Telegraph (winner), The Sun, The Spectator
Islamophobe of the year: George W. Bush (winner), George Carey, Melanie Phillips
Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom
Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org.uk
