Public musings and personal reflections

Public musings and personal reflections

Public musings and personal reflections

Public musings and personal reflections

Recent events in the UK, most notably the attack on a synagogue in Manchester, have created a charged and fragile atmosphere. It is therefore all the more reckless for Israel to extend an olive branch to Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), a man with a long history of bigotry, criminality, and provocation. That this invitation comes now is no coincidence.

The attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, targeting a synagogue on one of its holiest days, must be condemned without hesitation. To strike at a place of worship is an assault not only on o…

The attack on the Jewish community in Manchester, targeting a synagogue on one of its holiest days, must be condemned without hesitation. To strike at a place of worship is an assault not only on one faith, but on all who value peace, dignity and the right to practise religion freely. Jews and Muslims share much in history, in values, and in our deep connection to worship, family and community.

Before his killing, I had never even heard of Charlie Kirk. Having stepped away from X/Twitter, I had no real exposure to the American right-wing influencer bubble. Yet, in the last 48 hours, our U…

Before his killing, I had never even heard of Charlie Kirk. Having stepped away from X/Twitter, I had no real exposure to the American right-wing influencer bubble. Yet, in the last 48 hours, our U…

Before his killing, I had never even heard of Charlie Kirk. Having stepped away from X/Twitter, I had no real exposure to the American right-wing influencer bubble. Yet, in the last 48 hours, our UK media has been saturated with his name, his photograph, his story. Rolling coverage, live updates, glowing tributes - as if a man most Britons had never heard of until yesterday is suddenly of historic importance.

Flags underfoot, refugees vilified, nurses targeted. Racism and bigotry corrodes all of us. Call it out, loudly and clearly.

I woke up this morning in the early hours, 3:21 am to be exact, my chest tight with what felt like an asthma attack. But clearly wasn’t. As I fumbled for my inhaler in the darkness, my breath and anxiety steadied but not my thoughts. I could think only of the nurse attacked in Halifax, right where I’ve walked. Halifax is where my husbands family live and work.

I have spent many years working to build understanding, trust, and solidarity between our faith communities across the country. I have been welcomed into the homes of Christian, Sikh, Humanist and …

I have spent many years working to build understanding, trust, and solidarity between our faith communities across the country. I have been welcomed into the homes of Christian, Sikh, Humanist and …

I have spent many years working to build understanding, trust, and solidarity between our faith communities across the country. I have been welcomed into the homes of Christian, Sikh, Humanist and …

A new report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reveals that ChatGPT can generate harmful content for vulnerable teens. The AI chatbot provided detailed suicide notes, drug-use plans,…

I have spent many years working to build understanding, trust, and solidarity between our faith communities across the country. I have been welcomed into the homes of Christian, Sikh, Humanist and …

Dear Prime Minister Re: Your “Island of Strangers” Speech – A Shameful, Xenophobic Betrayal I have given this considerable thought before deciding to share this publicly. Over the past two weeks, I have had the privilege of engaging with a remarkable group of South Asian women, discussing political issues and the importance of ensuring that their perspectives and voices are recognised and heard.

Public musings and personal reflections

Earlier today, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Margins to Centre Conference 2025 at the University of York. The conference seeks to amplify the voices of marginalised communities and this year the conference explored the theme of Belonging. Here's the text of my keynote: =.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=.=. In The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo writes “Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark.