See it, Say it, Sorted!
The recent riots have exposed the terrible rhetoric of Islamophobia over the past decades, and the neglect of investment in community cohesion. It shows the importance of being careful with the language we use about each other. Islam teaches us to be polite to one another and not to use disliked nicknames. The targeting of Muslims by right-wing thugs is an outcome of a socio-political culture that normalised Islamophobia. What can we do to tackle it? Here I reflect on some ideas.
We all feel profound sadness over the recent murder of three innocent girls, aged 7, 8 and 9 in Southport two weeks ago. A 17-year-old British-born Rwandan committed the heinous act. Our hearts go out to the grieving families. It is crucial to remember that a crime is a crime, regardless of who commits it. The law does not consider the religion or race of the criminal. Yet individuals like Tommy Robinson falsely claimed the murderer was Muslim. This lie was shared up and down the country and incited his followers to terrorise people and attack local mosques, sparking riots in other cities.
The grieving families were forgotten as far-right agitators exploited the situation to incite violence. This is an alarming situation, and the British public is understandably distressed.
The Root Cause: Islamophobia
For the past three decades, since the Bosnian and Gulf wars, certain elements in the West have been fueling hatred against Muslims. The Runnymede Trust coined the term ‘Islamophobia’ to describe this hatred and discrimination. So-called think tanks, often funded by groups with vested interests, have played a significant role in spreading lies about Muslims. Many of these think tanks even advised the last government. These are not respectable institutions but ‘set-ups’. We hope the new government will learn from past mistakes and avoid such influences.
One baseless claim from a right-wing fascist can bring people to the streets, throwing petrol bombs at hotels housing asylum seekers. This is deeply troubling. The government must tackle Islamophobia and investigate its root causes. This is the only way to address the menace that disrupts unity and harmony. Today, it’s Muslims; tomorrow it could be Sikhs or Hindus.
The British Board of Scholars and Imams commented on the riots: “The rioters come from various backgrounds and are motivated by different factors, including deep-seated racism, a sense of grievance or fear of losing their identity. Our predecessors faced similar challenges, and we have endured. The violence on our streets partly results from a political and media culture that has normalised Islamophobia. Politicians who stoke hatred and promote divisive language must be held accountable.”
In Burnley, Muslim graves were desecrated, and individuals were assaulted. The government and police responded robustly. Chief Constable of West Midlands Craig Guildford said they would deal with rioters without fear or favour. His officers have done an excellent job, showing professionalism and positivity. The government is taking the situation seriously, deploying over 6,000 extra police officers to address the unrest.
Positive Community Response
When the Southport Masjid was attacked, the local community stepped in to help and defend the Muslims. This camaraderie and kindness reflect the fairness in our society. The silent majority defended the hotels vandalised by rioters. British people recognise they live in a multicultural and multifaith society, acknowledging Britain’s history of diverse migrant communities since Roman and Viking times. They understand we live in a global village, not the imperial Britain of Queen Victoria’s era.
Our Requests to the Government
- Take decisive action against the rise of Islamophobia and address all sources that spread it.
- Firmly act against those responsible for inciting violence and spreading misinformation, including so-called think tanks promoting Islamophobia.
Our Requests to Muslim Communities and Leaders
- Increase community engagement: Promote interfaith dialogue, mosque open days, community fasting during Ramadan and distribute copies of The Majestic Quran to educate the community.
- Enhance mosque roles: Mosques should serve broader roles, becoming community hubs that liaise and work with local authorities and community groups.
- Use the HumanKind project: Engage and educate fellow citizens about Islam to dispel myths and prejudices, promoting harmony and community cohesion.
- Respond with kindness: Instead of reacting negatively to violence, follow the Quranic recommendation to “repel evil with something good.” The Liverpool Imam Shaykh Adam Kelwick set an example by offering burgers and hugs to rioters attacking his mosque. This is the Quranic way of dealing with violence.
