Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Tell MAMA?
Tell MAMA (Measuring anti-Muslim Attacks) is the only national monitor with a history of putting this work on the social map. It is a confidential support service and third party reporting service for those who experience anti-Muslim hatred. We were formed since 2011 and have been mapping, monitoring and supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate over this 15 year period.
We have advised local, regional and national statutory agencies on anti-Muslim hate and have had a significant impact on policy changes in this area. We are proud of the social policy changes that we have made on the area of anti-Muslim hate.
We are an independent, non-sectarian service. Individuals can request support in Urdu and Arabic. Our service extends to those who face intra-Muslim issues.
Mosques and Islamic institutions can receive additional support and security advice.
What is anti-Muslim hate (sometimes called Islamophobia)?
In summary, anti-Muslim hate is harassment, abuse, targeted hate, violence or intimidation against British Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim – whether this is at a street or online level. These incidents can be reported into us at Tell MAMA and through this contact page.
Furthermore, if the property of British Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim is damaged and this includes threats to mosques, graffiti against mosque walls or statements scrawled onto them or personal property, then these incidents can also be reported to us.
Tell MAMA also supports British Muslims who may have suffered anti-Muslim prejudice at work, through consumer interactions and the provision of good and services both in the street and online environments.
Can non-Muslims report to Tell MAMA?
Yes. We welcome reports from individuals who have witnessed incidents online or on the street. This also includes individuals abused because they were perceived to be Muslim.
It is important to stress that people who see an anti-Muslim hate incident taking place and who may not have been directly affected by it, can report it in. This allows us to start to build up a better picture about the scale and geographical spread of it.
How does that work?
Anyone can experience a hate crime. What matters is your perception. And that’s true across all hate crime strands. For example, The Metropolitan Police definition reads:
An Islamophobic Offence is any offence which is perceived to be Islamophobic by the victim or any other person, that is intended to impact upon those known or perceived to be Muslim.
We chose to use the term ‘anti-Muslim hatred’ since it is in line with the law and also includes the fact that we work on supporting individuals, communities, the protection of property and mosques and public institutions. In a free society, people have the choice to question religion and faith, they don’t have the right to target Muslims because of this part of their identity.
Will you pass my information on to police?
No. Again, we are a confidential service. Only at your request would we pass information onto police. We can also report your case to police anonymously at your request. Our partnerships with British police forces have lasted since 2011. They remain strong, committed and confidential so that we can achieve an outcome and access to social justice for you, if you have been targeted by anti-Muslim hate.
Nor does our partnerships work with police forces affect your confidentiality.
Are you a Muslim organisation?
We are committed to supporting Muslims who face hatred, violence and discrimination in the UK. But our staff come from a diverse range of backgrounds, faiths and non-belief. This is also reflected in our patrons and various advisory boards members.
Our values are based on the fact that no British Muslim should be targeted because of their faith identity, nor should they be subjected to harm, harassment, alarm or distress and alongside this, their mosques and property should not be subjected to targeted abuse or hate.
Read More: Higher levels of aggression and anti-Muslim stickers and graffiti are being reported in.