Aziz Foundation Statement of Support for the British Muslim Trust’s Anti-Muslim Hatred Helpline

The Aziz Foundation believes that every person, regardless of faith or background, should be able to live free from fear and discrimination. We therefore welcome the recent government announcement that the British Muslim Trust (BMT) has been selected as the recipient of the government’s new Combatting Hate Against Muslims Fund.  BMT will use the funding to create a reporting system that captures both online and offline incidents of anti-Muslim hatred.  BMT will provide direct support to victims and encourage greater reporting from our diverse Muslim communities.

Too many British Muslims live with the reality of Islamophobic hostility, intimidation, and violence — much of it going unreported and unchallenged. Victims of hate crime often suffer in silence, unsure where to turn or fearful that their experiences will not be taken seriously. With the creation of this reporting service, British Muslims will have a trusted, accessible, and dedicated point of contact to report incidents of anti-Muslim hatred, receive appropriate support, and ensure their voices are heard.

The British Muslim Trust is committed to ensuring that this helpline reaches all of our diverse British Muslim communities, something the The Aziz Foundation will assist with. Working together as a community, we can help build a more accurate picture of the prevalence and nature of anti-Muslim hatred across the country. In the long term, that understanding will enable us to create a more cohesive and peaceful society for all British citizens.