Press Release (13th October 2015) – PM David Cameron, to announce anti-Muslim hate crime to be recorded separately by police forces, in the same way as anti-Semitism.
The rise of Islamophobia within Britain has been rapidly increasing in recent years, with huge spikes relating to international or national incidents affecting Muslims take place. Though, there has been a general increase in Islamophobia, huge spikes have emerged after international events such as Charlie Hebdo or after the tragic murder of Drummer Lee Rigby that took place in Woolwich. The aftermath of the attack in Woolwich saw over 50 Mosques attacked and Islamophobic attacks leap to 738 (including online and physical assaults). Further, “In 2013, 14 police crime statistics showed religious hate crimes increased by 45% and race hate crimes by 4%, with new statistics being published by the Home Office this morning expected to show further rises.”
Taking all of the above into account, the Prime Minister acknowledging the rise in Islamophobia has pushed all police forces to record Anti-Muslim hatred as a separate category of hate, the same as it records anti-Semitic attacks.
Muhbeen Hussain (founder of British Muslim Youth) comments, “This is the first of many victories in fighting the battle against anti-Muslim hatred and I am pleased the Prime Minister, David Cameron has taken these steps towards tackling the ever increasing hate towards British Muslims.
I saluted the PM’s actions, when he took steps towards tackling anti-Semitism and I salute his actions, as he takes the same steps towards tackling anti-Muslim hatred. I have campaigned on various platforms, that a system of separate reporting, the likes of which is used to record anti-Semitism, must be brought into all police forces across the country. This system not only enables us to truly understand the extent of the rise in Islamophobia, but it also builds confidence for many Muslims to report in hate crimes, due to the increased confidence within the system. I have dealt with cases of Islamophobia, where the incident hasn’t been recorded as even a hate crime due to a lack of education within police forces and even cases where individuals didn’t wish to report in, due to a lack of confidence. I believe this change will help tackle these issues.
Lastly, I have thoroughly questioned many speeches that the Prime Minister has given in relation to British Muslims, including his recent conference speech. I am also very critical of the new Government (counter-extremism) PREVENT strategy like many people within the Muslim community. However, I believe we should acknowledge and give ‘credit where due’ to the PM on these actions. I urge all within the British Muslim communities, to welcome and thank the Prime Minister for taking some of the first major steps towards effectively tackling anti-Muslim Hatred.”
END
1) Guardian, ‘Police told to treat anti-Muslim hate crimes in same way as antisemitic attacks’, http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/13/police-must-record-anti-muslim-hate-crimes?CMP=share_btn_tw-, Tuesday 13 October 2015 00.01 BST
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