It has been reported that Rishi Sunak, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been accused of neglecting the Muslim community in the UK. Former minister, Tory MP Rehman Chishti, claimed that Mr. Sunak has “made the calculation” that he does not need Muslim voters for his political agenda. This accusation comes in light of Mr. Sunak’s failure to engage with the Muslim community, despite promises made during the last leadership election.
Broken Promises and Lack of Action
During the leadership election, Mr. Sunak assured Mr. Chishti that he was committed to working with the Muslim community and vowed to address their concerns if he became the Prime Minister. However, Mr. Chishti revealed that he has not seen or engaged with the Prime Minister for over a year and a half. This lack of communication and action has left many within the Muslim community feeling ignored and marginalized by the current government.
Failure to Appoint Independent Adviser on Islamophobia
One of the key criticisms leveled against Mr. Sunak is his failure to appoint an independent adviser on Islamophobia, a move that both David Cameron and Theresa May implemented while in office. This failure has left the Muslim community vulnerable to discrimination and hate crimes, with over 2,000 incidents of anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in the past four months alone.
Mr. Chishti highlighted the disparity in treatment between the Jewish and Muslim communities, noting that while resources and independent advisers have been allocated to combat antisemitism, there has been a lack of similar support for Islamophobia. This unequal treatment has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing hate and intolerance within society.
Political Calculations Over Community Engagement
In light of these criticisms, Mr. Chishti suggested that the Prime Minister may have deliberately chosen not to engage with the Muslim community for political reasons. This calculated decision has left many questioning the government’s motives and commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
As the controversy surrounding Mr. Sunak and his handling of the issue continues to escalate, there is a growing demand for concrete action to address Islamophobia and discrimination within the UK. Calls for the reinstatement of an independent adviser on Islamophobia have been made, in order to ensure fair and impartial rulings on such matters.
The failure of Rishi Sunak and the government to address Islamophobia and engage with the Muslim community has raised serious concerns about the commitment to equality and inclusivity in the UK. It is imperative that concrete steps are taken to address these issues and ensure that all faith communities are treated fairly and equally.