UK Imam stresses dialogue to overcome division after anti-Muslim protests

Calls for face-to-face engagement to break stereotypes and foster understanding

LIVERPOOL, UK (MNTV) — A British imam who offered food, drinks, and even hugs to far-right protesters outside the UK’s oldest mosque says open dialogue is key to recognizing the “human on the other side.”

As reported by The National News, Imam Adam Kelwick became widely known after inviting demonstrators into Liverpool’s Abdullah Quilliam Mosque last August and embracing a far-right protester. 

His actions followed anti-Muslim riots sparked by false social media claims that a Muslim asylum seeker was responsible for a mass stabbing at a Taylor Swift dance class in Southport, a seaside town 30 kilometers from Liverpool. 

The misinformation led to violent protests, looting, and attacks across England and Wales.

“For as long as Muslims are viewed as ‘the other,’ people will build them up as something to be feared,” Kelwick said while speaking at In Dialogue, a conference held at the Abrahamic Family House.

“But when we meet in person, share a coffee, have a conversation, and connect, that’s when perceptions change,” he added.

He criticized the tendency to label people based on religion, immigration status, or ethnicity. “When one person in a group does something wrong, the entire community is blamed—but that’s not fair,” he argued.

Kelwick praised the role of cultural and sports figures, particularly Liverpool footballer Mohamed Salah, in breaking down barriers. 

He also found hope in the large anti-racism rallies that followed the protests, noting that counter-demonstrations in support of the Muslim community outnumbered the far-right gatherings.

“This shows the resilience that interfaith dialogue can build,” he concluded.

Kelwick’s efforts highlight the will of Muslims in fostering dialogue in bridging divides and fostering social cohesion in an increasingly polarized world.