Majority of Muslims feel less safe in UK after riots

Many Muslims feel less safe living in the UK after far-right rioters targetted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, a poll has revealed.

- SALMA OUAGUIRA

The survey commissioned by Muslim Census, a data organisation focusing on Muslims and ethnic minorities, found 92 per cent feel “much less safe” as a result of the violent disorder.

The poll, conducted between 5-6 August with a panel of 1,519 participants from various backgrounds, reported one in six people have personally experienced racist attacks since the riots began on 30 July, while two in three people witnessed one.

Verbal attacks are the most commonly faced by Muslims with 28 per cent followed by 16 per cent recording abuse online. Four per cent said they had experienced a physical attack in the weeks since the disorder.

Muslim Census co-founder Sadiq Dorasat said: “We have heard stories about Hijabis that don’t feel safe to leave their homes or go to work. We’ve seen a witch hunt directed to people of the Muslim faith mentioning Allah and His messenger and people are concerned for their safety.”

For days, far-right individuals targeted mosques, Muslim-owned businesses and hotels housing asylum seekers in cities including London, Liverpool, Bristol, Blackpool and Belfast. Violence broke out after misinformation was spread following the deadly stabbings of three girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport on 29 July.