UK: Britain's ruling Conservative Party has been accused of ignoring rising Islamophobia in and within Britain, according to new data showing a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the country, The Independent reported on Monday.
According to official figures, the number of hate crimes against Muslims in the UK increased by 28 per cent in the past year and a 42 per cent increase in all religious hate crimes recorded in 2021/22.
According to statistics, Muslims have been victims of religious hate crimes in the last five years.
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The outcome of the investigation into MP Mark Spencer, who was accused of Islamophobia by a fellow MP, has raised concerns within the Conservative Party.
Last month, the cabinet secretary, Simon Case, said an investigation into Spencer's actions was still "outstanding".
Labor Party President Annelies Dodds in a letter to Conservative Party President Nadim Jahavi questioned the government's alleged inaction on Islamophobia.
The woman said that it is very disturbing that I have to once again raise the issue of Islamophobia in front of the chair of the Conservative Party.
Conservatives must demonstrate that they are serious about combating this harmful hatred, both in society and within their own ranks, as Islamophobic hate crimes are on the rise. Denying the problem is unacceptable.
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In a previous response, Zahavi denied allegations that the Conservatives had an issue with Islamophobia, claiming they "did not recognize institutional racism in the party."
Dodds in his letter raised certain controversies over Islamophobia within the Conservative Party.
A cross-party parliamentary group promoted the use of the term "Islamophobia" in official communications in 2018, but conservatives disagreed with the recommendations.
Dodds questioned Xahavi if his party would stop the "bizarre practice of refusing to use the word".
The Independent reported last week that the government had ended discussions about its use of the term, after the cross-party group's findings were published more than three years ago.
Qari Asim, a prominent British Muslim imam who participated in consultations with the parliamentary group, warned earlier this year that "the government had not negotiated with him at all."
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He continued by saying that over the past three years, the authorities "completely failed to take any steps to facilitate the work of establishing the new definition."