Hawzah News Agency - With the UK general election just weeks away, British Muslims and other minority groups are mobilizing to ensure their communities cast their ballots.

While far from a monolithic voter block, Britain’s Muslim population of more than 2.6 million people is a considerable electoral force.

Once concentrated in urban working-class areas, where the Labor party was the dominant force, improving economic prospects mean Muslims are increasingly visible in more affluent areas and are distributed more evenly across the country.

Many in the community hope that with the mere act of taking part in the election, irrespective of who they vote for, they will force politicians to take their concerns seriously.

Shamiul Joarder, who is the head of public affairs at rights group Friends of Al Aqsa, is helping to mobilize the British Muslim vote on issues, such as how politicians aim to tackle problems like anti-Muslim hatred and other forms of racism, as well as their stance on issues affecting Muslims internationally.

According to Joarder it is crucial that British Muslims and other minorities vote for those who have their interests at heart.

We have been reminding people they will need to vote for a person who will represent their views on important issues that will impact on themselves as well as their friends and family,” he told.

“Issues like healthcare, challenging Islamophobia and racism, education fees, accountable policing and a just foreign policy on Palestine, Kashmir, the Uyghurs and Rohingya will all be influenced by their participation,” Joarder added.