Vicious bullying aimed at a Muslim schoolboy and his sister has prompted further calls for the government to adopt a new definition of Islamophobia
In early December, a video surfaced of 15-year old Syrian schoolboy, Jamal, who was attending a school in Huddersfield, being viciously beaten. The footage shows Jamal (whose arm is clearly already broken) being knocked to the ground, strangled and waterboarded by a larger white schoolboy. According to Jamal, this bullying had persisted since he joined the school in year 9. His sister, the only other Syrian pupil at the school, also suffered abuse, and was even driven to acts of self-harm. Footage is also available to the police of Jamal’s sister being attacked by a group of girls who force her to the floor and try to remove her Hijab.
Three weeks before the incident depicted in the viral video, Jamal had emailed the Department of Education, Kirklees Council, Ofsted and the police, and nothing was done. Jamal had complained to staff members at the school on many occasions regarding bullying but was largely ignored. It was not until the video emerged and he emailed his local MP, that action was taken to take the appropriate safeguarding measures.
These incidents and the lack of urgency with which the relevant authorities responded has drawn the attention of the cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group. The deputy chair of the group, Imam Qari Asim, released a statement, saying he is ‘disgusted and saddened by the recent incident’ but also highlights the fact that ‘incidences such as this are still few and far between’. Asim also emphasises the need for politicians to adopt a new working definition of Islamophobia, (much like the Labour party did with Anti-Semitism in July) which has been suggested by the APPG. This would mean that incidences can be more easily spotted and those responsible can be held to account.
At a time when communities are increasingly racially diverse, it is important that the right systems are in place to make sure those who are in the minority, like the two Syrian children in their school of over 700 pupils, are not victimised by others. The conception and adoption of the new working definition of Islamophobia would be a productive step in this direction, as well as those in power denouncing such intolerant actions as Theresa May has done in the wake of the incident.
Will Rymer.
