The ground has really changed after the 29th of July and after the murder of three little girls in Southport who simply wanted to dance. Who would have thought that the consequences of those brutal set of murders, would then set off of a chain reaction in communities leading to mosques being targeted by far right protests and whereby hotels accommodating asylum seekers were then targeted for arson and serious crimes. The mobs that attacked these sites were bent on harming people on the basis of disinformation that had been spread on social media.
Tell MAMA has been assessing the numbers of mosques attacked since the 29th of July and we have received a deluge of reports from British Muslims around the anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia that they have been receiving.
What has been particularly distressing has been the speed with which the far right mobilised and the manner in which they immediately targeted mosques and Islamic institutions. Such has been the fear that they generated within large sections of British Muslims, that it will take months for levels of safety, security and confidence to build within British Muslim women, particularly, those who are visible and who wear the Hijab.
We are at a nexus point where it is clear that anti-Muslim hate or Islamophobia needs coordinated and concerted action by Her Majesty’s Government. For far too long some politicians have played with fire with the language that they have used about Muslims, migrants and asylum seekers. They must now, going forward, be held to account. Those who instigated and who left a question mark on social media platforms that a ‘Muslim’ may have been responsible for the murders of the innocent young girls, must be asked serious questions about their conduct in public life. They must also be assessed as to whether they have broken any criminal laws.
Tell MAMA continues to work with British Muslims at this time, and in supporting their needs and their desire for access to justice. We will not tire in supporting them going forward.