Summary Report on Islamophobia in the EU after 11 September 2001
UNITED KINGDOM A significant rise in attacks on Muslims was reported across a range of media in the immediate aftermath of September 11. Numbers of incidents of violent assault, verbal abuse and attacks on property were noted, some of which were very serious. Muslim women wearing the hijab were easily identifiable and widespread targets for verbal abuse, being spat upon, having their hijab torn from them and being physically assaulted. A number of prominent mosques around the country were similarly attacked, ranging from minor vandalism and graffiti to serious damage through arson and firebombs. Threatening and explicitly Islamophobic messages were also widely circulated over the Internet and through e-mails. Telephone calls, anonymous post and threatening messages left on car windscreens were observed. Sikh men also found that they became a significant target.
The press widely reported on the backlash against British Muslims, although reaction was mixed. A range of voices could be heard in the media although a disproportionate amount of coverage was devoted to extremist Muslim groups and British Muslims who declared their willingness to join an Islamic war against the West. Other less sensationalist Muslim voices were mainly overlooked. Reporting included very basic Islamophobic stereotypes shaping the popular image of young British Muslim men. The far-right British National Party launched a highly explicit Islamophobic campaign. Drawing heavily on issues of the inability to co-exist with Islam, it reasserted Christianity as being under threat from Muslims in the UK. The BNP included isolated Sikh and Hindu voices in their campaign, despite these being denied by the wider respective communities.
Sensitive policing and co-operation in crime prevention between police forces and local Muslim communities was credited with reducing attacks both on individuals and property, including mosques. Local councils and other organisations were included in this process. The Muslim Council of Britain sought to represent the opinions of most British Muslims. As part of this, it sought high profile meetings with senior ministers in the government and other notable leaders in London. A nation-wide Islam Awareness Week was organised for November to encourage interest and understanding. A number of other events, including interfaith meetings, were held nationally, regionally and locally. European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia
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