Opinions

Feb 14

Muslims Against Antisemitism Acknowledges the Ongoing Risk from Islamist Antisemitism

PRESS RELEASE: MUSLIMS AGAINST ANTISEMITISM ACKNOWLEDGES & CONFIRMS THE ONGOING RISK OF ISLAMIST ANTISEMITISM TO OUR COMMUNITIES AND NATION “I was alarmed at the prevalence of extreme antisemitism in the Channel cases I observed”. “Such examples I saw in Channel include: individuals expressing the intent to kill, assault or harm Jewish people or a particular Jewish individual threats to burn, desecrate or blow up a Synagogue the conduct of hostile Read more

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Jul 27

Where antisemitism meets misogyny: 3 Jewish women share their stories 

By Elizabeth Arif-Fear A few weeks ago, I had the “joy” of being verbally abused online. Now, as an outspoken Muslim woman advocating for feminism, LGBT+ equality and stronger Jewish-Muslim relations, it’s nothing new. However, what I’ve increasingly noticed is how trolls will attempt to “attack” me by using antisemitic discourse e.g. talking about my “Jewish nose” or me “being Jewish” – as though this would be a bad thing Read more

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Sep 21

The Rise of the Taliban Inspires Islamists. In Doing So, It Raises Risks for Jewish Communities

The recent rise of the Taliban and the take-over of Afghanistan, will no doubt, inspire non-violent Islamists and those who believe in values which underpin violence in order to enforce Islamist sentiment. Whilst the vast majority of British Muslims abhor the brutality and medieval nature of the Taliban, there are some who believe that the Taliban encompass a form of ‘liberation army’ that has freed Afghans from some form of Read more

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Feb 01

Why We As Muslims Must Challenge Antisemitic Language Like This

The sad fact is that both Christian and Muslim communities have been affected by antisemitic tropes and language over specific times in history and in the modern world. The language and the tropes remain similar though historical events and linguistic impacts may be different. These tropes against Jews heighten when power relations are misused to blame or demonise Jews for problems that may be taking place in society, or when Read more

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Jan 27

This Holocaust Memorial Day, we need to stand together against antisemitism

By Elizabeth Arif-Fear, Trustee Every year, on 27th January, the world commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day. Remembering the horrors of the past is essential in order to ensure to stop such tragic events from repeating themselves. This date is particularly poignant as it marks the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where at least 1.1 people were murdered. Throughout the Holocaust, Jews, Roma, members of the LGBT+ community, political prisoners, disabled individuals Read more

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Dec 15

Thousands of Israelis Will Visit the United Arab Emirates

The Abraham Accords have moved the politics of division in the Middle East to the point where flights of tourists are travelling to both Israel and the United Arab Emirates, with more visitors heading from Israel to the Gulf State. We believe that the mixing and engagement of communities is the only way to create stronger and more resilient cultural, research and economic links. This leads to less conflict in Read more

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Sep 22

With a new year comes renewed commitments – Including fighting Holocaust denial

[By Elizabeth Arif-Fear, Trustee (MAAS)] Just when we think things couldn’t get any more shocking when it comes to antisemitism, a recent survey came out, with once again disheartening results. Commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference), the research looked into the views of millennial and Generation X adults’ (aged 18 and 35) in the USA surrounding the Holocaust. The results revealed some disturbing realities Read more

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Aug 11

As the Economy Falters Post Covid, Jews & Muslims Have Joint Risks

As we still work our way through this pandemic, the numbers of people who are being made redundant is rapidly growing. More and more people are losing their jobs, this after a decade plus of austerity that was felt in local communities by pressures on local services, including slow rates of wage growth. History has shown us that a ‘perfect storm’ of conditions, including large scale unemployment, political instability, societal Read more

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Nov 04

Salma Yaqoob reflects the grip of antisemitism over the Labour Party

There have been calls from many in the Jewish community, The Board of Deputies of British Jews (BOD) and others for the suspension of the Labour Mayoral candidate for Birmingham, Salma Yaqoob. The response is covered in a Jewish Chronicle article here and you can see the response from the Board of Deputies, President Marie van der Zyl below. Ms van der Zyl called Yaqoob’s claim that Israelis are European Read more

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Jun 10

What antisemitism feels like

What antisemitism feels like  “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” IHRA Working definition of antisemitism Since Jews lived on this earth they’ve been hated, mocked, laughed at, disliked and seen as nefarious controllers of the world just because Read more

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