Chambers Islamophobia Awareness Month Statement

Islamophobia Awareness Month (IAM) was first created in 2012 by the Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND) group and other British organizations to challenge the discrimination and negative perceptions associated with Muslims and Islam.

IAM takes place in the month of November every year to raise awareness against this. The campaign works with local MPs, Police and Crime Commissioners, schools, mosques, universities, community organizers and other willing individuals to raise further awareness of the threat Islamophobia presents in modern society and to encourage allyship and reporting of these incidents to the police.

Islamophobia is defined as: ‘an exaggerated, irrational fear, hatred and hostility towards Islam and Muslims perpetuated by negative stereotypes and marginalization of Muslims from civic, social and political life.’

In 2018 the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that 70% of people with Muslim faith had experienced some form of religious-based prejudice in the past year. Further, according to the Home Office, in the year ending March 2021 the number of religious hate crimes committed in England and Wales was 6,377, with 45% of these hate crimes directed at Muslims.

With this growing rate the need for IAM has further increased, as these incidences can be experienced at various levels within everyday life. Islamophobia can take place in different forms such as physical attacks, verbal abuse, bullying, negative media bias, mosques being attacked, systematic issues within the hiring process and discrimination within the workplace. Islamophobia can take place in different everyday environments, so the need to make sure awareness is spread throughout the UK is crucial to ensuring that this problem is tackled.

As the Secretary-General for Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Zara Mohammed, said “50% of British Muslims are under the age of 25. How we respond to Islamophobia now will determine the safety of, and opportunities available to, younger generations of British Muslims. In order to build thriving communities, we must take firm action against this pervasive form of bigotry. This requires political will, and leadership at the top, alongside robust partnerships at a grassroots level."

She also stated "The MCB reiterates its call for the Government to adopt the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslim’s definition of Islamophobia and to implement the recommendations made by the Singh Investigation. ”Islamophobia is not only a Muslim problem – it is a societal one. We must all come together to tackle it.” The full statement can be read here.

As stated above, 50% of British Muslims are under the age of 25 there is a growing a need to address these issues now. As a society we need to strive to ensure that these young individuals feel comfortable to navigate through life without the fear of prosecution due to their religious belief.

Chambers and Partners are happy to be committed to bringing awareness to Islamophobia Awareness Month and ensuring that all employees of a Muslim faith feel inclusive in the environment we have created.