LONDON: A UK government working group tackling anti-Muslim hatred has not met for four years despite a surge in Islamophobic hate crimes across Britain since last year, The Guardian reported on Monday.
The group’s last official meeting took place in January 2020, before all government working groups were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group was set up in 2012 during David Cameron’s premiership, in an attempt to tackle rising anti-Muslim hatred and monitor the growth of Islamophobia in Britain.
Cameron and his successor Theresa May are said to have been “supportive” of the scheme, but group members have expressed alarm over the inability of Communities Secretary Michael Gove to restart it amid a surge in Islamophobic hate crimes in Britain.
Since the Gaza conflict broke out last October, British authorities have recorded a 335 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the UK.
The group’s chair, Akeela Ahmed, said: “At this time of heightened fear, anxiety and tensions, government should be doing its utmost to fulfil its statutory obligations and responsibilities towards all communities. Yet when it comes to British Muslims, this simply isn’t happening.”
She added: “Since Theresa May’s premiership, the government’s reluctance to address Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred has become increasingly outlandish.”
She highlighted the case of Conservative MP Lee Anderson, who was suspended by the government last month after claiming that Islamists had “got control” of Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor.
Ahmed said when condemning Anderson for his remarks, “(Prime Minister) Rishi Sunak was unable to name either (Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hatred). Politicised discussions about terminology have stalled the real work needed to address prejudice, bigotry and discrimination against British Muslims.
“Personally, I use the terms interchangeably, as I’m not precious about labels. But we do need to develop a robust definition.”
In 2022, the government’s last independent expert adviser on defining Islamophobia, Imam Qari Asim, was removed from his post.
Despite repeated assurances to group members that Asim’s position would be filled, it has remained vacant for two years. The Guardian reported that Gove is now compiling a shortlist of candidates to fill the role.
A government spokesperson said in a statement: “We are taking action to ensure that no extremist organisations or individuals are being given a platform by their actions and interactions with government. We will set out further details shortly.”
