Survivors' groups claim such language is fueling anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK.
Dozens of 'terrorist' attack survivors have appealed to politicians to stop equating British Muslims with 'extremism'.
In an open letter published on Saturday, the group of 58 survivors said such language would stir up anti-Muslim sentiment in the UK and called its use “the height of irresponsibility”. Ta.
The signatories include survivors of several 'terrorist' attacks in the UK, including the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing and the July 7, 2005 London bombings, as well as survivors of attacks in other countries. is also included.
“The most important thing we can do to defeat this threat is to separate extremists and terrorists from the majority of British Muslims, who deplore such violence,” said advocacy group Survivors Against Terrorism. The letter published by us reads as follows:
“[But] In recent weeks, politicians and others have failed to do this, in some cases equating being Muslim with extremism, promoting anti-Muslim hatred, or failing to challenge anti-Muslim sentiment. There are too many cases,” the letter added.
Open letter from members affected by Islamic extremism – https://t.co/HwKsEFF8KO: 'To defeat this threat, the most important thing we can do is to seek support from the majority of British Muslims. It's about separating extremists and terrorists. We deplore this kind of violence.
— Survivors fighting terrorism (@survivors_a_t) March 10, 2024
Saturday's warning comes after Tory MP Lee Anderson, who in late February refused to apologize for comments in which he claimed London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer were “controlled by Islamists” This was issued after he was suspended from his job.
Separately, former Home Secretary Suela Braverman wrote in an opinion piece in the Telegraph on 22 February that “Islamists are bullying Britain into submission'' and that “Islamist cranks and “Left-wing extremists” have influence “in our judiciary, our legal profession and our universities,” he said.
Rising anti-Muslim sentiment
According to Tel MAMA, which monitors hate crimes against Muslims, reports of anti-Muslim incidents have increased since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
The group said it had recorded more than 2,000 anti-Muslim incidents in the four months since the start of the war in Gaza, 335 percent more than the number registered during the same period last year.
Although most incidents occurred online, Tell MAMA also recorded incidents of physical assault, abusive behavior, threats, and vandalism. The most incidents were reported in London with 576.
According to the Islamic Council of Britain, there are an estimated 4 million Muslims living in the UK, making up around 6.5% of the population. Most live in Birmingham, Bradford, London and Manchester.
