UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia: Hate Crime Reporting
United Nations International Day to Combat Islamophobia
15th March marks the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The United Nations Observances page declares International Days to “educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.”
What is Islamophobia?
The UK Parliament identifies Islamophobia as a form of racism that targets “Muslimness”. Although no clear definition is provided, there have been discussions around clearly defining the term.
The UN defines Islamophobia as a “fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world.”
Although the UN offers a more concrete definition, Amina MWRC does not consider Islamophobia an accurate term to describe discrimination towards Muslims. Islamophobia translates directly to the “fear of Islam”, which is an inadequate explanation as actions driven by discrimination and hatred, rather than fear. As a Muslim & BME women’s rights organisation, we choose to characterise this sentiment as Anti-Muslim Hate and Discrimination.
What is a Hate Crime?
Hate Crimes are criminal actions that are rooted in prejudice. In Scotland, the characteristics that hate crime can occur on are listed in the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021. The seven characteristics are age; disability; race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins; religion or perceived religious affiliation; sexual orientation; transgender identity; variations in sex characteristics.
Reporting Hate Crime in Scotland
As part of our National-level Helpline project, Amina MWRC serves as a third-party Hate Crime Reporting Centre. If you would like to report a hate crime incident or require support following one, please call the Amina Helpline at 0808 801 0303, Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. If you are currently experiencing a hate crime and require urgent support, call 999.
Systemic Discrimination and Anti-Muslim Hate
Systemic discrimination in Scotland is the term used to describe institutional barriers that disadvantage certain groups, including Muslims, in areas including employment, education, policing, and housing. Despite legal protections like the Equality Act 2010, people with Muslim-sounding names often face discrimination in recruitment. Many Muslim students, especially girls who are visibly Muslim by wearing the hijab, experience bias in schools, and counterterrorism measures like Prevent disproportionately target Muslim communities.
Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate remains a key issue today. A 2021 report by the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Tackling Islamophobia revealed that 83% of Muslims in Scotland have directly experienced Islamophobia, with Muslim women more likely to encounter it than men. Negative media portrayals further fuel harmful stereotypes, while religious dress discrimination and hate crimes continue to marginalise Muslim communities.
Although Scotland continues to take steps to combat Islamophobia, including through the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, challenges still persist and require continued efforts from all to promote inclusion and tackle discrimination at systemic levels.
Steps to Prevent Anti-Muslim Discrimination/Islamophobia
As outlined, Islamophobia often stems from systemic discrimination within institutions. It is crucial for us all to take accountability and work to prevent anti-Muslim discrimination and hate.
1. Invest in EDI Trainings at Workplaces
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Trainings can help significantly by bringing people to identify instance of systemic discrimination, while raising awareness of the importance of adopting a more inclusive approach. It is crucial for government bodies, the corporate sector and third sector to invest in authentic EDI training, delivered by those with lived experience of discrimination. Amina MWRC offers a range of tailored EDI trainings, including our Accessing Support: Challenges faced by Muslim and BME Women
2. Introduce Authentic EDI from a Young Age
Promoting inclusion from an early age helps to build more empathic and open-minded individuals. Prevention can be adopted by introducing the youth to Inclusion and activities that help them to think in better ways. We offer in-classroom training for primary and high school students. Through the use of interactive activities, thought-provoking discussions and key takeaways, we’ve delivered this training to countless schools in Glasgow. Additionally, we also offer Office Visits where students can engage with our work through fun activities, competitions and workshops, providing hands-on experience and inclusion projects. Book a training here or email training@mwrc.org.uk for a tailored Office Visit.
3. Donate to Organisations that Help Prevent Discrimination
By donating to an organisation that works to prevent discrimination and promote more inclusive society, you can help to make Scotland a more safe and welcoming place. Donate now to Amina MWRC from as little as £1 to help make a difference. Donate here with a one-off payment or set up monthly donations for continuous involvement. Support our strides in women’s rights!
Amina – the Muslim Women’s Resource Centre is Scotland’s leading women’s rights organisation for Muslim & BME women. To find out more about our work and upcoming activities, please explore our website and follow us on Instagram.