Amina Khalid writes on her experience attending the Nottingham More In Common Community Dialogue event.

On October 17th, I had the privilege of attending the Nottingham More In Common Community Dialogue event, held during National Hate Crime Awareness Week. This gathering, organized in collaboration with Communities Inc., The Renewal Trust, The Jo Cox Foundation, and Nottingham City Council, brought together over 50 participants from diverse backgrounds, including grassroots activists, civil society organizations, politicians, policymakers, youth, and the Police Commissioner.

The event followed the horrific attack in Southport this summer and the troubling rise in hate and violence across the UK. As the Head of the Sustainable Communities Programme and a proud British Muslim woman of colour from a refugee background, I found the day’s conversations both deeply personal and professionally impactful. It underscored the crucial need to create resilient communities rooted in empathy, understanding, and openness.

At the invitation of Nottingham Contemporary’s inspiring Communities Programmer, Holly Tea, I attended this event alongside SusCom’s team member, Maxine Cockett from Breaking Barriers Building Bridges (4Bs), and her colleagues. Our collective presence served as a powerful reminder of the solidarity needed to bring about real change.

The day began with an empowering opening from Meena Jeewa, Communities Manager at the Jo Cox Foundation. She reminded us of the power in celebrating our differences rather than letting them divide us. Her message reverberated throughout the day as speaker after speaker shared their insights and passion for fostering unity in the face of hate.

One particularly moving moment was when Cllr Sajid Mohammed, CEO of Himmah, began his speech by quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” His call to action was unmistakable—the silence in Nottingham following recent unrest highlighted the urgent need for leadership and swift, united action. His words resonated deeply, reminding us all to step up, speak out, and take collective responsibility for our communities.

Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, who became the youngest MP upon her election at the age of 23, echoed this sentiment with great conviction. She spoke about the dangers of “divide and rule” tactics and emphasized the government’s role in stoking division. Nadia passionately advocated for a politics of hope, one that unites us through shared needs and interests, while firmly rejecting hate and racism. She reminded us that as citizens, we have the power to demand more from our leaders—a society grounded in justice, inclusion, and compassion.

Richard Buckwell from Stand Up To Racism called for a clearer vision for our communities, and Ahmed Perbhai, Vice Chair of the Nottingham Council of Mosques, emphasized the essential role of faith and unity in the face of division. These voices, alongside Michael Henry, Strategic Director of Communities Inc., enriched the conversation, offering diverse perspectives on how we can collectively combat fear, hatred, and violence.

For me, as a woman of colour from the Muslim community, this event felt profoundly personal. I have witnessed firsthand how hate and division fracture communities, but I have also seen how dialogue, honesty, and a shared commitment to understanding can rebuild relationships. From a young age, I have experienced the deep wounds of racism and Islamophobia. Yet, as a proud British Muslim hijabi (headscarf), I’ve also learned the strength that comes from standing together in solidarity. Through outreach, reconciliation, and forgiveness, we can heal communities, rebuild trust, and restore faith in each other.

This journey, filled with challenges, has transformed me-not into a victim, but into someone determined to give back, driven by a deep sense of calling and responsibility. Despite the difficulties, I have chosen to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, serving my adopted community with renewed purpose. These obstacles have only deepened my conviction to foster bridges of understanding and unity. This journey has been my source of strength and has shaped my work within Sustainable Communities.

The More In Common event reaffirmed my belief that when we come together, we can create real, transformative change. It was a powerful reminder that each of us-whether we are politicians, activists, or community leaders-has a crucial role in shaping a more just and inclusive society. At a time when the devastating conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine and Lebanon, continue to unfold, the message of solidarity and community-building feels even more urgent.

The violence and division we see globally only emphasize the importance of the work we are doing at SusCom. Our efforts to promote dialogue, understanding, and unity are critical in a world where hatred so often tears societies apart.

Let this event serve as a call to action-not just for Nottingham, but for communities everywhere. Let’s not wait for the next crisis to spur us into action. Instead, let’s come together now, each and every day, to foster understanding, challenge hate, and build bridges toward a future grounded in our shared humanity.

Join Us in Action
As we continue our work to foster unity and healing, we invite you to join us in future conversations. Join our Sustainable Communities mailing list HERE to join our community and stay up to be the first to know of upcoming events. Help us to promote dialogue, challenge hate, or bridge divides in your community. Together – let’s build a future rooted in our common humanity.

Amina Khalid is Head of the Sustainable Communities Programme.