HomeInternational NewsRising Islamophobia Forces British Muslim Women to Skip Prayers

Rising Islamophobia Forces British Muslim Women to Skip Prayers

Liverpool, United Kingdom – On a sacred day for Muslims, a growing fear is emerging among women, who are now avoiding participating in prayers at their local mosques across the UK. Those who dare to venture out exchange safety tips: attend in groups, avoid crowds, keep car windows closed.

In Liverpool, the sun is shining, and school holidays are in full swing. Nevertheless, an eerie atmosphere hangs over the city, which has recently experienced racial and Islamophobic riots following the murder of three young girls in nearby Southport. False rumors circulating on social media alleged that the murderer was a Muslim and an asylum seeker, which was not true and intensified the violence that has affected the nation like never before.

The riots, which occurred in several locations, were ultimately quelled thanks to thousands of anti-racism protesters who stood in solidarity with those affected. The police have issued strict sentences to those involved, which has also deterred others from participating. However, many in Liverpool and the rest of the UK are now questioning decades of integration efforts.

Observers point to politicians and certain media outlets for having demonized Muslims and asylum seekers while criticizing immigration. Shabna Begum, the director of the Runnymede Trust, a think tank focused on racial equality and civil rights, stated that after the “War on Terror,” the political discourse surrounding anti-terror legislation was directed at Muslim communities as a threat to national security. “And now they have been identified as a cultural threat to British democracy based on outdated prejudices,” she added. Over the years, mainstream politics and media have adapted this narrative, paving the way for the normalization of Islamophobic rhetoric in the UK.

Muslims, refugees, and individuals with different skin colors have been randomly attacked during the riots. Chris Allen, a criminology lecturer at the University of Leicester, points out that both the Labour Party and the Conservative Party have contributed to amplifying hatred towards Muslims. “This is partly the legacy of the toxic rhetoric from the Brexit Leave campaign, which has shaped popular perceptions of immigration,” he added.

During a popular morning program, Labour politician Zahra Sultana was asked why it was important to identify Islamophobia. When she attempted to respond, she was interrupted by the panel, which many on social media interpreted as an attempt to stifle the discussion on racism. “We need to call this racism, and we need to call this Islamophobic, because if we don’t, we miss addressing what is happening. Language is really important,” Sultana emphasized.

TelMAMA, an organization that monitors hate crimes against Muslims, reports that Islamophobic incidents have more than doubled in the past decade. During the ongoing war in Gaza, hate crimes against Muslims have tripled in the first four months of the conflict.

Imam Adam Kelwick believes that dialogue is the missing component. Outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque, he has just held an unusual meeting with a right-wing protester. He intends to reopen the mosque’s doors to engage in conversation with members of the right-wing segment of society. “When you come together, you start to talk and listen. You find that many of the concerns that the other side has are also your concerns,” said Adam. However, while he is trying to initiate dialogue, others require time to heal. “There was a feeling that we were so integrated into society – all the work we had done felt like it was wasted in a single evening,” said Tawhid Islam, a member of the Liverpool Region Mosque Network.

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