News East-West
LONDON: Muslims in Britain face backlash after the brutal killing in broad daylight of soldier Lee Rigby by two fanatics in Woolwich on Wednesday.
The community has become the target of racial abuse in streets and on social media as mosques have been attacked at various places.
Eleven people have been arrested around Britain for making ‘racist or anti-religious’ comments on Twitter following the brutal killing in Woolwich on Wednesday.
Faith Matters, a Muslim non-profit that works for promoting inter-faith harmony, said it is receiving a huge number of calls about racial targeting.
“We are disturbed to see a huge rise in hate incidents reported against Muslims since Wednesday’s killing of a soldier in south London,’’ it said.
“We have received 162 calls since Wednesday, up from a daily average of four to six. Eight mosques have been attacked to date. What’s really concerning is the spread of these incidents, which are coming in from right across the country,’’ Faith matters said in a statement, adding that “there also seems to be significant online activity, suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate.’’
To send a warning to those using social media to target Muslim, police have arrested nearly a dozen people posting messages on that incite racial hatred.
Meanwhile, the mother of one of the men who killed the solider was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail that she desperately battled to turn him against extremism after becoming concerned by his behaviour.
The 43-year-old mother said she was worried her son Michael Adebowale was turning against the family and she wanted him to have ‘spiritual guidance’ before he radicalised himself.
He and Michael Adebolajo have been arrested for killing Rigby.
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