system. The Commission notes that Muslim co-operated closely with Muslims in recent years pupils usually have satisfactory attainments in building bridges of dialogue and mutual when compared with pupils in the same schools understanding. The Commission refers to as themselves but that they are at a severe Muslim and Jewish relations, and to projects disadvantage when compared with national which involve adherents of different world norms. The Commission recommends a review of faiths coming together to make common cause English language teaching. They also to the secular world. recommend that issues of social inclusion and cultural pluralism should be included centrally in The need for legal changes is clearly identified citizenship education, that formal policies and in the report. This, it is argued, will consolidate IslamophobiaIslamophobia guidance should be developed on meeting the the changes in public opinion and popular pastoral, religious and cultural needs of Muslim understanding which are required and which pupils in mainstream schools, and that there are outlined throughout the pages of Islamophobia should be state funding for Muslim schools. this report. The report shows that anti-Muslim prejudices Finally, the Commissioners set out their vision a challenge frequently feature in other religions and for the future and draw together the a challenge mentions an instance of Christian prejudices recommendations which have been mentioned regarding the proposal to build a new mosque throughout the report. One of the report’s in Chichester. The report also notes, however, recommendations is for The Runnymede Trust forfor a challenge that non-Muslim faith communities have often to monitor and follow up action. usus allall Members of the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia
Chair: Gordon Conway
Maqsood Ahmed Zahida Manzoor Nasreen Rehman for us all Akbar Ahmed Rabbi Julia Neuberger Saba Risaluddin Zaki Badawi Trevor Phillips Imam Abduljalil Sajid The Rt Revd Richard Chartres Sebastian Poulter Richard Stone Ian Hargreaves Usha Prashar The Revd John Webber summary Phillip Lewis Hamid Qureshi
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Please return to: The Runnymede Trust, Suite 106, London Fruit & Wool Exchange, Brushfield St, London E1 6EP (b) to draw attention to the principal dangers The Commission acknowledges and indeed Islamophobia: a challenge for us all which Islamophobia creates or exacerbates emphasises that freedom of speech and for Muslim communities, and therefore for expression is an essential component of the well-being of society as a whole. In 1996 The Runnymede Trust, an independent research and social policy agency, established the democracy. There need, however, to be certain Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia. The Commission, chaired by Professor Gordon rules of engagement such that media coverage Conway, is composed of eighteen members, and is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious committee. Report Outline overall is less distorted and negative. A statement from the Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia: The Commission notes a particularly dramatic “We are anxious that our report should be a spur to timely action, by many people, in many The evidence collected is documented in ten aspect of social exclusion, the vulnerability of places, of many kinds. Everyone, we stress, has a relevant and important part to play. chapters and contains sixty recommendations. Muslims to physical violence and harassment. Islamophobia is a challenge to us all.” The report begins by describing the nature of Their essential point is that whatever the anti-Muslim prejudice and draws a key motivations of racist attackers may be, the distinction between closed views of Islam on the The Consultation Paper The methods employed for collection of the consequence of this kind of violence for Muslims evidence was twofold. First, the comments and one hand and open views on the other. is that they are unable to play a full part in In February 1997 the Commission produced a suggestions the Commission received from the Islamophobia is equated with closed views and consultation paper entitled Islamophobia its mainstream society. Racial violence is all of a consultation process were used and the report eight main features are itemised. The eight features and dangers. Over 3,500 copies of this piece therefore with anti-Muslim prejudice. The frequently quotes directly from them. Second, features are tabulated below. were distributed to county councils and key recommendation is that this must be the report was produced after members of the metropolitan authorities, police forces, The report discusses the history of the Muslim explicitly recognised in whatever new legislation Commission visited important Muslim government departments, race equality councils, presence in Britain, and outlines problems may be introduced. A legal term such as a wide range of Muslim organisations and a communities in Bradford and Tower Hamlets. currently facing Muslim communities, as seen ‘religious and racial violence’ is required. The number of leading professional associations, This gave the Commissioners the opportunity to by the younger generation and by leaders and term ‘racial violence’ is no longer adequate on universities, unions and think-tanks. There was engage in direct conversations and discussions elders. its own. This must also be recognised by race widespread media interest. with young Muslims in the 17-24 age range as equality councils, housing authorities, police well as with community leaders. In addition The role of the media in reinforcing forces, and inter-agency monitoring groups. members of the Commission addressed a variety Report Methodology Islamophobia is examined and the of meetings and seminars throughout the Building on the consultation paper the responsibilities of journalists are also discussed. The twin themes of social inclusion and cultural country, including a large gathering in the Commission has now produced a report entitled pluralism are considered within the education Islamophobia: a challenge for us all. The report London Borough of Waltham Forest. offers a more detailed explanation of Islamophobia. It highlights the consequences of The overall intention of the Commission is Islamophobia throughout society and sets twofold: Closed and open views of Islam recommendations for practical action – by (a) to counter Islamophobic assumptions that Distinctions Closed views of Islam Open views of Islam government, teachers, lawyers, journalists, and Islam is a single monolithic system, without by religious and community leaders. internal development, diversity and dialogue, 1. Monolithic / diverse Islam seen as a single monolithic bloc, static Islam seen as diverse and progressive, and; and unresponsive to new realities. with internal differences, debates and development.
2. Separate / interacting Islam seen as separate and other – (a) not Islam seen as interdependent with other having any aims or values in common with faiths and cultures – (a) having certain shared Islamophobia, a visual summary other cultures (b) not affected by them (c) values and aims (b) affected by them (c) not influencing them. enriching them.
from 3. Inferior / different Islam seen as inferior to the West – barbaric, Islam seen as distinctively different, but not employment irrational, primitive, sexist. deficient, and as equally worthy of respect. from politics from management and and responsibility 4. Enemy / partner Islam seen as violent, aggressive, threatening, Islam seen as an actual or potential partner government supportive of terrorism, engaged in ‘a clash in joint cooperative enterprises and in the of civilisations’. solution of shared problems. Exclusion in employment physical assaults practices 5. Manipulative / sincere Islam seen as a political ideology, used for Islam seen as a genuine religious faith, political or military advantage. practised sincerely by its adherents. vandalising of property Discrimination Violence 6. Criticism of West Criticisms made by Islam of ‘the West’ Criticisms of ‘the West’ and other cultures are rejected / considered rejected out of hand considered and debated. in provision verbal abuse of services 7. Discrimination Hostility towards Islam used to justify Debates and disagreements with Islam do not Prejudice defended / criticised discriminatory practices towards Muslims and diminish efforts to combat discrimination and education exclusion of Muslims from mainstream society. exclusion. health 8. Islamophobia seen as Anti-Muslim hostility accepted as natural and Critical views of Islam are themselves in the in everyday natural / problematic ‘normal’. subjected to critique, lest they be inaccurate media conversation and unfair.