Policy recommendations against Islamophobia

Last chapter of the “Islamophobia in Spain. National Report 2015”, by FUNCI, where we offer some general recommendations that can contribute to the fight against Islamophobia. (Click here to read the previous entries)

Islamophobia is certainly a very complicated phenomenon to tackle, there is never enough one can do and isolated activities cannot eradicate it. Everyone can agree that education plays an essential role in ending with this form of discrimination, and that only through knowledge it is possible to tear down the walls the local population might build between them and the Muslim population out of fear or incomprehension. This knowledge can only be achieved through a more comprehensive approach, which should include raising awareness campaigns for society both to understand Muslims better and to empathize with their situation, a better training of governmental institutions, more governmental support to the NGO’s participating in this field, and measures to facilitate the Muslim’s cohabitation. In this sense, their active participation in society (through neighborhood and parents’ associations, community activities, etc.) should help them to normalize their image, thus breaking the prejudices that surrounds it, and to present their needs and problems to the rest of society, allowing people to understand their context.

A transformation of the Spanish education system

However, all this initiatives won’t be enough without a radical transformation of the education system, with regard to this segment of population. The Spanish Muslim historical period needs to be understood as an essential part of the country’s history, contributing to the value of our heritage and the recognition of the Islamic elements present in the country. This should require the participation of specialists guiding in the teaching of this topic and of the Muslim population itself, who can offer a more interactive perspective, as well as more governmental participation and funding.

The Spanish Muslim historical period needs to be understood as an essential part of the country’s history

The legislative system should also be strengthened. This should include a modification and toughening of the article 510 of the criminal code, which penalizes hate crimes, and the improvement of the District attorney’s offices specialized in the prosecution of hate crimes, still very young, as the first one was created in 2009. In this same way, a better record of hate and Islamophobic crime should also be implemented, given the difficulties of really being aware of the number of crimes happened in a year and the heavy reliance this has created on civil associations.

Let’s put an end to prejudices against Islam

Last but certainly not least, an active effort has to be made to stop associating terrorism with Islam. This is carried out at a media and political level, both with the same devastating effects. The media is filled with misinformation and lack of accuracies, some intentionally, but many unintentional as well, product of the lack of understanding of the subject being treated. This has a very negative impact on the population, as it is an opinion generator, and more accuracy should be demanded, which bring us back to the need of raising awareness among the population and the need for a better understanding of the topics at hand. Likewise, political actions have a deep impact in generating islamophobia, and more punitive actions should be taken towards those actively promoting it. Equally, there should be taken into account the effect this association between Islam and terrorism has on the Muslim population, in order to be more precise with the terms and measures adopted, so as to try to break this link.
Fighting Islamophobia has to be a comprehensive and global action carried out at all levels, and by and towards all actors present in society. Knowledge is the key to solve this problem, as most Islamophobia is due to the lack of understanding people have of the Islam and Muslim community, and the fear this ignorance entails. In this sense, the government should be more active in putting an end to this prejudices and to create a public opinion more respectful and inclusive, which should act as a firewall against Islamophobic actions and decisions.