As one of the first Muslim women elected to the London Assembly, I’m proud to represent one of the most diverse cities in the world. But that pride comes with a price. Frequently, I receive Islamophobic abuse and threats online simply for existing as a Muslim in public life.
When I first stood for election, I knew I’d face racism and misogyny – that was just the reality for people who look like me. I told myself I’d need thick skin and I promised myself I wouldn’t let it get to me.
But lately, I have to admit: it has got to me. It got to me when I did a post about my local mosque being attacked for the second time in as many months but was met with a torrent stream of hate instead of support or sympathy.
And it doesn’t stop online. Strangers have told me to my face that “all Muslims should die” or that I should “go home.” Each incident adds to the unease that has become a constant companion for so many Muslims in Britain.
For those who aren’t Muslim – or perceived to be – it’s hard to explain just how relentless and everyday the abuse has become. The numbers tell part of the story: Home Office data shows a 19% rise in hate crimes against Muslims just over the past year. Tell MAMA, which monitors Islamophobic incidents, reports a sharp escalation in attacks on people and places of worship in recent months. But the data can’t capture what it feels like – the anxiety that gnaws at you every time you step outside or open your phone.
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