Tory Islamophobia: Anti-Muslim sentiment 'remains a problem' within Conservative Party (UK)

[OMB]

Anti-Muslim sentiment "remains a problem" within the Conservative Party, an independent report has found.

Professor Swaran Singh, a former equality and human rights commissioner, analysed 1,418 complaints relating to 727 separate incidents as recorded in the Tories' complaints database between 2015 and 2020.

In a 44,000-word report on his findings, he said: "Judging by the extent of complaints and findings of misconduct by the party itself that relate to anti-Muslim words and conduct, anti-Muslim sentiment remains a problem within the party.

"This is damaging to the party, and alienates a significant section of society."

Prof Singh's review was published almost two years after all five candidates in the 2019 Conservative leadership contest - including eventual winner Boris Johnson - committed to an independent inquiry into allegations of Islamophobia within the party.

He also found:

• Two-thirds of all incidents reported to the complaints team at the Tories' headquarters related to allegations of anti-Muslim discrimination
• Three-quarters of all incidents recorded in the Tories' complaints database involved social media
• High-profile incidents, such as remarks made during Lord Goldsmith's mayoral campaign and Mr Johnson's comments on Muslim women in burqas, give the impression to many that the party and its leadership are insensitive to Muslim communities
• But allegations of "institutional racism" against the party were not borne out by the evidence available

Conservative co-chairman Amanda Milling said the party would be responding to the report's recommendations later on Tuesday.

https://news.sky.com/story/tory-islamophobia-anti-muslim-sentiment-remains-a-problem-within-conservative-party-report-finds-12316516

 

[SpiritOf1903]

swaran singh lool. Hatchet job!

 

[MenInG]

Boris Johnson has acknowledged he would not again "use some of the offending language" from his past writings now he is prime minister.

He made the admission during his evidence to an independent review into allegations of discrimination within the Conservative Party.

Professor Swaran Singh's 44,000-word report found that anti-Muslim sentiment "remains a problem" within the Conservative Party.

It also highlighted "high-profile incidents" such as remarks made during Lord Goldsmith's London mayoral campaign and Mr Johnson's comments about Muslim women wearing burkas.

Prof Singh concluded that such incidents "give the impression to many that the party and its leadership are insensitive to Muslim communities".

In August 2018, while a backbench MP, Mr Johnson was heavily criticised for comparing Muslim women wearing a burka to "letter boxes" and "bank robbers" in a column for the Daily Telegraph.

He had also previously written, in a 2005 article for the Spectator, that "to any non-Muslim reader of the Quran, Islamophobia - fear of Islam - seems a natural reaction".

And, in his testimony to Prof Singh's review, Mr Johnson was also asked about his 2002 description of some black people having "watermelon smiles".

In his report, Prof Singh said Mr Johnson had told the inquiry that he had studied the Koran and did not believe that Islam or Muslims in Britain posed a threat to the nation.

The prime minister also said he had written "millions of words as a journalist" and that sometimes "snapshots from articles" had been taken out of context.

Of his 2018 article about the burka, Mr Johnson told the inquiry: "My writings are often parodic, satirical….It was an honest defence for a woman's right to wear what she chooses."

Prof Singh said Mr Johnson had been offered the opportunity to apologise for his past remarks, to which the prime minister responded: "I do know that offence has been taken at things I've said, that people expect a person in my position to get things right, but in journalism you need to use language freely.

"I am obviously sorry for any offence taken.

"Would I use some of the offending language from my past writings today? Now that I am prime minister, I would not."

Mr Johnson had previously apologised "for the offence that I have caused" during the 2019 Conservative leadership contest, but he also vowed to continue to "speak as directly as I can".

Nick Lowles, the chief executive of anti-racism group Hope Not Hate, said Mr Johnson's "mealy-mouthed apology today for his own comments suggests he still just doesn't get it".

"For years, he has used racist language to talk about Muslims and other minorities and today, in the face of this report, all he can muster is a non-apology, expressing remorse not for what he said but that people took offence," he added.

"But the issue of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party runs much deeper than just the few case studies in the report."

Lord Goldsmith, who was handed a place in the House of Lords by Mr Johnson after losing his seat as an MP in 2019, was accused of running a "racist" and "Islamophobic" campaign against Sadiq Khan during the 2016 London mayoral election.

In his own evidence to Prof Singh's review, the Conservative peer acknowledged that "a large number of Muslim Londoners felt personally insulted by what they had been told was my campaign message", adding: "That is of course a source of major regret and sadness on my part."

Lord Goldsmith told the inquiry: "In hindsight it should have been obvious that the issue was too combustible to be discussed reasonably.

"On one side, there were anti-Muslim groups and individuals actively accusing Sadiq of being an extremist - a gross calumny.

"And on the other, Labour campaigners reframed legitimate questions about their candidate's judgement in such a way that it appeared he was being smeared because of his faith."

Sky

 

[FearlessRoar]

Labour MP Naz Shah Slams Government Over Islamophobia Inaction

In the heart of Britain’s parliamentary hub, a pressing issue has emerged, casting a stark spotlight on the escalating problem of Islamophobia. This alarming concern was recently brought to the fore by Labour MP Naz Shah during a heated parliamentary debate. Shah lashed out at the British government for its conspicuous inaction against the mounting tide of Islamophobia that has been sweeping across the nation.

Shah, known for her outspoken demeanor, held nothing back as she painted a grim picture of the current situation. She voiced her concern over the government’s apparent indifference, highlighting that requests for discussions on Islamophobia have been repeatedly ignored over the years. Shah’s criticism didn’t stop there; she pointed out that despite Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s acknowledgment of the issue, there has been an astounding lack of practical implementation of policies aimed at combating Islamophobia.

Shah’s concerns stem from the sharp spike in Islamophobic incidents across the UK. She cited a 600% increase in Islamophobic incidents, including both verbal and physical attacks against Muslims. Moreover, she shed light on the rampant acts of vandalism that are adding to the terror, such as the shocking incident where a pig’s head was placed at a proposed mosque site. These incidents are not only a cause for alarm but also a clear indicator of the urgent necessity for immediate action.

Amidst the growing concerns, Shah emphasized the fundamental desire of Muslim communities: equal treatment sans discrimination. She clarified that Muslims are not asking for special treatment, but merely for their rights to be respected and for their safety to be ensured. Shah’s plea is a powerful reminder of the core principles that democracy stands for – equality, justice, and respect for all.

Source: BNN

Labour MP Naz Shah Slams Government Over Islamophobia Inaction - BNN Breaking

Labour MP Naz Shah criticizes the UK government for its inaction against the rising tide of Islamophobia, emphasizing the need for practical policies and equal treatment.

bnn.network

 

[FearlessRoar]

Combating Islamophobia requires education, community dialogue, leadership condemnation, responsible media reporting, police training, victim support, and international collaboration.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Combating Islamophobia requires education, community dialogue, leadership condemnation, responsible media reporting, police training, victim support, and international collaboration.

Maybe.. just maybe reforms in Islam?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Maybe.. just maybe reforms in Islam?

Islam is a complete religion, there is not any space of any reforms in it.