Islamophobic attacks more likely in suburbs and market towns

Muslims and their mosques face a higher level of threats and intimidation in UK suburbs and market towns than in big cities, according to a new report (http://www NULL.thecordobafoundation NULL.com/attach/Islamophobia%20Report1 NULL.PDF).

Case studies reveal that examples such as a Muslim woman who was punched and called a “terrorist” in front of her petrified daughter are not uncommon. Such attacks often go unreported, and in this case the woman was too scared to inform the police. She also played down the incident to reduce her child’s distress and avoided explaining why she was singled out for wearing a burka and being a Muslim woman.

The new study Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate Crime: UK Case Studies, published 27 November reveals that this kind of unprovoked incident is a largely hidden experience that is insufficiently acknowledged and understood outside of the communities where they occur. The report is part of a ten year academic research project led by the University of Exeter’s European Muslim Research Centre (EMRC). It captures a snapshot of these experiences which are often unrecognised by the media, politicians and wider British society.

Findings show that since the 9/11 terrorist attacks; arson, criminal damage, violence and intimidation against mosques has increased dramatically and smaller or isolated Muslim communities in places like Colchester, Bishop Stortford and Boston have become especially vulnerable.

Dr Jonathan Githens Mazer, co-Director of the EMRC said:

“Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate crime are very real problems for British Muslims going about their everyday business. Through our research we have found that in smaller and more isolated mosques in many suburbs and market towns there is a feeling of being under siege. Some local councils who are made aware of the situation say to mosque officials, ‘we can see this is bad, why don’t you move the mosque?”

The report also analyses the local activity by the British National Party, English Defence League and sister organisations. Anti-migrant and random attacks that have impacted on every poor urban community where most Muslims live have also been studied.

Dr Bob Lambert, co-Director of the EMRC said:

“Evidence has also indicated that the galvanising report of the Stephen Lawrence Enquiry changed police response to hate crimes. Whereas, because the war on terror is viewed as a security risk, Muslims do not have the support that is now widely accepted in other areas of hate crime. Muslims are not requesting special treatment, just equal rights with their fellow citizens.”

The report will be presented to a community audience in Glasgow’s Woodfarm Education Centre on Friday 10 December 2010.

For more information visit the Cordoba Foundation website (http://www NULL.thecordobafoundation NULL.com/reports NULL.php?id=1&art=22).

Tags: anti-migrant, Anti-Muslim, BNP, Bob Lambert, British National Party, Cordoba Foundation, EDL, EMRC, English Defence League, equal rights, European Muslim Research Centre, hate crime, Islamophobia, Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate Crime, Jonathan Githens Mazer, Muslims, Stephen Lawrence Enquiry, University of Exeter