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Far-right riots across the UK unsettle the Muslim community, with PM Keir Starmer promising strict action. Misinformation surrounding the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport had sparked far-right riots across the country.
Far-right riots across the UK unsettle the Muslim community, with PM Keir Starmer promising strict action. Misinformation surrounding the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport had sparked far-right riots across the country.
Young Muslims have said they feel increasingly “unsafe” following violent attacks and riots targeting minority communities.
Mahaboob Basha from Sketty Mosque in Swansea said the community was “deeply unsettled” but has received strong local support.
Uzo Iwobi of Race Council Cymru condemned the “shocking” racist violence.
At Sketty Mosque, 14-year-old Jana said she usually felt protected in her city, but “after what’s happened, I feel like I can’t go out alone”.
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She added: “Especially because as a woman, I wear the hijab. It’s very easy to tell that I’m a Muslim.”
Violence, including attacks on mosques, erupted across England and Northern Ireland after three girls were killed in Southport last week.
False information online incorrectly claimed that the accused, Axel Rudakubana, 17, from Cardiff, was an asylum seeker.
Nada, 17 from Swansea, said she felt “sad and worried” about misinformation online following the Southport attack.
She said: “It’s really terrible. You can’t judge a whole community by one person, and his religion has not been identified yet.”
Cities, including Liverpool, Bristol, Belfast and Hull have seen riots on the street, prompting Prime Minister Keir Starmer to condemn “far-right thuggery”.
No violence has broken out in Wales, but an anti-racism demonstration took place in Cardiff on Sunday.
Azaan, 13, said: “When I go outside, I’m very cautious. People may judge me because of my skin and religion.”
In some cities, mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers have been targeted.
Ibrahim, 14, said that worried him: “[The mosque] is a safe place. We connect as a community. It’s a peaceful place.”
Anya, 13, said she felt “unsafe” after seeing footage of “people attacking” others.
Mahaboob Basha, the community and youth lead at Sketty Mosque, said the community felt “deeply unsettled” but had received strong support from people in the city.
Ms Iwobi, CEO of Race Council Cymru said recent “racist attacks, riots and race hate speech” were “shocking”.
She added: “There can be no justification for tarring all asylum seekers and refugees – and indeed migrants in general – with the same brush because of the despicable actions of one individual, who will face justice in time.”
The Welsh government said it stood behind “those seeking to unite, rather than divide, our nation”,
It added: “Our work with partners promoting strong, cohesive and anti-racist communities in every part of our country continues through the anti-racist Wales action plan, as we utterly condemn the violence, criminality and intimidation we have seen over the last few days.”
DW news