by Umma Miah (MWN Hub Team)

Last Saturday, tens of thousands descended onto the streets of London to take part in the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march led by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. This so-called unite rally served one purpose to fuel hatred. The calls for removal of Muslims and being ready for battle yet again propagates anti-Muslim hostility. Particularly alarming was the undertones of animosity and jeer behind the chant ‘Take it off!’ directed at three activists from the far-right feminist group, Collectif Nemesisi, who came onto the stage dressed as Muslim women.

Though the footage of those women in burqas and niqabs undressing to the chant ‘take it off’ reflects age-old obsession with liberating Muslim women’s bodies, it also exploits gender violence. Considering that two Sikh women were raped because of being perceived Muslim, such staged performance deliberately makes acceptable the targeting of Muslim women. Where the safety of women and girls in the UK is at a national crisis, this stunt should have been condemned widely by politicians and the police, but there was silence. Instead it has been intensely debated across social media. Some comments as shown below express support with suggestive sexual inferences and others criticise:

Every single day I wake up to Muslims being targeted, harassed, abused, violated and murdered. - Shahed Zaydi

Muslim women have also taken to social media voicing their concerns at the display of ridicule. Shahed Zaydi, author of The Othered Woman stated: ‘Every single day I wake up to Muslims being targeted, harassed, abused, violated and murdered. At the weekend, the far-right demonstration in London platformed an array of anti-Muslim hatred and violence, including a ‘feminist’ group putting on an unveiling performance.’ Former BBC Apprentice Bushra Shaikh said: ‘Mocking and humiliating Muslim women in hijab has been so disgustingly normalised.’ Dr Sofia Rehman, a scholar of Islam asked: ‘Isn’t the obsession with Muslim women weird?’ In a collaborated post four women shared fears: ‘As a clearly visible Muslim woman who was born and raised in the UK, the level of hatred and racism towards Muslims that was displayed at the far- right march yesterday and that’s seeping thought the country is alarming.’

 

The controversial video has been criticised by some politicians, faith and anti-racism organisations. Muslim Women’s Network UK CEO Baroness Gohir said: “Such stunts have a direct and harmful impact on the safety and well-being of Muslim women. They reinforce harmful stereotypes, embolden harassment, and contribute to a climate of fear.” In a public letter to the Prime Minister, Runnymede Trust CEO Dr Shabna Begum wrote: “There was an exploitation of fears around gendered violence, whilst at the same time Muslim women were deliberately and intentionally mocked.” In a recent post, Green MP, Hannah Spencer appeals to those in positions of power to start calling this: ‘It is blatant anti-Muslim hatred, and all political parties should be condemning it.’

 

There have been calls to the government, Home Secretary and Metropolitan Commissioner for a stronger response to the anti-Muslim rhetoric promoted in the rally. But the continued silence on the ridiculing of Muslim women’s identity worryingly conveys acceptance to objectify specific groups of women. Such consequence will lead to Muslim women being further ostracised from society and living in constant fear over their safety.  

 

*Anti-Muslim hostility in any setting can be reported to the Muslim Safety Net Helpline (a project by the Muslim Women’s Network UK) on 0303 330 0288 and WhatsApp / Text 07311 876 378 and online https://www.muslimsafetynet.org.uk/report