What Islamophobia Means in Britain

Before there were anti-Muslim attacks in Britain, there was anti-Asian and African discrimination in the 1980’s. Prior still to that, there were widespread acts of hostility directed against non-whites throughout the 1950’s.

According to Professors Tariq Modood and Nasar Meer of the University of Bristol, the Islamophobia that is described and discussed today does not represent some newfound, ideological fear of Islam. The hateful rhetorics and violence directed against Muslims in modern-day Britain and Europe did not simply appear overnight. Nor were they motivated solely by differences in religous beliefs. Rather, the fear and discrimination of Muslims is really an evolved stage of racism—one that has been built as much upon perceived differences in culture, religion and history, but also on outward forms such as manner of dress or skin color.

Studies commissioned to monitor the harassment and abuse of British Muslims have shown, for example, that the highest incidences of discrimination and violence were reported by individuals who could easily be identified as or mistaken for Muslims. In fact, a large number of Sikh men—practioners of a religion entirely distinct from Islam—were  targeted for hate crimes primarily on the basis of their “Muslim-like” beards and turbans. Consequentially, in order for British society to overcome anti-Islamic sentiment, it must re-examine and address deeply rooted beliefs about racial equity.