A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has called on the Welsh Government to put in place measures in schools to mitigate against Islamophobia.

Peredur Owen Griffiths has written to the Labour Cabinet Secretary for Education warned that we should not be complacent in Wales after the country avoided the Islamophobic riots that engulfed many communities in England and Northern Ireland.

The MS for South Wales East is concerned that without an increased push on equality and community cohesion programmes in schools, pupils from Muslim families could be targeted in the wake of a rising tide of hatred on certain social media platforms.

Writing to Lynne Neagle, Peredur said: ‘I am writing to you following the Islamophobic riots that have been marred many communities across England and Northern Ireland over the summer.

‘It has been a great relief that we have not seen such disturbing scenes in Wales which is testament to the efforts to promote community cohesion across a number of different levels.

‘However, we should not be complacent. We should also be mindful of the fact that there have been isolated incidents of mosques being vandalised over the summer in our communities.

‘I have been speaking to Muslim friends in Newport and Cardiff about some incidents that have led to arrests.’

He added: ‘Whilst I appreciate that community cohesion does not fall under your portfolio, I am concerned about the prospect of increased Islamophobia and racism in our schools when they open back up after the summer holidays.

‘Many young people have been exposed to some of the disgusting misinformation doing the rounds on some social media platforms.

‘It is paramount that our schools remain safe places for non-white children or children from Muslim families – or any religion for that matter - to attend if we are to maintain harmony across our nation.

‘Considering these recent events, I want to know what preparatory work you have undertaken to ensure that our schools are equipped to call out abuse of this kind and deal with it swiftly? 

‘Are there also any plans to ramp up anti-racist and anti-Islamophobia education programmes within our schools to make sure that children know that abuse of anyone based upon skin colour or religion is completely unacceptable?

‘I would be grateful to hear of anything you may have planned to counter some of the material our children may have been exposed to over the summer.’

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