In a powerful address, former Government Minister and ex-chair of the Conservative Party, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, unflinchingly confronts the pervasive issue of Islamophobia in the UK.
Her keynote speech, titled “Muslims Don’t Matter,” exposes the silencing, stereotyping, and stigmatisation of British Muslims. Reflecting on over a decade since her infamous “Islamophobia has passed the dinner table test” speech, Warsi meticulously dissects polling, policy decisions, and handling of high-profile events to highlight the higher standards imposed on British Muslims, fostering fear within a community of nearly 4 million.
Urging an end to culture wars, Baroness Warsi calls on policymakers to change course, warning of potentially catastrophic consequences. During Hate Crime Awareness Week, she cites alarming government figures indicating a rise in religiously motivated hate crimes, with Muslims bearing the brunt as the most targeted religious group. She passionately challenges the political sphere’s treatment of British Muslim communities, emphasising the hypocrisy of insisting on ‘Fundamental British Values’ while marginalising Muslims who apply these values in wider society.
Warsi fiercely continues her battle against Islamophobia within her Party, urging the Labour Party to resist a race to the bottom, and urges mainstream politics to remain a place where British Muslims are authentically heard.
She argues: “And only this week we see reports of the Labour Party banning its councillors and members of Parliament from attending Pro Palestinian marches not others, despite having spent months before the recess fighting the government to protect the right to protest in the Public Order Act.”
The former chair of the Conservative Party is calling on all Britons who champion equality and fairness to join the Muslim civil rights movement, demanding equal rights, freedom of speech, and an end to discrimination.
“I ask you to join what is in effect a Muslim civil rights movement, a demand to belong, to be a part, to play our part, to have the same rights and freedoms as others, to be heard, to have the right to be heard, for our citizenship to be worth the same as everyone else’s, to be treated equally under the law.” said Warsi
Referencing recent controversies and attacks, Warsi sounds a warning alarm: “If climate of hate towards the Muslim communities continues, we could pave a way for a nation where the dehumanisation, attacks and othering of Muslim communities becomes normal fabric of British society.” However, Warsi is optimistic and believes that the good in both society and in British Muslim communities has always prevailed and will do so.
She concludes on a poignant note, invoking the sacrifices of her grandfather’s generation. She said: ““My grandfather’s fought Hitlers armies as part of the British Indian Army, they did not give their blood and sweat for the freedoms we have today for their descendants to be stereotyped, stigmatised and silenced.”
“They fought for Britain, helped build Britain’s industries and infrastructure, added colour, sounds and wonderful flavours to the rich tapestry of its culture and as a young and growing community British Muslims are once again providing the workforce, entrepreneurs, and international networks to, if I may re purpose a phrase for good, -Make Britain Great Again!”.