Forward Thinking Hold Meetings in the North West and Yorkshire, 7-9 February 2022

The Forward Thinking UK Programme team travelled to Bradford, Dewsbury, and Manchester for a series of bilateral meetings with community representatives between the 7-9th February.Trust in Establishment institutions is distinctly low and there is widespread frustration at a lack of change. A range of issues continue to impact Muslim communities in the North West and Yorkshire including the enduring challenge of Islamophobia, the domestic impact of foreign policy issues, and the ongoing Independent Review of Prevent. Forward Thinking discussed with community representatives what responses to these issues might look like.Community representatives stressed the particular importance of working with young British Muslims to increase their engagement in local, national, and international politics and it was emphasised that opportunities for such engagement should be expanded.