In a disturbing incident that has shaken the Muslim community in Rainham, severed heads were found at Harris Academy, Rainham Village School, and The Royals. Accompanying graffiti declared that ‘no mosques’ were welcome in the area. This shocking act of hate is believed to have occurred just after midnight, according to the Havering Daily.
Councillor Sue Ospreay expressed her shock and dismay at the incident, telling the daily: “This bullying and hatred of valued members of our close-knit community will not be tolerated.”
The Taha Academy, which is part of the School Space family, along with football teams, drama groups, badminton clubs, religious groups, Jujitsu, and boxercise, is “well-loved,” she said, adding that Rainham Village Primary School also opens its doors to another Muslim group for prayers.
“We will not allow these bullish actions of the uneducated minority to separate us and spread their venomous poison. We stand united,” she added.
Margaret Mullane, Member of Parliament for Rainham, also condemned the act, stating: “This is an appalling and disgusting act which I condemn in the strongest possible terms.”
“Attempts like this to stoke up division and hate stand in the way of building community cohesion,” she said, hoping that the authorities would take this incident “seriously” and make “all efforts to find and hold responsible the culprits of this hate crime.”
This incident comes amidst a surge in anti-Muslim hate incidents in the UK, as reported by Tell MAMA, an organization tracking anti-Muslim hate.
Their report indicates a record number of 2,010 hate incidents from October 7, 2023, to February 7, 2024, marking a 335 percent increase from the previous year.
These incidents, both online and offline, predominantly affected London, with women constituting 65 percent of the victims.
The rise in incidents coincides with the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. A large number of people, both Muslims and non-Muslims, take to the streets of London every week to condemn the Israeli aggression, demanding an immediate ceasefire and an end to the UK’s support for the Israeli regime.
This incident is a stark reminder of the challenges facing the Muslim community in the UK. It underscores the importance of unity and solidarity in the face of hatred and bigotry. As the community stands together against these acts of hate, there is hope that justice will be served, and peace and understanding will prevail.
