“Islamophobia – a term that encompasses a range of meanings, though in general it is a term which means a fear of Islam and Muslim communities. People can fear many things, but the targeting and abuse of people because of a facet of their identity is unacceptable. It is unacceptable since at the heart of our morality and our common humanity, is that people should be able to live their lives free from fear and intolerance. It is unacceptable since everyone should have the right to be who they are and in doing so, it should inspire us and enlighten our souls and consciousness, as to the beauty of life and to those who believe, to the beauty of creation.

Today, through the work that we do in Tell MAMA, we have seen that Muslim women who are visible, those who wear the Hijab (the religious headscarf) and the Niqab (the face veil), are the ones predominantly targeted for abuse and assaults. Visibility is also a factor for attacks on males and I know that we have a member of the family of Mr Saleem here today and we should remember all those who have departed because of the evils of hate and intolerance. Yet, we are also the solution. We, collectively are the solution, since by education and through dialogue, hate and intolerance can be challenged. We are the solution since by caring and listening to each other, we can enrich our understanding for each other. We are the solution since together, as communities, we are in the majority who can say ‘Not In Our Names.’

As we move into a world which seems increasingly turbulent, we see pictures of refugees fleeing war and instability. For our work in Tell MAMA, many of these pictures mean that on-line comments are made by people who suggest a ‘Muslim take-over’ and that ‘refugees are a code word for Muslims and Shariah Law’. This bigotry and intolerance, this marginalisation and caricaturing of communities must stop and we have the power to do so. If we do not, if we simply think that it is not our problem, then we are failing all in our communities, in our societies and in our country. Indeed, that Muslim woman on the street being verbally abused is our responsibility, as is the gay mean kicked as he walks home and the Jewish young boy who was spat at, as he walks home from the synagogue. Our only salvation and pride is in standing for everyone of them.

The post Speech in St Paul’s By Tell MAMA on National Hate Crime Awareness Week, #NHCAW appeared first on TELL MAMA.

The Tell MAMA project will hold a free event on October 15 to discuss how communities and police forces can respond to anti-Muslim hate crimes.

This discussion coincides with National Hate Crime Week, which runs between October 10 and 17.

So why do we need this awareness week? Many British Muslims consider anti-Muslim abuse too trivial to report to police. Since 2007, the reporting of hate crimes (across all strands) dropped by 11 per cent.

Hate crime victims also experience more complex psychological issues than victims of non-biased crimes. Secondary victimisation can increase isolation when a person perceives that the police or other professional bodies undermine the seriousness of hate crimes.

The event on October 15 seeks to challenge the chronic education gap about what defines and separates a hate crime from a hate incident.

In recent weeks, Islamophobic hate crimes have made headlines nationwide. Figures for the 12 months up to July found a 70.7 per cent increase. Met Police recorded 816 Islamophobic crimes, compared with 478 for the previous 12-month period.

Islamophobic hate crimes are still on the rise in London. Rolling data for the 12 months up to August saw a 63.9 per cent rise. That translates to 818 Islamophobic crimes, compared to 499 for previous 12-month period.

Islamophobic hate crimes (like other forms of hate) are here to stay. Nor are they decreasing in London. It also remains a national problem.

The independence from government and the police creates a unique space for the Tell MAMA project to assist those who experience anti-Muslim hate in a confidential manner and help buck this trend.

Through dialogue and education, we can help British Muslims learn about their rights, what services can assist, and how it remains important to report in hate.

To join the conversation during National Hate Crime Week, use the hashtags #NHCAW, #WeStandTogether, #NoPlaceFor Hate, #SafePlaceForAll, #No2H8.

Register for our free event on October 15 using this link.

The post National Conference on Anti-Muslim Prejudice on October 15th 2015 appeared first on TELL MAMA.