More than one hundred British Arab orgainsations and individuals yesterday sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham on the occasion of his assumption of office. The letter pointed to a number of pressing national and international issues which the signatories hoped the prime minister will address in the immediate future. The following is the full text of the letter:
The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AA
London, 28 July 2026
Re: A Message of Congratulations and a Call from British Arabs
Dear Prime Minister,
We, the undersigned members and representatives of the British Arab community, extend our warm congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and wish you and your government every success.
British Arabs have a strong sense of belonging to the United Kingdom and are proud of the contribution our community makes across British public life, business, education, healthcare, culture and civil society. Our familial, cultural, professional and economic connections with the Arab world also provide Britain with a valuable bridge to the region.
As your government begins its work, we respectfully ask that particular attention be given to the following priorities.
Racism, discrimination and civil liberties
Racism is one of the most destructive forces a society can face. We urge your government to strengthen efforts to combat every form of racism, hatred and discrimination in British society, including anti-Arab racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism.
These efforts should be accompanied by the consistent protection of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and lawful protest for everyone, in accordance with the rule of law. Communities must be protected both from hatred and discrimination and from any unequal restriction of their fundamental civil liberties.
Immigration and asylum
A democratic, confident and outward-looking society should maintain an immigration and asylum system that is fair, humane, effective and properly administered.
We ask your government to implement a system that respects the dignity of migrants and refugees, processes applications efficiently, protects those entitled to seek refuge, and upholds the human-rights standards and legal obligations to which the United Kingdom is committed.
Social justice and equal opportunity
We urge your government to introduce practical and meaningful policies to reduce inequality and social injustice.
Everyone in Britain should have fair access to high-quality education, healthcare, suitable housing, secure employment and opportunities for advancement, regardless of their origin, faith or background.
Addressing structural inequality and improving social mobility will strengthen the country as a whole.
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Foreign policy: British Arab participation and relations with the Arab world
We aspire to see greater political and civic participation by British Arabs and the establishment of regular, structured channels of dialogue between the government and our community.
British Arabs possess valuable knowledge, experience, language skills and connections that can support stronger and more balanced relations between Britain and the Arab world. Our community can serve as an important bridge in trade, investment, education, healthcare, culture, diplomacy and international cooperation.
We therefore encourage your government to engage meaningfully with British Arab professionals, community organisations, businesses, academics and civic leaders when developing policies affecting our community or Britain’s relationships with Arab countries.
Gaza and Palestine
For many years, British Arabs have been deeply concerned by what we regard as insufficient British initiative and leadership on Palestine.
The catastrophic destruction, mass displacement, hunger and loss of civilian life in Gaza, together with grave allegations of genocide, war crimes and other violations of international law, demand urgent and principled action.
We welcome your recent acknowledgement that the Labour Party did not get its response to Gaza right and that Britain could and should have done more.
There is an urgent need for immediate action to protect civilians, secure sustained and unrestricted humanitarian access, and bring the military violence and destruction to an end.
We call on Britain to play an active and independent role by:
- upholding international humanitarian law and international human-rights law consistently;
- supporting credible justice and accountability processes through the appropriate international legal institutions;
- using its diplomatic influence to protect civilians and prevent further violations;
- supporting the reconstruction and long-term recovery of Gaza; and
- working towards a just political solution that guarantees Palestinian rights and self-determination, while securing dignity, peace and safety for everyone in the region.
Britain’s approach should demonstrate that international law applies equally and that the lives and rights of Palestinian civilians are entitled to the same protection as those of all other peoples.
The crisis in Sudan
We urge your government to give greater and sustained attention to the devastating war and humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
Millions of people have been displaced, while civilians continue to face violence, hunger, the threat of famine and the destruction of essential services and infrastructure.
We hope Britain will increase its humanitarian and diplomatic efforts to protect civilians, facilitate the safe and effective delivery of aid, support accountability for atrocities, and contribute to achieving a peaceful and sustainable resolution led by the interests of the Sudanese people.
Prime Minister,
We believe Britain is strongest when everyone feels that they belong, that their voice is heard, and that their rights and dignity are respected, regardless of their origin, faith or background.
We look forward to a new era in which your government strengthens Britain’s commitment to justice, equality, human rights and peace, and plays a constructive role in responding to humanitarian crises and protecting human dignity.
We would welcome an opportunity for direct and constructive dialogue with your government on matters of importance to British Arabs, the contribution our community can make to British society, and the role British Arabs can play in strengthening relations between the United Kingdom and the Arab world.
Finally, we extend our best wishes to you and your government for every success in your endeavours.
Yours sincerely,
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The undersigned members and representatives of the British Arab community
- 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
Adnan Hmidan – Head of the ‘Alarab in UK’ Platform
“In this context, Adnan Hmidan, Head of the ‘Alarab in UK’ platform, emphasized that the letter addressed to British Prime Minister Andy Burnham—signed by a number of prominent British-Arabs recognized for their expertise, qualifications, and community presence—aims to articulate the aspirations of the Arab community in Britain, foster dialogue and partnership with the government, and highlight issues concerning equality, anti-racism, civil liberties, immigration, and asylum. Furthermore, it seeks to enhance the role of British-Arabs in building bridges of relations between Britain and the Arab world. The letter also addressed urgent humanitarian issues, most notably Palestine, Gaza, and Sudan, while calling for a more active British role in protecting civilians and upholding international law.”
Sabah Al-Mukhtar –President of the Arab Lawyers Association (UK)
“Sabah Al-Mukhtar, President of the Arab Lawyers Association in Britain, explained that the letter encompassed clear legal and rights-based dimensions, ranging from domestic concerns regarding equality, freedoms, and anti-discrimination, to international issues, forefronted by Palestine and Sudan. He underscored the importance of Britain’s commitment to international law and international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, supporting justice and accountability, and ensuring the absence of double standards in addressing human rights and humanitarian crises.”
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