Adam Yosef

Adam Yosef (born September 1981) is a British multimedia journalist, photojournalist[1][2] and community activist.[3]

Activism

In 2003 Yosef co-founded the interfaith Saltley Gate Peace Group, a community peace initiative which was formed in response to the threat of war in Iraq as a part of the growing peace movement in Britain following 9/11, and he was Community & Interfaith Liaison Officer for the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition[4] during this period.

He has been actively involved in community work which is related to the Lozells riots, the Alum Rock terror raids[5][6][7] and campaigning against radical groups in the Midlands.[8][9][10]

In his early twenties, Yosef slept rough on the streets of London before being assisted by The Salvation Army.[11] As a result, founded the Birmingham Food Drive in 2012, which regularly provides food, clothes and essential items to homeless people in the city, and is an active supporter of youth homelessness charity St Basils.[12][13][14][15] He has also written for Pavement, the magazine for the rough sleepers in the UK.[16]

Between 2011 and 2017, Yosef co-organised the Birmingham Zombie Walk, an annual event which raised thousands of pounds for Birmingham Children's Hospital.[17][18] and is part an ongoing commitment to the charity.[19][20]

In 2015, Yosef co-founded the Birmingham chapter of the national anti-racism organisation Stand Up To Racism.[21][22][23][24]

Public media career

PR and communications

Between 2003 and 2004, Yosef was employed by the Birmingham Central Mosque as a Press & Public Relations representative.[25] He regularly appeared as spokesperson for the trust alongside its chairman, Dr Mohammad Naseem.[26][27][28][29][30]

From 2005, he was Press Officer for politician Salma Yaqoob, the former leader of the Respect Party. He was also Press & Social Media Officer for Yaqoob during the 2010 general election.[31][32]

Journalism

Between 2005 and 2006, Yosef was senior journalist with The Asian Today and Desi Xpress, owned by Urban Media.

In 2007, Yosef was appointed deputy editor of national entertainment magazine Ikonz. In 2008, he became a columnist for Fusian magazine.

In July 2009, Yosef launched I Am Birmingham, an independent news website serving the West Midlands region, of which he is Editor-in-Chief.[33][34][35][36][37]

In August 2011, he was attacked by rioters while covering the 2011 England riots, during which he suffered a cut to the face and a swollen jaw.[38]

Yosef has regularly written for the BBC Online and worked closely with BBC Birmingham, creating content highlighting issues of socio-politics, diversity, culture, racism and religion.[39][40][41][42] He has also written for the Birmingham Mail.[43]

Controversies
  • In the December 2005 issue of the British Asian newspaper Desi Xpress (Issue 42), he made allegedly homophobic remarks about the UK's new civil partnership law for same-sex couples, including remarks such as "Hmm... gay weddings... Gay people and commitment? I don't think so... They'll be shagging the neighbours before they even cut the cake. Bad idea I'm afraid. Great way of evading tax though...." He later apologised and retracted his comments in the same newspaper, claiming his opinions were misinterpreted.[44][45]
  • In January 2006, he subsequently wrote another article for the same newspaper on bigotry, in which he named Peter Tatchell, leader of OutRage!, Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, and Omar Bakri Mohammed, leader of Al-Muhajiroun, as the three top "hate filled bigots" in the United Kingdom.[46] He also said that Tatchell "needs a good slap in the face" and that he and his "queer campaign army" should "pack their bent bags and head back to Australia." After complaints that he was homophobic and inciting violence, Yosef claimed that he had "misspoken" and apologised for any perceived homophobia, but maintained the view that Tatchell was a bigot [47][48] saying that the reference to Australia was intended as a reference to the Cronulla riots in Sydney.[44] The newspaper gave Tatchell a full-page right of reply.
  • Tribune magazine, allied to the left of the Labour Party, criticised Yosef and suggested his NUJ card should be withdrawn.[49] He was further described as "bigoted" and "hate-driven" by Progress magazine, which is allied to the Blairite faction of the Labour Party and criticised by the Green Party,[50] of which Tatchell is a member. Respect defended Yosef, citing his BBC articles supporting LGBT pride.[51][52] The party stated it opposed "homophobia and anti-gay violence".[53] In October 2009, Yosef pledged his formal support to Tatchell's General Election parliamentary candidacy for the Green Party of England and Wales, calling for the left to "embrace a mutual personal and political commitment towards equality and human rights".[54][55]

Politics

Yosef is a former member of the Respect Party,[56][57][58] campaigning for the party in Birmingham. He supported the Green Party of England and Wales in October 2009.

Honours

In October 2007, Yosef was included in Ikonz magazine's special Halloween photo shoot, in which he was transformed into a The Crow. He was featured alongside actors from television soap Hollyoaks and presenters from the BBC Asian Network.[59][60]

In March 2008, he was included in the top 50 most eligible bachelors list for Asian Woman magazine.[61]

In November 2017, he was nominated and shortlisted for the Inspirational Man accolade at the Birmingham Inspiration Awards.[62]

In September 2018, Yosef was nominated and shortlisted for the Excellence in Media accolade at The Birmingham Awards.[63][64]

In 2019, Yosef was nominated in the Positive Role Model (LGBT) category for The Excellence in Diversity Awards.[65]

References
  1. "Seven men strip for Movember to raise awareness for men's health". Metro. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  2. "Birmingham teachers head to Calais refugee camp this weekend". ITV News. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  3. "Faces behind the faith". – BBC. July 2005.
  4. "Faces behind the faith". – BBC. 18 July 2005.
  5. Judd, Terri (1 February 2007). "Birmingham's Muslims fear reprisals after anti-terror raids". London: – The Independent.
  6. "A new kind of terror comes to these shores". – The Scotsman. 1 February 2007.
  7. "The Asian Today Online - News - Birmingham rocked by terror raids". 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  8. "Anger over anti-British hate posters". – Birmingham Mail. 24 May 2007.
  9. "Anti-British stickers spark protests". – Birmingham Post. 24 May 2007.
  10. "Muslim party in posters denial". – Birmingham Mail. 25 May 2007.
  11. "Volunteers to sleep out in Digbeth to raise plight of homeless". – Birmingham Mail. 3 December 2010.
  12. Authi, Jasbir (3 December 2010). "Volunteers to sleep out in Digbeth to raise plight of homeless". birminghammail. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  13. "Volunteers offer a helping hand to Birmingham's homeless". – Birmingham Mail. 2 January 2013.
  14. "Volunteers feed Birmingham's homeless over Christmas". – The Asian Today. 9 January 2014.
  15. Ali, Tanzila (10 January 2016). "Food, clothes and even haircuts are dished out to Birmingham's homeless". birminghammail. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  16. Napier, Sarah (10 February 2012). "Sleeping out for St Basil's". The Pavement.
  17. Live, Birmingham (20 August 2013). "Your Communities: News from Birmingham Children's Hospital". birminghammail. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  18. Korpal, Vimal (24 September 2018). "Birmingham Zombie Walk "discontinued", Children's Hospital charity announce". I Am Birmingham. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  19. Today, The Asian (6 April 2011). "Taking the Mailbox Plunge - News". The Asian Today Online. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  20. "Multi-faith Santas bear gifts for Children's Hospital | TV, Radio & Media | Ethnic Now". 22 February 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2008. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  21. "New 'funny tinge' jokes continue to ridicule Angela Smith's racism gaffe". Metro. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  22. Catalina George, Adam Yosef (Stand Up To Racism Birmingham) on why political action is needed to combat racism, retrieved 12 January 2019
  23. "Stand Up To Racism". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  24. nishkammediacentre (16 November 2015). "I Am Birmingham – Birmingham unites for victims of terror attacks". Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  25. "Mosque's Bigley shrine wrecked (Home news)". – The Sun. 13 October 2004.
  26. "Bigley tribute destroyed at mosque". – Reuters. 31 October 2004.
  27. "Condolences book stolen from mosque". – Sunday Mercury. 14 March 2004.
  28. "Police probe Mosque's condolence book theft". – Reuters. 15 March 2004.
  29. "Из мечети Бирмингема украдена книга соболезнований Кеннету Бигли". – Lenta.Ru. 15 March 2004.
  30. "Hunt is on for Bigley body". – Metro. 13 October 2004.
  31. "On the radar". – Progress Magazine. May 2010.
  32. "Help Adam raise money for St Basils". – Salma Yaqoob. 3 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 January 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  33. "I Am Birmingham: Meet the Team". – I Am Birmingham. May 2010.
  34. "Filling the gaps: how citizen journalism is replacing local press". – The Journalism Foundation. 6 December 2011.
  35. Authi, Jasbir (27 June 2016). "Lord Aleem apologises for Lamborghini police road rage incident". birminghammail. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  36. AUTHI, JASBIR (27 June 2016). "Young millionaire tells police 'My shoes cost more than your f***ing wages'". mirror. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  37. "Young millionaire brat offers apology to cops". NewsComAu. 29 June 2016. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  38. "Punched in the face and attacked four times within five minutes". – The Asian Today. 7 September 2011.
  39. "Why I stand against hate, why I stand with Brummies". – BBC. July 2004.
  40. "The Power of Protest". – BBC. March 2005.
  41. "Painting the town white – Making Poverty History". – BBC. July 2005.
  42. "March on Gleneagles – Peace amidst violence". – BBC. July 2005.
  43. "In a world of excess, Ramadan is welcomed by many who wish to evaluate and change their monotonous and unfulfilling daily routine". – Birmingham Mail. September 2008.
  44. "Official Statement from Adam Yosef". – Desi Xpress. January 2006. Archived from the original on 6 February 2006.
  45. "Axe grinder 20.01.06". – Press Gazette. 20 January 2006.
  46. "Outrage at lack of respect for gay campaigner". PinkNews - Gay news, reviews and comment from the world's most read lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans news service. 17 January 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  47. "Columnist issues apology to gay campaigner". – Pink Paper. 20 January 2006.
  48. UK Indymedia – Peter Tatchell attacks Muslim journalist!
  49. "More Islamophobic crap from Tribune". – Islamophobia Watch. 20 January 2006. Archived from the original on 8 May 2006. Retrieved 28 March 2006.
  50. "Vitriolic attack on gay-rights campaigner". – Green Party. 24 January 2006.
  51. "Pride-The Real Rainbow". – BBC. May 2005.
  52. "Birmingham Pride". – BBC. 25 May 2009.
  53. "Galloway activist urges: assault Tatchell". – Indymedia. 20 January 2006.
  54. "Muslim "homophobe" backs Tatchell's bid to be MP". GScene Magazine. 23 October 2009. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011.
  55. "Muslim 'Homophobe' Endorses Activist MP Candidate". – DNA Magazine. 26 October 2009. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011.
  56. "'People feel sky-high at Respect's campaign'". Socialist Worker (Britain). Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  57. "Respect". Socialist Worker (Britain). Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  58. Shooter, Helen (17 July 2004). "We make a difference". Socialist Worker.
  59. "Hollyoaks Stars photoshoot for Brit Asian Magazine". – Ethnic Now. 11 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2008.
  60. "Kreepy. Kooky. Spooky. Ooky". 11 December 2007. Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  61. "Asian Woman Top 50 2008 Bachelors". – Asian Woman. March 2008.
  62. "Birmingham Inspiration Awards 2017: The Nominees". – I Am Birmingham. November 2017.
  63. "The Birmingham Award's 2018 Shortlist Announced - Voting is now open!". The Birmingham Awards. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  64. "Birmingham Awards' 2018 shortlist announced as voting opens". I Am Birmingham. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 12 January 2019.
  65. "Adam Yosef - Nominate - National Diversity Awards". National Diversity Awards. May 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
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