Please note: In this piece we use the term Global Majority. By this, we mean people and / or communities whose roots are in the Caribbean and Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, South and East Asia, and indigenous people around the world. We use this in place of BAME.
This piece responds to the Manchester Mill article about the murder of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah.
We were pleased that the Manchester Mill chose to feature the story of Ahmed Iqbal Ullah recently. The article describes a shocking and traumatic story, not only for Ahmed’s family and friends, but also for Manchester’s multi-ethnic communities. It’s uncomfortable to read but we value the chance to commemorate Ahmed’s death and – importantly – his legacy.
The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust is an anti-racist archive and library. Our mission is to make Global Majority history, heritage and culture more accessible, supporting excellence in research and learning through community partnerships and inclusive practice. We are the only archive organisation that works entirely with Global Majority communities, in a community-led way. This means they define their own narratives and archives – we simply offer support and expertise, putting them in the driving seat. The result is a rich and ever-increasing archive collection. Our library is a unique space where Global Majority histories, cultures, experiences, and perspectives are centred, and is highly valued by activists, students, researchers, journalists, creatives and academics.
The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust was named after Ahmed to honour his life. Since inception, the Trust has sought to honour his life through its activities as well. Our work with schools and youth groups ensure that everyone’s histories and cultures are known and valued. By drawing on our extensive archive and library collection, we highlight nuanced and complex histories. These contain stories of resilience, hope, creativity and celebration, but we cannot avoid talking about themes such as the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, British colonialism and their damaging legacies. This forms a strong basis for explicitly anti-racist work, where we name racism and Islamophobia and explore ways we can build community resilience, and work together for racial and social justice.
The Manchester Mill article also examines the political context at the time, an environment of hardening Conservatism, widespread denial of the existence of racism, and deep resistance to educational practices aimed at fostering understanding and respect for all cultures and histories. Our work sets out to counter these dynamics and to present an alternative vision of an equitable, happier world.
The fight against racism, Islamophobia and religious hatred, xenophobia and all forms of discrimination is more vital now than ever. We will continue supporting Global Majority communities to create archives documenting their stories and cultures, ensuring that Manchester and the UK has a unique centre for the study of these histories. Though we constantly have to advocate for the space and resources to do our work, we will continue to deliver anti-racist educational work, which encourages critical thinking and compassion. Through our activities we work to ensure that Manchester’s Global Majority communities and their histories are valued and seen as integral to our city’s histories.
While we have seen some improvements since our inception, we are concerned that we are moving in dangerous directions right now. We see individuals and organisations capitalising on divisions, and fuelling resentments towards refugees and asylum seekers, migrants, people of colour and Muslims. Those working for racial, social and climate justice are ridiculed and criminalised.
The Trustees of the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Education Trust
Read the Manchester Mill article here. Please be aware the article contains details of racism, racist violence and racial slurs.
