Muslim community leaders have urged restraint amid signs of a growing readiness to defend mosques, businesses and homes using violence if necessary after a week of aggression from the far right.
On Monday, several hundred Muslim men, some wearing balaclavas and masks, gathered in the Bordesley area of Birmingham as threats of an imminent attack by the English Defence League (EDL) and other far-right activists circulated on social media.
A Sky News journalist was reporting live from the area when a protester interrupted her broadcast shouting “Free Palestine” and “Fuck the EDL”.
West Midlands police confirmed that a “large number of people” had gathered in Bordesley but that there were no clashes between groups. The force said it was investigating reports of an assault, criminal damage to a pub, a car that had its windows smashed, a vehicle that had its tyres damaged, and reports of a man in possession of an offensive weapon.
In Bolton, about 300 people joined a counter-protest against far-right activists on Sunday, resulting in skirmishes between the two groups and police.
Shakeel Afsar, who stood as an independent candidate in Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley in last month’s general election, said “reasonable force” may be needed to defend communities.
“We are not the agitators, aggressors or attackers,” he said in a video posted on X. “We will stand there and defend our businesses and our homes. And if attacked, we will use reasonable and necessary force to defend ourselves … It’s about defending the rights of our community and the honour of our people.”
Baber Baz, a Liberal Democrat councillor in Birmingham, who was at the gathering in Bordesley on Monday, said it was largely peaceful after a day of threats of an imminent attack.
“Hour by hour the tension was increasing. We’ve seen what’s happened in other cities. We won’t allow it to happen in Birmingham.
“The EDL messages were out there. If they turn up and become violent, you’re within your rights to defend yourself.”
Baz also defended the presence of Palestinian flags at the gathering. “The Muslim community feels its voice is not being heard, locally, nationally or internationally. Muslim voices are silenced. So people will highlight whatever issue is important to them.”
He said the army should be deployed to reinforce police action and to end the unrest.
Others in Birmingham’s Muslim community urged restraint. Haniya Adam of Green Lane masjid said that, in the light of messages and threats on social media, there was a natural instinct to protect the community.
“Our messaging was very clear: allow the police to do their work. We don’t use the language of violence. Our first response is to pray, to call on a higher being and ask for protection for everyone in the country.
“I do understand the position of people in the community who say we need to defend ourselves, but you can’t put out a fire with fire.”
Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (Minab), said: “The attacks have naturally angered and frightened many in the Muslim community. Many young Muslims people want to defend themselves and their institutions.
“At Minab, we have issued guidance that none should take the law into their own hands. It’s the job of the police and other authorities to protect individuals and mosques, and we should support them rather than become a hindrance. The extreme far right wants to provoke Muslims and reinforce divisions and see violent clashes on our streets. We must not hand over what the extremists desire.”
Far-right extremists are now threatening to head to Birmingham on Saturday, when Birmingham City are playing Reading at home. “Our mosque is right opposite the ground,” said Adam. “The police have reassured us there will be a heavy presence, but we’re looking at the situation hour by hour.”
Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary and a Birmingham MP, appealed for people to stay away from unrest and “let the police get on with their vital work”.
She posted on X: “It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re protesting – if you turn up in a mask, with a weapon, intent on causing disorder, you will face the full force of the law.”
