Majority of British Muslims witnessing Islamophobic incidents: Study

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Sunday 15 Nov 2015 - 11:53 Makkah mean time-3-2-1437 Image from telesurtv London, (IINA) - A recent study has found that the majority of British Muslims say they have witnessed discrimination against followers of the Islamic faith and that a climate of hate is being driven by politicians and media, The Guardian reported. Six out of 10 Muslims in Britain surveyed by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said they had seen Islamophobia directed at someone else, up from 4 in 10 when the survey was first conducted in 2010. Then, half of Muslims said they had not witnessed Islamophobia a figure that has now crashed to 18 percent. Furthermore, feelings of being increasingly hurts and discriminated against are rising, according to the report, which says Muslims suffer physical and verbal abuse, as well as discrimination in the workplace. The study is based on interviews with 1,780 people and repeats questions asked in 2010. In the latest study, nearly every headline finding is worse. The results paint a picture of alienation among a community seen by Whitehall, police and security officials as crucial to helping provide intelligence to thwart terrorism. More than two-thirds of Muslims told the survey they had heard anti-Islamic comments by politicians, and half thought politicians condoned Islamophobic acts. Nearly 9 out of 10-thought discrimination was driven by the way Muslims are portrayed in media coverage. The findings come amid controversy about a planned crackdown on what the government says are extreme views, which are currently lawful, which some British Muslims and even police chiefs warn will create further alienation. Subtle effects of discrimination are also on the rise, the study claims. It found 63 percent said they had experienced “being talked down to or treated as if you were stupid; having your opinions minimized or devalued”, up from 38 percent in 2010. More than half said they had been “overlooked, ignored or denied service in a shop, restaurant or public office or transport”, while three-quarters said they had been stared at by strangers. The IHRC report links rising prejudice to politicians and the media, saying: “Just over half believe that politicians condone discriminatory acts against Muslims. This perception indicates that the level of political discourse is seen to be poisonous and one of attribution of blame to Muslims.” SM/IINA