Islamic Human Rights Commission
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26 January 2015

Press release: Charlie Hebdo in running for 2015 Islamophobia award

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Image by Torsten Röwekamp

The magazine was selected by members of the public in the International category which also features the far right anti-Islamic PEGIDA movement that has risen to prominence in Germany this year, and Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s xenophobic National Front party.

Centred around a gala dinner, the annual event aims to subvert Islamophobia through comedy while simultaneously drawing attention to one of the most disturbing phenomena of modern times. Between now and then members of the public are being invited to vote for the people and organisations they feel has done most to deserve the award.

This year the awards have been split into four separate categories: UK, International, News Media and Film/Book/TV Series.  Nominees were submitted by the general public.  The ‘UK’ category sees the likes of David Cameron, Michael Gove and Theresa May as well as the UK government as a whole. Likely contributing factors for each nomination include Gove’s initiation of Operation Trojan Horse and May’s ratcheting-up of counter-terrorism measures.

The ‘International’ category is not limited in terms of scope seeing nominees from the USA, France, Germany and Australia. Nominees range from high-ranking figures such as Angela Merkel to Mayor Marcel Mortreau in France who decided that Muslim pupils at a local school would not be given an alternative meal to pork.

‘News Media’ features both individuals and institutions: FOX News and The Sun received nominations as did columnist Katie Hopkins who famously referred to Palestinians as ‘filthy rodents burrowing beneath Israel.’ A host of films received nominations with popular television series Homeland and Citizen Khan also making the shortlist.

Winners will be announced during the spoof awards ceremony which will be taking place on Saturday, 7 March 2015 at the Holiday Inn in Wembley. The evening will also include a performance from acclaimed comedian Aamer Rahman who was named as one of The Guardian's top 10 comedy shows of 2014. He has performed at the Sydney Opera House and was one of the recipients of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Best Newcomer Award.

Notes :

Date: Saturday, 7 March 2015
Time: 6.30pm – 11pm
Venue: Holiday Inn, Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 8DS

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