There has been a large increase in anti-Muslim incidents since the murder of a British soldier in Woolwich, an inter-faith charity has said.Faith Matters, which runs a helpline, said they had received 162 calls since 22 May attack, up from a daily average of six, according to the BBC.Drummer Lee Rigby was killed near Woolwich Barracks on 22 May.
A number of people have been charged after allegedly offensive comments were made on social media websites.Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, said the nature of the incidents ranged from attacks against mosques, graffiti, the pulling off of Muslim women’s headscarves and more general name calling and abuse. He told BBC Radio Five Live: “What’s really concerning is the spread of these incidents. They’re coming in from right across the country. Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive,very focused, very aggressive attacks.
“And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity … suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate.”
Since the attack, a number of people have been charged after allegedly offensive messages were posted on social media websites. Three men — two from Gateshead and one from Stockton — have been arrested by Northumbria Police on suspicion of posting racist tweets.
MUSLIMS CONDEMN ATTACK
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) on 22 May spoke out, in the strongest possible terms, the news of a horrific murder that has taken place in Woolwich, London. Eye-witnesses suggest that the murderers made Islamic slogans during their heinous action and were thus motivated by their Islamic faith.
In a statement on 22 May, the MCB said, “This is a truly barbaric act that has no basis in Islam and we condemn this unreservedly. Our thoughts are with the victim and his family. We understand the victim is a serving member of the Armed Forces. Muslims have long served in this country’s Armed Forces, proudly and with honour. This attack on a member of the Armed Forces is dishonourable, and no cause justifies this murder.
“This action will no doubt heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom. We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail. It is important we allow our police authorities to do their job without speculation. We also urge the utmost vigilance and ask the police authorities to calm tensions.”
As tensions rise as a result of the barbaric murder in Woolwich, the MCBon 23 May convened a meeting with a diverse range of faith leaders to speak out against the attack and to call for calm.
FarooqMurad, Secretary General of the MCB said at the meeting: “This action will no doubt heighten tensions on the streets of the United Kingdom. Already, there were reports last night of mosques being attacked in Essex and Kent. And the English Defence League, went to stoke hatred in Woolwich last night. They tell us they say because a British soldier was attacked, but as the pictures show, they ended up attacking the police.”
The MCB has also communicated with its affiliate network and mosques to alert them to the threat of reprisals from the extreme right and convey united sympathy for the victim’s family. Mosques have been urged to take positive steps and stretch a hand of friendship to fellow Britons.
Also speaking at the MCB conference, Mr Saeed Ahmed, a community organiser from Greenwich, conveyed his condolences to the family of the victim and also commended the work of the local Police in assuring communities and calling for calm.
The MCB said it is heartened by the messages of understanding and reconciliation sent to the MCB by faith leaders. “We urge Muslim communities to reach out to fellow Britons and testify the true reality of our faith. We call on all our communities, Muslim and non-Muslim, to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.”
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, the President of Muslim Peace Coalition USA, has also condemned the brutal hacking of a British soldier in London as a heinous act.
“Our prayers and thoughts are with the victim and his family,” said Imam Mujahid who is based in Chicago. He also said, “We must break the cycle of war-terrorism-hate, all three of which are connected phenomena which must be condemned together.”
“This terrorist act has nothing to do with Islam and are the consequence of sick and angry minds who are sometimes brainwashed by extremist groups into thinking that by their violent revenge for the deaths of civilian casualties in places like Afghanistan and Iraq are somehow helpful for Muslims. Glenn Greenwald of Guardian has documented this fact. Unfortunately Islam-haters will shamelessly exploit the brutal murder and use the internet and the right wing media to further demonise Islam as a violent ideology alien to Western way of life and the British soil. They will be joined by the Russian ultranationalists, European fascists, and Hindu supremacists. We hope that the Britishers will see through the nefarious design of such fear-peddlers,” said Dr. ShaikUbaid, a leader of Muslim Peace Coalition who is based in New York.
The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and the Muslims Against Terrorism also strongly condemned the 22 May murder of an off-duty UK soldier in UK. Based upon the media reports the two murderers justified their crime based upon their understanding of Islam. ISCC and MAT denounced their understanding of Islamic faith. “They are criminals and must face justice system.”
“These murderers are imposters disguised as Muslims. They have nothing to do with Islam,” they said.