British Arabs Send a Message of Congratulations and an Appeal to Andy Burnham
An elite group of academics, doctors, heads of organizations, professionals, and prominent figures from the Arab community in Britain addressed a lengthy official letter to the British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.
The signatories offered their warmest congratulations on his assuming a high-ranking leadership position, outlining strategic themes and urgent priorities concerning the domestic British scene and foreign policy.
Contributions of the Community and Bridges of Communication with the Arab World
The letter opened by emphasizing the deep sense of national belonging felt by British Arabs and their pride in the pivotal contributions made by the community across various sectors of public life in Britain, including business, education, healthcare, culture, and civil society.
The signatories pointed out that the strong family, cultural, professional, and economic ties connecting British Arabs to the Arab world provide Britain with a “valuable bridge” that enhances its strategic presence in the region. They affirmed their aspiration for the start of a new political era in which the government strengthens its commitment to justice, equality, human rights, and peace.
In this context, Adnan Hmidan, Chairman of the Arabs in UK platform, stated that the letter addressed to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham—signed by a number of British Arabs with specialized expertise, competence, and community presence—aims to express the aspirations of the Arab community in Britain, strengthen dialogue and partnership with the government, and highlight issues of equality, anti-racism, civil liberties, migration, and asylum, alongside enhancing the role of British Arabs in building bridges of relations between Britain and the Arab world. The letter also addressed pressing humanitarian issues, foremost among them Palestine, Gaza, and Sudan, calling for a more effective British role in protecting civilians and respecting international law.
For his part, Sabah Al-Mukhtar, President of the Arab Lawyers Association in the UK, explained that the letter contained clear legal and human rights dimensions, extending from local concerns regarding equality, liberties, and anti-discrimination, to international issues, led by Palestine and Sudan. He stressed the importance of Britain’s commitment to international law and international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians, support for justice and accountability, and ensuring the avoidance of double standards when addressing human rights and humanitarian crises.
Priorities for Domestic Action: Liberties, Migration, and Social Justice
The letter presented the Prime Minister with a package of urgent domestic recommendations requiring special attention, consisting of:
- Racism, Discrimination, and Civil Liberties: The letter described racism as one of the most destructive forces facing societies, calling on the government to strengthen efforts to combat all forms of hatred, including anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. The signatories stressed the necessity of coupling this with steadfast protection for freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and lawful protest for all under the rule of law, while preventing any disproportionate restriction of fundamental civil liberties.
- Migration and Asylum: The letter called for maintaining a migration and asylum system characterized by fairness, humanity, efficiency, and good management—one that respects the dignity of migrants and refugees, accelerates the processing of applications, and upholds human rights standards and Britain’s legal obligations.
- Social Justice and Equal Opportunities: The letter demanded the implementation of practical, targeted policies to reduce disparity and social injustice, and to ensure access for all to higher education, healthcare, adequate housing, a safe environment, and equal opportunities for advancement, regardless of origin, faith, or background, emphasizing that addressing structural inequality strengthens the country as a whole.
Foreign Policy: A Vision for the Arab World, Gaza, and Sudan
Regarding foreign and international policy, the letter addressed pivotal issues requiring a firm and principle-based British stance:
British-Arab Engagement and Relations with the Arab World: The letter called for expanding the scope of political and civic participation for British Arabs, and establishing regular, systematic dialogue channels between the government and the Arab community. It emphasized that the skills, knowledge, and connections possessed by British Arabs qualify them to serve as a “vital bridge” in trade, investment, education, healthcare, culture, diplomacy, and international cooperation, demanding serious engagement with professionals, organizations, businesses, academics, and community leaders when formulating relevant policies.
Gaza and Palestine: The letter expressed deep concern over what it considered to be years of “insufficient British initiative and leadership regarding Palestine,” noting that the catastrophic destruction, mass displacement, starvation, and loss of civilian lives in Gaza—alongside serious allegations of genocide, war crimes, and violations of international law—demand urgent action. In this context, the signatories welcomed the Prime Minister’s recent admission that the Labour Party had not handled the Gaza issue correctly and that Britain could have done more, calling for an active, independent British role rooted in:
- Unwavering commitment to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
- Support for justice and accountability mechanisms through international legal institutions.
- Utilizing diplomatic leverage to protect civilians and prevent further violations.
- Supporting the long-term reconstruction and recovery of Gaza.
- Working toward a just political solution that guarantees Palestinian rights and self-determination, while securing dignity, peace, and safety for all in the region, ensuring that international law applies equally to Palestinians.
The Crisis in Sudan: The letter urged the British government to pay greater and sustained attention to the devastating war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, to scale up humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to protect millions of displaced people, to facilitate the safe delivery of aid, to support accountability for atrocities, and to contribute to a peaceful settlement guided by the interests of the Sudanese people.
Call for Direct Dialogue and Closing Wishes
The signatories concluded their letter by welcoming direct, constructive dialogue with the government on issues of mutual interest, as well as the community’s role in strengthening relations between Britain and the Arab world, wishing Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government every success in their endeavors.
List of Signatories (Members and Representatives of the Arab Community in Britain) in Alphabetical Order:
- Adnan Al-Sabah – TKD Solicitors
- Adnan Hmidan – Alarab in UK
- Ahmed Alkhawaldeh – Jordanian Community
- Asma Almalki – Writer
- Ayman S. Jundi – Trustee, Action For Humanity
- Baha Bader – Chairman of Muslim Students House – Manchester
- Belal Zuaiter – Director, AFT Global UK Ltd.
- Datuk Ahmad Amir Ali – International Relation Advisor
- Dr Abdullah Mawas – Consultant Gastroenterologist, Chairman, Syrian British Medical Society
- Dr Ahmad Aljian – Personally
- Dr Ahmed Salamat – Consultant Haematologist, Trustee of Sketty Mosque and Community Centre
- Dr Amer AB Hamed – Cardiology Consultant, BIMA
- Prof Hussein Rabie – Consultant Vascular Surgeon
- Dr Injy Ghanem – QalbonSaleem.com
- Dr Lana Al-Sumaiday – Muslim Women Society for Future
- Dr M. Hussain – GP
- Dr Maryam Fadl – Lecturer in Global Health, Leeds University
- Dr Mohamad Nidal Bittar – Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Professor, UOS Manchester
- Dr Mohamed Ali – Chair of the Board of Trustees, Welsh Refugee Council
- Dr Mohamed Hammadeh – Consultant Urologist, Syrian British Medical Society
- Dr Nabila Jamali
- Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan – President and Co-founder, Health Workers 4 Palestine
- Dr Omar Al-Falahi – GP, NHS
- Dr Radi Sultan
- Dr Rim El-Rifai – Consultant Paediatrician, Syrian British Medical Society
- Dr Tareq Husein
- Dr Wael Alhalabi – Consultant Anaesthetist, Trent Cardiac Centre, Nottingham
- Dr Yahya Al-Jalal – Consultant Surgeon
- Eslam Shalaby – Unity for Democracy
- Eyad Tbaileh
- Feras Abu Helal – Journalist
- Garry Dring
- Hafez Al Karmi – Mayfair Islamic Centre
- Hani Albadri – Little Park Surgery
- Helmi Alharahsheh – Jordanian Community President
- Ibrahim Khadra – TV Reporter, beIN Sports
- Issam Abdallah
- Jalel Ouerghi – Maghreb Center
- Jamal Turk
- Khaldoun R. Jayousi – Chair & CEO Property Development Global
- Majd Alhayek – Brand Specialist, Wareed
- Malika Benali – Endorsement of British Arab Community
- Mohamed Saleh – University of Leeds
- Mohammed Basha – Executive Director, The Awareness for Research and Development
- Mohammed Kozbar – Chair, The Lebanese Association in Britain
- Mona Adam – Shaman PR
- Osama Khalefa
- Rachid Moutchou / Gholam – Arab in UK
- Radhwan Abdulla
- Reem Al Otaibi – Virtual Teacher
- Sabah Al-Mukhtar – President, Arab Lawyers Association (UK)
- Salah Abdullah – Deputy Director, Alarab in UK
- Sharif Abdulrahman
- Mohammed T. Salih – A2B Driving School
- Wajdi Aljabi
- Waseem Abuaglain – Scottish Palestinian Society
“You can participate and sign the letter through this link here.”
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