• Muslim man kicked in head while laying down subdued, ignites widespread condemnation and calls for investigation
• Demonstrations formed outside Mayor of Manchester’s office, triggering discussion over racism and Islamophobic incidents occurring within the British police force
A British police officer has been accused of Islamophobia and racially motivated violence after being filmed kicking an Asian man. The man was later identified as Mohammed Fahir, in the head at Manchester Airport. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the officer violently assaulting the man as he lay on the ground in a non-threatening manner. The incident has provoked widespread outrage and allegations of Islamophobia and racism.
Onlookers who witnessed the event were reportedly threatened with Tasers by the police when they tried to intervene or question what was happening. The police officer involved in the incident has been suspended from all duties. The Greater Manchester Police made this decision after assessing the incident, which occurred during an arrest on Tuesday.
“The most brutal of police assaults on two men” is how Howard Beckett, British trade unionist, described the attack. He went on to write, “Not in Tel Aviv. In Manchester Airport,”.
This kind of excessive use of force by law enforcement raises serious concerns about police brutality and abuse of power. The actions of the British officer have been met with widespread criticism. The man was clearly subdued and posed no threat to the officer or anyone else, making the officer’s use of force unnecessary and disproportionate. Such behaviour only serves to erode trust in the police and undermine their legitimacy in the eyes of the public.
Islamophobia within the British police force is a serious and ongoing issue.
Numerous reports and investigations have highlighted discriminatory practices and biased attitudes against Muslims within law enforcement. For example, a study by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that:
Asian people, including many Muslims, are 11 times more likely to be stopped and questioned at British airports than their white counterparts.
Islamophobic hate crimes have also been a major concern. In 2020, over half of all recorded religious hate crimes in the UK targeted Muslims. The Metropolitan Police Service recorded 1,665 Islamophobic offences in London between 2017-2018 alone. Additionally, organisations like the Islamic Human Rights Commission have documented instances of prejudicial policing, noting that discriminatory practices and a culture of racism persist within the police force.
Demonstrations took place in Rochdale and Manchester following the incident, in objection to the brutality meted out by the officer. The condemnation was widespread and there were calls for justice. The protests, organised by groups like Stand Up to Racism, saw hundreds of people gathering in Manchester city centre and outside Mayor Andy Burnham’s office, demanding accountability and condemning police brutality.
Public confidence in the British police force has reached an all time low. Various factors have contributed to this decline, including high-profile incidents of police misconduct, systemic issues within the force, and the perception that the police are not effectively serving the public fairly.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has highlighted that public confidence in the police complaints system has also significantly dropped. This decline is largely due to publicised police failings and misconduct, which have eroded trust across all demographics.
The situation has intensified discussions about racism and the use of excessive force within the police force. Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the officer’s conduct and the response to the bystanders. This incident has further fuelled calls for greater accountability and reform in law enforcement practices.
