'TELL MAMA': One Year On; Anti- Muslim Incidents Picture Across the UK

632 anti-Muslim hate incidents reported to ‘MAMA’ since March 2012 Muslim women increasingly targeted (58% of all incidents) Victims of attack range from five-year-old child to 89-year-old pensioner 2:1 ratio of female victims in Islamic clothing to men in Islamic clothing 74% of incidents take place on-line 6% incidents involve attacks on mosques/property 5% of victims are white converts to Islam Three-quarters (75%) of perpetrators are male Far Right BNP/EDL supporters linked to over half (54%) of all cases 23 arrests, 18 prosecutions (cases pending) MAMA pursuing review of police decision not to charge EDL leader Trend of rising Islamophobia, recorded by YouGov figures (7 March) Launch of new Tell MAMA smartphone ‘app’ this week

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We’re one year old this week. We wish there was a better reason for us to cheer, but the alarming reality is that anti-Muslim hatred –Islamophobia – is on a disturbing rise in the UK.

According to the first year’s figures from our project, the majority of Muslims being physically attacked, harassed or intimidated because of their faith are women – and those doing it are white men likely to be linked to far-right groups.

Over 630+ cases have been logged by TELL MAMA. Our helpline records a disturbing picture of low-level anti-Muslim harassment: incidents in the workplace, in the street, between neighbours and particularly online, which may not always hit the headlines but can have a devastating effect on peoples’ lives.

The majority (74%) of incidents took place over social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc), but there have also been attacks on mosque buildings, against pregnant women and ‘visible’ hijab (veil) wearers, even children and pensioners in their 80s. In one incident in Nottinghamshire, a family was forced from its home; in another, a five-year-old girl was run over.

Over half (58%) of cases involved female victims, with visibly-identified far-right British National Party (BNP) or EDL members also linked to over half (54%) of all incidents.

Said Fiyaz Mughal, Co-ordinator of Tell MAMA and Director of Faith Matters:

"My colleagues and I have been shocked at the amount of hate that we are finding online, particularly anti-Muslim prejudice and racial hate."

“With rising racial and Islamophobic attitudes recorded time-and-again by surveys – the latest being results released this week by YouGov – we are calling on police and politicians to do more to tackle this shameful wave of fear and prejudice. From the internet, to the workplace, the street and even houses of worship, too often Muslim women and men are becoming the target of vicious, sometimes violent, abuse."

He added: “Recent history shows us what happens if we allow our fears to run unchecked. Demonisation of ‘the Other’, misguided beliefs that Muslims are somehow a monolithic block, unchecked lies that Islam is a violent religion or that British Muslims wish to abuse white girls must be challenged.”

New smartphone app:

This week (11 March 2013) Tell MAMA is launching a free smartphone ‘app’ to support access to the service.

CALL TO ACTION!

• Police forces are failing in their duty to record Islamophobic crimes
• CPS must prosecute more, not less, cases of online hate
• Home Office should take over monitoring of Far Right from DCLG