Tackling Hate Crime 2014Faith & Religion

Presented by Peer-Jada Qureshi

PJ Qureshi 2014 | E: pjqureshi@gmail.comOrganised by www.SpectrumCIL.co.uk

PJ Qureshi 2014

Faith “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

[Bible: Matthew 7:12]

“O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice, and let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, for it is closer to righteousness.”

[Qur’an: Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:8]

“One with an uncontrolled mind cannot have spiritual intelligence…and who never meditates on the Ultimate Truth and for one who never meditates there is no peace”

[Bhagvad-Gita: Ch 2, Verse 66]

PJ Qureshi 2014

UN ResolutionUN Resolution on World Interfaith Harmony Week:

Recognising that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions, and beliefs call for peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding:

1. Reaffirms that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace.

2. Proclaims the first week of February of every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs.

3. Encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week based on Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.

4. Requests the secretary general to keep the General Assembly informed of the implementation of the present resolution.

PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 1: SOUTHAMPTON

Where What When How

Mosque Pig Head left in Mosque 2014 Police attended / offered support

Culprits not found

Mosque Stones used to break windows

2014 As Above

Mosque Car Park

Night Club goers - Urinate- Defecate

2014 As Above

PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 2: FAREHAM

Where What When How

Local Park Children started shouting, swearing and saying to parent with two children to go back to their own country

2014 Police called, responded very quickly and followed children back home

Muslim parent said they were like his own children and he did not want to prosecute

Muslim parent spoke to children who cried and apologized when Muslim parent explained the hurt they had caused

Mosque Threatening and Abusive Calls to the Mosque

2014 Police attended / offered support

Culprits found and prosecuted

PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 3: WINCHESTERWhere What When HowSchool Asian child was told

by another child on first day at secondary school to ‘die blacky’

2014 Parent attended school Parent was not informed of

actions School failed to understand

effects on the child who was confused and scared to return

Internet Stormfront.org – fascist comments against Muslims part of community

2006-current uninvestigated

Town Woman confronted Muslim lady for wearing headscarf

2010 unreported

Bus Passenger was asked if he was going to cut any heads off if anyone sat next to him

2013 Passenger complained to bus driver

Bus driver laughed and said grow up

PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 4: BASINGSTOKE

Where What When How

Mosque Arson AttackFire Bomb whilst community was attending Friday prayers – the busiest time

2007 – after 7/7 attacks in London

Police attended / offered support

Culprits not found

HIN attended spoke with committee – offered support

Suggested keeping log book of incidents for police and LA to monitor patterns

PJ Qureshi 2014

What does Faith teach?

• Essentially all faiths teach:

– Peace and Tolerance

– Mutual respect for others

PJ Qureshi 2014

How does Hate effect Faith?

• Hatred against Faith effect people / property:

– Physically

– Emotionally

PJ Qureshi 2014

Where does Hate impact Faith?

– At Home– At School– In the Street– Sports clubs/events– At places of worship– At Work

PJ Qureshi 2014

When does Hate impact Faith?

• All Faiths – BUT – some more than others:

– ‘Trigger’ events

– Inaction by responsible persons

PJ Qureshi 2014

Possible Solutions

Take responsibility

Find the ‘correct’ representatives

Education about how Hate effects Faith

Ask questions don’t be afraid – BUT - Respectfully

Build Links – 2 way participation

Support Communities – Better – use of resource allocation

Awareness building – public events, media, public service

training