EAST London barrister Ahmed Malik is planning to contest Bethnal Green and Bow in the General Election. Mr Malik is standing as an independent and aims to confront the issue of Islamophobia. He came over to the with his parents in 1981 and has been involv

EAST London barrister Ahmed Malik is planning to contest Bethnal Green and Bow in the General Election.

Mr Malik is standing as an independent and aims to confront the issue of Islamophobia.

He came over to the with his parents in 1981 and has been involved in community affairs, setting up the Muslim Weekly paper in 2003 and is now chairman of the board of editors on the paper.

He said: "I am disappointed that the Muslims along with other mainstream party candidates in this general election are very shy to talk about the problems faced by the British Muslims."

He added that Islamophobia is still on the rise with far right groups gaining popularity in various parts of the country.

He said: "Islamophobia is still on the rise with BNP and English Defence League gaining popularity in various part of the country. There have been numerous attacks on Muslims on the street, in their businesses, women wearing hijab are frequently being abused, harassed, arson attacks and vandalisms are on the Mosques, graveyards, and discrimination against Muslims and other minority community on many areas including employment, education and public sector housing."

The parliamentary seat is currently held by the Respect party with a majority of just 823 votes and all the declared candidates for the seat are Muslim.