Some Muslims have echoed their concerns about certain right wing media reports and online tweets which claim that the community is not abiding by the Government guidelines around social distancing to prevent coronavirus.
A recent research study carried out by Imran Awan, Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University and Roxana Khan-Williams, found that Islamophobic online ‘Cyber Hubs’ were being formed. According to the study, these hubs have linked Muslims to the spread of COVID-19, are spreading anti-Muslim memes and sharing fake news stories. Amidst such claims was a tweet of the Daily Mail journalist Andrew Pierce, who had earlier tweeted,
"If families gather for holy month of Ramadan will there be a huge spike in Covid cases. Doctors are very worried."
The report titled, ‘Coronavirus, fear and how Islamophobia spreads on social media’, has gathered evidence of such false claims and have enlisted the guidelines issued by the Muslim Council of Britain in alignment with the Government ensuring that Muslims are following lockdown measures even whilst observing Ramadan. Initially, some community Imams, doctors and other leaders had expressed their concern at congressional gatherings for regular prayers at Mosques as Ramadan commences on 23rd April. Commenting on the report, Imran Awan, Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University, said,
“We know that trigger events often lead to a rise in instances of Islamophobia and hate speech and that has certainly been the case during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The rise of fake news and how social media spreads it has led to a lot of these myths produced by the far-right being spread to the point that some have actually made their way into mainstream media, despite being debunked.
“What this report demonstrates is how the COVID-19 crisis has been used to create ‘others’ of Muslims blaming them for the spread of the virus, and the extent to which the spread of fake news online is contributing to this extremely worrying trend.”
The research was commissioned by the independent members of the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group and the report is available here: https://anti-muslim-hatred-working-group.home.blog/2020/04/20/coronavirus-fear-and-how-islamophobia-spreads-on-social-media/
In the meantime, during these unprecedented times the MCB has produced a #RamadanAtHome Guidance to support Muslims and mosques in making the most of Ramadan from home socially and spiritually. It details innovative way of hosting and attending virtual iftars to tuning in to and setting up livestream services at mosques.
In addition to providing support for individuals fasting, the guidance has advice for mosques and prayer facilities, employers and line managers.
To show solidarity and brotherhood some of the leaders from the Liberal Democrats Party leaders have also decided to observe Ramadan including Sir Ed Davey and MP Layla Moran who are expected to fast through on 25th April and will share their experiences on social media with the hashtag #LibDemIftar.
