Shropshire faith leaders and council unite against rising religious hate

Shropshire Council and local interfaith forums have issued a formal joint statement condemning religious hatred, following a rise in antisemitism and islamophobia across the UK. Members of the South Shropshire Interfaith Forum and the Shrewsbury Interfaith Forum joined elected councillors to affirm a shared commitment to respect, tolerance, and the protection of all faith communities.

The move reinforces a stance taken by councillors across all political parties at a recent Full Council meeting. Local leaders emphasized that residents should be able to observe their faith and go about their daily lives without fear of discrimination based on their religion, heritage, or attire. The declaration follows a national trend of increasing hostility toward Jewish and Muslim communities, mirroring security concerns seen in other parts of the country where local patrols have been boosted to protect places of worship.

Local incidents and the call for solidarity

The joint statement highlights specific local concerns, including a recent incident where a swastika was daubed on the walls of the Muslim Prayer Room in Shrewsbury. Faith leaders noted that these acts of hostility often coincide with broader patterns of racism and religious intolerance. They pointed to previous attacks on Jewish worshippers in Manchester, a mosque in East Sussex, and members of the Sikh community in Wolverhampton as evidence of the need for a unified front.

Representatives from the council and the interfaith forums stated that people of all faiths—including those of no faith—must work together to foster good relations. They specifically highlighted the vulnerability of individuals wearing traditional religious clothing, such as Jewish men, Muslim women, and Sikh men, calling on the Shropshire public to stand in respect of these diverse identities.

The Everyone Belongs Here campaign

This renewed commitment aligns with Shropshire’s ongoing ‘Everyone Belongs Here’ campaign. Launched 12 months ago on World Cultural Diversity Day, the initiative was developed by the NHS, local councils, and health partners to tackle discrimination in all its forms. The campaign focuses on strengthening the reporting of discriminatory incidents and ensuring that every individual, whether in a frontline care role or a leadership position, feels included and safe.

Shropshire’s local efforts also build upon a national open letter coordinated by the Together Coalition. That letter, signed by organizations including the Football Association and the Church of England, asserted a shared commitment to protecting the Jewish community from extremist threats. Local leaders in Shropshire are now applying those same principles of protection and solidarity to all religious groups within the county.

Reporting hate crime and seeking support

Shropshire agencies operate a partnership approach to tackling hate incidents. Authorities are urging anyone who witnesses or experiences religious hatred to report it immediately. This reporting helps local organizations establish whether there are specific spikes in crime or if certain areas are being targeted more frequently than others.

For emergencies where someone is in immediate danger, residents should call 999. For non-emergencies, the following reporting routes are available:

• Police Reporting: Call 101 or visit a local police station. Victims can also use ‘True Vision’, a national police scheme for reporting hate crime online.
• Third-Party Reporting: Those who prefer not to contact the police directly can email the Shropshire Safeguarding Community Partnership at sscpbusinessunit@shropshire.gov.uk.
• Specialist Support: Organizations such as Tell MAMA (supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate) and the Community Security Trust (protecting the Jewish community) provide dedicated advice and monitoring services.

Additional support is available through the West Mercia Victim Advice Line and national charities like Stop Hate UK and Crimestoppers. These services offer confidential emotional and practical assistance to those affected by discrimination or hostility.

Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom