Search
SearchToday in Islamophobia: In the UK, a Muslim girl in Bristol recounts a harrowing assault on her and her brother on the way back from a convenience store on the evening of Sunday August 4th as women and girls of color across Britain continue to face intimidation and violence in the country, meanwhile in the US, the Muslim advocacy group CAIR has filed a lawsuit on Monday against the FBI and leaders of other U.S. government agencies over what it calls “discriminatory and racist placement” of two Palestinian Americans on a watch list, and in India, despite the hopes of many, the Modi government now appears to be doubling down on its repressive tactics towards Indian Muslims, with critics contending that the spikes in violence are “vengeance” for the recent election results. Our recommended read of the day is by Jonathan Cook for Middle East Eye who writes on how Islamophobia in Britain has become so bipartisan today that BBC reporters on at least two occasions referred to the mobs chanting anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant slogans as “pro-British protesters”. This and more below:
United Kingdom
Starmer's fingerprints - not just the Tories' - are all over Britain's race riots | Recommended Read
But there was another, even more cynical reason Starmer made racial and sectarian politics central to his campaign. He was desperate not only to win over the Tory vote but to crush the Labour left and its political agenda. For decades, Jeremy Corbyn, his predecessor, had been celebrated by the Labour left - and reviled by the Labour right - for his anti-racist politics and his support for anti-colonial struggles such as that of the Palestinians. For his troubles, Corbyn was roundly smeared by the British political and media establishment in every way possible. But it was the charge of antisemitism - and its conflation with anything more than the mildest criticism of Israel - that proved the most damaging. The same Equality Commission that resolutely refused to investigate the Tories over Islamophobia hurried to bolster the smears of Corbyn’s Labour Party as institutionally antisemitic, even though the body struggled to produce any evidence. An Al Jazeera documentary broadcast in September 2022, drawing on more documents than Forde had managed to secure, discovered rampant Islamophobia from Starmer’s officials and the Labour right. One of the victims of Starmer’s purges of the left described to the programme-makers Labour’s recent years as a “criminal conspiracy against its members”. Al Jazeera’s investigation found that Muslim party members, including local councillors, had been firmly in the Labour right’s crosshairs. Party officials were revealed to have colluded in concealing law-breaking, covert surveillance and data collection on Muslim members, as a prelude to suspending the entire London constituency of Newham, apparently because there were concerns about it being dominated by the local Asian community. Labour continued its visible purges right up to the July general election, cynically excluding and removing leftwing, Black and Muslim candidates at the last minute, so there would be no time to challenge the decision. The highest-profile victim was Faiza Shaheen, an economist who had already been chosen as the parliamentary candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green until she was ditched very publicly and unceremoniously. Questioned about the decision, Starmer said he wanted only the “highest quality candidates”. A similar campaign to humiliate and undermine Diane Abbott, the first black woman MP and a Corbyn ally, dragged on for weeks before being resolved begrudgingly in her favour. The barely veiled insinuation yet again was that Muslim and Black candidates could not be trusted, that they were suspect. read the complete article
After far-right riots, Brits of color contemplate their safety
After weeks of disorder, there was a partial reprieve Wednesday, as more than 100 anti-immigrant protests expected around the nation were met with huge counterprotests — a show of anti-racism that stifled the far right. Peaceful protesters carried signs that read “Refugees welcome” and “Racists not welcome here.” But British authorities have warned that further unrest could be possible. Even if the anti-racists have numbers on their side, the violent protests highlight that there is a passionate minority who feel emboldened to display anti-immigrant and racist views. At least some members of that minority were willing to engage in violence, which began after a stabbing attack that led to the deaths of three young children in Southport, England, last month. Before the attacker was formally identified, misinformation about his identity and migration status swirled online. In recent weeks, far-right protesters have attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers, and assaulted police officers and first responders. Bricks and gasoline bombs were launched at mosques, while police shared footage of a Muslim bus driver who was racially abused and spat at as he worked. Some elected officials have voiced their own safety concerns. Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf told a podcast last week that the riots made him question whether he wanted to stay in Britain. Yousaf, a Muslim born in Glasgow to Pakistani immigrants, said he has “for some time” been “worried about the rise of Islamophobia.” read the complete article
Islamophobia has gained a foothold
Last week, as far-right thugs targeted Muslims primarily, the former Conservative immigration minister Robert Jenrick told Sky News that saying "Allahu Akbar"—“God is greater”— in public should be an arrestable offence. This is a solemn phrase millions of British Muslims use daily. Jenrick’s Islamophobia received no pushback from the interviewer, no response from his party leader, and led to no apology: a stark reflection of how Islamophobia has become acceptable, not just on the far right, but also in mainstream media and politics. In this environment, Jenrick felt confident in pushing out his hate and divisiveness. He was not alone. Elon Musk shared—and then deleted—a false post from the co-leader of the far-right Britain First party about the UK building “detainment camps” for rioters, and proclaimed that civil war in the UK was “inevitable”; Matthew Goodwin seemed to suggest that a “son of immigrants” is not really British; and Nigel Farage called “some of the actions” of far-right rioters “truly disgusting”—but also appeared to excuse rioters, saying it was “a reaction to fear, to discomfort, to unease that is out there shared by tens of millions of people.” Certain news outlets followed suit. The Daily Telegraph headlined its front page “Far-right clash with Muslims in rioting”, and ran a host of frankly embarrassing and repulsive articles; and GB News consistently seems to be trying to make excuses for the far right. read the complete article
UK: Fake claims of a ‘Muslim Defence League’ that fuelled the anti-immigration riots
The killing of three young girls in northwest England on July 29 was falsely attributed to a migrant and sparked a wave of anti-immigration protests across the country. Several far-right accounts stoked tensions by raising concerns about the so-called “Muslim Defence League" – an organisation that doesn't actually exist. Numerous videos were posted on social media referring to a sinister-sounding group. "Muslim Defence League out in Bolton tonight," said an anti-immigration Facebook account on August 4. The footage shows several dozen men dressed in black, some with their faces covered, marching while chanting "Allahu Akbar" [“God is the greatest” in Arabic]. Other videos published the same day purportedly show the same group of men later attacking anti-immigration protesters or clashing with the police. Several dozen police officers were injured in the anti-immigration riots, while facilities intended for migrants were vandalised or destroyed, including a hotel in the city of Rotherham. In the tense atmosphere, where counterprotests – sometimes violent – were organised, as on August 5 in Birmingham, accusations against the "Muslim Defence League" further stoked the flames. The far-right riots sparked counterprotests, organised either by left-wing groups or by residents of the targeted neighbourhoods, many of whom were from immigrant backgrounds. Members of these gatherings sometimes engaged in violent clashes with the rioters, including assaults and property damage. However, the "Muslim Defence League" appears to be an entirely fictitious organisation, promoted by far-right activists to bolster their narrative of an immigrant threat. read the complete article
Racist Riots and Resistance
The last two weeks in the UK have seen a whiplash mood swing from horror to hope. In response to racist and Islamophobic misinformation shared online, far-right riots sprung up in multiple cities. Racist mobs targeted mosques and asylum seeker accommodation, they attacked Muslims and people of color, and police were injured. The scenes were truly appalling: packs of thugs in the streets, spreading violence, smashing windows, and setting fires. At some points, police seemed overwhelmed, it was getting out of control, more riots were threatened. First, politicians’ words matter. For far too long, prominent politicians like former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman and media magnet and now member of Parliament Nigel Farage have been driving dangerous anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim rhetoric. They are hardly the only ones, of course. In recent years, far-right language has flooded mainstream politics. The political scapegoating of vulnerable groups unfortunately “works” to a degree, particularly when people see rising inequality and want someone to blame. Some folks oddly believe unscrupulous politicians who tell them all their problems are the fault of some (usually powerless) people cast as “outsiders.” The mainstream media has also been willing, even eager, to demonize certain communities and groups. All this only emboldens extremists, opening the door to violence. read the complete article
'It still feels scary and unsafe out there': Women of colour hit hardest by far-right riots in the UK
All 15-year-old Husna* had wanted was to go to the local shop to buy some milk for her mother. It was Sunday, August 4, 2024, and they were staying with family in Bristol so that her mother could help care for her aunt, who had just given birth. Husna's mother sent her 13-year-old brother with her, believing they would be safe together. There had been clashes in Bristol city centre the day before between far-right rioters and anti-racism protesters, but by the end of Saturday night, they had petered out. After grabbing a bottle of milk and some snacks, Husna and her brother hurried back to their aunt’s house. They noticed some rowdy white men and her brother told her to pull her hoodie over her hijab, but it was too late. They had seen Husna’s abaya. “All of a sudden, there’s a group of grown men walking towards us, shouting slurs and throwing rocks,” Husna tells The New Arab. “They were calling us P**is and terrorists.” A bystander came to Husna and her brother’s aid, trying his best to shield them and help them escape. Husna says the men continued to approach and shove them. “My brother tried to get me out of their way, and this grown man grabbed me and started pulling me. He grabbed my hood, and my hijab came off.” Husna is just one of scores of Muslim, Black, Asian, and ethnic minority people who have been attacked or personally affected by far-right riots that have spread like wildfire across British towns and cities in the last 12 days. read the complete article
United States
US government sued over alleged discrimination against Palestinian Americans
A Muslim advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Monday against the FBI and leaders of other U.S. government agencies over what it called the discriminatory and racist placement of two Palestinian Americans on a watch list. The lawsuit is related to the placement of one Palestinian American - Mustafa Zeidan - on the U.S. government "no-fly list" and the seizure of an electronic device of another Palestinian American - Osama Abu Irshaid - while federal agents interrogated him about his organizing against Israel's war in Gaza, the Council on American-Islamic Relations said. Irshaid, who is the executive director of an organization called American Muslims for Palestine, traveled to Qatar from the U.S. in late May and returned in early June, according to the lawsuit, which alleged that he was forced to undergo extra screening and questioning while having his phone seized. The phone has not been returned, it added. "CAIR is challenging the mistreatment of these Palestinian American activists on constitutional grounds," the group said. read the complete article
India
India: Why Muslim lynchings continue unabated in Modi's third term
Indian Muslims had hoped for a reprieve after the results of parliamentary elections saw Modi's Hindu right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returning to power in a coalition with smaller regional parties, which critics speculated would shackle his Hindu right-wing government from continuing with its communally polarising politics. There was a belief that the results would lead to a reduction in religiously motivated attacks in the country. However, the "silver lining" turned out to be faux positivity as the Modi government now appears to be doubling down on its repressive tactics, with critics contending that the spike in violence against Muslims is vengeance for the recent election results. Communal violence has also continued unabated. Just days after the results, a series of deadly lynchings, physical assaults, rioting, and demolitions targeting Muslims ensued across different parts of the country, sending a clear signal that Hindutva nationalist groups remain emboldened under Modi's third term. At least half a dozen incidents of mob lynchings targeting Muslims have been reported in various parts of the country since polling results were announced on 4 June. According to Apoorvanand Jha, a political commentator and professor, there are a number of political and economic incentives driving Hindutva groups to engage in communal violence, such as being granted positions and leadership roles within the party, receiving support to run on the party ticket during elections, or even erasing Muslim competition in local business dealings. He further contends that the violence is a reflection of Hindutva forces' anger at not being given the kind of mandate they wanted. read the complete article
International
Swinney condemns Musk over racism row with Yousaf
Scotland's first minister has described Elon Musk's behaviour as "completely and utterly unacceptable” after the billionaire owner of X branded Humza Yousaf "racist" and a "scumbag". John Swinney defended his predecessor, who has described Mr Musk as a "race baiter" and "one of the most dangerous men on the planet”. The tech entrepreneur suggested he would welcome legal action from Mr Yousaf. The former first minister declined to speak to BBC Scotland. However, Mr Swinney said his predecessor had faced racist and Islamophobic abuse for many years. “I think that’s why he has taken such a strong stance about the unacceptable conduct and content that we’ve heard from Elon Musk," the first minister told BBC Scotland. Following anti-immigrant riots in England and Northern Ireland in recent weeks, Mr Swinney echoed calls from regulator Ofcom for social media firms to urgently protect users from content likely to incite violence or hatred. Mr Musk has been highly critical of the UK authorities and the way the disorder has been handled. Mr Swinney said he had not received a response from X to a letter he had written, external to social media companies on the riots. read the complete article