Mend (Muslim Engagement and Development) is a not for profit company working towards enhancing the active engagement of British Muslim communities in our national life, particularly in fields of politics and the media. They are one of the many wonderful organisations that will be taking part in the Leeds Summat 2016. We recently got in touch with Shahab Adris, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Manager for Mend, to discuss the current state of Islamaphobia in Britain, and how we can make a difference. Shahab provided us with some wonderful insight on the situation….
Q. How prevalent do you think Islamaphobia is in Britain?
A. “Islamophobia, also known as anti-Muslim racism is becoming increasingly prevalent in the UK. Islamophobia exists on multiple levels, not only as a direct attack on Muslim life and property but also in the form of discrimination in the labour market, playground bullying, and active hostility and exclusion of Muslims from the civic, social and political life of Britain. Add to this the rhetoric of ‘British values’ which has provided a fertile environment for the festering of far right ideas and the myth of ‘non-integration’ by Muslim communities. However, the role of the media in representing Islam and Muslims is probably the most important concern. Media representations of Islam and Muslims have been shown in academic studies to be overwhelmingly negative with much media coverage dominated by conflict paradigms and negative associations with the words ‘Islam’ and ‘Muslims’.
This has contributed to fuelling far right extremism and physical attacks on Muslim property and person. From vandalising and burning down of mosques, attacks on girls and women, and online abuse – to the awful murder of two elderly grandfathers on their way back from prayers within a space of two and half years have been the worst cases of manifesting Islamophobia in Britain. According to the police and community organisations such as Mend, under reporting of anti-Muslim hate crime does not fully illustrate the scale of Islamophobia across the UK.”
Q. In what way has the current political situation in the middle east influenced Islamophobia in Britain?
A. “It is also unfortunate that other developments abroad have had a bearing on instances of anti-Muslim hate crime at home. The murders of western journalists Steven Sotloff, James Foley and British citizen, Alan Henning, by the terrorist group IS or Daesh, has been one of the number of factors influencing security and civil liberties discourse in the UK with direct relevance to Muslim communities. Security narratives continue to dominate political and media discourse about Islam and Muslims in the UK.
The incursion by Israel into Gaza in the summer of 2014 is another example of international events affecting public discourse and anti-Muslim prejudice. The horrendous Paris attack last year also resulted in a spike of anti-Muslim attacks on property and person. Media commentary and coverage of such events has further served to reinforce negative stereotypes of Muslims. Such media representations have been used by far right parties and extremists to deride Islamic beliefs and practices and create an environment in which Muslims are made more vulnerable to hate crime.”
Q. What steps can we take to tackle Islamophobia?
A. “Despite the media onslaught, the increase of far right anti-Muslim sentiments, attacks on Muslims, and the discrimination faced, many Muslims and others fighting for social justice have created opportunities to increase Muslim participation in public life.
By engaging more with the mainstream and local media, our elected representatives, and subsequently influencing key decision makers, the great British public can collectively stem the tide of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim racism.
Knowledge and confidence to participate and engage in the media and political domain is necessary to tackle any form of discrimination…Engagement is key, so never feel that you can’t make a difference on a local or national level.”
Mend will be holding a workshop on how to hold the media to account at the Leeds Summat 2016. Visit their website at www.mend.org.uk for more information, and be sure to come take part in their workshop at the Summat to help the fight against Islamaphobia!