Shazia Noor Ghani, founder of Nur Fitness in Middlesbrough, found herself at the forefront of a crisis as her hotline was inundated with calls from terrified Muslim women during hate-fuelled riots. The riots, fueled by racist violence, saw white men setting up makeshift checkpoints and targeting non-white individuals. The town descended into chaos, with businesses suffering and racist abuse becoming more prevalent.
The community has a history of racial tension, with past incidents such as the Cannon Street riots and a recent attack on a taxi driver, Mohammed Zabir, leading to traumatised Muslim communities. In response, initiatives like Media Cultured and Nur Fitness have been established to counter racist narratives and provide support to victims.
Despite the government’s pledge of funds for community projects in response to the riots, many feel that more needs to be done to address the root causes of racism and support victims. Middlesbrough, as the most ethnically diverse local authority area in the Tees Valley, continues to grapple with economic deprivation and lack of social infrastructure.
Gohar Ihsan, chairman of the Middlesbrough Central Mosque, emphasizes the importance of dialogue in tackling Islamophobia and building community cohesion. The mosque has opened its doors to all and runs a food bank to support those in need, regardless of religion. With ongoing efforts to address systemic issues and promote understanding, the hope is to create a more inclusive and supportive community in Middlesbrough.
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