“Any crisis that occurs under the name ‘Islam’ is only a camouflage”- UK protester against islamophobia
Reports have confirmed that anti muslim attacks in London have largely increased. Many confirmed that the London Bridge attacks have triggered a big shoot up in hate crimes with a significant amount of them being attacks in the street directed at British Muslims. In confirmation, Figures released by the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, showed a fivefold increase in Islamophobic attacks since the atrocity at London Bridge and a 40% increase in racist incidents.
In order to kick against such attacks which have made many Muslims in London afraid to move around in public places, a group of activists held a vigil on Wednesday in the British capital to support the victims of the most recent anti-Muslim attacks in the U.K.
In addition, Stand Up To Racism held the vigil in Stratford, east London, to show “solidarity” with the victims of an acid attack “and the victims of anti-Muslim hate crime,” organizers said. They further explained that Mukhtar sustained “life-changing injuries” when acid was sprayed on his face during the attack in which his cousin, Resham Khan, was also critically injured.
In response to this act, the victim, Mukhtar has described the attack as a hate crime.
“I believe it has something to do with Islamophobia or maybe he’s got it in for Muslims because of what’s been going on lately.”
He added that Police are searching for suspect, John Tomlin and have appealed to the public for information about his whereabouts.
Further more, speakers at the vigil highlighted and noted anti-Muslim hate crimes and urged authorities to act against attacks that target peaceful Muslims in London. In demonstration against the act, protesters held banners and posters that condemned Islamophobia.
Reports have confirmed that Islamophobic attacks in the U.K. spike sharply after deadly terror attacks in Manchester and London Bridge in recent weeks, according to official figures. Muslim women are disproportionately impacted by these crimes. Of the major hate incidents after Brexit, 61% of the victims were Muslim women, many of whom were attacked while using public transportation or shopping in malls and town centers. One incident in October 2015 drew widespread attention after a viral video captured a pregnant Muslim woman on a London bus being accused by another woman of being an ISIS supporter.
In London, anti-Muslim hate crimes climbed to 20 per day after the attacks, from 3.5 per day prior, according to London mayor’s office. Also, on June 19, Darren Osborne attacked a group of Muslims who were leaving a mosque in Finsbury Park after night prayers during Ramadan. Osborne killed 51-year-old Makram Ali when he ran over a group of worshippers. Eleven others were also injured.
The peaceful protest against islamophobia has called for a total stoppage of crime rates against Muslims. The protest further exposed the fact that Muslims are peace loving people and that any crisis that occurs under the name “Islam” is only a camouflage.