UK London Riots: Important Updates for Muslims
The following post contains various excerpts and updates to keep readers informed of the ongoing violence that has broken out in various parts of England, beginning with London on Friday August 6th. We request that you take extra care when going out in any of these locations, especially after dark.
Some masaajid have canceled classes and taraweeh prayers in order to protect their congregants, so make sure to check before you leave the house. Further, most of the rioters seem to be youths – parents and guardians: make sure to keep your children and teens indoors during these turbulent times, lest they be swept up in the chaos, Allāh forbid.
Māshā'Allāh, there have been reports of brave Muslim men guarding their neighbourhoods against attacks – this is an excellent service to the community, but please show sabr and restraint in the face of provocation. Remember: 'I am fasting, I am fasting'.
Update (10th August): The suspect deaths of three Muslim men in Birmingham and fears of the EDL using the chaos as a cover for an attack on mosques only highlights the need for extra caution and vigilance.
May Allāh accept the souls of the brothers who were killed as shuhada, and comfort the grieving families and the Birmingham community, āmīn – inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun.
In the News
10th August
Three killed in crash on night of Birmingham riots
Tariq Jahan, father of murdered son Haroon, pleads with community to stand united, and avoid reprisals:
Moving statement from the father of 21 year old Haroon Jahan, one of the three men killed:
Three men have been run over and killed as they protected property in a second night of violence in Birmingham.
The men aged 31, 30 and 21 were hit by a car in Winson Green. They were taken to City Hospital where about 200 people from the Asian community gathered.
Witnesses said the men were in a group protecting their community after riot police were called into the city.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man who is being questioned on suspicion of murder following the deaths.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Chris Sims said the incident happened when a group of males had been gathered close to a petrol station in Dudley Road.
“At some point, and in circumstances that as yet I can't fully explain, a vehicle has been driven into that group of males, which tragically has led to three of those men losing their lives,” he said.
All three were from the Asian Muslim community, he said.
Referring to the arrest he said: “He has been arrested for murder because the information that we have at the moment would support the idea the car was deliberately driven.”
England riots: YouTube mugging victim 'recovering' | BBC News
A Malaysian student who was filmed being mugged after rioters attacked him in London is recovering in hospital.
The attack in Barking on Mohd Asyraf Haziq, 20, on Monday night, made headlines after it was put on YouTube.
Dzuhair Hanafiah, chairman of the London UMNO Club, an organisation which takes care of Malaysian people in the capital, said Mr Haziq was “in good spirits”.
He said he was due to have surgery on his jaw at the Royal London Hospital.
Mr Hanafiah, who visited the accountancy student in hospital on Tuesday night, said Mr Haziq had been on his bicycle on his way to a friend's house when he was attacked by a group of youths.
9th August
Positively Muslim - Muslim residents protect their communities | The Telegraph
His friend Aykut Boyraz said: “The community is close and we all know each other. We're not going to have any riots around here. It doesn't matter if you're Turkish, if you live round here we'll defend you.” The shopkeepers were back on the streets on Tuesday afternoon in case the looters came back.
The owner of Koray gents hair on the same corner said police had told him that they should not bring their weapons onto the street – but they were entitled to defend themselves inside their premises.
The Bengali community in Whitechapel, further into East London, fended off a mob of looters.Rioters who had targeted shops on Commercial Road arrived in the area as prayers were finishing at the East London Mosque on Monday evening.
It was feared they were trying to break into the mosque and the nearby Islamic Bank of Britain, but they were driven away by a large crowd of Muslim worshippers. “Within about 10 minutes there were 1,500 people on the street, not just Asians but also Somalis,” said Muhammad Ali, 27.
“We were at a chicken shop, finishing our fast when we saw the looters. Some had bandanas over their faces.” According to Sam Miah, 26, the riot police were unsure what to do. “They saw our brothers from the mosque and we said we could handle the situation.”
Mahbub Alam, 35, the proprietor of a computer shop, said their intervention reflected the determination of the community to protect itself from the mob and make sure its shops and cafes did not suffer the same fate as others across the capital.
“The riots are disgusting, I would never have thought I would have witnessed something like this in a civilised society,” he said. In this case, at least, the rioters' timing was poor, because they arrived as a large number of worshippers – many in their 20s and 30s – were spilling out onto the street.
“Some of our boys got into their cars and followed the rioters, who went straight to the Docklands Light Railway and left.“ Our boys acted very maturely and it gave confidence to the whole community, Muslim and non-Muslim, when something happened they were ready for it.”
[Source link] – Provided by Salma_Patel
Livelihoods destroyed as looters roam streets | The Independent
Stores emptied and set ablaze as violence spreads across capital
In Whitechapel looters attempted to break into the Islamic Bank but were chased off by incensed worshippers who saw what was going on as they left evening prayers at the East London Mosque. Muslim youths were last night guarding the bank.
As the unrest spread to fresh parts of London, workers were left wondering whether it was safe to go home. One man in Bethnal Green was heard warning a friend by mobile phone: “It's a war zone. Wherever you are, stay there.”
Commuters leaving Clapham Junction railway stations reacted with bemusement and then fear as they stepped out into a scene of chaos, realising that the objects landing at their feet were bricks and hunks of rock.
[Source link] – provided by Salma_Patel
Mosque worshippers ward off gangs as they ambush Whitechapel Road | East London Advertiser
Hundreds of Muslims from across Tower Hamlets and beyond were leaving the East London Mosque after evening prayers when violent mobs struck the area at around 10pm.
While women and children were ushered back into the mosque, a hardcore of worshippers confronted the gangs as they attacked shops and buildings on Whitechapel Road.
A ten-minute standoff ensued, with rioters attempting to mingle in the with the crowds in a bid to hide themselves as riot police closed in on the area.
Salman Farsi, the mosque's communication chief who was witnessed the scenes, said: “Worshippers chased them away. There was a lot of shouting. A missile was hurled towards direction of mosque and the atmosphere was very tense.
“I don't think any member of our community is going to stand for vandalism. We're going to stand here united.
“Our mosque volunteers and stewards were calming people and guiding them back into the mosque. We advised young people to keep away from the riots and go straight home after prayers.”
Camila Batmanghelidjh: Caring costs – but so do riots | The Independent
I got a call yesterday morning. The kids gave me a run-down of what had happened in Brixton. A street party had been invaded by a group of young men out to grab. A few years ago, the kids who called me would have joined in, because they had nothing to lose. One had been permanently excluded from six schools. When he first arrived at Kids Company he cared so little that he would smash his head into a pane of glass and bite his own flesh off with rage. He'd think nothing of hurting others. After intensive social care and support he walked away when the riots began because he held more value in his membership of a community that has embraced him than a community that demanded his dark side.
It costs money to care. But it also costs money to clear up riots, savagery and antisocial behaviour. I leave it to you to do the financial and moral sums.
London riots: Video shows 'scum' stealing from injured teenager | The Metro
A video showing a distressed and bleeding teenager having his bag ransacked by a group of youths during the London riots has attracted the ire of web users who have slammed the perpetrators as 'scum'.
…
While the exact location of the incident isn't clear, one YouTube user has identified it as Barking, east London, and the victim as Malaysian student, Asyraf Haziq.
The Big Picture | The Boston Globe
War-zone like images of London's riots on display in the Big Picture feature.
8th August
Further riots in London as violence spreads across England | BBC News
At least 225 people have been arrested and 36 charged following the riots across London over the past three days, Scotland Yard said. It added that an extra 1,700 officers had been deployed across the capital on Monday night. Nine police forces from other parts of the country were assisting in providing support, as well as the City of London Police and British Transport Police. Commander Christine Jones, from the Met, said: “The violence we have seen is simply inexcusable. Ordinary people have had their lives turned upside down by this mindless thuggery. The Met will ensure that those responsible will face the consequences of their actions and be arrested.”
5th August
How it Began
The unrest began after a protest over the fatal shooting by police of 29-year-old Mark Duggan on Thursday.
About 300 people gathered outside the police station on the High Road after demonstrators demanded “justice”. This peaceful protest eventually escalated into a violent demonstration.
A quote from commander Stephen Watson of the Metropolitan Police:
“What we experienced earlier on yesterday evening was a peaceful protest outside Tottenham police station – there was no indication it would deteriorate in this way. For those who involved themselves in this level of violence, there is no excuse.”
Messages from the Community
9th August
Update from Muslim Community Radio
Today is the 10th Ramadan – that is 10 days of this blessed month that has slipped through our fingers. Today we learnt that 2 brothers were killed due to the riots in Birmingham – may Allāh grant them Jannah. Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate from the truth after You have guided us, and bestow upon us mercy from Your grace. Verily You are the Giver of bounties without measure.
Updates From Muslim Council of Britain
- As-sunnah Islamic Centre defends Tottenham's High Road from looters: link
- Despite Mosque closed to worshippers, management of Tottenham Mosque say they are available to anyone needing support: link
- Mosque congregation today in Masjd Ayesha Tottenham have raised £275.46 for people made homeless by riots (via @are_eb)
8th August
MM blogger in the UK, Bushra, Reports
'Initially, it started off in the deprived areas of London, e.g. Hackney, Stratford, etc. The looting began in Tottenham in North East London where the shooting happened and has spread all across the deprived or multicultural areas of London.
This means that the masaajid are now affected. The rioting which began in North London has now spread through a population of 8m people all the way down to South London. ( We have updates that The ELM mosque was protected by brothers). Imam Qasim's Croydon Mosque, down in S.London, is also now a dangerous area. Houses are being set on fire and people are left homeless. The situation has now spread to Birmingham, a city about 100 miles from London, with approx. the second or third largest population of Muslims. Masjids and imams are issuing warning statements telling people to stay home instead of coming out for taraweeh.
Update from Muslim Community Radio
Salam,
This is an announcement on behalf of East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre. There are some rumors going round that the Masjid has been attacked and damaged, that is NOT true. There were some disturbances, but that has all been dealt with and the area is calm. Please pass this on to all your contacts through all your networks.May Allāh accept our efforts.
Messages Being Sent Between British Muslims
- On night of August 8th, 2011:
- IMPORTANT MSG: Salams please be careful brothers and sisters as the riots in London continues into its 3rd day and moving into Hackney, Bethnel Green and Stratford. SISTERS please reach home safely as soon as possible to avoid violence inshā'Allāh. Duas request to end the madness and keep people safe inshā'Allāh. Jzk. Ma'salaams. N
- UPDATE ON RIOTS: salams rioters are now in Tower Hamlets and currently bottling East London Masjid. My brothers have gone down to the masjid to lend support and will keep u posted iA. Brothers and sisters pls be careful. BROTHERS who are local to the masjid be careful and SISTERS pls pray ur taraweeh at home iA to avoid any violence. Inshā'Allāh raise ur hands to Allāh (swt) for peace and for Him to ease this calamity-āmīn! Jzk. Ma'salaams.
- UPDATE @ 22:17: Salams- txt frm my brs -mobs comin from Tesco side in Whitechapel heading2owards East London Masjid (ELM) +bottles thrown from outside BUT masjid not damaged aH. There r between 5000-8000 bros@masjid ready 4 taraweeh+mA protecting masjid. May Allāh protect them all-āmīn. All local brothers have now been advised by ELM 2go2 own local masjids 2protect them incase riots spreads further.. looks like our beloved brothers are all going to do night duty. PLS cont making duas iA.
- UPDATE @22:49: My beloved sisters in Tottenham and Enfield are in tears/distraught and traumatized due to not being able to go out, entire high street up in smoke, boarded up and witness in families running out with their babies due to flats burning. Oh Allāh pls have mercy on these ppl who are now left without a roof to protect their children and only have you to call upon.
- UPDATE 23:33: To all my brothers and sisters in humanity @ Claphan Junction May Allāh subhana wat'ala shower you all with his mercy -āmīn as the riots affect this area. For all my SISTERS in this area – jzk fo ryour mesages to keep me udpated on your safety and situation. OUR DUAS Are with you all inshā'Allāh!!!!!
- Message from AlMuhsinaat: Asalaamu alaikum: Very Important announcement. The Raiyan Ramadhan class due to take place on Tuesday 9th August 2011 (tomorrow) has been CANCELLED. We encourage eveyone to stay indoors and not leave unnecessarily. Please inform everyone you know. We will keep you informed.
Social Media Reports
Live Tweets via @muslimmatters
How are the riots affecting you? Tweet @muslimmatters, with the hashtag #riots and the message will appear below.
Please note that this feed is updated in real time and is not moderated by MM, so take caution when reading.
#RiotCleanup
In the aftermath of the riots, citizens are coming together to clean up their communities, with activities being tracked by the #riotcleanup twitter hashtag. Two websites with news and cleanup locations: RiotCleanup.com & RiotCleanup.co.uk.
Londoners coming together at #riotcleanup, by @Lawcol888
More images and videos from #riotcleanup on Salma Patel's Storify page.
Other Recent tweets
- @benschofield: Yes – Liverpool now burning too. That's my car on fire. #riots http://yfrog.com/h0ch8dpj. [link]
- @alikhurshid: RT @IamZaaz: 5000 police on duty for the ROYAL wedding. 1400 tonight! Fairness? >> too similar to pakistan! [link]
- @BreakingNews: For more #LondonRiots photos and video, follow @breaking or visit http://bit.ly/pnnUtu. [link]
- @BreakingNews: West Midlands Police: police station in Holyhead Road in Handsworth, Birmingham, is on fire – bbc http://bbc.in/oPAHpP. [link]
- @Rai_Azlan: “@benschofield: Scene of misery on Grove St, #Liverpool after #riot http://yfrog.com/h3ov9vmj” #LondonRiots. [link]
- @atariq7: Nice RT @madaboutislam: Turks out there standing in rows with their kebab skewers an'all. looks like their Ottoman spirit still lives on. [link]
- @hamna_: Heh RT @avinunu: Banning hoodies will definitely stamp out yoof violence just like banning niqab will stamp out terrorism. #londonriots. [link]
- @Passive65ive: You hear that RACIST media. why don't you report the Turkish community are stopping the rioting in Hackney, The Muslims protecting TH.
Some recently created pages:
- In memory of the three brave Muslims who died in defiance of injustice
- Well done to the Muslim and Sikh community fighting off the London rioters
- True say if muslims where doing these Riots it'll be classed as 'Terrorism'
- They can't blame Muslims for these riots, our lads were busy in taraweeh
- They cant blame Muslims for the riots. We're all at home stuffing our faces.
In Pictures
Woman jumps from burning building in Surrey
The Turkish community of Dalston are chasing away rioters. Twitpic from @yassin
Map of Affected Area
Here is a Google map of areas affected by the riot compiled using submitted reports.
View Initial London riots / UK riots in a larger map
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MM Bloggers working on this post iMuslim, Amad, Disco Maulvi, Bushra and Hena.
MM Readers: Please add any useful information to this page and we will keep updating as we get information. JazakAllah Khayr and may Allāh SWT keep all of you in his Supreme Protection.
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