MP says thugs bombarded her with death threats and said they'd tear off hijab

08 November 2023 , 10:31

717     0

Apsana Begum is the MP for Poplar and Limehouse

Parliament's only MP to wear a hijab said she has been threatened with having it ripped off in public.

Apsana Begum, who is a Muslim, outlined the "heightened risk" to her safety, including "serious death threats, as she blasted the Government for not using the King's Speech to take action against Islamophobia. The backbencher warned the situation was "escalating" amid the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza - as she accused some of trying to "capitalise on current events by spreading their hate and division".

Ms Begum earlier said people in her Poplar and Limehouse constituency in East London were "alarmed and appalled at the disregard for Palestinian life" demonstrated in recent weeks. She called for a ceasefire from both sides in Gaza - Israel and Hamas - and the release of hostages.

Speaking during the King's Speech debate in the Commons, Ms Begum said she was disappointed the monarch's address “did not indicate that the Government will finally recognise Islamophobia nor take measures to address the soaring level of hate crimes against Muslims”.

She added: "Indeed, the King's Speech did not even mention that it is currently Islamophobia Awareness Month and nor did the Prime Minister mention it in his contributions today. I am currently facing death threats and a torrent of Islamophobic and misogynistic abuse. In fact, I've received such abuse since being elected, since putting myself forward as a candidate for elections, and received comments including, and I quote, 'vile and filthy religion, importing vile and filthy creatures like Apsana Begum'.

Sunak branded 'pathetic' for attempt to pin blame on Labour for mass strikes

"The situation is escalating, not least exacerbated by those trying to capitalise on current events by spreading their hate and division. I am now facing a heightened risk to my safety with serious death threats, threats to kidnap me, threats of sexual violence and threats about ripping off my hijab in public. It goes on and on.”

She added: "Every single day people of Muslim backgrounds like me face discrimination and prejudice, the prevalence of negative stereotypes - harassment and hate crimes are only part of a whole structure of discrimination. Muslims are also the most economically disadvantaged faith group in the UK, with some reports showing that half of British Muslims face poverty and deprivation. At the same time we face institutionalised Islamophobia."

Ben Glaze