Letters distributed across the United Kingdom to the steps of people’s homes advocate for a “Punish A Muslim Day” set to occur on April 3, 2018. Along with a paragraph urging for the apparent necessary violence towards those in the Islamic community, a point system with rewards is laid out in which points are given for a range of violent actions made against Muslims. The more violent the action, the higher the points. The letter being sent out can be found below:
Punish a Muslim Day
3rd April 2018
They have hurt you, they have made your loved ones suffer. They have caused you pain and heartache. What are you going to do about it? Are you a ‘sheep’ like the vast majority of the population? Sheep follow orders and are easily led, they are allowing the white nations of Europe and North America to become over run by those who would like nothing more than to do us harm and turn our democracies into Sharia led police states. Only you can help turn this thing around, only you have the power. Do not be a sheep!
There will be rewards based on action taken. These are as follows:
10 points – Verbally abuse a Muslim
25 points – Pull the head scarf off a Muslim ‘woman’
50 points – Throw acid in face of a Muslim
100 points – Beat up a Muslim
250 points – Torture a Muslim using electrocution, skinning, use of a rack
500 points – Butcher a Muslim using gun, knife, vehicle or otherwise
1,000 points – Burn or bomb a mosque
2,500 points – Nuke Mecca
Since Mar. 9, when these letters were first reported, there have been at least 15 cases of these letters throughout the U.K., according to Tell MAMA, an organization tracking anti-Muslim attacks. A representative of Tell MAMA states that the mailing of these fliers were very random. Although seemingly random, at least four Muslim members of the British Parliament have received these letters.Government officials and the police have since then been notified. A U.K. law enforcement official tells the public that these letters are being investigated as a potential terrorist threat and hate crime. NPCC Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton released a statement on Mar. 29 reassuring citizens of their goal of “protecting individuals from crime and to ensure cohesive and safe communities.” He states that the investigation is being taken very seriously and is being led by Counter Terrorism police. No additional information on the ongoing investigation is provided in fear of jeopardizing the case.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time something with this level of malicious intent occurred against Muslims. Iman Atta, the deputy director of Tell MAMA, mentions to BBC the “Punish A Muslim Day” fliers pose a chilling similarity to a series of letters sent to mosques across the U.K. and U.S. in May of last year. According to TRT World, hate crimes against the Islamic community have increased 40% over the past year; however, U.K. police believe the percentage is much higher. The U.K. police seem to be on the right track, as just days after news of the letter surfaced, there have been multiple reports of hate crimes against Muslims. Anas Sarwar on the BBC Radio Scotland’s Good Morning program shares various hate crimes occurring in the past ten days in which multiple Muslim women were verbally and physically assaulted. Another incident was reported on Mar. 18, in which an elderly disabled man returns home to “Kill Muslims” spray painted on his front door. However, there have been no confirmation as to whether or not these acts are in any way related to Punish A Muslim Day. U.K. police urge citizens to stay vigilant and to report any information on the case. The convener of the Muslim Council of Scotland, Dr. Muhammad Adrees, said “Our advice to members of the public is to remain vigilant and alert but not alarmed. Go about your everyday business, taking some extra precautions. If you feel threatened or are at risk, contact the police immediately.” Tell MAMA also posted a security bulletin on their facebook page shedding light on the issue and outlining safety tips for individuals as well as for Islamic institutions.
It is evident the U.K. police are taking these letters very seriously and doing their best to secure the safety of their citizens. Assistant Chief Constable Tim Forber offers his support for the Muslim community saying: “Hate crime in any form will not be tolerated and we will work with our communities and alongside our colleagues in the counter-terrorism unit to ensure that those spreading fear and hatred will be brought to justice.” Two schools have both taking precautions and sent out warning letters notifying parents of Punish A Muslim Day and encouraging parents to do what they feel would be best to protect their children on that day. Mosques such as Dundee Central Mosque are set to have increased security on the day. The only uplifting product coming out of Punish A Muslim Day is Love A Muslim Day. Shahab Adris, a Muslim activist, is organizing a campaign in which he is making the very same day a Love a Muslim Day. Mimicking the point system used in the Punish A Muslim flier, points are awarded for any affirmative and supportive action done towards a Muslim. Actions include smiling at a Muslim, giving flowers to a Muslim and to holding a fundraiser for the needy. While it does nothing to abolish Punish A Muslim Day and the violence expected to happen on that day, it is a way of promoting acceptance for the Muslim community which is much needed.
Despite notable support from the U.K. police and government, knowledge of this day is not widely known, especially by British Muslims — the intended targets of this entire situation. Most Muslims are finding information of Punish A Muslim Day through social media. There is hardly any news coverage of this foretold event and the majority of the British Muslim population are still uninformed of this date. Muslims have taken to Twitter to state their horror at this news and to criticizing the British media for not publicly and widely addressing this.
crazy how this “punish a muslim” day isn’t getting enough media coverage but if it was “punish a white person” day newspaper outlets, social media and more would go fucking berserk
— ً (@BALUCIAGA) March 24, 2018
Imagine it was punish a nonmuslim day, the whole world would be talking about it, muslim terrorism, even the middle eastern media, but since it is #PunishAMuslimDay, is like no-one cares. #world, #muslims, #humanity, where are you guys? We are all the same, and I respect u all
— Ali Saifi (@alisaifi43) March 25, 2018
I expect clear unequivocal statements from @theresa_may and politicians that the statements and narratives suggesting Muslims are ‘playing victim’ when we talk to anti-Muslim hatred and extremism are vile and false. #PunishAMuslimDay
— Shelina Janmohamed (@loveinheadscarf) March 11, 2018
While this event might not even occur, the lack of a statement from Theresa May or any of the Royal Family still indicates a lack of support for the entire Islamic community, a community that deserves support now more than ever. It is imperative that awareness of this day is spread for the sake of protecting the lives of fellow Muslims. It is the media’s job to cover such news and the fact that so few Muslims are aware of Punish A Muslim Day is a sign of the British media’s failure to report and include stories that will affect the lives of their viewers.
Photo: Janko Ferlic
