The far-right riots in the UK and the impact of misinformation on British Muslims
Rifana Khanum
Several countries have issued safety warnings to their citizens in the UK due to ongoing far-right protests and riots. The UK, celebrated as one of the world’s most diverse melting pots, brings together a multitude of backgrounds and faith groups. So how have we reached this point?
Over the past week, riots have erupted in numerous cities and towns across England, making the riots the worst outbreak of civil disorder in Britain in thirteen years. Following the killing of three young girls in Southport, north-west England, last Monday, anti-immigrant and far-right unrest has led to over 300 arrests by the police.
We have witnessed on social media far-right protestors, primarily white individuals, attacking people of colour, particularly those from the BAME community. They have vandalised houses with anti-Muslim rhetoric, attacked mosques, and stopped passing cars to check if the occupants are white or not. This surreal and frightening reality is especially alarming for the BAME community, immigrants, and the Muslim community, who now face heightened fear and uncertainty in their daily lives.
The Eruption of Far-Right Riots
Last Monday, three young girls were tragically stabbed to death at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class, leaving the UK deeply shaken. A 17-year-old boy named Axel Rudakubana, who was born in Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. Before the suspect’s identity was confirmed, false claims spread on social media that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat. This misinformation fuelled far-right gatherings across towns and cities across the UK, starting with Southport.
The initial riot in Southport was fuelled by misinformation on social media, primarily instigated by far-right public figures like Tommy Robinson, amidst pre-existing anti-Muslim sentiment. The riots began on the 30th of July, with a crowd of EDL (English Defence League) supporters gathering outside Southport Mosque. Although the EDL has become defunct, a decentralised network of EDL supporters exists to this day, many of which are believed to have participated and continue to participate in the ongoing violent riots across the UK. Protestors attacked police officers, hurled objects at the mosque, and set a police vehicle on fire. It is appalling that misinformation on social media has led to this chaos, and even more disgusting that these individuals have exploited the tragic deaths of three young girls to advance their anti-Muslim hateful agenda. The behaviour of these rioters was so appalling that even one of the victims’ mothers had pleaded for them to ‘stop the violence.’
The unrest continued to spread rapidly across England and Northern Ireland in the following days. On the 31st of July, more than 100 protestors were arrested in London, with demonstrations erupting in Manchester, Hartlepool, and Aldershot. By the 2nd of August, riots broke out in Sunderland, where a police station was set ablaze. The violence escalated on the 3rd of August as far-right protestors clashed with police and counter-protestors in various locations, including a fire at a library in Liverpool. On the 4th of August, rioters vandalised and set fire to Holiday Inn Express hotels housing migrants in Rotherham and Tamworth. In Middlesbrough, they targeted residential areas, smashing windows and damaging houses and cars. Bolton also saw clashes between anti-immigration protesters, counter-protesters, and police.
UK based advocacy group against fascism and racism, Hope not Hate reported on the riots noting that far-right activists have been increasingly joining the anti-Muslim riots, including David Miles, a key member of Patriotic Alternative, the UK’s most prominent fascist group. Tommy Robinson, a key figure in this movement, has played a pivotal role in fuelling these riots through years of inflammatory anti-Muslim rhetoric. Robinson is a prominent far-right figure and founder of the English Defence League. Despite being on holiday in Cyprus, Robinson’s persistent hate speech and divisive messaging on X continues to fuel and encourage extremist groups. Robinson has not condemned the riots and has largely deflected responsibility, continuing to spread anti-Muslim rhetoric with statements like “Mass deportations needed.” This is despite evidence showing that the Southport suspect is not Muslim and the false claim that “Muslim mobs” are attacking white protesters.
Numerous far-right group chats have emerged across England, with many using them to organise protests and to spew anti-Muslim slogans such as “enough is enough”, “save our kids”, and calling to “stop the boats”. These narratives are known to have been spread by some media and far-right politicians such as MP Nigel Farage for years. It is evident that such rhetoric both used by politicians and the media has had a large imprint on the public notably, the far-right. This kind of rhetoric incites fear and anger toward the Muslim community and has been shown to lead to real-world harm, as evidenced by reports of violence targeting Muslims. Furthermore, social media platforms should take a more proactive role in removing extremist content and shutting down accounts that spread hate speech to prevent such rhetoric from reaching a large audience resulting in misinformation online escalating in violence offline.
The Impact on the Muslim Community
As a young British Muslim living in the UK, it is both appalling and frightening to witness the current turmoil. The ongoing riots and the spread of misinformation have deeply affected me and my family. My grandmother, for instance, is profoundly worried about the safety of my sister and mother, especially since my mother wears a hijab. The fear of being targeted because of our faith is something no one should have to endure.
For the broader British Muslim community, the effects are even more serious. The rise in anti-Muslim hate and violence makes us feel less safe and less welcome in our country. When misinformation spreads and tragic events are twisted to fuel hatred, it creates an environment where Muslims are increasingly seen with suspicion and hostility. This leads to a greater sense of fear and isolation within our communities.
In the wake of these riots, there have been numerous reports of harassment and violence directed at Muslims. Mosques have been vandalised, and individuals wearing traditional Islamic attire have been targeted and threatened. There have been accounts of physical assaults and verbal abuse, which highlight the real danger and fear that Muslims face because of the spread of hateful messages.
It is also important to note that most Muslims are peaceful and contribute significantly to British society. Ironically, many of these far-right protestors who will seek help from being injured in these riots will likely be treated by Muslim NHS doctors in hospitals. This contradiction underscores the need for greater understanding and respect for the contributions of the Muslim community, even as they face unjust hostility and violence.
Personal Reflections and Call to Action
As a young British Muslim, witnessing these riots unfold has been both heartbreaking and deeply unsettling. The fear and vulnerability many of us feel in a country we call home are real and troubling. But in the face of such adversity, it’s more important than ever that we don’t let hate and misinformation divide us. We must come together as a society, fostering unity and understanding across all communities. I urge everyone to critically evaluate the information they consume, seek out accurate and fair reporting, and stand against all forms of bigotry and violence.
The unrest we are witnessing has deeper roots and did not appear out of nowhere. There are real issues that need to be addressed. What is really driving these riots? Instead of scapegoating immigrants, we should have open honest discussions about the role immigration plays in our society. Immigrants, including many Muslims, are essential to the functioning of the UK—considering the fact that many of the NHS doctors who will treat injured rioters are immigrants. This shows how much we rely on the contributions of immigrants to keep our society running smoothly.
The UK’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and immigration is a big part of what makes this country what it is.
Furthermore, the media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and should foster open discussions about immigration. Too often, sensationalist headlines promote fear and division instead of balanced debates on the benefits of migration. Immigrants, including NHS workers, are vital to our society. Rather than scapegoating them for broader economic, social, and political problems— which are all tied to political decisions like Brexit—we should acknowledge their essential role in making the UK diverse and vibrant.
It’s time for a thoughtful conversation that looks at the real issues and seeks common ground.
If you encounter any form of hate speech, be sure to report it directly to the social media platform where you found it. If you come across any hateful or anti-religious rhetoric in traditional media, please don’t hesitate to reach out to GTTO. Share the details with us, and we will take prompt action on your behalf. TELL MAMA is also a reliable service that allows anyone across England to report any form of anti-Muslim behaviour and provides counselling support to victims of anti-Muslim hate.
Let’s work together to build a more caring and united society and ensure that we call it out for what it is.
