MEND statement on MI5’s warning of rising Islamophobic terrorism

MI5 says “anti-Muslim grievance is tipping into terrorist intent.” Of course, Muslims in places like Greenock, Leeds and Peacehaven already know what that looks like.

In Greenock, a teenager posed as a convert to win the imam’s trust, then set out to burn the mosque when it would be fullest. In Leeds, three neo-Nazis stockpiled more than 200 weapons to attack an Islamic education centre. In Peacehaven, the mosque was set alight with two people inside. In each instance we saw men willing to maim and kill to send a clear message: Muslims are not welcome.

If terrorism is the use or threat of use of violence in pursuit of a political objective, then something that looks alarmingly like it now plays out regularly in our politics. Politicians dog-whistle and foghorn that Islam has no place in Britain while right-wing media barons plaster that messaging in their newspapers. Social media platforms monetise the spread of hate and far-right street movements feel emboldened in turn. They work in tandem, and each legitimises the other.

British Muslims will not be frightened out of public life.

We call upon parties to root out those in their rank and file who are normalising Islamophobia. We demand that regulators exercise their full powers to block the spread of hate. And we urge the government to carry out an urgent review into the threats faced by Muslims communities. MI5’s warning confirms that the writings are on the wall. Those who put Muslims in the crosshairs must be stopped and held to account before a tragedy is allowed to happen.