Britain’s Muslims Fear Of Reprisal, Extremism Rises After London Attack

Anxiety at least, while at most Britain’s Muslim community fear further extremism and reprisal in wake of Wednesday’s southeast London attack.

Dalia, young Muslim mother of three, feels reluctant to send her two daughters to their Islamic school in north London.

Thursday afternoon, Dalia received a text message on her mobile phone from “Islamia School,” one of the biggest and most well-known inner-city Islamic faith schools in Britain, advising her to take maximum precautions between home and school.

As a Muslim, Dalia still feels terrified, as she “could be a target for any member of the English Defence League or other right-wing members in London.”

Dalia is just one of many Muslim parents who feel very intimidated because of crime they stand up against.

Since the southeast London terrorist attack on Wednesday, which killed a British Armed Forces soldier on a street in Woolwich, Muslim communities all over England are on alert.

The British police were rarely seen around mosques. Yet, big numbers of their officers have been deployed around the mosques and Islamic centres during Friday prayers.

“The presence of the officers were a clear and strong signal to our community that the authorities are very keen to protect Muslims as an integral part of our British society,” Mustafa Ragan, chair of the Egyptians Association in Britain told Ahram Online.

“The mainstream Muslims, who condemn any act of violence of extremism, are very frightened and terrified after the Woolwich attack,” Ragab said.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) received reports of hate assaults and abuse faced by mosques and individual Muslims following the terrorist attack.

The council was very swift in deploring the attack as “an inexcusable and criminal murder.” Other main Muslim organisations rushed to join the council in condemning the killing of the British soldier as “a horrific attack, murder and mutilation, which has no links to the teaching of Islam.”

One of the two suspects was filmed at the scene holding a bloodied meat cleaver, saying “We must fight them as they fight us. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

Muslim organisations reacted angrily confirming that such statement has nothing to do with Islam.

The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) said differences with the political and military strategy abroad does not justify vigilante activity at home or committing murder in any ideology or religion.

“We implore all Muslims to disseminate the extensive messages of peace, cooperation, trust and mutual goodness in Islam in their sermons and teachings and to condemn such acts of violence,” said the MAB in a statement.

It reiterated its acknowledgement of “the service and sacrifice British soldiers make to provide security to the people of this country and others.”

The victim of the Woolwich attack could have been Muslim.

The children of some Muslim families are members of the government-funded Cadet Force.

Maro,17, is one of those members. He received a call from his Cadet squadron warning him of walking in the street wearing the squadron uniform, which is very similar to the British army uniform.

“I am very proud wearing my squadron uniform,” Marwo, who is Egyptian, told Ahram Online. “Now I can’t do that as I have to follow the instructions.”

Maro’s father told Ahram Online he adviced his son not to attend the squadron class and training sessions until the family confirms he is not at risk.

As other squadrons all the over the country, Maro’s squadron activities include leadership training, night exercises, sports, drill, rifle drill, and communications and internet lessons.

“I feel very sad. My son loves the squadron so much. It really helps him develop his personality and skills and become more integrated in the society,” the father said.

The irony is my son could be targeted by the brain-washed extremists – who misunderstand Islam – because of his uniform or by the English Defence League activists because of his Arab face features if he is not in uniform, Maro father added.

English Defence League (EDL) is a far-right movement, which opposes what it considers to be ‘a spread of Islamism’ in Britain.

Muslim organisations say the extreme far-right parties are as deep of a threat to the stability of Britain as other extremist groups.

Police continue to provide an enhanced presence with extra patrols at key locations, such as religious venues, transport hubs and busy areas, to provide reassurance to all citizens.

Despite widespread assurance from the police to all Muslims organisations and communities, Muslim families does not feel safe.

“I was thinking seriously to keep my son at home, but the problem is that he has an exam on Friday,” Fekria, a Muslim mother, told Ahram Online.

Her son attends a Muslim-majority high school, located near central London.

“My main concern is that a large number of my son’s friends are Arab and Muslim. The students could be attacked before or after class,” Fekria added.

The National Association of Muslim Police (NAMP) intensified its cooperation with the Muslim Council of Britain to help protect Muslims, their mosque and business.

It has prepared an important advisory guide, which has been disseminated through its affiliate networks and other community links.

The guide provides advice on best ways to respond to an attack, contact the police and alleviate the confrontation.

On Friday, leaders from the Muslim community and the Archbishop of Canterbury (the leader of the Church of England) jointly called on all communities – Muslim and non-Muslim – “to come together in solidarity to ensure the forces of hatred do not prevail.”

Ahram