Muslim NHS staff report an increase in racist abuse since the riots began

The head of an association representing Muslim health workers has said it has recorded an increase in racist abuse since the start of the right-wing riots last week, with “unprecedented” fear among NHS staff.

Dr Salman Waqar, president of the British Islamic Medical Association (Bima), which represents around 7,000 health workers, said health workers had been scared and affected personally and professionally.

Waqar said: “I’ve seen some really terrible messages, especially coming from Belfast and Greater Manchester, about people having to close their GP surgery early, people being stuck in their practices, people having to take taxis back and forth work, people who don’t make home visits, people who work away from home, there are too many to name and list.”

He shared a video and screenshots of text messages from NHS staff, who contacted him about the abuse they had suffered last week, including being called racist and a person threatening to “kill that Muslim man”.

Waqar said: “From our point of view, in terms of our members saying how scared they are, saying how they have to think twice about what they do, international colleagues are asking whether they have a future in the UK or not.” It’s unprecedented, I’ve never seen anything like it before. In terms of volume, in terms of intensity of feeling, there’s no comparison to it.”

He added: “The amount of chatter on social media, on WhatsApp groups, the amount of messages people send to each other to be safe, to look after each other, it’s not normal. And it’s absolutely terrifying, it’s unprecedented.”

Far-right riots spread across England after false reports emerged about the identity of the man who carried out the Southport knife attack that killed three young girls.

The British Egyptian Medical Association (Bema), which represents approximately 11,000 doctors, dentists and pharmacists, echoed Waqar’s concerns. It had also observed a “worrying increase in fears of racism and discrimination among our members”, which has disrupted their ability to provide care “effectively”.

Bema said: “Our members, particularly those working on the frontline of healthcare, have expressed increased concern for their safety and wellbeing in light of these incidents. The environment has become increasingly hostile, contributing to significant stress and anxiety among physicians.

It added: “The climate of intimidation has led to increased absenteeism, reduced morale and a general sense of insecurity among healthcare workers.” This situation is detrimental to the overall service of the health system, as it affects the well-being of those who are important to its operation.

Health workers’ concerns were underlined by NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard, who said on Monday: “We should not let dedication to duty mask the fact that for many NHS workers, seeing this flare-up of racism will be triggering.” they feel scared and unwelcome.”

The London Ambulance Service also revealed on Monday that some staff were “reporting an increase in racism and hostility from a small minority group”. In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said on Wednesday that people who were racist towards NHS staff “can and should” be turned away.

Bima and the NHS Muslim Women’s Network have called on relevant health organizations to specifically recognize Islamophobic abuse. “The refusal to call out Islamophobia and the permissive response by the authorities has made it one of the most tolerable forms of racism,” Bima said on Monday.

Waqar said: “What we don’t see is the assurances that we need to see … whether it’s from the regulator, whether it’s from the government, recognizing that this is targeting us in our society and who we are, and to people like us.

“And when you don’t see that, I think you feel very vulnerable, very vulnerable, and it becomes much harder for you to deal with it.”