Anti-Muslim cases to Tell MAMA increase by 540% between October 7 and 16

October 16, 2023 Article

Tell MAMA has recorded 200 cases between October 7 and 16, an increase of 540 per cent on the 37 cases (both online and offline) received over the same period last year, as of 1 pm today.

As our previous bulletin made clear, “The nature of many offline cases sent to our service is often overtly racist – targeting Arab and Palestinian communities with dehumanising slurs, anti-Muslim slurs or in some cases targeting their homes, or when speaking Arabic in public, as well as targeting Asian and Muslim communities.”

The following cases came into Tell MAMA between October 7 and October 16:

81 offline cases – (8 assaults, 11 threatening behaviour, 5 vandalism, and 57 cases of abusive behaviour). Cases occurred in areas like London (49), Greater Manchester (13), Lancashire (5), South Yorkshire (3), West Yorkshire (4), Derbyshire (2) and Birmingham (5).

119 online cases – consistent with last week, a majority of which contained dehumanising anti-Muslim language and tropes, equating communities with terrorism and violence.

The numbers remain, like all Tell MAMA cases, subject to further revision and analysis.

Examples of the rhetoric online and offline include calling Muslims “terrorists”, ‘Nazis” “barbaric” and “bloodthirsty” – in some cases compared to Nazis, language that appeared on social media.

The death threat made towards a Muslim woman on a train is also under investigation by British Transport Police.

A Palestinian Muslim family faced harassment and abuse, including “Nazi” slurs when out in public.

On Saturday, October 14, numerous reports came to us about graffiti in the Raynes Park area in Merton that included the words “Ilsam (Islam) is Evil” on various bus stops, including those near schools attended by Muslim children.

Further notes:

We have safety advice in both English and Arabic – and urge Muslim communities to remain vigilant when out and about.

Our counselling service is there for anyone in need. If you would like to access the service or find out more about it, e-mail us at counselling@tellmamauk.org

In any emergency, dial 999.

 

 

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Categories: hate crime, Israel Palestine, News

Met Police data shows alarming rise in incidents towards Muslim and Jewish communities in London

October 13, 2023 Article

Figures from the Metropolitan Police show a substantial rise in the targeting of Muslim and Jewish communities in London.

The force confirmed they recorded 58 anti-Muslim incidents and 54 anti-Muslim offences in London between September 29 and October 12 – an 87 per cent rise in incidents and a 58.8 per cent rise in offences when compared to the same period last year.

In that same timeframe, officers logged 105 reports of antisemitic incidents (up 650 per cent from the previous year) and 75 antisemitic offences (up 525 per cent) – a substantial rise from the figures of 14 incidents and 12 offences during the same period last year.

News of the alarming rise comes a day after we revealed a trebling of cases to our service in six days.

Between October 7 and October 12, Tell MAMA received 37 offline cases – that included three assaults, seven threatening behaviour and 27 cases of abusive behaviour, which happened also in London, but in other areas like Greater Manchester, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Derby, and Birmingham. We also received 61 online cases, as we stated, “a majority of which contained dehumanising anti-Muslim language and tropes, equating communities with terrorism and violence.”

Over the same period in 2022, Tell MAMA recorded 30 cases and 10 cases last week (between October 1 to October 6, seven of which occurred offline).

The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded a 494 per cent rise in cases across the UK following Hamas’s deadly terror attacks with 190 incidents recorded in six days.

We have safety advice in both English and Arabic – and urge Muslim communities to remain vigilant when out and about.

Get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Alternatively, please leave us a WhatsApp message at 0734 184 6086.

To report antisemitic incidents, you can contact the CST via their website or calling 020 8457 9999, or emailing incidents@cst.org.uk

In any emergency, dial 999.

 

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Categories: Antisemitism, hate crime, Israel Palestine, London, MET Police, News

Anti-Muslim cases to Tell MAMA triple in 6 days – an update

October 12, 2023 Article

Tell MAMA is deeply concerned with the rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK and rising anti-Muslim cases to our service in recent days following Hamas’s deadly terror attacks on October 7 and the ongoing painful repercussions for Palestinians and Israelis.

The nature of many offline cases sent to our service is often overtly racist – targeting Arab and Palestinian communities with dehumanising slurs, anti-Muslim slurs or in some cases targeting their homes, or when speaking Arabic in public, as well as targeting Asian and Muslim communities.

For example, a Palestinian Muslim family had “Killers Terrorists” daubed on their front door.

Other cases see individuals called “bloodthirsty” and “terrorists” or in the online world, Muslims are described collectively as “terrorists” amidst calls for “mass deportations”. In one such online case, a Sussex-based individual who self-identifies as being on the far-right called for violent “resistance” against Muslim communities on Twitter/X. Such language places all Muslims into tropes that dehumanise them and which foment hatred towards them through this dehumanising language. This is not acceptable and Tell MAMA will work with victims who are targeted by this language to seek relief or support.

The following cases came into Tell MAMA between October 7th and October 12th.

37 offline cases (3 assaults, 7 threatening behaviour and 27 cases of abusive behaviour). Cases occurred in areas like London, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Derby and Birmingham.

61 online cases – a majority of which contained dehumanising anti-Muslim language and tropes, equating communities with terrorism and violence.

For comparison, in the same time period last year, (between October 7th and October 12th 2022), we recorded 30 cases.

Tell MAMA received 10 cases last week (October 1 to October 6, seven of which occurred offline).

The numbers remain, like all Tell MAMA cases, subject to further revision and analysis, and are intended to demonstrate the rise our service recorded this week.

Speaking on this sharp rise in reported cases, the Director of Tell MAMA, Iman Atta OBE said: “This rise in anti-Muslim sentiment is deeply worrying. We know that the Community Security Trust is also demonstrating a sharp rise in antisemitism and this shows that what happens in the Middle East, has real consequences and impacts for communities in the UK.

I urge people who have been targeted by anti-Muslim hate to report to us so that they do not suffer in silence. We should never allow such hatred and intolerance to take root in our communities and at this time, please look out for each other, whether Muslim or Jewish. We must stand together against intolerance, hate and racism.”

Further notes:

Furthermore, Lancashire Police are investigating the dumping of a pig’s head at a proposed mosque in Barnoldswick on Sunday afternoon, as a man shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” occurred in Rossendale on October 11.

With Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023 beginning tomorrow, we will continue to challenge all forms of racism and hate, promote mutuality and support, and why it is so crucial to report cases.

We have safety advice in both English and Arabic – and urge Muslim communities to remain vigilant when out and about.

In any emergency, dial 999.

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Categories: Antisemitism, hate crime, Israel Palestine, News

Anti-Muslim cases to Tell MAMA triple in 6 days – an update

October 12, 2023 Article

Tell MAMA is deeply concerned with the rise in antisemitic incidents in the UK and rising anti-Muslim cases to our service in recent days following Hamas’s deadly terror attacks on October 7 and the ongoing painful repercussions for Palestinians and Israelis.

The nature of many offline cases sent to our service is often overtly racist – targeting Arab and Palestinian communities with dehumanising slurs, anti-Muslim slurs or in some cases targeting their homes, or when speaking Arabic in public, as well as targeting Asian and Muslim communities.

For example, a Palestinian Muslim family had “Killers Terrorists” daubed on their front door.

Other cases see individuals called “bloodthirsty” and “terrorists” or in the online world, Muslims are described collectively as “terrorists” amidst calls for “mass deportations”. In one such online case, a Sussex-based individual who self-identifies as being on the far-right called for violent “resistance” against Muslim communities on Twitter/X. Such language places all Muslims into tropes that dehumanise them and which foment hatred towards them through this dehumanising language. This is not acceptable and Tell MAMA will work with victims who are targeted by this language to seek relief or support.

The following cases came into Tell MAMA between October 7th and October 12th.

37 offline cases (3 assaults, 7 threatening behaviour and 27 cases of abusive behaviour). Cases occurred in areas like London, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, South Yorkshire, Derby and Birmingham.

61 online cases – a majority of which contained dehumanising anti-Muslim language and tropes, equating communities with terrorism and violence.

For comparison, in the same time period last year, (between October 7th and October 12th 2022), we recorded 30 cases.

Tell MAMA received 10 cases last week (October 1 to October 6, seven of which occurred offline).

The numbers remain, like all Tell MAMA cases, subject to further revision and analysis, and are intended to demonstrate the rise our service recorded this week.

Speaking on this sharp rise in reported cases, the Director of Tell MAMA, Iman Atta OBE said: “This rise in anti-Muslim sentiment is deeply worrying. We know that the Community Security Trust is also demonstrating a sharp rise in antisemitism and this shows that what happens in the Middle East, has real consequences and impacts for communities in the UK.

I urge people who have been targeted by anti-Muslim hate to report to us so that they do not suffer in silence. We should never allow such hatred and intolerance to take root in our communities and at this time, please look out for each other, whether Muslim or Jewish. We must stand together against intolerance, hate and racism.”

Further notes:

Furthermore, Lancashire Police are investigating the dumping of a pig’s head at a proposed mosque in Barnoldswick on Sunday afternoon, as a man shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” occurred in Rossendale on October 11.

With Hate Crime Awareness Week 2023 beginning tomorrow, we will continue to challenge all forms of racism and hate, promote mutuality and support, and why it is so crucial to report cases.

We have safety advice in both English and Arabic – and urge Muslim communities to remain vigilant when out and about.

In any emergency, dial 999.

The post Anti-Muslim cases to Tell MAMA triple in 6 days – an update appeared first on TELL MAMA.

Categories: Antisemitism, hate crime, Israel Palestine, News

Man filmed shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” at a Muslim man in Rossendale

October 12, 2023 Article

A viral video of a man shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” at a Muslim man happened in Rossendale in Lancashire yesterday evening (October 11), Tell MAMA can confirm.

Our service was contacted this morning by a member of the public who provided us with the location and additional details.

The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, did believe a hate crime report to Lancashire Police did happen, but Tell MAMA will be following up regardless.

The viral clip shows a white male in a red vehicle driving along Deardengate in Haslingden and begins with a reference to Israel as he then aggressively shouts “Wouldn’t f****** trust you” and “Islamic f****** scumbags” towards a male Muslim driver.

Yesterday, we wrote about the dumping of a pig’s head at a proposed mosque in Barnoldswick on Sunday afternoon.

On October 9, we posted on Twitter/X, “We are already seeing an increase in anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism here in the UK following the appalling events in Israel-Palestine. This is **not** acceptable. Report in anti-Muslim hatred or Islamophobia to us & we can assist. Report in antisemitism to @CST_UK.”

As with both cases, we endeavour to provide updates on both matters where possible.

If you have any information about the man in the video, please contact Lancashire Police on 101, or let Tell MAMA know, and we can contact the police on your behalf or anonymously. 

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Categories: hate crime, Israel, Lancashire, Lancashire Police, News, Palestine

Man filmed shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” at a Muslim man in Rossendale

October 12, 2023 Article

A viral video of a man shouting “Islamic f****** scumbags” at a Muslim man happened in Rossendale in Lancashire yesterday evening (October 11), Tell MAMA can confirm.

Our service was contacted this morning by a member of the public who provided us with the location and additional details.

The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, did believe a hate crime report to Lancashire Police did happen, but Tell MAMA will be following up regardless.

The viral clip shows a white male in a red vehicle driving along Deardengate in Haslingden and begins with a reference to Israel as he then aggressively shouts “Wouldn’t f****** trust you” and “Islamic f****** scumbags” towards a male Muslim driver.

Yesterday, we wrote about the dumping of a pig’s head at a proposed mosque in Barnoldswick on Sunday afternoon.

On October 9, we posted on Twitter/X, “We are already seeing an increase in anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism here in the UK following the appalling events in Israel-Palestine. This is **not** acceptable. Report in anti-Muslim hatred or Islamophobia to us & we can assist. Report in antisemitism to @CST_UK.”

As with both cases, we endeavour to provide updates on both matters where possible.

If you have any information about the man in the video, please contact Lancashire Police on 101, or let Tell MAMA know, and we can contact the police on your behalf or anonymously. 

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Categories: hate crime, Israel, Lancashire, Lancashire Police, News, Palestine

Pig’s head left outside planned mosque site treated as ‘potential hate crime’

October 10, 2023 Article

Police are treating the leaving of a pig’s head outside the site of a proposed mosque as a potential hate crime.

Officers were called to Mosley Street in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, at 2.10pm on Sunday to a report of a racially aggravated public order offence outside the former Methodist church building.

A probe is under way with a dedicated team of officers carrying out house-to-house inquiries and checking surrounding CCTV footage, as well as visiting local butchers and abattoirs.

Patrols have also been stepped up to give reassurance, police said.

Inspector Claire Pearson, from the Pendle and Ribble Valley neighbourhood policing team, said: “I want to make it clear that we do not tolerate hate of any form and we are taking this incident extremely seriously.

“We have a dedicated team of officers assigned to this case and they are working around the clock to identify those responsible.

“I am sure the residents of Barnoldswick will be equally as appalled by this behaviour and I want to appeal directly to them to contact the police if they have any information or footage which would assist us in our enquiries.”

Ibrar Ahmed, from the Barnoldswick Islamic Centre, said: “This incident is not aligned with the spirit of Barnoldswick, where Muslims have been an integral part of the community since the 1960s.

“The Barnoldswick Islamic Centre remains committed to fostering peace and harmony, working alongside everyone in our town to promote understanding. The Barnoldswick we know and call home is a place of friendship and respect, and together, we’ll ensure it stays that way.”

Anyone with information should email forcecontrolroom@lancashire.police.uk or call 101, quoting log 845 of October 8 2023.

Read more: Racist couple with ‘extreme racist attitudes’ avoid prison over racist attacks

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Categories: Barnoldswick, hate crime, Lancashire, Lancashire Police, mosque, mosques, pig's head, pork

Clashes erupt in Swedish city after another Koran burning

September 5, 2023 Article

Clashes have erupted in an immigrant neighbourhood in Sweden’s third largest city after an anti-Muslim protester set fire to the Koran, police have said.

Police in Malmo said they were pelted with rocks and dozens of cars were set on fire, including in an underground garage, describing the events that started on Sunday and lasted overnight as “a riot”.

The clashes started after an anti-Islam activist Salwan Momika burned a copy of the Koran and an angry mob tried to stop him while police, some of them in riot gear, detained at least three people.

Early on Monday, an angry crowd of mainly young people also set fire to tyres and debris, and some were seen throwing electric scooters, bicycles and barriers in Malmo’s Rosengard neighbourhood, which has seen similar clashes in the past. There were several banners relating to the Koran burning.

Senior police officer Petra Stenkula said: “I understand that a public gathering like this arouses strong emotions, but we cannot tolerate disturbances and violent expressions like those we saw on Sunday afternoon.

“It is extremely regrettable to once again see violence and vandalism at Rosengard.”

Speaking at a news conference, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said: “Regardless of the reason behind these riots, the car fires, the harassment, violence against police officers… regardless of the reason, I think that all Swedes find this completely unacceptable.”

In the past months, Mr Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has desecrated the Koran in a series of anti-Islam protests mostly in Stockholm that have caused anger in many Muslim countries. Swedish police have allowed his actions, citing freedom of speech.

The Koran burnings have sparked angry protests in Muslim countries, attacks on Swedish diplomatic missions and threats from Islamic extremists. Muslim leaders in Sweden have called on the government to find ways to stop the Koran burnings.

Sweden dropped its last blasphemy laws in the 1970s and the government has said it has no intention to reintroduce them.

However, the government has announced an inquiry into legal possibilities for enabling police to reject permits for demonstrations over national security concerns.

Read more: Koran burned again in Sweden as government considers ban

The post Clashes erupt in Swedish city after another Koran burning appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Koran Burning, Malmo, News, Quran, Rosengard, Swedish city

Twitter suspends Charlie Mullins for ‘someone should kill’ Sadiq Khan tweet

September 1, 2023 Article

Twitter suspended the account of Charlie Mullins, the founder of Pimlico Plumbers, after tweeting that “someone should kill” London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday (August 27).

Mullins also tweeted  minutes earlier, “I am on it, and it’s time to dump the Muslim mayor” before his account suspension when asked about the London mayorship campaign next year.

Twitter, rebranded under Elon Musk’s ownership as X, makes clear, “You may not wish, hope, or express desire for harm. This includes (but is not limited to) hoping for others to die,” despite criticism and concerns raised for changes for how the platform now handles hateful and harmful content more generally.

In statements given to The Telegraph and TalkTV, Mr Mullins apologised and made clear: “I unreservedly apologise and withdraw my remarks. I went too far. Twitter is right to take the action it did.”

TalkTV had earlier deleted a tweet that asked, “Did X overreact?” following Mr Mullins’s account suspension.

The cycling platform Road dot cc had also published an article about the account suspension the previous day.

Responding to the abhorrent tweets, Tell MAMA Director Iman Atta made clear in a statement, “We are appalled and horrified by Charlie Mullins’s tweet on 27 August suggesting that someone ‘should kill’ London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

No politician should ever face death threats or identity-based abuse. Nor should such menacing and violent language be used in political debates or discussions.

Mr Mullins also tweeted before his account suspension that it was time to ‘dump the Muslim mayor,’ which is also unacceptable language.

Mr Mullins has since apologised and withdrawn his horrendous remarks.”

Tell MAMA highlighted such concerns in our groundbreaking report ‘A Decade of anti-Muslim Hate’ that included alarming findings about how the platform had recanted warnings on dangerous links for overtly fascist websites, which contravenes existing rules in place since July 2020.

A second example further exposed ongoing gaps in the usage of the policy when concerning the far-right, including the removal of a warning link after Britain First returned to the platform last October and later gained organisational validation on the platform.

 

 

 

 

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Categories: Charlie Mullins, Hate Speech, News, Sadiq Khan

PSNI begin hate crime investigation after Nazi flags hung outside Belfast mosque

August 24, 2023 Article

Police in Northern Ireland launched a hate crime investigation following the hanging of Nazi flags on lampposts outside of a West Belfast mosque.

U105 broke the story yesterday, stating that the hate crime occurred between the hours of 10:30 pm on Tuesday evening and the early hours of Wednesday morning in Dunmurry.

Jamal Iweida, imam and chairperson of Iqraa Mosque, told the BBC of the fear it generated. He stressed their concerns about “if this will lead to further actions” and the safety of children as parents bringing their children to the summer school noticed the flags on Wednesday morning.

Iweida told the Belfast Telegraph, “Everyone knows what they mean and what they represent. It is the absolute embodiment of racism, and in this case, Islamophobia,” and stressed the community support that followed.

He added a message of defiance in the face of such intimidation, “They are not going to win. We must all say no to these people.”

Other worshippers described how the intimidation and Nazi imagery reminded them of the white supremacist terror attacks in Christchurch that resulted in the murder of 51 Muslims in March 2019.

The hate crime drew political condemnation, according to the News Letter.

In response to the anti-Muslim and Islamophobic hate crime, locals planned a solidarity rally for Saturday afternoon in Dunmurry Park.

In a press release, Chief Inspector Brannigan made clear that, at the early investigation stage they are “treating this report as a racially motivated hate crime”.

Weeks earlier, a joint survey between ITV News and Tell MAMA revealed that of the 117 mosques surveyed, almost 90 per cent experienced anti-Muslim hate crimes in the previous 12 months, with some mosques describing far-right intimidation and agitations.

The important ITV News report highlighted examples of “threatening letters, acts of violence, and in one case, having faeces smeared across their walls.”

Faith institutions that have experienced a hate crime (religious and racial) or feel vulnerable to hate crime can apply online for government-funded protective security schemes. Applicants can include evidence like police crime references and community impact statements from worshippers, including how they feel (think anecdotes or surveys).

Anyone with information is urged to call 101, quoting reference number 360 of 23/08/23. Tell MAMA can do this on your behalf or pass information to officers anonymously, as we endeavour to further liaise with the police following this despicable anti-Muslim and Islamophobic hate crime.

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Categories: Belfast, Far Right groups, hate crime, mosque, mosques, Nazi, News