To be moved by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe
Seconded by Councillor Imran Khan
Bradford is a welcoming, friendly place. We stand up against prejudice in all its forms. Everyone in Bradford District should be able to be who they are and to live a fulfilling life here. We have a commitment to eradicate all acts of hatred.
Research by the late Jed Din of Bradford Hate Crime Alliance entitled “Understanding Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate in Bradford” published in 2017 found that “feelings of mistrust, not being treated equally and lack of respect from wider society is something that impacts aspects of [Muslims’] day to day lives.” Consequently a “Joint Islamophobia Definition Working Group” was set up. Convened by Cllr Abdul Jabar, this Group included Bradford Hate Crime Alliance and the Bradford Council for Mosques and has been meeting since to craft a working definition for Bradford, all the while consulting with a range of people locally and nationally including academics, Imams, religious scholars and professionals to inform the development of the definition.
The resulting definition of Islamophobia is not a legal definition in its own right but builds on the current legislation and practice with the aim of ensuring that hatred and discrimination against people of the Islamic faith is eliminated in society.
The Bradford definition is as follows:
“Islamophobia is a direct or indirect act(s) of hatred and discrimination against people (individuals or groups) of Islamic faith on grounds of their belief and practice.
This could manifest in:
1. Inciting or carrying out acts of hatred and violence against people of the Islamic faith (Muslims).
2. Direct or indirect acts of discrimination including policy and practice within organisations, which deny Muslims legitimate and fair access to opportunities, facilities and services because of their faith, beliefs and practice.
3. Denying people of the Islamic faith the opportunity to practise their faith values, free of harassment, fear of violence against them or fear of incurring discrimination and hatred against them.
4. Actions which perpetuate a climate of mistrust, fear and a sense of marginalisation about or within the Islamic community e.g. remarks by individuals and groups that can be made without fear of being held to account. Also use of print, social or electronic media to align and create fear and division surrounding the Muslim community.”
It is not enough just to define Islamophobia, we must also act to combat it wherever it is found. So this Council resolves to:
1. Accept the Bradford definition.
2. Work with Hate Crime Reporting centres in Bradford (28) to encourage reporting wherever incidents occur.
3. Instruct council officers to work with educational establishments outside school hours (supplementary schools) to arrange information on Islamophobia awareness.
4. Use the opportunity of the Hope Not Hate Event on 15th August, City Park – to raise awareness of Islamophobia.
5. Arrange talks at schools/community centres on Islamophobia to raise awareness across the district and particularly during Hate Crime Awareness Week 12th to 19th October.
Minutes:
A motion moved by Councillor Hinchcliffe, as set out in the resolution below, was carried.
Resolved –
Bradford is a welcoming, friendly place. We stand up against prejudice in all its forms. Everyone in Bradford District should be able to be who they are and to live a fulfilling life here. We have a commitment to eradicate all acts of hatred.
Research by the late Jed Din of Bradford Hate Crime Alliance entitled “Understanding Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate in Bradford” published in 2017 found that “feelings of mistrust, not being treated equally and lack of respect from wider society is something that impacts aspects of [Muslims’] day to day lives.” Consequently a “Joint Islamophobia Definition Working Group” was set up. Convened by Cllr Abdul Jabar, this Group included Bradford Hate Crime Alliance and the Bradford Council for Mosques and has been meeting since to craft a working definition for Bradford, all the while consulting with a range of people locally and nationally including academics, Imams, religious scholars and professionals to inform the development of the definition.
The resulting definition of Islamophobia is not a legal definition in its own right but builds on the current legislation and practice with the aim of ensuring that hatred and discrimination against people of the Islamic faith is eliminated in society.
The Bradford definition is as follows:
“Islamophobia is a direct or indirect act(s) of hatred and discrimination against people (individuals or groups) of Islamic faith on grounds of their belief and practice.
This could manifest in:
1. Inciting or carrying out acts of hatred and violence against people of the Islamic faith (Muslims).
2. Direct or indirect acts of discrimination including policy and practice within organisations, which deny Muslims legitimate and fair access to opportunities, facilities and services because of their faith, beliefs and practice.
3. Denying people of the Islamic faith the opportunity to practise their faith values, free of harassment, fear of violence against them or fear of incurring discrimination and hatred against them.
4. Actions which perpetuate a climate of mistrust, fear and a sense of marginalisation about or within the Islamic community e.g. remarks by individuals and groups that can be made without fear of being held to account. Also use of print, social or electronic media to align and create fear and division surrounding the Muslim community.”
It is not enough just to define Islamophobia, we must also act to combat it wherever it is found. So this Council resolves to:
1. Accept the Bradford definition.
2. Work with Hate Crime Reporting centres in Bradford (28) to encourage reporting wherever incidents occur.
3. Instruct council officers to work with educational establishments outside school hours (supplementary schools) to arrange information on Islamophobia awareness.
4. Arrange talks at schools/community centres on Islamophobia to raise awareness across the district and particularly during Hate Crime Awareness Week 12th to 19th October.
ACTION: Assistant Director Policy and Performance/Strategic Director Children’s Services
