MSP encourages participation in Islamophobia survey

Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston is encouraging folk from across the Highlands and Islands to participate in a new survey on Islamophobia.

Welcoming the announcement that the Scottish Parliament’s new Cross Party Group (CPG) on tackling Islamophobia has initiated an inquiry, the Scottish Conservative MSP believes the recent attack on Elgin Mosque showed the problem was not one reserved to just the Central Belt.

“I am pleased that the Parliament is taking the issue of islamophobia very seriously,” said Mr Halcro Johnston

“Discrimination or prejudice on the grounds of religion, race or nationality is extremely damaging, and can have a grievous and long-lasting impact on individuals, families and communities.

“While we may think of the north of Scotland as a place where these problems are less likely to occur, the damage done recently to the mosque in Elgin shows that we must be vigilant.

“And it can be in our island communities, or those more remote communities that are scattered across the Highlands and Islands, that people of different faiths can feel most isolated and, in some case, most vulnerable.

“It is also important to remember that incidents of Islamophobia may not be physical or even verbally aggressive. It could just be everyday comments or casual remarks made by someone who really isn’t aware of the impact their actions are having on someone else.

The survey is part of a wider call for written evidence about Islamophobia in Scotland and will help the new group consider how best problems can be tackled.

“I would encourage anyone who has had an experience of Islamophobia, or has a view about the issue, to contribute to the inquiry,” he added.

“A special website  has been set up – IslamophobiaInquiry.org  – and the survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

“We simply can’t afford to be complacent when it comes to intolerance and intimidation, and it’s important people are encouraged to come forward with their experiences”.