IF you live in Britain these days, you can’t escape the reality that Islamophobia is quite rife

[link to english.alarabiya.net]

e murder of a Saudi student in Britain has sparked fears that hate crime is on the rise amid ‘widespread’ Islamophobia in the UK, members of the Muslim community warn.

Nahid al-Manea, who was 31 years old and studying at the University of Essex, died after being stabbed 16 times in Colchester, Essex. A 52-year-old man has been detained by police in connection with the murder.

Manea was wearing an abaya – a black cloak worn by some Muslim women – and headscarf when she was murdered, and police are investigating the possibility she was deliberately targeted because of her religious dress.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) today warned of a rise in intimidation towards the community in the UK, which has coincided with a surge in support for right-wing political parties.

“In recent months and weeks, an increasing number of Muslim women have been targeted in hate crimes,” said Talha Ahmad, chair of the membership committee at the MCB. “People are understandably very nervous and anxious… It has caused major concern.

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