Jayda Fransen Shares Platform & Friendship with Firebrand Antisemitic Former Priest, Jacek Miedlar

November 14, 2017 Article

We reported on the recent far right demonstration in Warsaw, which was organised by the National Radical Camp which has its roots in Nazi ideology and which openly promotes antisemitism, anti-migrant and anti-Muslim hatred. Over 60,000 people attended the rally, some duped into thinking that it was a celebration of Polish nationalism, whilst others realised that it was an opportunity to promote open hatred and intolerance towards Jewish and Muslim communities in Poland which are virtually non-existent.

We also recently highlighted the detention and deportation of former priest Jacek Miedlar who is active in Wroclaw and who has previously connected with and developed links with Jayda Fransen of Britain First. Miedlar was detained in February of this year as he arrived in the UK and sent back to Poland after an invitation by Britain First to march with them through the town of Telford.

Fransen, it seems, is happy to share a platform and call as a friend, the virulent anti-Semite Miedlar, who on the 11th of October 2017, made the following statement in the Polish city of Wroclaw. Mixing antisemitism and far right nationalism with the commemoration of Polish Independence Day, Miedlar went onto say the following:

“The fact that there can be synagogues here, on our Polish soil, the fact that Jews can revel in Talmudic hate inside them, is only a result of our tolerance bordering on lack of caution. Let them know that the streets are ours! Dear football fans, dear patriots, be merciless! Be radical in your fight against evil, against falsehood, against injustice, against lawlessness, against the destruction of Polish justice system and against talmudism. We are at a war between good and evil and no Jewish Marxist horde will take away our flag or trample on Christ’s cross.”

An excerpt of the speech can be FOUND HERE.

Such rabid antisemitism and threats against a very tiny number of Jews in Poland, should not only shock us, it should move us into action. Over 3 million Polish Jews were murdered in the country and from a population of 3.3 million Jews in Poland prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, it is estimated that about 300,000 survived, what was to become the mechanised murder of European Jewry on a scale never seen. Furthermore, Miedlar’s fascination with Fransen has extended into long drawn out statements from her which he has posted on his sites. An example of one, is highlighted below where Fransen turns onto the issue of Muslims in Britain.

“With the Islamization of Britain we meet in almost every corner of our country. Starting from the colonisation of our cities and our towns, and ending with the epidemic gangs who are ruthlessly raping and torturing our children. Islam is used as both a shield and a sword. What does it mean? Shield to defend against Muslims accused in the case of child molestation and public unrest, which is translated as “cultural misunderstanding.” Islam is also used as a sword in implementating (sic) the culture and traditions such as the presence of Sharia Law and to use churches for Muslim prayer.”

Fransen is seen at the same event a few days ago with Miedlar on the stage and with affectionate grins towards each other before she starts to speak from the paper on which she has scrawled her speech. True to form, she picks on the strong sense of Polish nationalism that far right activists like Fransen use to blur the lines between pride in national history and culture and outright hatred towards other groups in society. She goes onto state the following:

“Polish nationalism is like no other country I have visited………Whilst most of Europe has fallen to political correctness and Islam, Poland has remained a strong, traditional, Christian nation.”

“And as we celebrate Remembrance weekend back in Britain, we will pay tribute to the brave Polish Spitfire pilots who fought courageously to defend our skies during the battle of Britain.”

Shame nobody forgot to remind her that if the Polish pilots were alive today, their form of national pride would be far from the hatred and intolerance shown by Fransen and her raving anti-Semite friend, Miedlar. Of that, we can be sure.

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Categories: anti-Muslim hate, Antisemitism, Far Right groups, Jacek Miedlar, Jayda Fransen, News, Opinions, Polish Independence Day, Polish Spitfire Pilots, Wroclaw

Golders Green Hippodrome Furore Shows Bigotry is Not Far From Any Community

October 15, 2017 Article

The furore around the Golders Green Hippodrome building which was purchased by a Shia group called the ‘Centre for Islamic Enlightening’ has sadly caused some strains between local communities in North London. Proposed activities in the Centre include seminars, lectures, youth activities and English language classes and the building was bought at auction for over £5 million pounds.

Yet, an e-petition has been drafted that has over 5,600 objections citing parking and noise concerns. These are legitimate concerns that some may hold, but no-one can deny that such a focus on the Centre has drawn in anti-Muslim bigots, some of whom may be local residents in the London Borough of Barnet. For example, petitioners left the following statements on the e-petition:

“don’t want….installation of a mosque – an embassy for Muslims from which they learn hatred and warfare against the infidel”

Further comments showed a bigoted nature towards Muslims as though simply buying a historical centre for an Islamic Shia Centre was ‘provocative’ and as though those who would use the Centre are not fellow citizens who happen to be Muslim.

Jihadist Comments

Some of the comments left on the e-petition show the ignorance of those making them. For example, some comments suggested that the Centre would turn into a den of extremists and others suggested that extremism was being imported into the area, without even considering the fact that violent Jihadist extremism has targeted Shia communities historically. Shia communities have therefore been targeted by Daesh and IS and prior to this group, by Al-Qaeda.

Our call is therefore for the heated rhetoric to change into dialogue with the community group who have purchased the building. They clearly are not going anywhere, nor are local residents and the only way forward is to talk, listen and reconcile a way forward so that concerns are addressed and that the anti-Muslim bigotry of some stop! This issue cannot be used as a staging post for haters to push their hatred into this peaceful and cohesive borough.

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Categories: Barnet Council, Centre for Islamic enlightening, e-petition, Golders Green Hippodrome, News, Opinions, Shia

Anti-Muslim Hatred, Terrorism, Media Sources, Far Right Networks & Spike Points

October 13, 2017 Article

The recent Independent article highlighted the sharp rise in mosque attacks that have been seen across the country and which Tell MAMA has been systematically documenting for over 4 years now. Attacks on mosques, we have said time and time again, have a wider destructive impact on Muslim communities who use it – with some reading into the attack that they are not wanted or that they are not part of the local community. Such mosque attacks can potentially therefore cause long term impacts on cohesion, the further escalation of hate crimes and in the worst instances, the possibility of further public order offences. Allied to this, all of the data we have, shows that terrorism in particular leads to very large spike points of anti-Muslim hatred and that terrorism is the major driver of incidents and attacks against Muslim communities at specific points when they take place. This basic fact cannot be denied and it also has impacts on cohesion and with the cyclical fuelling of far-right extremism and hatred towards Muslims.

To provide context to the Independent article, it is important to state the following given the fact that there are other issues that drive anti-Muslim sentiment. Terrorism is one, inflammatory media headlines are another and we have seen this when headlines are emblazoned across front pages, only for minute retractions to be printed after IPSO complaints. Such work, (of holding to account stories that are not factually accurate and meant to sell more newspapers or drive more traffic to a web-site), is essential and we salute those who carry out this vital work since it does help to reframe facts from fiction. There are a growing number of activists from Muslim and non-Muslim communities doing this and we value their much-needed work and long may it continue.

We also understand that many people will focus on complaining about inflammatory and inaccurate press headlines, just as we focus on supporting victims of anti-Muslim hatred and in monitoring and mapping cases of anti-Muslim hatred across the country. This does not make them Islamists, nor should their work be curtailed since holding to account the powerful is a fundamental plank of a healthy democracy. What is a problem, is when some believe that the media is the only driver of anti-Muslim hatred and who choose to deny or even acknowledge that terrorist attacks create further animosity, tensions and divisions, apart from brutally murdering so many innocent people and scarring families for life.

These deniers may be led by a belief that terrorism is not their responsibility, and that is a position that they can hold. We understand that position though we do not take it, since there is a social responsibility, we believe, in calling out hate. Hate drives terrorism and has huge community impacts and we will always call it out, in all of its forms.

Others truly do not want to talk about terrorism, taking a head in the sand approach, whilst others just deny what is blatantly obvious, in some vain attempt to protect Muslims and Islam, as though not talking about it, might not shine a light on the large spike points that come about because of terrorism and the subsequent targeting of Muslims by bigots. It is the latter position, of believing that the media alone is responsible for anti-Muslim hatred, which is a position that does not hold and which may drive by ideology rather than fact.

Or take those who use any opportunity to create further hatred and division, as though they are the moral guardians of Muslim communities, when the only guardianship we should be considering around hate crime work, are the voices and well-being of victims. They might shout the loudest, but they are doing no justice to real work on the ground in supporting victims and in bringing communities together.

Additionally, it is clear is that the vast majority of anti-Muslim hate incidents are opportunistic in nature and where individuals come across visible Muslims. In many of the cases that we have worked on, language related to terrorist attacks is thrown at visible Muslims, such as “you were responsible for Manchester”. The link between terrorism, opportunism and perpetrator emboldenment are clear. Some of the emboldening of perpetrators may well be due to press articles and comment pieces which blame all Muslims for extremism and terrorism, whilst for others, they may have come across far right extremist material or anti-Muslim rhetoric. Causation factors are many, including terrorism and that is the picture. It is neither one or another, but a combination of factors.

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Categories: anti-Muslim hatred, headlines, Media, News, Opinions, terrorism

Muslim woman called ‘terrorist’ and ‘ISIS’ hours after Parsons Green attack

September 26, 2017 Article

A group of teenagers repeatedly shouted ‘ISIS’ at a Muslim woman in the Lancaster area, hours after the terror attack on a London Underground train on 15 September.

Speaking to Tell MAMA staff, the woman, who wears the hijab, and attends the local university, was walking towards a bus stop, when a group of eight to ten teenagers, aged 14 or 15, began shouting at her as she passed an off-licence at around 7:30 pm.

The group made repeated references to terrorism, accusing the woman of being a ‘murderer’ and ‘terrorist’ as others shouted ‘ISIS’ at her.

No member of the public attempted to intervene or console her, which left her feeling ‘disconcerted’ when compared to other anti-Muslim abuse she has previously experienced.

She walked off in a hurry, hoping to get on the next available bus. The hate crime left her in tears several days later, she now worries about leaving her home.

In a statement given to our staff, she said:

“I think the most valuable thing taken away from me when this incident happened is my time. It took me a full week to feel like I can function normally again. Other than that, now I notice how wary I am in large crowds. I like socialising, and this has certainly affected me in the way I connect with other people. As a postgraduate student, many would agree with me if I say that you would be lucky to finish your degree without any major stress. This even has certainly added stress to my mental wellbeing and affected my study progress.

I choose to report this incident to Tell MAMA because the public should understand that this racist abuse is not something we can dismiss as a one-off incident. This is not the first time it happened to me, and sadly, this will not be the last. It is also not easy to discuss this incident with other people. I had mentioned about racist abuse towards hijabi’s once to a friend, but the reply was the question “perhaps you are being too sensitive?” It is not being too sensitive when you are racially abused for who you are and what you wear, in broad daylight, in public, it’s as simple as that.”

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Categories: abuse, hate crime, Hijab, News, Parsons Green

Anti-Muslim hate harms the social mobility of young Muslims, study finds

September 7, 2017 Article

Young Muslims in the UK face enormous barriers in education and gaining meaningful employment due to Islamophobia, discrimination, and racism, a study has found.

A report from the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), an independent advisory board, found that a strong work ethic and resilience, often from the experiences and sacrifices of their parents, with some developing a sense of duty to repay these sacrifices by succeeding in academia and the workplace.

Resilience, however, became a coping mechanism for many against pervasive forms of racism and Islamophobia, which were an ever-present reality.

In education, many felt that teachers often held stereotypical or low expectations of their Muslim students, with non-Muslim teachers reluctant to engage students, further compounding alienation due to the lack of Muslim teachers and role models in schools.

Young Muslims felt the lack of tailored support from teachers hindered their ability to succeed. Many reported that teachers did not offer enough guidance, encouragement or support, from taking difficult subjects, participating in extra-curricular activities, or explore alternative employment or higher education alternatives.

Parents sometimes struggled to support them in studies as being educated in a different system meant they lacked the requisite capital, social networks, or knowledge to help them make informed choices.

Among the young Muslims interviewed, there was an acknowledgment that some private Islamic schools reinforced traditional female gender roles.

Despite these barriers, young Muslims have a relatively high participation in higher education. Young people from Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities are now more likely to succeed in education, but women from such communities are the least likely to gain graduate jobs despite having the graduate-level qualifications.

Young Muslims interviewed by the SMC noted that geographic location, discrimination, and fears of being a minority, limited their university aspirations. Some may choose to live at home due to cultural reasons or family pressures. Many reported self-esteem issues due to a failure of institutions to support isolated minority students, recognise Muslim identity, or promote integration. Incidents of racism and Islamophobia further damaged the confidence and self-esteem of young Muslims. As a result, some Muslims are leaving university early, or not gaining ‘good grades’.

Geography also hinders on the employment prospects of Muslim women. In our evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee last year, our research found that ‘Homemaking’ women in relatively deprived neighbourhoods are less likely to become employed and those women residing in those areas who are employed are more likely than others to become unemployed. Misconceptions about cultural differences, and false assumptions that Muslim women prioritise family life over work leads to ‘significant discrimination’ at the recruitment and career advancement stages.

The transition in the workplace is harder for those of disadvantaged backgrounds when they lack the informal networks or social and financial capital to gain paid internships or work experience.

Many of the Muslims interviewed expected to face discrimination even when they had the educational qualifications required. Participants believed that discrimination would deprive them of potential interviews due to ‘ethnic-sounding’ names. A BBC study earlier this year confirmed previous academic studies that British Muslims in Britain are underrepresented in professional and managerial roles than other religious groups.

Only 1 in 5 (19.8 per cent) of the Muslim population in England and Wales is in full-time employment, compared to more than 1 in 3 (34.9 per cent) of the broader population, which has dire consequences for social mobility. Muslim women are also more likely (18 per cent) to be economically inactive than the broader population (6 per cent).

More broadly, austerity and public spending cuts have also had a disproportionate impact on BME women.

Our research found evidence of a ‘Muslim penalty’ in salaried jobs as unlike Hindu Indians who are almost 1.49 times as likely as a white British Christian to access the salariat, Muslim Indians are 0.86 times as likely to acquire such a job. For white female Muslims, they are 0.72 times as likely as a white Christian or non-religious women to access the salariat. For Bangladeshi and Pakistani women, however, the odds are significantly worse.

Deprivation also plays a part, as 46 per cent of Muslims lives in the 10 per cent of the most deprived local boroughs. While inequalities vary by region, academics found that Bangladeshis are the most likely to live in areas of low and poor housing. Jivraj and Khan found that Pakistani communities are the most likely to live in areas of deprivation because of education, health, or employment issues.

An infographic we produced in 2015 to highlight employment discrimination and deprivation.

Neighbourhood poverty, cuts to ESOL teaching, and a failure of employers to recognise parental qualifications all contribute to low-income households.

Writing in the Huff Post UK, Professor Jacqueline Stevenson, who authored the report, concluded: “It is time for robust and immediate intervention from Government, schools, universities and employers to create an equal playing field where everyone has a fair chance to succeed in life – regardless of their background or faith.”.

Some of the key recommendations include religious and cultural diversity training for teachers. When relating their experiences of Islamophobia and racism, many young Muslims interviewed, mentioned a lack of knowledge from non-Muslims about their faith and Muslim culture. Many felt that inflammatory, careless, and inaccurate media reporting harmed their ability to form positive bonds with others.

Businesses are encouraged to take up unconscious bias, diversity, religious literacy and cultural competence training.

For young Muslims, the report calls for more tailored support and mentoring schemes, to better prepare them for their post-16 choices.

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Categories: discrimination, employment, News

Threatening Anti-Muslim Leaflet Sent to Family in Bradford

August 26, 2017 Article

The following leaflet was sent to a Muslim family in Bradford. The leaflet makes threats of acid attacks against visible Muslim women who wear the Niqab or the face veil. The leaflet also makes reference to the grooming of white girls and is titled, ‘Kill scum Muslims’.

As is sadly the case, the focus on Muslim women continues and this leaflet is an example of the anti-Muslim hatred and rhetoric that is targeted at Muslim women. There is a heavy gender driven focus in anti-Muslim hatred and which has hugely disproportionate impacts on Muslim women.

If you receive such a leaflet, we would advise recipients to call the police since there may be evidence that can be collected off the leaflets. Furthermore, we would be grateful if we are notified since Tell MAMA is investigating a pattern of such campaigns and this is helping us to build a rich picture of where such campaigns may be emanating from and where their impacts are. Your information will therefore be extremely useful and will also ensure that we within Tell MAMA, can support your needs.

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Categories: Bradford, Far Right groups, grooming, hate crime, Leaflet, Muslim women, News, Threats to Kill

PSNI investigate pig’s head dumped outside Newtownards Islamic centre

August 25, 2017 Article

Police are investigating a spate of anti-Muslim hate crime in Newtownards after a pig’s head left on the doorstep of an Islamic centre on Wednesday evening.

Graffiti was also painted on the wall of the building and in other parts of the town.

Police confirmed that they had been made aware of the pig’s head dumped at the Bangladesh Islamic Community Centre on Greenwell Street, at 23:45 BST on Wednesday, with the graffiti, reported hours later.

Racists then went to spray paint ‘Islamic rapists out’ and ‘Muslim rapists out’ in other locations.

The third act of graffiti has yet to be reported to the PSNI, according to Belfast Live.

Residents and politicians have condemned this act of race hate.

A spokesperson for Amnesty International also condemned the incident.

After news of the hate crime broke, a bouquet of flowers appeared on the doorstep of the Islamic centre.

Members of the far-right party Britain First had targeted the Islamic centre with a flash demonstration in August 2015. Earlier this month, Paul Golding, leader of Britain First, had confirmed that the party intends to register as a political party in Northern Ireland.

The Electoral Commission has yet to approve this request, however, according to the list of registered political parties in Northern Ireland.

PSNI are treating the incidents as hate crimes and are appealing for more information.

You can get advice through our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Or contact us via WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086.

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Categories: Britain First, hate crime, News

Launch of Guide on Hate Crimes Demonstrating Strong Partnership Working

August 23, 2017 Article

The following guide which has been published by the Community Security Trust and co-authored by the Crown Prosecution Service, Tell MAMA and the Department of Communities and Local Government, provides guidance and advice for victims and witnesses of hate crimes. It highlights the processes and procedures for reporting in hate crimes and outlines the routes by which statutory bodies such as the police and Crown Prosecution Service work with victims. It is a guide which ensures that the rights of victims are protected and maintained.

Though the guide has a focus on anti-Muslim hatred and antisemitism, its advice can, and should, be used by anybody who has suffered any kind of hate crime, which can occur due to race, religion, sexuality, age, disability, gender or any other characteristic.

Tell MAMA, the CST and many other agencies have repeatedly stated, that as levels of reported hate crime continues to grow in the UK, collaborative efforts to educate and inform those affected by it are increasingly important.

Introductory statements within the guide include:

Iman Atta OBE, Director Tell MAMA

We have seen a rise over the last five years in the reporting of anti-Muslim hatred. Tell MAMA has been at the vanguard of supporting victims of anti-Muslim hatred, whilst collecting evidence and mapping, monitoring and measuring incidents across the United Kingdom. Through partnership work in the production of materials such as this guide, we hope that we can collectively make it easier for people to report, take charge and feel confident when they report hate incidents. We stand together with other communities in working to counter hatred, intolerance and bigotry.

David S Delew, Chief Executive, CST

Despite our best efforts to combat all forms of hate crime and hate incidents, levels of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred in the UK are unfortunately on the rise. CST works hard to protect, support and inform victims of antisemitism. This collaborative guide will be an important tool for all those affected by hate crime in understanding their rights, and how to navigate the complicated criminal justice system.

Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP, Communities Secretary:

Hate crime against any community is entirely unacceptable. Everyone in this country has a right to live without fear of abuse or attack and we must, as a nation, firmly condemn hate crimes and all other forms of bigotry. It is vital that victims have the confidence to report crimes to the Police. This Government is committed to making sure that those who perpetuate hate are subject to the full force of the law – but we cannot do this alone. This guide is an example of how we can work together to stamp out hate crime and support victims in bringing their cases forward so that justice can be served.

Alison Saunders CB, Director of Public Prosecutions, Crown Prosecution Service:

We want communities and individuals to have the confidence to come forward and report these offences, no matter how minor they may appear. This guide is an important way of ensuring that victims can make informed decisions about the most appropriate course of action, taking account of their particular personal circumstances. Hate crime divides communities and the CPS has an absolute commitment to bring perpetrators to justice and support victims and witnessed through the criminal justice system.

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Categories: anti-Semitism, Antisemitism, Community Cohesion, CPS, CST, disability hate, Far Right groups, guide, hate crime, homophobia, Jews, LGBT hate, News, reports, victims

Locals condemn racist, anti-Muslim graffiti in Birmingham

August 14, 2017 Article

Locals in the Small Heath area of Birmingham have covered up and condemned racist and anti-Muslim graffiti, after photos of the vandalism circulated online.

Photos appeared the Facebook group ‘Small Heath News’ on August 12, the racist and anti-Muslim graffiti in two locations makes a crude reference to paedophilia and the racial epithet ‘P*ki’.

One local resident then uploaded photos of his efforts to cover the words in black paint. Many thanked the man for his actions, with one person adding: ‘Good on you for covering it up the twits who did it should be disgusted in themselves’.

One local replied to the news: ‘This is so sad to see…most of my child hood friends were Muslim… and I love the fact that I grew up in such a vibrant area of culture’.

We were given permission to share additional photos of the graffiti after a member of the public had contacted us online.

According to West Midlands Police, the council will try to remove any racist graffiti within 48 hours.

Anyone can report graffiti in public areas – be it on bins, benches, and public buildings – to their local council.

Birmingham City Council has been made aware of the graffiti.

The vandalism has also been reported to West Midlands Police.

Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, or using True Vision online.

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Categories: anti-Muslim hate, graffiti, hate, News

Hate crime reports did increase after UK terror attacks, police say

August 11, 2017 Article

Police forces across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland saw ‘brief’ rises in a hate crime following the recent terrorist attacks, new figures reveal.

The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) saw increases in hate crime reports following attacks at Westminster, Manchester and London Bridge, but reports decreased following the Finsbury Park terror attack.

NPCC hate crime lead Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: “Reporting from police forces show that levels of hate crime peaked in the wake of the attacks but quickly subsided within a few days. This is in line with trends we have seen before, though obviously still a real concern for the police service and wider society.”

Police recorded 234 hate crimes 48 hours after the Westminster Bridge attack, 273 reports following the Manchester Arena suicide bombing, and 319 reports following the London Bridge attacks.

Current estimates show that race or faith hate crime compromised the ‘vast majority’ of the increase in reports. Further breakdowns, however, will be available in official Home Office data.

The NPCC stressed that hate crime often increases during weekends and in the summer. Increased visibility of police on the streets and confidence from members of the public to report hate crime may help explain the rise.

In the week after each attack, hate crime reports were still higher compared to the same period in 2016. Reports increased by 12 per cent after Westminster, 50 per cent after Manchester, and 34 per cent after London Bridge.

Further still, there was a 34 per cent rise in reports in the fortnight after Westminster, with similar rises continuing into the third week, but dropping following the London Bridge and Finsbury Park terror attacks, when compared to 2016 data.

An added caveat from the NPCC data concerns the increased baseline of reports following a similar spike in hate crimes following the EU referendum vote last year.

Concerning anti-Muslim hate crime, however, Greater Manchester Police did see a 505 per cent rise in the month after the Manchester Arena attack, compared to the same period last year.

Provisional figures released by the mayor’s office in London had shown a ‘sharp’ rise in racist and anti-Muslim hate crime.

Reports to our confidential support service also rose following the terror attacks in Manchester and London Bridge.

ACC Mark Hamilton added: “As terrorists seek to divide us, it is more important than ever that we continue to stand united in the face of hostility and hatred. Police forces remain committed to helping all people feel safe and secure as they go about their daily lives. More officers have been deployed on visible patrols and forces continue to reach out to all communities to provide reassurance, strengthen our bonds and deal with tensions that may have been triggered.

“Across the country, we have seen people and communities reject these hateful divisions by defiantly celebrating our shared values and diversity and showing we will not be intimidated by an intolerant minority.”

Hate crime can be reported through 999 in an emergency, by dialling 101 in a non-emergency, directly at a police station, through the MOPAC Hate Crime app.

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Categories: GMP, hate crime, MET Police, News, NPCC, terrorism