Pro-Gaza MPs call for action against Islamophobia and violent riots in the UK

UK pro-Gaza independent parliamentarians, including the likes of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, are calling on their government to take immediate action against those involved in the violent far-right riots which have swept across the country in recent days. 

The group of independent MPs also consists of Leicester South MP Shockat Adam, Birmingham Perry Barr MP Ayoub Khan, Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain, and Dewsbury and Batley MP Iqbal Mohamed following their July election wins. 

In a letter issued to the country’s Home Secretary, Yvonne Cooper, on Monday, the lawmakers praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s labelling of the ongoing attacks as "far-right thuggery". 

However, they added that such words do not "not go nearly far enough in identifying the anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hatred driving this violence." 

The letter addressed concerns of intensifying hatred and discrimination aimed to sow divisions, with the MPs saying Islamophobia is fuelling the violence. 

"At a time when gangs of violent racist thugs are targeting mosques and asylum centres, we are alarmed the government has said they have no plans to meet with the largest body representing Muslims in the UK, the Muslim Council of Britain," the letter continued. 

The letter concluded by demanding an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary, to "discuss what actions are planned to stamp out this racist terror." 

Following its release, the MPs have since backed the call of action in hopes to tackle anti-immigrant sentiment. 

"Together with my independent colleagues, I have written to the Home Secretary requesting an urgent meeting in light of the far-right riots," Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn wrote on X.  

"We must call out this violence for what it is: rampant Islamophobia."

"Demanding a meeting with the Home Secretary to tackle this racist Islamophobic thuggery on our streets," Ayoub Khan added. 

Blackburn’s Adnan Hussain additionally took to social media, saying that "the scenes we are seeing unfold on our streets are terrifying, more must be done to challenge the rhetoric that got us here."

Meanwhile, Iqbal Mohamed emphasised that "the government must work with representatives of all groups being attacked if its serious about defeating all forms of racism."

Misinformation and riots

In a statement on Saturday, Leicester’s Shockat Adam had already stated plans to meet with the Home Office, as he raised concerns on the spreading of misinformation in light of the riots- both on and offline. 

"We all have a responsibility to be mindful of the information we share," he wrote. 

"I am extremely concerned with how social media has been used to spread false information and we need robust action and accountability for social media platforms, media and individuals that have fanned the flames."

Together with my colleagues, the other independent members of Parliament, I write to request a meeting with the Home Secretary.

The scenes we are seeing unfold on our streets are terrifying, more must be done to challenge the rhetoric that got us here. pic.twitter.com/x6A5U3TDLH

— Adnan Hussain (@AdnanHussainMP) August 5, 2024

Separately, Labour MP Afzal Khan wrote to Prime Minister Starmer on Monday in which he explained in a post on X that he has "asked the PM, Deputy PM [Angela Rayner] and Home Secretary to meet with Muslim community representatives to discuss the safety of British Muslims further."

The recent killing of three young girls in Southport, a town in northwest England, have been exploited by anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim groups.

Disinformation spread online, amplified by prominent far-right figures, has sparked unrest in towns and cities. The violence erupted last Tuesday following false social media claims about the suspected attacker in Southport.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson and formerly the leader of the now-defunct anti-Islam English Defence League, has been accused by the media of spreading misinformation to his online followers. 

The Prime Minister has stated that violent protesters targeting Muslim communities will swiftly face the "full force of the law" as he seeks to quell the ongoing anti-immigration riots.