UK Mosques Targeted in Far-Right Unrest

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: British Muslims are on high alert following recent far-right protests targeting mosques across the UK. The turmoil started when unverified online rumors claimed that the adolescent suspect responsible for a knife attack in northwest England was Muslim.

The attack, which occurred on Monday, resulted in the deaths of three young girls and has since sparked a wave of Islamophobic violence and protests.

The far-right English Defence League has been implicated in inciting the violence. In Southport, the city where 17-year-old suspect Axel Rudakubana is accused of carrying out the mass stabbing, demonstrators threw bricks at a mosque on Tuesday night.

This pattern of aggression continued on Friday evening in Sunderland, where protesters hurled Islamophobic slurs, beer cans, and bricks at police outside another mosque. These acts of violence have left the Muslim community in fear, with many feeling that their places of worship are being specifically targeted.

“The Muslim community is deeply anxious right now, really distressed about what they’ve seen,” said Zara Mohammed,  representing Muslim Council of Britain (MCB). Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the violent actions, accusing “gangs of thugs” of exploiting national grief to “sow hatred” and promising that those responsible will “face the full force of the law.”

In response to the threats of further violence, the MCB convened a meeting with mosque leaders to discuss security measures. Some leaders reported receiving direct threats, and there was widespread concern about the safety of planned activities, such as children’s classes and women’s meetings.

While some mosques could afford to hire security guards, many expressed feelings of vulnerability and fear. The fear among the Muslim community is palpable, with many worried that their places of worship will become focal points for further attacks.

Shaukat Warraich, director of Mosque Security, noted a surge in inquiries from mosques seeking help and advice on protection.

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On Friday evening in Liverpool, the Abdullah Quilliam mosque received support from local residents, both Muslim and non-Muslim, who turned up to protect the building following online rumors about planned attacks. This show of solidarity offered some reassurance to the community, but the underlying fear remains.

“It’s really shocking to see how quickly a disinformation campaign has resulted in this coordinated and planned Islamophobic protest,” said Mohammed from the MCB. She highlighted that this sentiment hasn’t arisen in a vacuum, pointing to a broader strain of anti-immigrant and Islamophobic rhetoric in the country, sometimes fueled by political leaders.

The UK government has vowed that violent disorder will not be tolerated. Following the clashes, police made dozens of arrests at far-right rallies, where protesters and officers faced off in several cities, including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool, Hull, and Belfast.

The government’s policing minister, Diana Johnson, emphasized that there would be “penalties and consequences” for those involved in the unrest.

The skirmishes, which have led to injuries among officers and damage to property, marked the fourth day of unrest. The violence was sparked by false rumors on social media about Rudakubana, who has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder following the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance party.

Prime Minister Starmer has criticized “thugs” for hijacking the nation’s grief and promised that those responsible for violent acts would “face the full force of the law.” The violence is the biggest challenge yet of Starmer’s short tenure, which began last month after leading Labour to a landslide victory over the Conservatives.

Agitators have targeted mosques in Southport and Sunderland, prompting heightened security measures at Islamic centers. Police have attributed the violence to supporters of the disbanded English Defence League, an anti-Islam organization linked to football hooliganism.

The unrest first erupted in Southport on Tuesday, where a mob attacked a mosque with bricks. Subsequent violence spread to other cities, including Hartlepool, Manchester, and London. In Sunderland, a riot led to the arrest of ten people and hospitalization of four officers after a mob set a car on fire and looted a shop.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall condemned the Sunderland unrest, calling it “unforgivable violence and disorder.” Anti-racism group Hope Not Hate identified more than 30 planned far-right events over the weekend, many advertised as anti-immigrant rallies, while counter-protests were also organized.

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In London, a pro-Palestinian march continued despite the presence of a separate anti-immigration protest. Meraaj Harun, a 24-year-old student, expressed determination to participate despite concerns, saying, “The UK is my home.”

The UK government is considering new measures to address the potential for further widespread disorder, including enhanced intelligence sharing and the use of facial-recognition technology. Nigel Farage, the head of the Reform UK party, has been accused by Labour politicians of making matters worse.. Farage’s party recently captured 14 percent of the vote in the general election, indicating significant support for anti-immigrant sentiment.

The fear among Muslims and the heightened alert around mosques are significant. Many Muslims are worried about their safety, especially when attending prayers or community events. The sense of being targeted is acute, and the community’s leaders are urging calm and resilience while coordinating with law enforcement to ensure their safety.

The recent wave of violence and unrest underscores the urgent need for addressing misinformation and fostering unity in a nation grappling with grief and division. The fear that has gripped the Muslim community is a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked misinformation and the importance of solidarity in the face of hate.

Asem Mustafa Awan has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.

The article is the writer’s opinion, it may or may not adhere to the organization’s editorial policy.