* Personal post - this hasn't been reviewed by my firm, but rather me airing some personal thoughts with you all* I can't stress enough how scared Muslims and the wider British Asian community is in the UK right now.... Below is a screenshot of the conversation me and my siblings were having last night in the family WhatsApp group, messaging my 67 year old dad who drives an Uber part time. This is a man who has contributed to the UK economy and society his whole adult life and without his hard work and dedication to his family, I would not be in the position of privilege I am in right now and made my own contributions to the country. I am pleading with my network, particularly white colleagues, clients and contacts not to remain silent at this time. Please use your voices to call out what is pure hatred and racism being displayed by thugs up and down the country. If you're unable to do that, then please at minimum, when you interact with a Muslim or anyone of colour this weekend, please give them a personal assurance that they are welcomed in the UK and that what we are seeing unfolding on the streets of the UK is not a representation of the society at large.
Please pass on to your father that the majority of Britons are as disgusted with these racists as he is. May he remain safe and well.
Crazy how the stories from the 60s and 70s my granddad would tell me are now playing out in real time in front of us. Never thought history would repeat itself so quickly.
Whilst I do not agree with the violence. My mum, who is white indigenous British, has not gone out at night in over a decade as she is too scared. The public lights have been switched off due to budget cuts & the streets are not safe (for women at least…). Other than to/from work, from about 25 years onwards I would not even consider being on the street at night due to valid safety concerns. For decades. Those concerns have been ignored. I would like to see law abiding contributors to the UK, whatever their colour or race, & action when that is not the case.
Ehsan, really sorry your family feel threatened, but understand why. It won’t be any comfort but those that mean you harm are in a minority. Social media is also stoking the fire. I would also add it is important that your communities don’t react in equal measure for obvious reasons. I’m certainly not saying don’t defend yourself and your loved ones, but rather dont give more ammunition to the extremist views. All the best to you and yours 🙏
I’m horrified by what is happening in our country right now. No one should have to suffer this sort of fear and abuse in their own home.
I’m so sorry your family has to deal with this crap. Although these people are an awful, violent and significant group, they are not the majority. The reality is that the people perpetrating this violence in the name of England are absolute non-contributors to the country - they’re the ones who make it a worse, less welcome and less inclusive place to live. I don’t want to live in their version of England (and I don’t think many people do). Things will turn around if we all stick together ❤️
Ehsan Ashraf I was raised in the UK by Irish migrant parents and now live in NZ. I am horrified but not surprised by the weaponisation of the awful events in Stockport against the Muslim community and can only imagine the fear this has engendered. Those of us who are anti racism need to be heard and seen by our Muslim communities and by the thugs and racists who claim to represent the majority. 🙏
Evil things happen when good men do nothing.... Unfortunately we live in a society of bystanders, who are more likely to film you being attacked on their phone than stop an evil act. We must all be vigilant, but we must not also live in fear....because if we do, then these cowards will win.
Head of Operations, Group General Counsel (Legal, Governance, Compliance) at Universities Superannuation Scheme | Senior investment management lawyer | Mentor | Speaker |
1moAs a Jew, I’m so sorry you and your family feel this way and understand why you do. No form of religious persecution or intimidation is acceptable. I hope the the thugs involved in the current riots find something constructive to do with their time, but in the longer term, we all need to do more to build bridges between communities and irradicate hate, intolerance and scapegoating from British society. An aside perhaps, but I also believe that policing needs to change to reinstate it as a deterrent and protector of the law and British values. In the meantime, know that you are not alone.