UK Prime Minister Sunak accused of 'Islamophobic trope' against Muslim MP
Muslim MPs and politicians have described UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's remark to Muslim MP Zarah Sultana, "Perhaps the honorable member might want to call on Hamas and the Houthis to de-escalate," as Islamophobic.
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During a meeting where Sunak was briefing MPs on the US and UK airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Labour MP Sultana, who asked him a question, stated that UK military interventions have historically exacerbated conflicts.
Explaining that Israel's 100-day-long attacks in Gaza have destabilized the Middle East, Sultana asked, "Will the Prime Minister, instead of giving the green light to Israel to continue its brutal bombardment of Gaza and risking a wider conflict, try to de-escalate and call for an immediate ceasefire?"
Sunak responded to the Muslim MP's question by saying, "Perhaps the honorable member might want to call on Hamas and the Houthis to de-escalate."
"IT IS A NEW LOW"
Another Muslim Labour MP, Naz Shah, reacted to Sunak's remarks, saying, "Given the rise in Islamophobia, for the Prime Minister to ask a British Muslim in Parliament today to tell Hamas and the Houthis to stop doing what they are doing is a new low."
Describing Sunak's words as an "Islamophobic trope," Shah stated, "Perhaps the Prime Minister will retract his words and show leadership by apologizing."
Responding to Shah's remarks, Sunak did not apologize and said, "I have repeatedly told members of this House that these conflicts (Gaza and Yemen) are unrelated."
Sunak stated that "before calling on the UK to de-escalate, one must acknowledge that it is Hamas and the Houthis who are responsible for what is happening in the first place."
"DANGEROUS FOR THE SAFETY OF MUSLIMS"
The Labour Muslim Network (LMN), composed of Muslim members of the main opposition Labour Party, also reacted to Sunak's words.
In a statement made on the LMN's X account, it was stated, "The Prime Minister asking a Muslim MP to call on Hamas to de-escalate is clearly Islamophobic. This type of rhetoric is dangerous for the safety of Muslims in public office and for all Muslims in our society more broadly."
The statement noted that the LMN stands in solidarity with Sultana and added, "The LMN will write to all party leaders and officials to urge them to call on the Prime Minister to apologize immediately. Naz Shah's call for an apology in Parliament was ignored."