Woolwich back-lash: Muslims under threat

It was almost inevitable that Right-wing preachers of hate would seize upon the awful tragedy of Lee Rigby to sew their own brand of hatred, division and violence.

Despite the Muslim community's  overwhelming condemning of Rigby's the murder by extremists, the English Defence League, and the BNP have flooded blog-sphere and a simple untruth: ‘Islam is an evil religion’. As the bigots desired, their rhetoric has translated into rabid abuse, threats of violence, and attacks on Mosques. Yesterday alone two people were arrested for throwing several missiles at the Grimsby Islamic Cultural Centre, whilst worshippers, including children were inside. Ironically, Mosque leaders were inside discussing how to thank the wider community for coming together during this very difficult time.

Across England, the EDL held a number of marches, with its largest in Westminster, central London. Their aim, to stir racial and religious tensions to boiling point. Equally worrying is the fact that the backlash has caused its own backlash with extremist daubing the word ‘Islam’ on British war memorial sights.

In the aftermath of Rigby’s murder, Lee Jasper talked about the moral hypocrisy of this tragic event. Once again, we are seeing this being played out: Two deluded young men commit an horrific crime in the name of Islam, and the whole community, and their race are being targeted, demonized and attacked, because of their actions. Whilst Anders Breivik, in the name of Christianity murdered 70 young men and women, yet no one sought to demonise the religion or its followers, simply because most sensible people clearly understood the distinction between the religion and an extremist’s actions.

However, time and time again if it is a Muslim, and or Black those with the same faith and or race are all collectively penalized, chastised, one way or another.

Without strong leadership from our politicians and media, particularly those who 'fan the flames of intolerance' will see this end in serious injury, worse still, possibly another senseless death.

Simon Woolley