Project Unity: combating Islamophobia across the UK
According to a report by Atalayar on 31st May, as hatred towards Muslims reaches alarming levels across the UK, Better Communities Bradford (BCB) has launched Project Unity – a bold, nationwide initiative aimed at confronting Islamophobia through education, myth-busting, and the promotion of inclusive communities.
This intervention comes at a critical juncture. Despite Muslims comprising just 6.5% of the UK population, they account for 42% of all victims of religious hate crime, according to a Home Office report. By 2024, Islamophobic attacks have surged by an alarming 74%.
The media plays a significant role in shaping public perception. A recent analysis found that Muslims receive 400% more negative coverage than other groups, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and normalising bias.
Workplace discrimination remains another major concern. Forty percent of Muslims report being subjected to prejudice during performance reviews and promotions. Meanwhile, 60% of Conservative Party members believe Islam poses a threat to British life – an indicator of just how deeply rooted anti-Muslim sentiment has become in political and public discourse.
“Anti-Muslim prejudice has become alarmingly normalised in public life, the media and politics. Project Unity seeks to reverse this trend by creating spaces for facts, humanity and dialogue to replace suspicion and division. This is not just a problem in Bradford. It is a national challenge, and we believe it deserves a national solution,” said Abbas Najib, Chief Executive of Better Communities Bradford.
Over the next 12 months, Project Unity will deliver free, interactive workshops and interfaith dialogue sessions throughout England. These will span schools, universities, community centres, public institutions, and corporate environments. Each session is built to dismantle stereotypes, challenge media narratives, and foster respectful, informed engagement.
Workshop topics include: Myths and Misconceptions about Islam; Islam, Extremism and the War Narrative: How to Separate Dominant Beliefs from Extremist Ideologies; The Truth about Gang Harassment: Challenging the Search for Racial Scapegoats with Facts and Context; Does Islam Oppress Women? Exploring women’s rights, autonomy, and misperceptions; Islam, terrorism, and security: Understanding Islam’s stance on justice and violence; Media and political narratives: How bias and misinformation influence public opinion.
Each workshop is context-specific, evidence-based, and led by facilitators with both lived experience and professional expertise.
Far more than a reactive measure, Project Unity is a proactive national call to action. It invites organisations across sectors to stand as visible allies in the collective effort to dismantle Islamophobia and build communities rooted in understanding, equity, and mutual respect.
Atalayar/ Maghrebi.org
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