Tackling Islamophobhia: Hartlepool Muslim Makes Film to Help in Fight against Prejudice
Shay Miah, 20, says he wants to tackle Islamophobia after he was subjected to physical and verbal abuse for his beliefs.
And he says recent terror attacks by extremists and the growth of terror group ISIL have seen the issue get worse for him and others – and he even fears for his own safety.
Shay has linked up with the youth organization Fixers to make a four-minute film that will be broadcast soon on the ITV regional news.
"When people hear the word Islam they automatically think terrorism,” he said.
Shay, a former member of the Hartlepool Youth Parliament, says he had to deal with verbal and physical abuse growing up in Sunderland, where he lived until he was about 12.
He said: "I’ve grown up in the North East and I do feel I stand out from the rest.
"In Hartlepool, two per cent of the population is made up of ethnic minorities and 98 per cent is British white.
"The abuse I got growing up was verbal and it became physical. Recently, I think it’s got much worse, especially with what’s happening worldwide.
"People are mistaking minority extremists for the majority of the Muslim community. It’s for that reason that I fear for my safety.
"Everybody is human and we live in a multicultural society. We should appreciate that we’ve got so much diversity in this country.”
In the TV film, Shay, who is studying law at Northumbria University, speaks about the prejudice he has faced and meets a young woman who went through similar experiences.
He also speaks to Dr Matthew Feldman, Professor of Contemporary History at Teesside University.
Dr Feldman said: "Anti-Muslim hate crime seems to be growing. It is encouraging hatred and violence against Muslims in this country and it needs to stop.”
Shay added: "If I make a difference on this issue it would feel like a dream come true.
"I’d feel that I had accomplished what I set out to do and it would mean that telling my story had been worthwhile.
"It would be the best thing I’ve done in my life.”
Fixers is an organization that helps young people aged 16-25 to tackle issues they feel strongly about.
ITV supports the project by screening broadcasts about youngsters’ campaigns.
Source: Hartlepool Mail
