From Manchester to London: The Alarming Rise of Islamophobia, Hate Speech, and Racism in the UK

It is no surprise that UK institutions once again display shocking and appalling acts of violence and inherent racism.

We’ve all seen the latest clip circulating social media, a British police officer from the Greater Manchester Police force is seen violently stomping on a man’s head despite being in prone position.

Various news outlets have all reported on the incident as being “truly shocking” sparking an outrage amongst the community. The man who was a victim of the assault, known as Muhammad Fahir Amaaz, lies in critical condition after doctors reported to finding a cyst on his brain. The violence of the incident arose after a confrontation that began in terminal two of Manchester airport, which led to the tragic injury caused toward Mr. Amaaz. 

Despite several British media outlets calling this to be an isolated incident of gross misconduct, we must explicitly talk about the underlying racism that sadly exists within Greater Manchester Police (GMP) force, and even within the greater British police force.

The tragic incident of Mr Amaaz is an alarming warning sign to open the discourse of racist practice within the UK’s police institution. I dare say this isn’t something I say lightly as past incidents have also displayed the deeper grotesque truth about issue at hand.

A 2021 report about race equality issues at the GMP found out officers were more likely to use force on ethnic minorities, especially amongst the black community. Elizabeth Cameron, who worked with GMP on the report, told the BBC in 2021 during the reports publication that its systems were “perpetuating racial discrimination”, branding these actions not as a singular act by individual officers but rather attributes the problem of the broader organizational system that allows such behaviours to persist.

When analysing the tragedy that occurred in Manchester, it is important to look at The UK’s institutions from a top-down approach. When we have MPs such as Lee Anderson in 2024 still making Islamophobic commentary, endorsing violence, stating that he would give “the police officer a medal”, it’s no surprise that the trickle-down effect of such unchecked behaviour in the political space would trickle its way down toward our civil service institutions and amongst civilians.

Mr Anderson’s commentary left unchecked sends a green light toward racists and islamophobias all-over the UK lighting the fire of toxic English nationalism that poses a racist sentiment, acting as a risk to our communities. Despite several faith groups and civic service groups repeatedly championing ways to address racial discrimination, The UK government has habitually failed to act on them.

The UK currently faces a new wave of alarming islamophobia, with the Manchester incident being a critical boiling point to gauge a call for action. Despite Kier Strammers response stating that he “understands public concern” over the incident it is still not enough to curb potential threats that loom in the future.

Even though the discourse in this article seeks to speak about islamophobia within The UK police force over the incident at Manchester, it’s worth also mentioning the broader effects on the phenomena within the side of civilian life. The Tommy Robinson rally that took place in London (July 27-28) happened just days after the incident at Manchester, igniting  a set of violent clashes between demonstrators, counter-protesters and emergency workers in London, with around 1000 officers being mobilized to keep the peace within the capital city.

The protest was said to have resulted in at least nine arrests, with officers stating that two men had been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm (GBH) when protestors between Robinson’s camp and the Stand Up to Racism one clashed in a confrontation.  

The events that occurred highlighted the burning polarities that exist within the UKs populous, demonstrating the critical need for the government to tighten laws and regulations around hate speech and discrimination. This desperately needs to be addressed to curb the civil unrest that has recently given birth to a new wave of islamophobia and hate speech. 

The latest round of Islamophobic attacks and instances in the UK have led to reports showcasing a 335% increase in UK anti-Muslim hate crimes since the attacks on 7 October. Despite the rise in aggression there has been no new efforts to help clamp these growing concerns. There have been repeated calls to re-establish the government’s Islamophobia taskforce yet participants reported back in March of this year that the committee hasn’t has not met for four years despite hate crime rise. This begs the question: What is the UK doing to keep its Muslim citizens safe? 

Many in within the Muslim council of Britain, as well citizens are concerned with the governments laxed efforts to address the growing problem. The situation that occurred in Manchester led to the eruption of protests outside Rochdale Police Station due to the police attack on a Muslim family at Manchester airport. Several took to the streets propagating the message enough is enough, showcasing the growing frustration of the Muslim community with the events that have come to light.

Regarding the Manchester police incident, the unnamed officer is now under an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), whilst having been suspended in the process. 

When viewing these juxtaposing incidents that have literally occurred back-to-back over the last week, it important that the Muslim community stands more united than ever.

The government must do more to protect these communities that reside on British soil, calling for unity, whilst also propagating policy and extensive legislative measures to deter the tragic violent incidences that have taken route. Islamophobia has sadly made a strong comeback this year, affecting the lives of British Muslims across the country.