By KUNA
London : Anti-Muslim prejudice is dealt with less seriously than other forms of discrimination, according to a university study Thursday.
The research conducted at Bristol University, south-west England, examined 30 years of British Government legislation and legal rulings to distinguish the difference between prejudice towards race, ethnicity and religion.
In the study, Dr Nasar Meer, research associate in the Department of Sociology at Bristol, found that Muslims are let down by race legislation because being a Muslim is recognised as a lifestyle choice or a “voluntary identity.” Dr Meer said other religious identities, such as Sikh and Jew, have had race laws applied in their favour in a way not extended to Muslim communities.
He said many Muslims view their faith as an “involuntary identity” as they are born into the religion.
“We explored what legislation exists to help protect people with what we call an involuntary identity. People with an involuntary identity shouldn’t be disadvantaged by others’views,” he said.
“The legislation should offer them support and make sure they’re not discriminated against …. Muslims have been totally missed out of the protection offered by race-relations legislation because it treats Islam as a religion and not a race,” he added.
Dr Meer said British Muslims report a higher level of discrimination and abuse when they appear “conspicuously Muslim,” and explained that a “Muslim appearance,” whether or not the individual is actually Muslim, can provoke contempt.