Bolton Wanderers ground hosts Islamophobia conference

The fifth annual Islamophobia conference was held at the Toughsheet Stadium and made possible thanks to donations from businesses and across the community.

Panel speakers included Cllr Hanif Alli, of Halliwell and Cllr Ayyub Patel, of Rumworth while guests included the Mayor of Bolton Cllr Andy Morgan.

Cllr Alli said: “It was an honour to be invited to speak and answer questions on the panel alongside Cllr Ayub Patel and other distinguished guests who had travelled far distances just to support the event and discuss how we could better tackle the spectre of Islamophobia in Britain.

“I would also like to thank the Mayor and Mayoress for attending and giving their support too.”

Cllr Alli said that he also wanted to thank Bolton Wanderers for providing the venue at no cost to show their support in raising awareness about Islamophobia.

The event, chaired by Neil McAllister of Bolton Stand Up to Racism, was organised as part of Islamophobia awareness month.

Cllr Morgan, who attended with Mayoress Karen Holdsworth, said that the event reflected the strength of Bolton’s community.

He said: “Bolton is proud to lead in this fight and works tirelessly to promote policies that protect and empower all our residents and fosters dialogue between diverse groups.

“But real change comes when we all stand together, when each of us commits to challenging prejudice wherever we encounter it.

“As Mayor, I have the honour of representing the incredible diversity of our borough.

“I see first hand the strength that comes from unity, and I am proud to support initiatives that bring us closer together.

“Whether it’s standing alongside community leaders, attending interfaith events, or celebrating the cultures that enrich Bolton, I hope to champion inclusion and understanding.

“The community also has a vital role to play. Education and dialogue are powerful tools to break down stereotypes and build bridges between different cultures and faiths.

“Schools, faith groups, and community organisations are already doing incredible work, and together we can amplify those efforts.

“If we all work together, we can dismantle prejudice, replace division with unity, and ensure that our borough remains a beacon of inclusion for everyone.”