London: Noor Miah was a student when riots erupted in northern England during the summer of 2001, fueled by escalating racial tensions and far-right provocations. The town of Burnley, among others, was engulfed in violence as British South Asians clashed with police in the wake of a series of racist attacks. More than two decades later, Miah, now a secretary at a local mosque, finds himself once again trying to calm the storm after a fresh wave of far-right violence and vandalism targeting the Muslim community.
“2001 was a difficult time for Burnley. We have moved on since then, picking ourselves up. The next generation has a lot of hope,” Miah reflected as he recounted recent distressing events. On Monday, Miah was alerted by a friend to vandalism at the local cemetery, where several Muslim gravestones had been defaced with grey paint. The act, now being investigated as a hate crime by local police, left Miah and others deeply shaken.
“When I rushed to the cemetery, there were already several families there, deeply concerned and emotional. Around seven gravestones were vandalized,” Miah said. “This act is clearly an attempt to provoke our community and elicit a reaction. But we are working hard to keep everyone calm. It’s a very low thing to do. No one deserves this… things like this shouldn’t happen in this day and age.”
The attack has intensified the sense of fear among Burnley’s Muslim population. The recent escalation of anti-immigrant and Islamophobic riots in other northern towns and cities has added to their anxiety. This unrest followed a tragic mass stabbing in Southport on July 29, which led to false accusations against Muslim migrants on social media.
Miah, concerned for his family’s safety, has advised his wife to avoid the town center while wearing a hijab and urged his father to pray at home instead of at the mosque. “I helped build that mosque. I was physically involved in its construction. But now I have to prioritize my family’s safety,” he explained. Despite these fears, Miah remains hopeful that Burnley will not experience similar violence. “We haven’t had riots here yet. I hope it stays that way.”
In Sheffield, the impact of the violence is equally palpable. Ameena Blake, a community leader and board member of two local mosques, felt the ripple effect of the far-right attacks that occurred just a few miles away in Rotherham. There, far-right rioters targeted police and set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers.
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Blake described a growing sense of fear within the community, particularly among Muslim women. “Since the riot, there has been a palpable fear. I’ve had Muslim sisters contact me, expressing anxiety about going out in hijab,” she said. Many have opted to stay indoors, and those who usually lead independent lives are now accompanied by male relatives for added security.
The UK government has responded to the rising violence by bolstering security around places of worship. This intervention comes after reports of mosque-goers being trapped inside during clashes in Southport. Unlike the riots of 2001 and 2011, which saw significant mistrust between minority communities and the police, there has been a notable shift in recent responses. Police forces have been working closely with Muslim community leaders to address the current crisis.
Blake, who also serves as a chaplain for the South Yorkshire police in Sheffield, acknowledged the improved cooperation. “Historically, there has been a lot of mistrust between BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) communities and the police. However, communities are setting aside past grievances to unite with the police to tackle this real problem,” she said. Blake described the support from law enforcement and government as “amazing and quite unexpected.”
As Friday prayers approach, Muslims in Sheffield are bracing for the weekend with a mix of apprehension and resolve. “There is fear, but there’s also a strong feeling that we need to carry on as normal,” Blake noted. Despite the challenging circumstances, the community’s determination to continue their religious practices underscores their resilience in the face of adversity.
