• Last night, far-right extremists targeted a second migrant hotel. The safety of those inside, who are already vulnerable remains uncertain.
• Violent attacks on Muslims, ethnic minorities, and their properties have intensified nationwide. Downing Street has failed to gain control of the crisis.
The United Kingdom is currently engulfed in a ferocious wave of far-right violence, driven by xenophobia, racism, Islamophobia, and sheer thuggery. For the fourth consecutive day and throughout the night, rioters have unleashed chaos, looting businesses, assaulting the Police, and desecrating a dawah stall as well as a Mosque, in an alarming manifestation of societal discord.
This violent upheaval was catalysed by the tragic murders of three young girls in Southport, distorted by malicious falsehoods on social media. Yesterday, Rotherham emerged as the flashpoint, with rioters besieging the Holiday Inn Express, a sanctuary for migrants and asylum seekers. Cloaked in balaclavas and adorned with St George’s flags, they ignited bins and furniture, engaging in fierce confrontations with the police. Furthermore, another Holiday Inn housing migrants in Tamworth was attacked and set ablaze last night.
The international community is on high alert. Malaysia, acting swiftly, has issued a stark travel advisory: “Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to avoid protest areas, remain vigilant, and adhere to the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities,” declared Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Disturbing images from Rotherham yesterday depict petrified hotel occupants peering from windows as rioters breached the premises. The Home Office has yet to clarify whether these vulnerable individuals in both hotels have been safely evacuated, exacerbating anxieties of further calamity.
The unrest extends far beyond Rotherham. Cities including Bolton, Middlesbrough, Hull, Stoke-on-Trent, Nottingham, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast have witnessed similar eruptions of violence, severely taxing police resources.
In Sunderland, the Masjid E Anwaar E Madinah mosque came under siege, forcing Zaf Iqbal and others to barricade themselves inside to escape the hostile crowd.
“We had to close the mosques on Friday night and not conduct our usual activities, as we feared for the safety of our elders,” recounted Iqbal, his voice breaking as he relived the harrowing experience.
Grim footage from Hull illustrates rioters hurling racial slurs at what appeared to be a Muslim man and attacking a grey vehicle, its windscreen shattered, as a group of men menacingly encircle it. This scene starkly underscores the pernicious impact of hate-driven violence.
The spate of unrest was ignited by erroneous allegations that the suspect in the Southport murders was a radical Muslim migrant. In reality, the suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, is a Cardiff-born Christian of Rwandan descent, now charged with murder and attempted murder.
Community leaders and authorities are calling for calm and unequivocally condemning the violence. “Those perpetrating these attacks do not represent the beautiful, diverse community I know. We will pursue those responsible with the full force of the law,” asserted a local official, reflecting the resolve to restore peace.
The situation remains volatile, with Police nationwide striving to regain control and safeguard vulnerable communities from the continuing menace of far-right extremism.
Muslim leaders are imploring their communities to remain composed and not fall into the provocations of far-right extremists.
Subboor Ahmad, CEO of the Islamic Education and Research Academy (IERA), conveyed how Muslim men must not fall into the provocations of far right extremists:
Muslim women and children, have been strongly advised to stay at home due to a surge in Islamophobic incidents and emerging reports of acid attacks. Muslims feel they have no alternative but to defend their properties and families.
