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March 15th is the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The date was chosen by the UN to remember the victims of the 2019 terrorist attack on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
What are the goals of this day?
To promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue
To enhance peace and social stability
To respect diversity
To create an environment conducive to peace and mutual understanding
These are all things we would agree with.
All things we in Mahabba Network would agree with.
What’s new this year?
• The charity Tell Mama which reports and monitors the mistreatment of Muslims in the UK received a total of 10,719 reports to their service, with 4,406 reports in 2023 and 6,313 reports in 2024 - a 43% increase. The most common incidents being abusive behaviour in a public space. Read the report.
• For 17 years, the UK government has not had any dialogue partner representing the Muslim community as a whole. The new British Muslim Network seeks to fill that void.
• Faith community leaders were highly visible rebuilding harmony after the Southport riots.
How can we in Mahabba Network help combat Islamophobia?
• Due to lack of confidence, understanding or fearful stereotyping, there can be an absence of real interaction between Muslims and Christian communities. Let’s ‘Mind the Gap’ and build bridges and demonstrate love instead.
• We can resolve to speak out against bigotry, xenophobia, and discrimination when we encounter it.
• We can be honest where there are real problems in Islam (violent Islam, grooming gangs, etc.), but we should not paint all Muslims with the same brush. We wouldn’t attribute the failings of some clergy with the entire Christian community.
Further reading:
https://www.cmcsoxford.org.uk/research/public-life/media-islamophobia