Written Evidence from the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group [GIS0032]
The Anti-Islamophobia Working Group (AIWG) is an apolitical coalition of civil society organisations and experts coming together to raise awareness and urge change to tackle Islamophobia in the UK. Membership includes: Show Racism the Red Card, The Aziz Foundation, Hope Not Hate, the Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre, Islamic Relief, the Fawcett Society, Human Rights Watch UK Director, Yasmine Ahmed, and former UN Special Rapporteur, Ahmed Shaheed.
The AIWG share a common goal of fostering understanding, tolerance, and inclusivity, and have made significant progress in this endeavour, on an individual and organisational level.
Our working group reflects the sobering reality of Islamophobia which permeates through all aspects of society and life. It manifests in hate crimes both online and offline, wider society including in sports, education and the workplace. Intersectionality is also an important feature, with Muslim women suffering a triple penalty: race, faith and gender. The former UN special rapporteur has highlighted the importance of freedom of religion or belief as crucial to the exercise of a range of fundamental human rights.
The purpose of this initiative is to encourage more people to talk about Islamophobia, demonstrate effective allyship and exercise meaningful action.
Through our historic and innovative collaborations, including with the Bank of England, PwC, KPMG, the Football Association, Westminster City Council, and universities, we are able to raise awareness of Islamophobia and its impact on the British Muslim community.
This written evidence is drawn and extracted from our landmark thematic report published in February 2024, which provides strategy to combat Islamophobia more broadly whilst highlighting the specific experiences of Muslim women. The report explores the prevalence of Islamophobia in the UK, its impact on the community, and underscores the importance of tackling this awful form of hatred through recommendations and strategy. The full report can be found here which includes a full list of references and endnotes. We strongly advise the committee to read the report in full to gain a holistic view of Islamophobia.
Summary and overview
Muslims have been the victims of the highest proportion of religiously motivated hate crime in England and Wales since 2017/18, according to Home Office figures. Islamophobic hate crime has risen every year since, accounting for 42% of recorded religious hate crimes last year, with notable surges coinciding with terror incidents and global conflicts. In Scotland, a public inquiry launched by Anas Sarwar MSP in 2021 found 75% of Muslims said Islamophobia was a regular or everyday issue in Scottish society. An updated report in November 2023 by the Scottish Parliament Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Challenging Racial and Religious Prejudice highlighted areas which need immediate reform. With a sixfold increase in Islamophobia between October 7 and October 19 of 2023, amidst the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, our findings reflect the sobering reality of Islamophobia which permeates through all aspects of society and life, including in sports, education and the workplace. While Islamophobia most directly affects the British Muslim community, Islamophobia also threatens the democracy, values, safety, and rights of all Britons. This was seen during the heinous riots that took place over the summer of 2024 and saw violence against British citizens, including law enforcement officers, and vandalism of places of worship. Muslim women, in particular those who observe hijab, are more vulnerable to hate crime as they are visibly Muslim.
The hatred of Muslims shares much in common with other forms of hate and discrimination, including racism, antisemitism, homophobia, transphobia, and misogyny; it also has unique characteristics that require tailored responses and can manifest distinctively. At its core, Islamophobia, like numerous forms of hate, divides Britons by scapegoating certain people, erodes our trust in government and social institutions, and threatens our democracy. Thus, it is imperative that Britons of all backgrounds and beliefs work together to counter this scourge with urgency.
The strategy offered in our report represents a comprehensive and ambitious effort to counter Islamophobia in Britain from the AIWG. The AIWG is an apolitical coalition of civil society organisations and experts coming together to raise awareness and urge change to tackle Islamophobia in the UK. But we cannot address Islamophobia alone. This strategy also calls on the government to act and play its part in countering Islamophobia. It urges action from all of society—national and local authorities, civil society, community and faith leaders, the private sector, individual citizens.
As well as proposing recommendations for lawmakers and civil society, this report will also highlight the valuable contributions of our members in eradicating Islamophobia in society. Our membership includes:
1. Show Racism the Red Card
2. Hope not Hate
3. Islamic Relief
4. The Aziz Foundation
5. The Fawcett Society
6. The Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
7. The former UN special rapporteur on religious freedom, Professor Ahmed Shaheed
8. The UK director of Human Rights Watch, Yasmine Ahmed.
Combining the collective expertise and tireless contributions of our members, the AIWG calls for action now, and over the long term, in eradicating Islamophobia in the UK.
Prejudice Against Muslim Women
The Fawcett Society submitted an analysis on the compounding discrimination, violence and abuse faced by those in society with intersecting identities: A large proportion of Muslim women face a triple penalty– race, faith and gender. Instead of understanding Islamophobia as a universalised, unvariegated social force impacting all Muslims in the same way, we must recognise Muslim women’s disparate experiences and agency. The same can be said for the tendency to see Islamophobia as an Arab and Asian Muslim issue, which renders the experience of Black Muslims, and specifically Black Muslim women, invisible. In the same vein, discourses around feminism exclude the experiences of Muslim women.
In 2016, the Fawcett Society noted that Muslim women face some of the highest pay gaps and barriers to employment of any British group. Economic inequality for women manifests itself in occupational segregation, lower levels of labour market participation and differences in pay. The causes include the greater caring responsibilities of women; men’s greater progression to the top; prejudices and stereotypes about the roles women and men can play at work and discrimination. Muslim women experience barriers in work on account of being women and being Muslim, usually further compounded by their race or perceived race. In 2016, Fawcett found that British Muslims as a group had low earnings, qualifications, and employment rates, and were at high risk of poverty. Research by the EHRC looking at mean gaps in average hourly pay found that Muslim women experienced a pay gap compared to Christian men of 22.4%: the highest of any religious group. They also experienced a gap relative to Muslim men of around 9%.
Muslim women in sport
Show Racism the Red Card submitted a summary highlighting the experience of Muslim women in sport. Out of 11 Muslim athletes who made headlines at the Tokyo Olympics 2021, three of them were women. Hijab bans have been lifted by various sports authorities worldwide, and this change in scenery is a positive step forward for Muslim women, the result of years of persistence by individuals and organisations tackling barriers facing Muslim women. However, whilst doors of opportunities have been opened, a lot more action is needed to give Muslim women an equal footing in sports. The French Football Federation (FFF) maintains a ban on the wearing of “conspicuous religious symbols” despite FIFA lifting its own hijab ban in 2014. The organisation, Sporting Equals, has reported that only 26.1% of Asian women take part in recommended levels of sports and physical activities compared to 31.4% of white British women. A Sports England study revealed that only 18% of Muslim women participate in regular sport, compared to 30% of the entire UK population28 . Within school settings and sports clubs, many Muslim girls and women are compelled to make a choice between playing a sport or practising their faith, as well as facing stereotypes of disliking the physical challenges needed to pursue sports.
Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap Research conducted by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2007, based on the Annual Population Survey, sheds light on the multiple disadvantages faced by Muslim women in the realm of employment. The findings illustrate that not only do ethnic minority women, on the whole, experience pay gaps compared to white British men, but Muslim women are also likely to face significant disparities compared to Christian men. At the time of the research, Muslim women were reported to have a pay gap of 22.4% when compared to Christian men, marking the highest pay gap among religious groups. Additionally, Muslim women experienced a notable gap relative to Muslim men, amounting to around 9%. These figures underscore the unique challenges faced by Muslim women in the labour market.
However, the nature of these pay gaps may have shifted significantly since the research was conducted. This highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of economic disparities and the need for ongoing and updated research to capture the current state of affairs. The call for improved data availability, especially concerning Muslim women, serves as a crucial step in fostering a more nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by diverse communities in the workforce, allowing for targeted interventions and policy initiatives to promote greater economic equity.
Recommendations
Definition of Islamophobia
In order to confront and counter any form of Islamophobia, Britons must recognise and understand it. Far too many do not. Without awareness of Islamophobia and education about the threat it poses, British citizens across society cannot identify and address Islamophobia. If we cannot name, identify, and admit a problem, we cannot begin to solve it.
The absence of a formal definition on Islamophobia recognised by the government has a
profound impact on the ability to tackle it head on.
Why should adopting a definition of Islamophobia be a top priority for the
Government?
● It is crucial to comprehend how Islamophobia manifests in various spheres, including education, employment, politics, policing, and other areas. This encapsulates the diverse manifestations of Islamophobia that might otherwise evade detection, offering a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
● Recognised definitions of terms like sexism, racism, and anti-Semitism have proven essential in addressing and combating various forms of discrimination that were previously unchallenged. Effectively addressing Islamophobia requires a clear understanding of its meaning and implications. Without a formal definition, perceptions of the issue remain highly subjective.
● Adopting a definition of Islamophobia would signal to British Muslim communities that local councils acknowledge the challenges they face and prioritise efforts to combat Islamophobia.
● Adopting a definition will strengthen the legislative framework empowering regulatory bodies such as Ofcom, and law enforcement agencies, to confront and counter Islamophobia. This will also help capture better data collection on this subject, especially in the form of hate crimes.
Collect more data on the British Muslim community, particularly Muslim women
Female exclusion from the labour market, underemployment, and the gender pay gap are key priorities regarding the intersectional discrimination faced by certain groups of women due to the interplay of race, gender, religion, and other protected characteristics. Muslim women in Britain encounter some of the highest pay gaps and barriers to employment within the country. The Fawcett Society emphasises the need for any comprehensive inquiry into the economic experiences of Muslims to fully account for and reflect the distinct challenges faced by Muslim women. Acknowledging the intersectionality of their identities, the society also urges the Women and Equalities Select Committee to advocate for measures that enhance Muslim women's access to economic participation and to deepen our understanding of the multiple disadvantages they confront.
The Muslim population cannot be equated to one or two ethnic groups. However, the lack of available data specifically focused on religious belief poses a challenge. In the absence of such data, the society suggests that considering the experiences of ethnic groups may offer tentative insights into the broader experiences of Muslim women. This data gap is a critical issue that requires attention, with a call for more comprehensive data to be provided by official sources such as the Office for National Statistics. The society also stresses the importance of improving data collection at the intersection of gender, race, and religion to inform effective policies and interventions that foster economic equity for all women.
Language of Public Officials
Harmful stereotypes and language surrounding Muslim women fuel societal division and reinforces false notions about Muslim identities.
There is clear evidence that language from public officials directly impacts public opinion and can lead to a spike in hate crime. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s derogatory comments about Muslim women and the veil describing them as “bank robbers” and “letterboxes” led to a 375% increase in hate crime (The Guardian, 2019).
Public officials should opt for more precise and neutral language. By doing so, they can avoid perpetuating negative stereotypes and help maintain a more inclusive and fair public discourse.
Strategies more broadly
In the ongoing battle against Islamophobia in the UK, it is imperative that we not only identify the challenges but also propose tangible solutions to foster a more inclusive and harmonious society. In our report, we outline key policy recommendations put forward by our members – a diverse and dedicated group committed to eradicating discrimination and prejudice against Muslims in the UK. Our intent is not only to provide a roadmap for the government and wider society but to spark meaningful discourse, collaboration, and change in the relentless pursuit of a more tolerant, just, and inclusive UK. The policy recommendations featured are a culmination of research, collaboration, and the collective wisdom of our members.
It is our hope that these recommendations will serve as a catalyst for meaningful policy change and the eradication of Islamophobia in the UK. Although Islamophobia is an increasingly global problem, the scope of our strategy is domestic and national. The strategy is focused on countering the threat and manifestations of Islamophobia in the UK. Our report explores a tendency by the British media to focus on and prioritise “recurrent, negative” Muslim narratives, which, as previously-quoted figures have found, can contribute to a distorted, unfair portrayal of a diverse community.
The AIWG believes that it is equally important to celebrate and highlight the incredible work and positive contributions of British Muslims. British Muslims are making remarkable contributions across various sectors, including education, healthcare, business, sports, the arts, and community development. While it is important to report on challenges and issues facing any community, it is equally essential to highlight the achievements, aspirations, and positive contributions of individuals and organisations in combating Islamophobia. Thus, our strategy will also seek to highlight the tireless commitment and unwavering dedication of individuals and organisations under our membership in tackling Islamophobia. This strategy advances a whole-of-society approach to countering Islamophobia, resting on six pillars:
● Pillar 1: Foster Understanding and Counter Misconceptions About Muslims and Islam Through Education.
● Pillar 2: Use Media and Public Discourse to Counter Anti-Muslim Bias.
● Pillar 3: Build Cross-Community Solidarity and Collective Action to Counter Hate.
● Pillar 4: Legislative Approaches and Policy Frameworks to Combat Islamophobia.
● Pillar 5: Government Engagement with Civil Society to Combat Prejudice and Discrimination.
● Pillar 6: The Importance of Monitoring and Data Collection in Anti-Islamophobia Efforts.
April 2025