In the United Kingdom, the surge in Islamophobia is not a stand-alone issue but a systemic one, experts say. In a recent episode of New Wave Global podcasts, Dr. Sadeq Hamid, Head of Research, Training, and Development at the UK Islamic Mission, delves into some of these actors fuelling the far-right's racism towards the Muslims of the UK.
Islamophobia often serves as a diversion from more pressing concerns of the UK society, such as widespread poverty, the cost of living crisis and economic underdevelopment overall, Dr Sadek told the host Syed Zahoor Raza. Successive British governments have failed to address these social justice issues, allowing Islamophobia to flourish as a form of scapegoating.
Dr. Hamid provides an insights into how historical patterns of civil unrest have intersected with contemporary issues, for instance, socio-economic grievances and a perceived failure of the state to address them. This context reveals how Islamophobia has been exacerbated by political and economic instability, highlighting a cyclical pattern where societal frustrations are channeled into discrimination towards Muslims, Black and Asian ethnic minorities of the UK.