Islamophobia is a major social concern in the UK, involving growing levels of hate crimes, discrimination, and unfavorable societal views towards Muslims. As per recent statistics from the Metropolitan Police, discriminatory intimidation against Muslims in London has increased by 70%. The data indicates that 816 Islamophobic crimes were reported over the past 12 months leading to July, a significant rise from 478 incidents in the previous year.
The rise in these unlawful acts has been specifically alarming for Muslim women, who are often the victims of these attacks, especially those wearing face veils. Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks (MAMA), an organization that tracks Islamophobic incidents, highlighted that woman in hijabs and niqabs experience more aggressive forms of abuse, which may be driven by their visible Muslim identity.
One recent case involved violent disturbances in the UK. The riots, which have been mostly confined to cities and towns in England, were most notorious in Southport. The initial attacks were in response to the tragic killing of three young girls. This lawlessness has witnessed extensive unrest in several big cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Nottingham, Liverpool, and Sunderland.
The extensive unrest in London involved districts such as Brixton, Enfield, and Hackney, while Manchester was characterized by widespread looting and confrontations with the police. Other utmost cases of violence and hostilities were also reported in Birmingham, involving a hit-and-run incident associated with the strife. The disruption has not been confined to England. It is reported that riots have spread to Wales and Northern Ireland, with brutality reported in places such as Belfast.
Three young girls aged 6, 7, and 9 brutally stabbed by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, during a children’s dance class in Southport, Merseyside on July 29, 2024. Following that incident, Rudakubana was detained at the scene. However, false reports spread quickly on the internet, labeled him a Muslim asylum seeker. This false labeling sparked a wave of racist hate and violence.
The misinformation fueled intense protests of hundreds of people in Southport on July 30, 2024, with some reportedly aligned with the far-right English Defence League. They launched sporadic attacks on a local mosque. The clashes included mob violence with police, resulting in more than 50 police men injured and four people were arrested
This vandalism underscored the dangerous consequences of misinformation, reflecting how false and negative narratives can escalate societal tensions. Political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, condemned all incidents of violence and underlined some deeper solution to address broader concerns about social cohesion and public safety. The riots quickly spread to other locations in the UK, including Manchester, Hartlepool, Bristol, and London. Rioters pillaged the properties and clashed with police. Over 100 arrests were made to contain the rising violence.
Moreover, these rampages were no any better as other cities such as Sunderland, Liverpool, Hull, Belfast, Rotherham, and Bolton were not spared from the clashes between the unauthorized protestors and police. Among other offence, they destroyed belongings, set buildings on fire and looted several shops, aggravating the loss of property to a great extent. More than 400 arrests were affected within this period as efforts to control the races continued without success.
The agitation has hit Muslim communities across the UK hard. Many Muslims, particularly women, rarely step out, and attendance at Friday prayers in mosques has significantly declined. The rioters had targeted mosques, Muslim owned businesses, and homes, prompting a feeling of vulnerability in the community.
The unrest has also had long term implications for Muslim families in the UK. A Muslim leader in the Scottish Parliament recently voiced his doubts about whether his family belongs in the UK, reflected the emotional and psychological effect of the recent civil strife. Some countries have even issued travel advisories to their citizens concerning the ongoing violence and instability in the UK, including those from majority Muslim-populated countries. These advisories further alienate Muslim families in the UK, making them feel that their communities are not safe.
The violence has exposed long standing Islamophobic and xenophobic undercurrents in British society. Reports show that 22 percent of people hold negative sentiments towards Muslims and about 32 percent expressing fears that there are “no-go areas” where Sharia law rules.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called the violence “far-right thuggery”. He promised that those promoting unrest on social media would face legal action for incitement. He also pledged that vulnerable people would be protected, with additional police resources being deployed to restore stability.
But critics argue that the government has not done enough to tackle Islamophobia and racism. Muslim groups have called on the Prime Minister to show stronger leadership on Islamophobia and have questioned whether the Labor Party has done enough in recent years to address the concerns of Muslim community.
These acts of violence have deeply demoralized Muslim communities, instilled fear and causing an identity crisis. In order to bridge this gap, the government, media, and civil society must make a determined effort to combat prejudice, encourage understanding, and build a society that embraces diversity.
The situation has moved from chaos to law enforcement efforts in the UK government. The first recorded day of riots marked critical unrest and violence events in the major cities. Immediately came the government’s swift deployment of law enforcement agencies to restore order in the land. This was done in view of the need to reinforce the rule of law and ensure that punishment is prompt to discourage the continuance of violence.
Of course, experience, especially during the riots of 2011, when the swift action of the courts helped in stabilizing the situation, was guiding. Full authority was given to the police to take strong measures against those instigating violence or indulging in criminal activities. These were supported by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Stephen Parkinson, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who took center stage in trying to explain both the government’s position and its actions to the public. Their visibility helped reinforce their message that violent behavior would be punished severely.
While immediate actions focused on law enforcement, there is recognition that addressing the root causes of the unrest is essential for long-term stability. There are calls for the Government to develop a comprehensive national strategy that empowers local leaders and communities. This is about community cohesion and addressing the immigration and social integration grievances that have been identified as contributing to the unrest.
Community relations, in this regard, have a number of measures presented by the government to help improve them. Some include:
Consult with the local councils before placing asylum seekers in their areas of residence to ease tensions.
The friendly centers allow locals to interact constructively with asylum seekers, enabling them to eliminate prejudices and understand each other better.
These programs form part of the larger call that has been made for a proactive approach to community cohesion, as indicated in statements by various stakeholders in terms of building trust and a sense of connectedness between different groups in a community.
The public is largely supportive of how the government has responded to riots, particularly with regard to the prosecution of individuals who incite violence on the internet. Around 43 percent of all voters in a survey approved of the way government handled the unrest, with the majority thinking penalties given to offenders were adequate or not severe enough.
But politically, it remains big, with the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, under scrutiny for his response to the riots. The strong noises he made at the beginning have been replaced by his personal approval ratings continuing to slip, which is partly linked by some observers to the longer-term difficulties of dealing with the root causes that prompted the riots.
Moving forward, the government must engage with community leaders and civil society organizations to address the issues that have led to current unrest. This all-inclusive approach will need to confront Islamophobia and racism, increase understanding and dialogue between communities, and address the economic and social inequalities that have fueled the dissension. The UK can only hope to build an inclusive and cohesive society where all citizens are assured of safety, respect, and value irrespective of their background, by boldly confronting these issues.
