Islamophobia has always been a deeply rooted issue within the Muslim community.
However, gone are the days when the older generation of Asian immigrants, settling in former textile towns like Bradford, told their kids to grin and bear the anti-Muslim slurs.
Thanks to organisations like Tell MAMA and Mend, as well as MPs working to define Islamophobia, Muslims are now seeing more engagement in discourse around this issue.
The change in this narrative comes as the younger generation are no longer standing for the hate crimes that once traumatised the former youth.
British Muslims are now finding new and creative ways to combat rising Islamophobia and religious or racial hate crimes.
Statistics show there has been a rise in recent hate crimes in the North of England after the 2016 Brexit referendum.
According to data recorded by Tell MAMA In 2017, a total of 1,201 reports were verified as being anti-Muslim or in nature, in the UK between January and December of that year.
We spoke to different Asian artists in Bradford, on their creative approach of tackling Islamophobia.
Brought to the screens by local talent is ‘Peaceophobia’, a visual depiction of an unapologetic response to rising Islamophobia around the world.
Co-created by Common Wealth, Speakers’ Corner and written by acclaimed playwright Zia Ahmed, alongside Bradford Modified Club, the play, showcases three young Muslim, Pakistani men navigating their youth around Bradford Riots, 9/11 and police harassment.
Exploring escapism through the characters passion for cars and Islamic faith, we talked to the cast and directors of this part car-meet part-theatre performance.
Co-director and member of Speaker’s Corner Maleehah Hussain, explains how the term was coined and how the show poses the question how can you fear peace?
“The concept comes from Islamophobia, as Islam means peace, so we wanted to show how Islam is a religion of peace, as it was so impactful.
“The show challenges the negative narratives that society may have about Islam, as the mainstream media always reports on Islam as being synonymous with terrorism or oppression” she says.
Actor and founder of the Bradford Modified Club Mohammad Ali Yunis, who faced direct racism growing up, talks about the role he played in Peaceophobia.
“It was thrilling exciting and touching all at the same time. It touched a few nerves, as I drove, walked and I talked about some of my past traumatising experiences within my community and with members of the police force.”
He says it was an emotional experience for him “I re-enacted all this and re-lived through it, which was at times very hard hitting, nerve racking and grim for some of the audience.”
The play has been received positively by critics, as many can relate to the journey, from when BNP was founded, all the way to the Bradford riots and the current climate around rising Islamophobia in the West.
Bradford-born spoken-word artist, Riya Khan also shares how her verses increase relatability.
“I like to rap about issues that are prevalent in today’s society, so that people can relate, such as what is happening in Palestine or about depression and suicide.
“Seeing a young Muslim girl on a platform shows we are not oppressed and have freedom to say and express how we feel without being condemned.”
In a recent podcast with Pluto Press, Leeds author and spoken-word poet Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan talks about institutionalised racism and uprooting Islamophobia.
“We don’t hold accountable any of the institutions and the structures that massively cultivate Islamophobia.”
She says instead that “we are diverted to focus on individuals rather than structures.”
Student of Islamic Studies and organiser of charity show ‘Modesty on the Catwalk’, Farah Hanif, talks to Asian Sunday about how the exhibition aims to make Islam more “approachable” and educate in a “light-hearted way.”
Miss Hanif said “people have this concept that to be Islamic or modestly dressed, you must wear the niqab or the black abaya, which is more conservative. But you can still dress modestly without feeling alienated, and I wanted to show that.
“We feel as if people judge us for the way we dress. Both internally within the Muslim community and externally by non-Muslims.”
If you have been a victim of hate crime or Islamophobia, or wish to share your experiences you can do so by contacting tellmamauk.org or mend.org.uk
Bradford Council and the authorities should be investing much more into youth driven projects such as these, empowering the next generation of Bradfordians to make a positive impact in their communities, whilst also providing a outlet for young men to enjoy car culture without dangerous driving.
Well done to Mo Ali and the BMC family.
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