Zarah Sultana MP for Coventry South has revealed in a frank interview the extent of racism and Islamophobia that she has experienced since her election. She says the effect on her mental health has been worrying.
MP Zarah Sultana has slammed Labour Party leader Keir Starmer for his handling of Islamophobia in an emotional interview.
Sultana who is Labour MP for Coventry South was elected to parliament for the first time in 2019, aged just 26.
Reflecting on the barrage of anti-Muslim bigotry she and other Muslim MPs have been subjected to in recent years, Sultana told Novara Media earlier this week: “I find it quite hurtful that the leader of my party [Starmer] has found it difficult to express solidarity publicly with me and Apsana Begum. I think in any job you expect that as a bare minimum.”
"I find it quite hurtful that the leader of my party has found it difficult to express solidarity publicly to both me and Apsana".@ZarahSultana | #TyskySour pic.twitter.com/zicCGliwKE
— Novara Media (@novaramedia) December 2, 2021
“Since getting elected in 2019, I have received correspondence that’s hateful and racist, in the post, in my email inbox, and on social media. I found that it increases when I’m in parliament, going to protests around migrants’ rights, when I’m speaking out for Palestinian people, or when I’m supporting causes like Black Lives Matter” she continued.
Recounting her experience of racial hatred in a parliamentary debate on Islamophobia in September, a teary Sultana said she had been called “a terrorist sympathiser” and told, “Europe will vomit you out”.
“I’ve had other members of the front bench get in touch. People like Nick Thomas Symonds, Louise Haigh, various others. But nothing both publicly and privately from Keir himself.”
While Labour has recently adopted a new code of conduct on Islamophobia, Sultana cautioned that “The Labour Party doesn’t take wellbeing as seriously as it should” adding that “the abuse you have to deal with continuously and the effect that it has on your mental health [is] worrying.”
“Let’s do something about it… I don’t want to be here in 10, 15, 20 years in the same situation, still getting abuse, still being treated like s**t.”
Sultana’s emotional interview comes at a painful time for Muslims, as Islamophobia Awareness Month has brought to light the extent of anti-Muslim bigotry in British society and politics.
Days ago, a landmark report by the Centre for Media Monitoring that analysed thousands of online articles and 5,500 broadcast clips revealed almost 60% of online media articles and 47% of television clips associate Muslims and/or Islam with negative aspects or behaviour.
PLEASE HELP US KEEP GOING AD-FREE
This is a "Pay as You Feel" website.
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by. If you've enjoyed reading the articles on Labour Heartlands so far, We would be incredibly grateful if you could consider making a small donation. Labour Heathlands is not your typical news outlet. We are not here to simply regurgitate the daily news cycle, that's for the rest of them. Our focus is on delving deeper, uncovering the untold stories and shedding light on the issues that the mainstream media chooses to ignore.
Our unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity means that we are not influenced by any external forces. We are not beholden to PR companies, advertisers or press barons, and we refuse to let anyone dictate what we report on. Our editorial independence is sacrosanct, and our only allegiance is to the truth.
While we do not align ourselves with any particular political party, we stand firmly against corruption, injustice and the erosion of truth and the rule of law. We believe that accurate information is the lifeblood of a democracy and that facts are not up for debate.
Once again, thank you for your support – We truly couldn't do this without you!
