Standing Together Against Islamophobia: A Message from Children’s Aid
saleem7 May 2025
As we recognize Islamophobia Awareness Month, we at Children’s Aid are joining with impacted communities targeted by Islamophobia in the UK. While our mission is rooted in protecting children and engaging with families, we recognize that no child can achieve their full potential in a society that is hate-filled, fearful, or discriminatory on the basis of religion.
Islamophobia is not only a threat to individuals — it’s a threat to the compassion, welcome, and fairness values that we work daily to embody in our mission.
What Is Islamophobia?
Islamophobia refers to the illogical fear, hatred, or bigotry towards Islam or Muslims. It exists in a multitude of forms — ranging from hate speech and misinformation to physical assaults, Islamophobic violence, workplace bias, and structural exclusion. Often fueled by ignorance, media distortions, and political agendas, Islamophobia summarizes an entire faith and its believers in one warped brush.
Islamophobia Hurts Children and Families
In the last year, we have witnessed an alarming rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, from racist insults and social media hate to far-right mobilization and exclusionary policies. The children and families we engage with — and many of whom belong to Muslim communities — have been telling us they feel increasingly worried, at risk, and disconnected.
We also understand that when parents fear to allow their children to dress in religious clothing to school or stay in public places for fear of persecution, the knock-on effects can greatly affect children’s mental well-being, education, and integration.
Stories from Our Team: Real Lives, Real Impact
“I want my daughter to feel proud, not afraid.” – Farah’s Story
As a Family Support Worker, Farah Ahmed, 34, is no stranger to hardship. But the rise in Islamophobic rhetoric this year hit home in a personal way.
“My daughter is only six,” Farah shares, “and last month, she came home asking why people stared at us on the bus. She said, ‘Is it because I wear my scarf like you?’ It broke my heart.”
Farah, who wears a hijab, says that while she’s never faced physical abuse, the constant microaggressions and stares have become more noticeable.
“What’s worse is feeling like you have to constantly explain your faith, your values — your humanity — just to feel seen.”
Yet Farah finds comfort in her work:
“At Children’s Aid, we don’t just help children — we listen, we advocate, and we build bridges. Every time I help a family feel safe again, I remember why this work matters.”
“I converted to Islam — and lost some friends but gained purpose.” – Mark’s Story
Mark Thompson, 45, a Youth Outreach Coordinator, converted to Islam in his early twenties. A White British man, he never expected the backlash from his own social circles.
“I was called a traitor, told I had ‘joined the enemy,’” he recalls. “It was shocking to see how quickly some people turned.”
Mark’s journey has made him uniquely equipped to mentor at-risk Muslim youth who face bullying, exclusion, or identity struggles.
“When a 15-year-old tells me he’s too scared to pray in public, I get it. I’ve been there. But I also tell him, Your faith is a strength, not a weakness.”
“Representation matters — our kids need to see themselves.” – Zainab’s Story
For Zainab Malik, 29, a Community Engagement Officer, Islamophobia isn’t just about headlines — it’s about being the only visibly Muslim person in a meeting and still not being heard.
“There are times when I’ve shared ideas in boardrooms, only to have them ignored until someone else repeats them,” she says.
“That’s why I work so hard to create spaces where children and young people can speak, lead, and feel proud of who they are.”
Zainab leads interfaith youth programs and regularly visits schools to promote empathy, religious literacy, and anti-racism.
Our Commitment
Children’s Aid resists Islamophobia in every form—whether it appears within school boards, government, or national public debate. We are dedicated to developing inclusive programming that honors diverse cultural and religious identities of our service communities. Our staff is empowered with ongoing training on learning more deeply and being more fully present with Muslim children and families’ lived experience with dignity and respect.
We also deliberately work with mosques, places of worship and faith, and leaders to foster trust and increase community engagement. From the shared values of peace, compassion, and justice upon which Islam is founded, we are committed to ensuring that every child is safe, seen, and valued.
Final Thoughts
Islamophobia is not a Muslim problem — it’s a societal problem. It disrespects our values and humanity as a people. It requires an effort of courage, education, empathy, and sustained effort to fight this form of religious intolerance.
In our practice with Children’s Aid, we are experiencing the manifestations of Islamophobia on actual human beings daily: children struggling to find out who they are, families withdrawing from society, and youth who can’t belong. But we experience resilience in practice, allyship, and solidarity as well.
