Islamophobia was discussed
in the British Parliament
On 4 March 2024
Dr Mozammel Haque
SNP Member for the Glenrothes
constituency Peter Grant asked the question: “What steps he is taking to tackle
Islamophobia” to the Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity
Buchan in the House of Commons, British
Parliament on 4 March 2024.
The Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State
for Levelling Up,
Housing and Communities
Felicity Buchan,
M.P
What steps he is taking to tackle Islamophobia”
SNP Member for the
Glenrothes constituency
Peter Grant
SNP Member for the Glenrothes constituency Peter Grant asked again: “An
extreme right-wing Conservative MP was allowed to go on an extreme right-wing
Conservative-funding TV station and make a series of vile Islamophobic remarks.
The MP was not suspended for Islamophobia; he was suspended for refusing to
obey an order from his party leader. Does the Minister understand why it is
that, not only among Muslim communities but across a much wider range of
believers and non-believers, people are becoming increasingly concerned that,
in the eyes of this Government, Islamophobia is seen as somehow less abhorrent
than other forms of racism?”
Under-Secretary of
State
Felicity Buchan, MP
Under-Secretary of State Felicity Buchan replied, “The Government were
absolutely clear that those were not appropriate comments. That is completely
clear. Any form of religious hatred is not acceptable in our society.”
Conservative Member for the Chipping
Barnet
constituency, Theresa Villiers
Conservative Member for the Chipping Barnet constituency, Theresa
Villiers, asked, “The recent rise in anti-Muslim hate incidents and crimes is
really worrying. Will the Government do everything they can to improve
education so as to improve multi-faith understanding and tackle this scourge?”
Under-Secretary of
State
Felicity Buchan, MP
Under-Secretary of State Felicity
Buchan MP replied, “My right hon. Friend makes a good point. Education is
critical, and we need to bring our communities together. Last weekend, I was
delighted to attend an inter-faith event in my constituency that included
Holland Park synagogue, where it was hosted, and al-Manaar mosque. That inter-faith
work and communities working together is critical.”
Labour Member for
Blaydon constituency,
Liz Twist. MP
Labour Member for Blaydon constituency,
Liz Twist, said, “For almost two years this Tory Government have failed to
appoint an independent adviser on Islamophobia. The former adviser has criticised
the Government for their failure to engage, and revealed that he could not even
get them to provide terms of reference for his role” and asked, “. Does the
Minister agree that this Government lack the political will to tackle this
pernicious hatred, or even to call it out?”
Under-Secretary of State
Felicity Buchan, MP
Under-Secretary of State Felicity
Buchan replied, “I strongly disagree. We plan to appoint a new independent
adviser on anti-Muslim hatred, and we will update the House shortly.”
Then Mr
Speaker called the Scottish National Party spokesperson.
SNP Member for
Airdrie and Shotts,
Ms Anum Qaiser
SNP Member for Airdrie and Shotts, Ms Anum Qaiser said, “Like so many, I
am fearful of the inability to call out Islamophobia becoming a scaremongering
tactic to stoke fear and division and garner support for the extreme far right.
It makes life difficult or even dangerous for Muslims. Across all four nations,
more can and should be done on a cross-party basis to tackle that hatred. That
starts with being able to call out Islamophobia when it occurs.” She asked, “Could
the Minister clarify the line between being wrong and being Islamophobic?”
Under-Secretary of State
Under-Secretary of State Felicity
Buchan MP replied, “There is no question but that those comments were wrong. I
face the Mayor of London in opposition all the time, and I could criticise him
for many things—housing, policing, fire or transport—but I would never accuse
him of being in any way under the influence of Islamists.”
SNP Member for Airdrie and
Shotts,
Ms Anum Qaiser
SNP Member for Airdrie and Shotts, Ms Anum Qaiser, again said, “That
response will give people little comfort. Let me paint a picture for the
Minister of what life is like for many Muslims growing up and living across
these four nations. A month after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, my local mosque in
Carfin was petrol bombed. The two men were sentenced to one year and nine
months respectively. If asked, most Muslims will have their own stories.
Muslims are not asking for special treatment. They work, pay taxes, send their
kids to the same schools and support the same football teams. The Government
have had ample opportunity over the past few weeks to commit to tackling this
stain on society, but there has been no substantial change in policy.”
She asked, “ Next Friday 15 March marks the UN’s International Day to
Combat Islamophobia. Will the Government use that opportunity to commit to
adopting the definition of the all-party parliamentary group?”
Under-Secretary of State
Under-Secretary of State Felicity
Buchan replied, “I want to make it clear that this Government will not tolerate
religious hatred towards Muslims or any other faith group. That is a red line.
This Government are aware, very sadly, of incidents of anti-Muslim hatred,
which is why we put in place an extra £4.9 million of protective security
funding for Muslim mosques, faith schools and communities. We are 100% behind
our Muslim communities.”
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