Islamophobia & Religious Discrimination: contextualising the need

My opening speech from the “Islamophobia & Religious Discrimination: new perspectives, policies and practices” event yesterday (9th December 2009):

Why do we need an event that focuses on Islamophobia and religious discrimination when, as Alistair Campbell once famously remarked to Tony Blair, as a nation “We don’t do God”.

For a nation that doesn’t ‘do God’, reading or watching the news may suggest otherwise. A glance back at 2009 might remind you of a number of different stories that had a relevance to religion or belief:

The British National Party (BNP) run a European election campaign under the slogan “What would Jesus do?” culminating in them winning two seats in the European parliament after almost a decade of running openly anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim campaigns

Anjem Choudhury and his Islam4UK group campaigning against British troops returning from Afghanistan

PRESS RELEASE: “Decision-makers need to ‘think hard’ about what needs to be done on Islamophobia & Religious Discrimination”

In a year when the British National Party (BNP) won two seats in the European parliament, the English Defence League have marched in protest against the ‘Islamification’ of Britain in various towns and cities, and more recently, there has been a referendum in Switzerland to ban minarets, the University of Birmingham this week hosts a national conference that explores the timely issue of Islamophobia and religious discrimination (9th December 2009).

Bringing together key individuals from the Department of Communities & Local Government (CLG), the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC), the Houses of Parliament, Birmingham City Council and the University of Birmingham amongst others, the conference – “Islamophobia & Religious Discrimination: new perspectives, policies and practices” [1] – will consider the extent to which religious discrimination is on the rise and whether the legislation and policies that seek to address these are indeed working.

Dr Chris Allen [2] from the Institute of Applied Social Studies (IASS) and who convened the event says:

“Despite the fact that there are a growing number of British people choosing to identify themselves in terms of their religion and greater recognition is being afforded to religion and faith in the public and political spaces, research continues to suggest that Islamophobia and other forms of religious discrimination are on the rise – not just here in Britain but elsewhere in Europe too. People are finding it increasingly acceptable and ‘normal’ to be prejudiced and discriminatory about others on the basis of religion or belief.

Sometimes through fear and suspicion, sometimes because of ignorance and a lack of understanding, if left unchecked, these could easily become hostilities and hatreds that result in tensions, unrest and harm between different communities and religions. So if we want to ensure the future wellbeing of a cohesive multicultural, multi-faith Britain, it is vital that we begin to discuss these issues now.”

Interview for Publico newspaper (Portugal): Discriminação contra muçulmanos está a aumentar na Europa

Following an interview with the Portugese journalist Alexandra Lucas Coelho last Friday, my comments have been published as part of an article in the national Portugese newspaper, Publico: “Discriminação contra muçulmanos está a aumentar na Europa”.

To read the article – in Portugese – click here.

A ‘Google’ translation is pasted below. Warning, it’s not the best:

Discrimination against Muslims is increasing in Europe

The vote on minarets in Switzerland is only a sign. The political stage to the Internet, across Europe emerging expressions of fear or distrust of Muslims. There are indications that discrimination is increasing, say experts consulted by PUBLICO.

Happy 2nd Birthday ‘Walls Come Tumbling Down…’

It’s the 1st December again and with it comes the second birthday of ‘Walls…’, a year that’s witnessed 103 posts (87 down on the first year), 145 comments (again, less than the previous year), and the use of near 2,000 different tags.

Last year I was amazed at the success and popularity of the blog when 35,462 visitors had visited ‘Walls…’ at some time in its first year. This year though, things have been even more amazing. The number of visitors are up as indeed are the monthly and daily averages. More traffic, less posts – what more can you ask for…?

In its second year then, the number of visitors to ‘Walls…’ has been a staggering 63,237.

The monthly average number of visitors has been 5,269 with monthly totals hitting a new high in November 2009 with 8,675 visitors. This was more than double the traffic coming to the site at the same time last year.

The year also saw the blog’s busiest day when on the 10th December 2008, 995 visitors viewed a post about the abuse given to Sol Campbell by Portsmouth fans. Despite the fact that the blog focuses heavily on matters of religion, faith, politics and society more generically, it is typically the football related stories that generate the most traffic as well as the most controversy.

The success of the site though is down to the growing number of people that visit ‘Walls…’ or follow it using RSS feeds. So to each and every one of you, a massive ‘thank you’. Your support is always greatly appreciated and never underestimated.

I also thank all those who come and never return: long may they continue…!!!

So to mark the second birthday, I offer the ‘Top Ten Posts of Walls…2009′. Enjoy:

1. ‘In pursuit of Britishness’: BBC Panorama 25 August 2008 (5,521 hits)

2. Immortalising Jade Goody: a People’s Princess for today (3,156)

3. Being British: is this really the best we can do? (2,892

4. ‘Sol, Sol, wherever you may be’: football abuse and human rights (2,584)

5. Merry Christmas Everybody, everything’s going to be cool (2,270)

6. Where is the Nativity story in the Gospels? (2,149)

7. 9/11 reflections: the revolution was televised now it’s over bye bye (1,802)

8. The Jade Goody Show: the reality versus the hyper-reality (1,702)

9. What I hate about Millwall Football Club, the Club I love (1,586)

10. Have you heard the one about the English and the Carry On films? Speak Out article (1,538)

Roll on year three…!!!

Coverage on GEO TV: Europe & Islam – whose identity crisis?

Following on from the debate in the european Parliament a few weeks ago, some footage from GEO TV based in Pakistan (be warned, it’s in Urdu):

more about “A Debate in European Parliament on Eu…“, posted with vodpod