Pupils reveal anti-Muslim abuse

YOUNG Muslims in Wales have described how they have been called terrorists and “P***” at school and have been told by strangers to take their headscarves off.

The extent of racism is laid bare in experiences documented in videos and interviews with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ office as part of a drive to tackle Islamophobia – both inside and outside of the classroom.

One girl pupil told the commissioner’s office: “They say like ‘you’re a P***’ and things. They call you really bad names”, while another said “I was called a terrorist in school”.

Speaking on a video as part of a new resource for teachers, Children’s Commissioner Sally Holland said she decided to retain videos of pupils explaining how they had been called “P***” because it is “important to present experiences of young people honestly”.

She goes on to say it a “totally unacceptable” term of abuse and pupils should tell teachers immediately if they hear it being used.

In another video, a pupil says she was called a terrorist by a group of men she walked past on a visit to the beach, while another says people avoid her because of her scarf.

“I have experienced people disliking me because I am a Muslim or the way I wear my scarf”, a pupil said. “For example, sitting on a bus people don’t want to sit next to me.”

Another says she was walking down a street when a total stranger told her to take off her scarf, while one Muslim teenager said he is so worried about safety he tries to accompany female relatives going out.

Another says Islamophobia makes him feel “unsafe” because: “If I am not welcome here, where can I go?”

The new teaching kit has been successfully piloted in three schools including Ysgol Plasmawr in Cardiff.

Prof Holland now wants other schools to use it.

“It’s clear that as a society, we have a growing problem with how the Muslim population, and those who are perceived to be Muslim, are treated by some others in society,” she said.

“I’ve spoken to young Muslims from across Wales who have told me that they’re often scared in their communities, that they’ve directly experienced abuse at school, and that they’re tired of the way Islam is often portrayed by the media, and the effect this has on the views of their non-Muslim peers.”

Fizza, an A-level student from Cardiff, said the influence of Brexit and other factors have affected attitudes towards Islam.

“People have an unfair opinion on Islam because of the influence of the media and certain politicians; especially after Brexit in 2016, and after Donald Trump became President of America, people’s attitudes have been negatively influenced. It’s excellent that this resource has been made. It’s important that we teach children about what Islam actually is.”

Meryam, also from Cardiff, told the commissioner’s office that not enough people know the peaceful message of Islam.

Anti-racism charity Show Racism the Red Card said more support is needed to help teachers to discuss racism with pupils.

The charity has been contacted by teachers in 16 of Wales’ 22 local authorities in the past 12 months alone, requesting help with dealing with incidents of racism, or for help in delivering workshops.

It also recently published its own report detailing racism among pupils as young as 10.

Sunil Patel, from the charity, said: “As we have highlighted in recent months, our charity remains deeply concerned about the scale of antiMuslim sentiment.

“Through engagement with local communities, it is apparent that encountering Islamophobia is now a regular occurrence for many young people growing up in Wales who are either Muslim or perceived to be Muslim.

“The number of enquiries our charity has received has trebled compared to the same period last year with many of the schools not in a position to fund our workshops due to budget limitations.

“This new resource will be invaluable and an important additional tool for schools in supporting young people to explore stereotypes and find common ground.”