Since 11 September 2011, the day the world changed, we have seen the escalation of global terrorism. With unrest in much of the Middle East, once stable nations face huge challenges and terrorist organisations, such as Islamic State, have taken control. An indirect consequence of this worrying development, is that Islamophobia has also become an increasingly prominent part of several Muslims lives. Sadly, many have become used to the looks when they mention their faith, the flippant remarks often made in jest and the constant need to defend their beliefs.

As a Muslim myself, the escalation of the issue is made clear to me in my home town, Medway, where we have seen an increase in hate crime, attacks on the local mosque and where some members of my family who wear the hijab have had worrying experiences, with name-calling and one being spat at in the street. It is also where, during the Rochester and Strood byelection, Britain First marched on the towns peddling their message of hate.  Having been born and brought up in Medway this was the first time I experienced animosity of this nature and although a counter-protest from local people forced them to turned back, the fact that they dared to push their anti-Muslim rhetoric is a simple but poignant example of the changing times.

However, the prejudice is not limited to racist slurs and protests on the street, and it does not always emanate from a place of hate. But over the years, with every terrorist attack in the name of Islam, it has become more visible and at times more widely accepted. Not so long ago, I recall talking to a man on the train, who, on realising I was Muslim, asked me what I was personally doing ‘ to solve the radicalisation problem.’  His question came from a lack of understanding, but highlighted an underlining a problem that frames much of the debate – the assumption that Muslims are a homogenous group. This view that those who follow Islam share exactly the same values, beliefs and culture and come from the same geographical area, is fundamentally wrong. Unfortunately, it has increasingly become common thinking.

Even some politicians have subscribed to this notion, through referring to the Muslim community as a united force and on the whole the government’s approach thus far has been largely prescriptive to this view. For instance, the Prevent agenda has encouraged spying on friends, family and colleagues while one government proposal wrongly focused on ‘older Muslim women’ who had to failed to learn English. Unsurprisingly with approximately 2.2bn people identifying themselves in Muslims in the world, each brought up in different cultures, from different socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying degrees of faith and education, the likelihood of us sharing complete commonality in our lives, is extremely low. And, in truth, I have just as much understanding of what might motivate someone to take the life of innocents in the name of religion, as my friends and colleagues of other faiths and background. This fundamental flaw in how the government approaches this issue, has done little to curb the root cause of homegrown terrorism but instead has certainly pushed a message of a shared responsibility for those who practice Islam. Not only has this fuelled divisions but it has left many Muslims feeling isolated, unaccepted and questioning their identity.

Much of the focus has also been on mosques and local imams to do more, but while they have an obligation to open their doors and fully embrace the communities they live in the situation is far more complex. Unfortunately, in many cases those very centers of Islam have become increasingly inward, looking fearing a backlash and choosing isolationism in order to lead a quiet life. Many local mosques and preachers are also distinctly out of touch with the younger generations of the Muslim community, having little control over their religious interpretations or an understanding of how they are living their lives. While we see a whole new generation who have grown up feeling their faiths and cultures are constantly under attack – and questioning if they truly belong, making them ripe fodder for radicalisation.

Tackling anti-Muslim sentiment is of course a two-way street and Muslim communities (in all their guises) have an obligation to support building an understanding of Islam and its practices. But equally we must recognise that increasing prejudice against those who follow the faith, is a serious problem. Thus far governments have done little to tackle the issue and instead we see the further isolation of Muslims across the world with Islamophobia becoming more mainstream. A problem that has been escalated by the recent election of Donald Trump, with his with anti-Islam rhetoric and worrying declaration of creating a register of all Muslims. If we truly want to build understanding and stop young people become victims of extremists, we must start by acknowledging that this is a growing problem that needs a measured, thought-through response. Unfortunately, for many Muslims the growing tide of Islamophobia is becoming increasingly worrying, with many left wondering where it will all end.

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Naushabah Khan is former parliamentary candidate for Rochester and Strood. She tweets @NaushabahKhan

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