IHRC is calling on Muslims in Britain to stay vigilant and take precautionary measures after an explosion in racist and Islamophobic attacks following last week’s EU referendum.

Incidents have been reported up and down the country following the decision to leave the EU which was largely inspired by animus directed at Muslims and ethnic minorities. IHRC itself has received many reports of individuals and institutions being targeted.

The ‘leave’ result has further legitimised the environment of hate that already exists for Muslims and which was documented in our recent report “Environment of Hate: The New Normal for Muslims in the UK”.

The precautionary advice includes staying vigilant, not opening suspect packages and reporting suspicious characters and vehicles to the police.

IHRC is also setting up a helpline for those who have experienced harassment, verbal or physical abuse. Those who have experienced or heard of any such incidents are being asked to contact IHRC on research@ihrc.org or telephone our office on 020 8904 4222.

IHRC chair Massoud Shadjareh said: “This referendum has clearly unleashed division and hate on an unprecedented scale and while we urge everyone to concentrate on supporting the collective needs and harmony of our society we hold hate preachers, politicians and media accountable for creating and legitimising this environment of hate.”

Notes to editors:

IHRC’s 2015 report “Environment of Hate: The New Normal for Muslims in the UK’ which analyses the hate environment that characterises modern Britain is available to read here

For media enquiries or further details please email nadia@ihrc.org or call 020 8904 4222 or 07958 522196[Ends]

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

Islamic Human Rights Commission

PO Box 598

Wembley

HA9 7XH

United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222

Email: info@ihrc.org

Web: www.ihrc.org

Twitter @ihrc