Below is a copy of a formal communication I sent to the Mayor to discuss the issues surrounding the Big Ride for Palestine:

Dear John,

RE: Request to have a meeting with yourself and the Council CEO Will Tuckley to discuss the breach of the Councils Policy on the APPG Islamophobia definition with regards to the Big Ride for Palestine

As per question raised in the full council on the 15th of January 2020, to yourself at Full Council, please can you get back to me with a date and time for a meeting with yourself with regards to a breach in Council Policy on the APPG Islamophobia definition, in Council Officers prohibiting the Big Ride for Palestine in Tower Hamlets.

On the 20th March 2019, APPG Islamophobia definition was adopted by Tower Hamlets Council in a motion, co-written and co proposed by me. Its been a year, and I have asked for an update on its implementation. 

The APPG definition came with examples of the of Islamophobia one of which is the following:

“Denying Muslim populations the right to self-determination eg by claiming that the existence of an independent Palestine or Kashmir is a terrorist endeavour”. 

This seems in that the Council’s decision to cancel the Big Ride for Palestine last summer is in breach of its own policy of adopting the  APPG Islamophobia definition.

Anticipating your reply,

Cllr Puru Miah

Mile End