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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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05 November 2010

PRESS RELEASE: UK – There need to be more voices to support Muslim women

Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) welcomes human rights lawyer Cherie Blair’s comments in support of Muslim women after her sister Lauren Booth’s conversion to the faith.

Blair’s is one of few voices who have challenged the  stereotyping of and discrimination against Muslim women.  Such stereotypes pervade public discourse, currently encapsulated in the non-issue of burqa or nikab in Europe which has seen various countries criminalise wearers of face veils.   Such stereotyping has resurfaced in recent weeks with column inches devoted to the lambasting of Lauren Booth for her choice of faith.

Spokesperson for IHRC, Arzu Merali said:

“More voices need to be heard in support of both Lauren Booth, a respected human rights activist and journalist, and Muslim women per se.  The vitriol directed at Lauren Booth in recent weeks is emblematic of the ongoing demonization of Muslim women.

“As Cherie Blair points out, such hatred creates an intimidatory atmosphere for Muslim women.  Such intimidation is the hallmark of the rise of fascism.  It’s time more people took a stand against the vilification of minorities to ensure that European society does not further descend into the worst forms of racism and xenophobia.”

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222, or (+44) 7958607475, or email:  info@ihrc.org .[ENDS]

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org