Being a Muslim in Britain is far more challenging than many people realise. At various points throughout my life, I have felt abandoned by the state, politicians, and government. Three generations of my family – my parents, myself and my children – have faced prejudice, racism and Islamophobia.

At the heart of every conflict lies a binary: us vs. them. These lines can grow, shift, or dissolve as alliances form and fracture, but the essence remains the same.

Today, we breathe such a deep sigh of relief at the news of a ceasefire and hostage-release deal. For over 15 months, the people of the Middle East have endured unimaginable pain, horror, fear, and profound loss that has reverberated across the region. 

One of the most devastating experiences of Islamophobia for me was when my daughter experienced Islamophobic bullying at her school, which included two older boys shouting ‘F***ing P**i’ at her.

Over the summer, I was honoured to join the SNS team as an intern for 6 weeks. Although the duration was short, I learnt many things that will stick with me forever.

Before joining, I had never worked in a professional environment. I was going in blind, not knowing what to expect. I was nervous, excited, and intrigued about what my experience would entail.