The Muslim Council of Britain today raised its concerns against the rise in divisive rhetoric as the crisis in the Middle East deepens.
One need look at the escalating extremist language used by the Home Secretary who started the crisis by stating that the brandishing of Palestinian flags could be criminal and now has branded as extremist the hundreds of thousands of people who have peaceably taken to the streets calling for a ceasefire. They are joined by an estimated 76% of the British public who have also indicated a desire for a ceasefire.
The Home Secretary’s divisive language underscores the Islamophobic bigotry that has taken hold in the Conservative Party, as exemplified in a newspaper column by a Conservative Party candidate who has crammed in as many tropes against Muslims to call for a shameless persecution of reasonable Muslim belief and practise.
The Secretary-General of the MCB, Zara Mohammed says, “During these times of crisis, we call for responsible leadership. We condemn the surge in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the crisis started. We must all come together to find common ground and speak out against both these ills. Yet, our politicians and sections of our media are fuelling Islamophobia in plain sight and with impunity”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
1. For any media enquiries, please contact: media@mcb.org.uk
2. The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is the UK’s largest and most diverse Muslim umbrella organisation with membership spanning national, regional local organisations, mosques, charities and professional networks. It is independent, cross-sectarian and democratic with the leadership team accountable to the membership