Tackling Hate Crime2014 Faith & Religion Presented by Peer-Jada Qureshi PJ Qureshi 2014 | E: Organised by

Faith “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” [Bible: Matthew 7:12] “O you who believe, be persistently standing firm for Allah as witnesses in justice, and let not the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just, for it is closer to righteousness.” [Qur’an: Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:8] “One with an uncontrolled mind cannot have spiritual intelligence…and who never meditates on the Ultimate Truth and for one who never meditates there is no peace” [Bhagvad-Gita: Ch 2, Verse 66] PJ Qureshi 2014

UN Resolution UN Resolution on World Interfaith Harmony Week: Recognising that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions, and beliefs call for peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding: 1.Reaffirms that mutual understanding and inter-religious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace. 2.Proclaims the first week of February of every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs. 3.Encourages all States to support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week based on Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions. 4.Requests the secretary general to keep the General Assembly informed of the implementation of the present resolution. PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 1: SOUTHAMPTON WhereWhatWhenHow MosquePig Head left in Mosque2014  Police attended / offered support  Culprits not found MosqueStones used to break windows 2014  As Above Mosque Car Park Night Club goers - Urinate - Defecate 2014  As Above PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 2: FAREHAM WhereWhatWhenHow Local ParkChildren started shouting, swearing and saying to parent with two children to go back to their own country 2014  Police called, responded very quickly and followed children back home  Muslim parent said they were like his own children and he did not want to prosecute  Muslim parent spoke to children who cried and apologized when Muslim parent explained the hurt they had caused MosqueThreatening and Abusive Calls to the Mosque 2014  Police attended / offered support  Culprits found and prosecuted PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 3: WINCHESTER WhereWhatWhenHow SchoolAsian child was told by another child on first day at secondary school to ‘die blacky’ 2014  Parent attended school  Parent was not informed of actions  School failed to understand effects on the child who was confused and scared to return InternetStormfront.org – fascist comments against Muslims part of community 2006-current  uninvestigated TownWoman confronted Muslim lady for wearing headscarf 2010  unreported BusPassenger was asked if he was going to cut any heads off if anyone sat next to him 2013  Passenger complained to bus driver  Bus driver laughed and said grow up PJ Qureshi 2014

CASE STUDY 4: BASINGSTOKE WhereWhatWhenHow MosqueArson Attack Fire Bomb whilst community was attending Friday prayers – the busiest time 2007 – after 7/7 attacks in London  Police attended / offered support  Culprits not found  HIN attended spoke with committee – offered support  Suggested keeping log book of incidents for police and LA to monitor patterns PJ Qureshi 2014

What does Faith teach? Essentially all faiths teach: – Peace and Tolerance – Mutual respect for others PJ Qureshi 2014

How does Hate effect Faith? Hatred against Faith effect people / property: – Physically – Emotionally PJ Qureshi 2014

Where does Hate impact Faith? – At Home – At School – In the Street – Sports clubs/events – At places of worship – At Work PJ Qureshi 2014

When does Hate impact Faith? All Faiths – BUT – some more than others: – ‘Trigger’ events – Inaction by responsible persons PJ Qureshi 2014

Possible Solutions  Take responsibility  Find the ‘correct’ representatives  Education about how Hate effects Faith  Ask questions don’t be afraid – BUT - Respectfully  Build Links – 2 way participation  Support Communities – Better – use of resource allocation  Awareness building – public events, media, public service training PJ Qureshi 2014