'I invited a Right-wing voter to an event of 40,000 Muslims - here's what happened'
Imam Adeel Shah invited a Reform voter to attend the country's largest Muslim convention in Hampshire, amidst the current political divide in the UK.
A Reform voter attended a gathering of more than 40,000 Muslims - the outcome might shock you. Imam Adeel Shah, aged 29, extended an invitation to the Reform supporter to attend the UK's biggest Muslim convention in Hampshire, in response to his concerns about political division and xenophobia in the UK.
The event came just before violent right-wing riots ripped through towns and cities of Britain this past week, in the wake of a knife attack that saw three children killed. While 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana has been charged with murdering three young girls, social media has since been rife with disinformation about him, fuelling mob chaos.
This has left Imam Shah and countless others fearful for their friends and families. In an exclusive interview, Imam Shah told The Mirror: "Having to watch your back as you walk on the streets which you’ve known all your life is an uneasy feeling. I’m devastated and horrified at what’s happening.
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"I’ve lived here all my life and rarely experienced Islamophobia, but now I’m fearful for my wife and children."
The recent riots are not affiliated with the Reform UK Party. Despite this, Imam Shah is especially concerned by recent YouGov polls, including one which suggests a staggering 78% of Reform voters believe 'multiculturalism has made the UK worse'.
An overwhelming 86% of respondents also held the belief that migrants crossing the English Channel to reach the United Kingdom should be immediately deported and barred from ever returning. Amidst this sentiment, Imam Shah aimed to 'reach out' and 'build bridges' with right-wing voters, prompting him to send an invitation.
Courtney Epps, 72, and his wife Jade, 67, joined the religious community and various others to learn more about Islam. Listening to various speeches was a big part of this, including one read by the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
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Incredibly, Epps found this 'enlightening' and 'interesting'. He stressed: "Reform is not anti-Muslim. No one has ever said that. I came with a clean sheet. I just came here to listen [...] We got to start living in peace, be nice to each other and stop killing each other. Conversation is key."
Imam Adeel encourages anyone from all different backgrounds to join in on Muslim events. He added: "As Muslims, we’re taught to love both our country and our faith. We’ve always been loyal citizens of the country and we will continue to be."
