Ruth Cadbury MP marked Islamophobia Awareness Month by calling on the Government to take urgent action against Islamophobic hate crimes, while also urging them to adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group of British Muslims definition of Islamophobia. The APPG definition states that ‘‘Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.’’
Recent research by the House of Commons Library found that 45% of hate crimes are targeted against Muslims, with a 40% increase in online abuse .
Speaking after attending a drop in Parliament with the Muslim Council of Britain and Amnesty International UK Ruth said,
‘‘It is appalling that so many Muslims are still targeted with vile Islamophobic abuse. These awful attacks have been fuelled online, and I am particularly concerned that Muslim women, going about their day-to-day business as well as those in public life, have become a regular target for Islamophobic abuse.
That’s why we need to see the Government doing more to tackle Islamophobic hate crimes. One way they can start is by accepting the definition of Islamophobia that is supported by the APPG on British Muslims, and which has the backing of a large number of community groups.
I know that people locally in Hounslow are extremely proud to live in a diverse and welcoming borough, yet I also know that there is so much more we need to do to tackle the awful rise in Islamophobia.’’