{"id":7888,"date":"2018-04-04T21:25:40","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T20:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/?p=7888"},"modified":"2018-04-04T21:25:40","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T20:25:40","slug":"punish-a-muslim-day-heres-what-happened-during-the-call-for-mass-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english.thesunrisetoday.com\/index.php\/punish-a-muslim-day-heres-what-happened-during-the-call-for-mass-violence\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Punish a Muslim Day:\u2019 Here\u2019s what happened during the call for mass violence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Peace\"Eve Dugdale:<\/strong> Keep calm and carry on has been a popular phrase in Britain since 1939.
\nThe government came up with the slogan to use on posters they created in preparation for World War II.
\nAnd it appears us hardy Brits are still following the same advice as \u201cPunish a Muslim Day\u201d seemed to pass without incident and little reaction yesterday.
\nThe day, which was the focus of anonymous letters distributed to some homes and businesses last month suggested people could win \u201cpoints\u201d for a range of activities aimed at Muslims, including removing a headscarf from a woman or beating somebody. Muslim members of Parliament were also sent the letter.
\nBut while some schools around the country warned parents about the letters and suggested they be vigilant, for most Muslims in the UK, the threat fell on deaf ears.
\n\u201cI just ignored it, and didn\u2019t talk about it or let it affect my day at all,\u201d said Modussir Choudry.
\n\u201cSome children at the school my wife works at were scared so they had to address it though.\u201d
\nRachid B said not talking about the letters was key as those behind the hateful message would thrive on their threats being circulated and creating hysteria.
\nHe explained: \u201cThe whole thing started as some prejudiced idiot\u2019s fantasy. They wrote a letter and it went viral, ironically largely due to Muslims sharing it I believe.\u201d
\nOthers however chose to be defiant in the face of such vitriol.
\nEvents were planned across the country to show opposition to the threats. A Love a Muslim Day was organised in Nottingham which organiser Farouk Azam told Britain\u2019s Guardian newspaper was an \u201copportunity for good people in Nottingham to stand together in solidarity, to show we can live side by side in a city we love.\u201d
\nThere were similar days held in other cities with the Stand Up to Racism Edinburgh organisation holding a demonstration in the Scottish capital.
\nAnd then there was Manchester caf\u00e9 owner Manzoor Ali, who organised a day of kindness in response to the threats.
\nManzoor, who runs Barakah Foods wanted to counter the propaganda by hosting a peaceful community event.
\nSuggesting the day should be called \u2018Banish Hate Day\u2019, he and his staff as well as family, friends and volunteers teamed up to give out free tea and cake in the town of Chorlton in South Manchester. He explained he wanted to spread a \u201cmessage of love\u201d after being horrified about the letters that were distributed after his niece showed him a leaflet on WhatsApp.
\nHe told iNews: \u201cIt\u2019s astonishing if people want to spread this hate. Even if they\u2019re joking, people latch on to it. The person behind it has lit a match and those sharing it are throwing fuel on the fire.
\n\u201cThere\u2019s a miniscule minority intent on division and this plays into their hands.\u201d
\nEchoing Manzoor\u2019s words, fellow Mancunian Muslim Saima Rasul said: \u201cTo be honest I’m not bothered about it and nor did I think about it. I still continued to do what I usually do. I would not let silly things like that stop me. I think it’s just a scaremongering thing and I don’t believe anyone would be stupid enough to actually punish a Muslim. Well, I hope so.\u201d
\nWhile admitting that the creation of the letter was a sad indictment of the world today, Mobeen Khan reiterated what other Muslims seemed to think.
\n\u201cThis Punish a Muslim Day has been kept quiet by many and I can see why,\u201d he explained.
\n\u201cBy telling people, the message may become stronger and more widespread by being promoted without the intention to do that. It\u2019s a double edged sword though between awareness and encouragement.\u201d
\nAnd Noor Bassam says she didn\u2019t alter her routine at all and admitted most of her friends hadn\u2019t even heard about the letters.
\nShe said: \u201cTo be honest, as a woman in a burqa, I feel conscious when I\u2019m outside in non-Muslim areas but I don\u2019t let it affect what I do. You have to stay strong and that\u2019s what I did today.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/div>\r\n