Elham Asaad Buaras
The UK’s first hijab-wearing MP used the King’s Speech debate to reveal the escalated Islamophobic abuse she has suffered and her fears for her safety for advocating for Palestinians besieged in Gaza.
Apsana Begum, who represents Poplar and Limehouse constituency in East London, told the House of Commons on November 8 that she has been threatened with having her hijab ripped off in public.
Begum described the “heightened risk” to her safety, including “serious death threats,” and chastised the government for failing to use the King’s Speech to combat Islamophobia.
The backbencher warned that the situation in Gaza was “escalating,” accusing others of attempting to “capitalise on current events by spreading their hatred and division.”
Begum described how her constituents were left “alarmed and appalled at the disregard for Palestinian life” shown in recent weeks.
She demanded a cease-fire from both sides in Gaza, Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of hostages.
She also voiced disappointment at the government’s failure to “finally recognise Islamophobia or take measures to address the soaring level of hate crimes against Muslims”.
She added, “Indeed, the King’s Speech did not even mention that it is currently Islamophobia
Awareness Month, nor did the Prime Minister mention it in his contributions today. I am currently facing death threats and a torrent of Islamophobic and misogynistic abuse.
I’ve received such abuse since being elected, since putting myself forward as a candidate for elections, and received comments including, and I quote, ‘vile and filthy religion, importing vile and filthy creatures like Apsana Begum’.
“The situation is escalating, not least exacerbated by those trying to capitalise on current events by spreading their hate and division. I am now facing a heightened risk to my safety with serious death threats, threats to kidnap me, threats of sexual violence, and threats about ripping off my hijab in public. It goes on and on.”
She added, “Every single day, people of Muslim backgrounds like me face discrimination and prejudice. The prevalence of negative stereotypes, harassment, and hate crimes are only part of the whole structure of discrimination.
Muslims are also the most economically disadvantaged faith group in the UK, with some reports showing that half of British Muslims face poverty and deprivation. At the same time, we face institutionalised Islamophobia.”
Photo: Apsana Begum MP for Poplar and Limehouse told Parliament she was subjected to a torrent of Islamophobic abuse, including threats of violence. (Credit: David Woolfall/UK Parliament)
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