Glasgow residents are being urged to hold those guilty of islamophobia in their community to account as concerns grow about the “under-reported” hate crime.
This Thursday councillors will be asked to help tackle Islamophobic behaviour in the city ahead of November’s Islamophobia Awareness Month while reaffirming their commitment to oppose racism and discrimination.
A motion by SNP councillor Zen Ghani is being brought before full council later this week which seeks to raise a better understanding of crime motivated by prejudice on the grounds of “actual or perceived religion."
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Speaking ahead of Thursday’s meeting, councillor Ghani, said: “Islamophobia has been a growing problem in recent years and it's important we take steps to address this.
“The APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) definition on Islamophobia is key in being able to challenge and tackle various forms of Islamophobia in Glasgow and across Scotland.
“Hate crimes are one of the most underreported crimes in Scotland due to a variety of reasons. It's important that people who are subject to hate crimes report it to Police Scotland, who take these matters very seriously, so those responsible for these crimes are held to account.”
The motion also highlights examples of the APPG Islamophobia definition including instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology as well as making dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims and accusing them as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing.
Councillor Ghani’s motion reads: “Glasgow is proud of its growing diversity and this council views this as an asset and source of great strength.
“The council recognises that Glasgow has been home to a significant Muslim population for generations and that our Muslim citizens are an integral part of all aspects of city life.
“The council unequivocally condemns prejudice and intolerance in all forms and therefore welcomes, endorses and adopts the working APPG definition of Islamophobia.”
Mr Ghani is also asking the local authority to tackle hate crime and Islamophobia in partnership with local communities and Police Scotland.
His motion concludes: “This council further agrees as a first step to support Islamophobia Awareness Month in November 2022 to bring understanding and attention to the scourge of Islamophobia and encourage better reporting of incidents to the police.
“The council also instructs that a paper be brought to Safe Glasgow detailing how the APPG definition can be embedded in its work and consider how Safe Glasgow can raise awareness of crime motivated by prejudice on the grounds of actual or perceived religion."
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