The then head of the Commission for Racial Equality wrote to IHRC to congratulate them on the Islamophobia Awards held on 31st May 2003.

In his letter, he states:

“I would like to take this opportunity to say what a good idea these awards are.  There is a very compelling case for using humour to deal with difficult and serious issues such as Islamaphobia[sic].  The rise in anti-Muslim incidents is indeed alarming and I completely agree with you that there should be legislation to rule both this and and discrimination on the grounds of any religion.  If you have any research on this issue which helps build the case in favour of legislation, I would be very interested in seeing it.” He ends the letter, “I hope we will have the opportunity to work together in the future.”

Download a PDF of the letter here.