Coventry MP gives emotional testimony on 'barrage of Islamophobic hate'
Labour's Zarah Sultana broke down crying as she recounted her experiences
A Labour MP broke down crying as she recounted her experiences of Islamophobia following her election less than two years ago.
Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana said she had been "subjected to a barrage of hate" as she gave emotional testimony during a Westminster Hall debate on Islamophobia.
Ms Sultana told fellow MPs: "Before being elected, I was nervous about being a Muslim woman in the public eye. I had seen the abuse prominent British Muslims were subject to. I knew I wouldn't be in for an easy ride. And today I would like to say I was wrong to be worried when young Muslim girls ask me what it's like.
"I would like to say there is nothing to worry about, that they would face the same challenges as their non-Muslim friends and colleagues, but I cannot say that because in my short time in Parliament that is not my experience."
The MP then recounted a series of hate letters she had received during her time as an MP since being elected in December 2019.
She said: "One person for example wrote to me, and I quote, 'Sultana, you and your Muslim mob are a real danger to humanity', another wrote I am a 'cancer everywhere I go' and soon, they said, 'Europe will vomit you out'. A third called me a 'terrorist sympathiser and scum of the earth' and that is sanitised of their unparliamentary language."
Ms Sultana began crying as she added: "I have discovered that to be a Muslim woman, to be outspoken and to be left wing is to be subjected to this barrage of hate. It is to be treated by some as if I were an enemy of the country I was born in. As if I don't belong."
MPs debated a definition of Islamophobia set by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, and called on the Government to adopt it.
Introducing the debate, Conservative Peterborough MP Paul Bristow said: "This cannot wait, in the absence of any action, the APPG definition has been adopted by scores of councils and the Scottish and Welsh governments are considering this.
"Frustration is building. A definition has the potential to be a tremendous force for good and I know the Government will recognise this. It is absolutely brilliant the Government reconciled this. It is the first step in a countrywide effort to stamp out this evil and improve outcomes for millions of people across this country.
"I cannot stand idly by and allow the children and the grandchildren of my constituents to face the same discrimination that their grandparents and their parents faced in their lives."
Communities minister Eddie Hughes said: "We remain committed to there being a robust and effective definition and we will outline our steps to achieve this in due course."