Today marks the start of Islamophobia Awareness Month, which runs for the entirety of November.
Islamophobia can occur when someone or something is targeted, discriminated against or excluded in any way due to their actual or perceived Muslim identity. It can also include prejudice that promotes or instigates fear against Muslim people and Islam. In November 2012, the Muslim Council of Britain and other UK organisations co-founded a yearly Islamophobia month to challenge stereotypes about Islam and Muslim people, highlighting increases in anti-Muslim sentiment.
England and Wales have a Muslim population of almost 387,000, with just over 74,000 Muslim people living within the North East and Cumbria. During the riots of July and August of this year, many Muslim communities and ethnically diverse groups were targeted and made to feel as though they were not safe or did not belong, with acts of verbal and physical violence taking place in some instances, against people, buildings and possessions.
Within the NHS, a Muslim Doctors Association report found that:
- Almost 4 in 10 Muslim Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) received verbal abuse from colleagues about their faith.
- Nearly 8 in 10 Muslim HCPs experienced negative assumptions related to their religion.
- Approximately half of Muslim HCPs are impacted by organisational bias, discrimination and minority stress.
- Almost 9 in 10 Muslim HCPs do not know of any Muslims in leadership and management positions.
- 1 in 5 Muslim HCPs felt that they had been passed over for promotion due to their religion.
NECS has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, abuse and discrimination on any grounds. We encourage colleagues to report any incidents they see or experience and seek appropriate support. The wellbeing and safety of our people is a priority for us, and we want to ensure that everyone feels comfortable coming to work each day.