A new report published by the Ayaan institute addresses and criticises the UK governments new “anti-Muslim hatred strategy” which rather than protecting Muslims, creates a climate of distrust and surveillance, all while censoring criticism of Israel and Zionism.
The Labour government will finally reveal its anti-Muslim hatred strategy today. At first sight, it seems to show progress: a new definition around anti-Muslim hostility, the appointment of a dedicated “anti-Muslim hostility tsar,” and an £800 million cohesion fund.
However, a leaked draft of the government’s “Social Cohesion Strategy” highlights a different approach. It is not a strategy to protect British Muslims but to further embed Islamophobia in state policies, creating a system where Muslims are monitored, censored, and penalised, in the name of promoting social cohesion and, most misleadingly, claiming to address antisemitism while censoring criticism of Israel and Zionism.
Jahangir Mohammed of the Ayaan Institiute argues that the UK government has spent far too much time to producing a government definition of anti-Muslim hostility and hate.
The report from the Ayaan Institute highlights how the UN definition of Islamophobia already exists and criticises the new government strategy for further entrenching the targeting of Islam and Muslims under the guise of addressing hate and promoting community cohesion.
Communities will be brought back together and the scourge of extremism tackled through a new action plan strengthening social cohesion across the country, set to be published later today.
Backdrop of rising hate crimes
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The new action plan is launched against a backdrop of rising hate crime and extremism, and at a time of global insecurity, meaning local ties are more important than ever.
Following years of chronic under investment in communities, millions will be pumped into local areas to restore national pride.
An extra £5 million boost for the Common Ground Resilience Fund, backing grass-roots organisations and local authorities to tackle divisions in communities, with community events, interfaith programmes and youth projects to reduce isolation and strengthen social ties.
This will build on £5.8 billion already committed to hundreds of neighbourhoods through the Pride in Place programme.
Today’s action plan will also set clear expectations set for integration for people looking to settle in the country and introduce stronger measures to tackle extremism and religious hatred.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed said:
“There are so many forces in the world that want to pull communities apart when in reality we have so much more in common.
“The UK is a multi-ethnic, diverse society and we should celebrate each other’s cultures and traditions and the shared values that unite us as a nation.
“We must listen to people’s concerns about growing divisions and take action to bring our communities back together.
“That’s why we are investing to restore pride, empowering people to transform where they live and uniting people around love of their local area.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy commented:
“We are clear-eyed about the forces that have been driving division and hate in our society. This plan heralds a patriotic renewal of our communities and the bonds within them – a driving mission for this Government.
“Communities don’t grow stronger and closer by accident – they need support to thrive.
“Investing in community groups and grassroots organisations that bring people together, reducing reoffending and making our streets safer, are important steps in that effort.”
The plan will include measures to promote integration, protect children from segregation, tackle religious hatred and racial discrimination and clamp down on extremist influence in our institutions such as charities and universities.
- There will be stronger protections for students and staff on campuses across the country against extremism, harassment and intimidation, a new confidential whistleblowing route for staff to raise concerns and a ‘campus cohesion charter’ to strengthen respect and shared values.
- Charity Commission given powers to tackle extremist abuse of the sector, including the power to shut down charities and swiftly remove trustees.
- A ‘State of Extremism’ report annually setting out the nature and scale of the current threat facing the UK and government action to counter its activity and influence, whilst the Visa Watchlist Taskforce will be strengthened to block hate preachers and extremists of all kinds from entering the country.
The action plan, called “Protecting What Matters,” is set to be published on Monday March 9.
Read the full report from Ayaan Institute here.
