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Arab News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UK think tank calls for national strategy to tackle anti-Muslim hatred, rebuild social cohesion
LONDON: A new report from the think tank Equi released Monday has urged the UK government to adopt a coordinated national strategy to address anti-Muslim hatred, while warning that social division is harming trust in institutions and threatening the country's cohesion. Released as British Muslims marked Eid Al-Adha, the report highlighted growing levels of anti-Muslim narratives and attacks, but also pointed to polling by Savanta/ComRes that showed that the majority of Britons hold either neutral or positive views toward Muslims. A PDF Embed Here Equi argued that this provided a foundation for progress, and said that building trust, inclusion and civic resilience must be treated as a national priority. 'Britain's diverse and welcoming cultural identity is one of its greatest strengths. But we cannot leave social cohesion to chance,' said Prof. Javed Khan, managing director of Equi. 'Failing to address social division is not only unjust but fiscally draining, at a time when resources are scarce,' he added. The report identified anti-Muslim hatred as a key barrier to intercommunity trust, particularly in the aftermath of flashpoints such as the 2024 summer riots. It estimated the cost of anti-Muslim hatred last year at a minimum of £243 million ($328.9 million), including expenses linked to policing, imprisonment, and insurance claims. The report also pointed to alienating government policies, such as Prevent, and rising misinformation as major factors eroding social trust. Many British Muslims, it noted, feel disproportionately scrutinized and disconnected from wider society. Among its recommendations, Equi called for a strategic program of public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation and stereotypes, combined with cross-government engagement with local authorities, faith groups and civil society organizations to help rebuild trust. It also advocated for increased investment in youth and community initiatives that promoted shared experiences and inclusive participation as a means of strengthening intercommunity ties. 'Knowing most Britons are not getting sucked into divisive language that can destroy community relations should give us great hope. The government should use its unique platform to articulate a unifying vision for the nation; one that focuses not on responding to division, but on championing shared values like respect, equality and liberty,' Khan said. 'As Britain's 4 million Muslims celebrated Eid, this report provides a timely and urgent reminder that with clear focus and leadership, a stronger, peaceful and cohesive UK is within reach.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Indian Express
23-year-old BTech graduate robs Uber, Rapido cab drivers in Delhi to repay debt, arrested
A BTech graduate aspiring for the Staff Selection Commission's Combined Graduate Level (CGL) exam was arrested for allegedly robbing bike taxi drivers in Delhi after booking their services on Rapido or Uber apps, the Delhi Police said on Thursday. According to the police, the accused, identified as Javed Khan, 23, who hails from Rajasthan, allegedly committed the thefts at gunpoint on two occasions by taking the drivers to isolated spots at Gandhi Vihar and then fleeing with their motorbikes, phones, and cash. Khan has been staying in Delhi at a cramped location in Mukherjee Nagar since 2024, along with other students aspiring to be bureaucrats. He told the police that he decided to rob Rapido and Uber drivers to repay his debt of Rs 35,000 that he owed to a friend, Rahul. The police said that the first robbery took place early on May 31, in which Javed booked an Uber bike service from New Delhi railway station to Gandhi Vihar. His modus operandi was to ask the driver to cancel the ride and take him to the destination offline under the pretext that the driver could keep the fare commission, the police said. 'As soon as the rider arrived at 1.30 am, Javed told him that he would cancel the ride, to which the driver agreed. Around 2.30 am, when they reached Gandhi Vihar Drain, an isolated place near Yograj Colony, Khan held a country-made pistol at the waist of the driver, Sonu, and threatened him to stop the motorcycle,' said an officer. 'The accused then robbed him of the motorcycle, a mobile phone, and cash Rs 2,000 at gunpoint and fled away on the looted motorcycle,' Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), said. In another similar incident, Rapido driver Pradeep Singh told the police that he got a booking from Nizamuddin Railway Station to Gandhi Vihar on Monday, said an officer. However, on reaching the railway station, the 'customer', Javed Khan, cancelled the ride, and on reaching an isolated area, Singh was robbed of Rs 600 cash and his mobile phone, he added. Tracking the CCTVs from NDLS to Gandhi Vihar in Timarpur, the Delhi Police traced Khan to the Sankalp Bhavan area on Wednesday. Khan is a resident of Bharatpur, Rajasthan, the police said. On interrogation, Khan revealed that he was in debt and was prompted by his friend to resort to crime so that he could repay his loan. 'Rahul provided him a country-made pistol with 17 live cartridges of .315 bore. and chalked out a plan for Khan to rob online motorcycle riders during odd hours. As per his planning, Khan booked the rides from different railway stations in late-night hours,' DCP Banthia said.
