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Islamophobia Awareness Month — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
24 November 2021
Lead MP
Afzal Khan
Manchester Rusholme
Lab
Responding Minister
Kemi Badenoch
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementCommunity SecurityWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 14637
Other Contributors: 27
At a Glance
Afzal Khan raised concerns about islamophobia awareness month — [peter dowd in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Khan asks the Government to outline measures introduced by them to keep users safe online and steps taken to tackle far-right activity. He also seeks answers on why someone with Islamophobic views was appointed to head the review of the Prevent strategy, the refusal to engage with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), and whether the term 'Islamophobia' will be used during the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Afzal Khan is concerned about the rampant Islamophobia in society that manifests as hate crime, discrimination and loss of opportunity for Muslims. He cites specific examples such as a 40% increase in online Islamophobia during the pandemic, according to Tell MAMA, and recent attacks on mosques. Additionally, he mentions the conflation of Islam with terrorism and highlights Home Office data showing an exponential increase in referrals to Prevent for extreme right-wing ideology.
Alex Sobel
Lab Co-op
Leeds Central and Headingley
He intervened briefly, suggesting that governing organisations like Ofcom and the England and Wales Cricket Board should be evaluated for their effectiveness in addressing institutionalised Islamophobia.
Wirral West
Mr Higginbotham emphasised the importance of building better communities by encouraging victims and potential victims to speak out against discrimination. He highlighted the increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism, noting the impact of words used in discussions. He mentioned his engagement with local organisations such as Tell MAMA and Olive High School, and discussed a memorial service for Sir David Amess where cross-party representatives laid wreaths.
Ms Qaisar shared personal experiences of discrimination faced by Muslims since 9/11. She emphasized the need for government policies to reflect lived experiences and noted an increase in attacks against Muslim women following political rhetoric. She also praised Scottish legislation on hate speech but called for more action from the UK Government.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
The MP highlighted personal experiences of discrimination and abuse faced daily, including death threats and dehumanising messages. She noted that Muslims are the largest target of religiously motivated hate crimes and called for action against institutional suspicion towards Muslims, as highlighted by the UN special rapporteur.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
She congratulated the Member for Manchester, Gorton on raising awareness of Islamophobia Awareness Month. She expressed solidarity with Muslim Members and highlighted the lack of recognition for Islamophobic abuse compared to other forms of hate crime. Ribeiro-Addy criticised the Prevent strategy's impact on Muslim communities, mentioning delays in reviewing the strategy and concerns over its independence due to William Shawcross' appointment. She noted that 45% of religious hate crimes recorded by the police were Islamophobic in 2020-21, amounting to approximately 42,000 incidents annually.
Catherine West
Lab
Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Does he agree that the issue is not just about online abuse, but that sports can play a role? With the Ashes ahead of us, now is the time to tackle Islamophobia in cricket.
Debbie Abrahams
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
I agreed with my hon. Friend's speech and highlighted the need to challenge ourselves whenever we witness discriminatory behaviour, citing examples of people challenging discrimination on public transport.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
On his point about the Muslim community being affected, he will know that Muslims have suffered disproportionately throughout the covid pandemic.
Gareth Thomas
Lab Co-op
Harrow West
The hon. Member for Harrow West highlighted the high rate of religious hate crimes targeting Muslims and shared examples of discrimination and Islamophobia in his constituency. He called for greater education, awareness, and government leadership to address these issues.
Disappointed that a debate on a very important subject has turned into an attack on the Conservative party. Emphasised practical policies and support for the Muslim community in his constituency, including addressing issues faced by taxi drivers. Highlighted his commitment to equality and valuing every single person.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The hon. Member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross discussed the importance of understanding Islam through education to build a more tolerant society. He highlighted the similarities between Christianity, Judaism, and Islam as strengths that can be built upon together.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Does he agree that there is more to be done to ensure that our children grow together in harmony, celebrating the differences that we share, which make us stronger when added to the similarities?
Khalid Mahmood
Lab
Birmingham, Perry Barr
He expressed the importance of recognising Islam as a positive religion and highlighted the contributions made by Muslims in various fields such as medicine. He mentioned local efforts to support communities through mosques providing food banks and events.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
West Tyrone
She discussed the importance of cross-party work and highlighted the need for collective purpose in addressing Islamophobia. She praised the APPG on British Muslims, mentioning Tell MAMA's efforts to support real change through joint working with Jewish bodies. Oswald also called out the Minister for discussing issues related to Zara Mohammed, the new general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain.
Mark Eastwood
DUP
North Antrim
Asked about the quote that 55% of Muslim respondents do not trust the leadership of the Labour Party to tackle Islamophobia effectively, in response to partisanship involved in the debate. He intervened to highlight the positive contributions of Muslim charities and mosques in his constituency during the pandemic, emphasising their role in promoting social cohesion between communities. Intervenes, expressing concern that print media needs to take responsibility for reporting on Muslims in society alongside social media issues.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Does he agree that the Prime Minister likening Muslim women to letterboxes and bank robbers directly fuels Islamophobia?
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Stressed the seriousness of Islamophobia, highlighting data showing 45% of religious hate crimes in England and Wales are against Muslims. Emphasised that Islamophobia is not just visible attacks but also unconscious bias, citing cases like Azeem Rafiq's experiences and discrimination faced by Muslim women. Criticised media portrayal of Muslims as linked to terrorism, arguing it normalises Islamophobia.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
The information shared with us by the Muslim Council of Britain last week was very powerful indeed, and reflects the experience that many of us have heard about from our Muslim constituents.
Paul Bristow
Con
Peterborough
I introduced a debate on Islamophobia and highlighted the positive contributions Muslims make in Peterborough, including having Muslim councillors elected by large majorities. I urged all Members to come together cross-party to tackle Islamophobia.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
She called for a tolerant society where people can practise their faith freely without discrimination, citing the high proportion of religious hate crimes against Muslims. She mentioned 45% of religious hate crimes recorded by police were targeted at Muslims in England and Wales.
Tooting
I shared personal experiences of racism and Islamophobia, including being attacked by a racist gang and facing discrimination as a Muslim woman with Polish heritage. I emphasized the importance of speaking out against such behaviour to fight for change. Asked the Minister to give way multiple times, insisting on taking an intervention.
Ruth Jones
Lab
Newport West and Islwyn
Celebrates the contribution of Newport's Muslim communities and highlights structural Islamophobia. Asks the Minister about tangible actions against Islamophobia, recent discussions with the Muslim Council of Britain, and updates on devolved Administrations' fight against Islamophobia.
Steven Baker
Con
Wycombe
Proud to support British Muslims in Wycombe, despite facing Islamophobic trolls on social media. Urges for fair treatment of British Muslims without collective condemnation and asks the Minister to meet with APPG officers and Muslim Council of Britain.
Tan Dhesi
Lab
Slough
Islamophobia is a deeply entrenched issue in society, with 70% of Muslims experiencing religious-based prejudice within the past year and nearly half of all religious hate crimes being Islamophobic. The speaker called for an apology from the Prime Minister for derogatory remarks about Muslim women and demanded an independent inquiry into Islamophobia as promised by the Government but never delivered.
Brecon and Radnorshire
Tania Mathias supports the motion to consider Islamophobia Awareness Month, noting that while there is a definition for anti-Semitism in British law, there is none for Islamophobia.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
She expressed solidarity with British Muslims and called for the Government to adopt the APPG on British Muslims' definition of Islamophobia. She criticised some Tory Members for their initial aggression in the debate.
Yasmin Qureshi
Lab
Bolton South and Walkden
Ms Qureshi addressed international instances of Islamophobia, citing examples from Myanmar, China, and India. She mentioned the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar with over 700,000 Muslim refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing, and highlighted issues in China with Uyghur Muslims interned in re-education camps. She also discussed violence against Muslims by Hindu mobs in India and called for action from the UK Government on these issues.
Government Response
Kemi Badenoch
Government Response
The highly partisan nature in which the debate has been opened will look not like people trying to tackle anti-Muslim hatred but as if they are being used as a political football for political goals.
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Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.