Anti-Muslim hate crimes rose 300 percent in Britain in the week following the coordinated attacks in Paris, according to figures published on Monday. A “vast and overwhelming majority” of the 115 attacks were against Muslim women and girls aged between 14 and 45 who were wearing traditional Islamic dress, according to the findings reported in The Independent newspaper. The perpetrators were mainly white males aged between 15 and 35, according to the report, which noted that the true numbers of attacks were likely much larger than those reported.The figures come from a report to a government working group on anti-Muslim hate compiled by Tell Mama, a helpline that records incidents of physical and verbal attacks on mosques and Muslims. A large number of the attacks occurred in public places such as buses and trains. “Many of the victims have suggested that no one came to their assistance or even consoled them, meaning that they felt victimised, embarrassed, alone and angry about what had taken place against them. If this is the state of affairs in a country that claims to be liberal, enlightened, tolerant and multi-culture society then one can understand the plight of Muslims and especially women in other Western countries. No one supports Paris attack and these attracted universal condemnation of the Muslim world as well but what about those who are using this incident as a pretext to target Muslims. We believe that this is offshoot of irresponsible policies and statements of some of the Western leaders and their governments that are directly or indirectly suppressing Muslims not only in Europe but also in other parts of the globe under different excuses. France, these days, is mustering support to invade Syria and no one can deny the fact that there would be collateral damage as well, which would ignite further reaction and resentment. Similarly, many Western countries are banning scarf and Hejab in the name of liberties and threat to their national identity and values but forgetting that believers of other religions too have their own identity and values and they are entitled to safeguard them. There is a sizeable Muslim population in the West and it is understood that the discriminatory policies of the Governments and generally indifferent attitude of the society towards incidents of harassment and victimization would alienate them. British Prime Minister Cameroon, who is always in the forefront of those who are in the habit of churning out instant statements on happenings in any part of the world, should better adopt a home-centric approach. Muslims are also citizens of UK and entitled to rights, which must be respected and protected.
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