Islamic Affairs Central Network (IACN)

The Rise of Institutionalised Islamophobia

The MCB welcomes today's timely publication of the updated Islamophobia report by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia.

"We have been witnessing a relentless increase in hostility towards Islam and British Muslims and it is clear that existing race relations bodies have been either unable or unwilling to combat this phenomenon effectively. The past fortnight has seen the Metropolitan Police Authority announce a record 41% increase in the numbers of Asians subjected to 'Stop & Search' practice by the police and a virulently anti-Muslim party political broadcast by the far-right British National Party shown on our national TV stations. Islamophobia is becoming institutionalised," said Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.

In its submission to the Islamophobia Commission, the MCB had stated:

"Very little progress has been made in tackling the horror of Islamophobia in the United Kingdom since it was brought into sharp focus by the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia in its report published in 1997. Whilst we recognise the adverse impact of international politics on the perception of Islam generally and Muslims living in the United Kingdom, we strongly feel that the government has done little to discharge its responsibilities under international law to protect its Muslim citizens and residents from discrimination, vilification, harassment and deprivation."

The MCB urges all governmental and local council departments and public service bodies to study and act urgently on the worrying findings of the new Islamophobia report.

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For further information please contact: The Muslim Council of Britain, Boardman House, 64 Broadway, Stratford, London E15 1NT,
Tel: 07956 353 738, 07939 472 998, or 0208 432 0585/6, Fax: 0208 432 0587 Email: media@mcb.org.uk Website: http://www.mcb.org.uk

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