Woolwich murder: Attacks against Muslims soar in UK
The nature of the incidents ranged from attacks against mosques to pulling off headscarves.
The nature of the incidents ranged from attacks against mosques to pulling off headscarves. REUTERS/FILE
An inter-faith charity claimed on Saturday that there had been an upsurge in anti-Muslim incidents since the murder of a British soldier in Woolwich, a British Broadcasting Corporation report said.
Faith Matters, which runs a helpline, said they had received 162 calls since Wednesday’s attack, up from a daily average of six. A number of people have been charged after allegedly offensive comments were made on social media websites, said the same report.
Drummer Lee Rigby was killed near Woolwich Barracks on Wednesday. Shortly after his killing, 28-year-old Michael Adebolajo was filmed by a passer-by saying he had carried out the attack because British soldiers killed Muslims every day.
Adebolajo and a second suspect, Michael Adebowale, 22, were arrested at the scene and remain in hospital after they were shot by police. Both men were known to the security services, sources told the BBC.
‘Significant online activity’
Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, said the nature of the incidents ranged from attacks against mosques, graffiti, the pulling off of Muslim women’s headscarves and more general name calling and abuse.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: “What’s really concerning is the spread of these incidents. They’re coming in from right across the country.
“Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive very focused, very aggressive attacks.
“And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity... suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate.”
Since the attack, a number of people have been charged by police after allegedly offensive messages were posted on social media websites.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2013.