The Jewish Chronicle

‘Muslims, don’t be part of the problem’

- BY FIYAZ MUGHAL Fiyaz Mughal is the Founder of Faith Matters and Muslims Against Antisemiti­sm

THERE HAVE been some objections to the methodolog­y used in this Henry Jackson Society survey. However, its the central premise – that a higher proportion of British Muslims, compared to the wider public, hold toxic views – has been repeatedly confirmed by previous studies.

The 2023 Community Security Trust (CST) report, for example, found that 122 antisemiti­c incidents out of 4,103 across the UK contained references to discourse relating to Islam and Muslims. This represents 3 per cent of the total number of cases where the perpetrato­r made such explicit comments. In contrast, 6 per cent of the population say they are Muslim, and the CST figures point to a stubborn problem of antisemiti­sm within segments of that community.

Or take the 2017 report by the Institute for Jewish Policy Research which was undertaken with the CST. Its findings were clear: “A clear majority of the British population is not antisemiti­c in any way. However, the greater the level of antipathy towards Israel, the more likely they are to register on the antisemiti­sm index; indeed, of those scoring four or more on the anti-Israel index, it is more likely than not that they hold some antipathy towards Jews.”

The report also found that “both antisemiti­c and anti-Israel attitudes among Muslims are higher in prevalence than in the general population in all groups of Muslims exhibiting some degree of religiosit­y”.

There will be no doubt Muslims who say there is no such problem, or that it is a minor issue that is being overblown. There will be others who say that the “Islamophob­ia industry” is manufactur­ing such issues.

I have this to say to them: For nearly 30 years, the Israeli-Palestinia­n conflict has buffeted our country, leading to both antisemiti­sm and anti-Muslim hate. You are either an ally in the fight against hate or you are not. If you choose to shout “Islamophob­ia” whilst spouting antisemiti­c statements then you forfeit the right to be taken seriously in society and deserve to be reported for your hate.

 ?? PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES ?? Showing their colours: Anti-Israel protesters
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Showing their colours: Anti-Israel protesters
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