If you are Muslim.

[Masher]

Hopefully this doesn't come across as insensitive. It is to do with the photograph of the lady in the brown headscarf walking across Westminster Bridge after the attack. I thought she looked terrified, distraught, and very, very shaken. The photographer has just confirmed this.

One thing that crossed my mind I think, is that if I was muslim and caught up in such an act I would really fear for my safety. I would be scared the people there may turn against me, I would be scared that I would be accused of being involved, and I would be scared the security services may do both of these things too.

It got me thinking about how I would feel in everyday life in Britain. I just wondered whether you all feel safe here, or if it changes through various regions and depends on where you are?

If you don't feel safe, or there are times when you don't feel safe, what can I do that would make it better? I live in London if that helps.

Grommit, I'm afraid I'm just a Glaswegian Catholic with Irish GPs and lots of Irish family so couldn't pretend to be an expert as most of what I've experienced is either relayed to me through others or just straight up Scottish sectarianism and threatening behaviour based on what school I went to. Someone with an actual Irish accent in Britain in the 70s, 80s and 90s would have a vastly different story to tell.

And I'm not sure about the dude in the pub, I'm afraid!

The woman's actions were not the purpose of this thread. I wanted to hear about how British Muslim's felt, and if they felt unsafe, their suggestions, or opinions, on what I could do as an individual in day-to-day life, or if I saw an incident etc. that would make them feel more secure

Thank you to those of you that have shared suggestions and experiences - I am wading through the thread again to try and read through your answers. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences.

Sorry for the horrible comments in this thread aimed towards you - I didn't anticipate when I started the thread I would get a real-time experience of how chronically vile some individuals can be towards you.

Mn is obsessed with headscarves . For me it sort of puts everything in perspective . Say am waiting in a queue to pay for something and the person at the cash desk ignores me and serves the person behind me ( happens frequently ) I sort of reflect back on comments here and know based on those that I am seen as deliberately trying to create barriers , anti integration, must live in a ghetto, need English interpreters and have a husband who forces me to wear it . I am therefore less deserving of civil treatment.
Funnily enough, the looks, comments or the ignorance almost always comes from women. Men always seem to look beyond it and engage with me very freely and comfortably. So much for sisterhood then !

Very true LordRothermere, "The far right have a lot in common with Islamic fundamentalists (angry, intolerant, violent, and easily brainwashed via the internet) and have the same ultimate aims (the division of society along religious or racial lines). They're two sides of the same coin. I'm surprised they haven't considered working together to achieve their aims"

It's been a long time coming that someone has eloquently nailed this occurrence on its head. Both brain dead groups that need severe enlightenment. Your final statement above made me smile. They're too stupid to consider teamwork, thank God.

Funnily enough, the looks, comments or the ignorance almost always comes from women
This^

Sorry Agent, I feel a proper dickhead now!

There's no 'good' side to this is there, it's awful for everyone, Muslims and non Muslims alike. That photo should never have been used the way it has been both from the perspective of the injured women and that of the Muslim woman. I hate that ordinary Muslims are affected and don't believe they are any less appalled by terrorist attacks than non Muslims so it's unfair that they have to deal with distrust and judgement on top of the fear and shock we all feel.

According to your statement EnormousTiger 'Quite a lot of jews when they came here deliberately changed their names to Anglo ones and adopted British customs' assimilation is suggested as a way for enhancing race relations. Why do/did Europeans not do this when colonising or even emigrating today? E.g. Jane becomes Juanita, Jana, Jamie's etc depending on the country of choice? Why do minorities always have to assimilate on entry to Europe and not vice Versa? Or when they do, e.g. The Nigerian nurse who calls herself Anne, people constantly ask their 'real' name? They might give themselves Anglo/ European names but they will forever be the black/Asian bastard in the prejudiced person's mind. That hijab covered lady in the picture might be called Sheila (Shula) for all we know. It might have worked for the Jews, but that is not evidence that it works for all minorities.

I wonder when people will realise that Daesh have killed far more muslims than they have non muslims. The muslims I know hate these extremists; firstly for the same reasons that non muslims hate them and with the added reason that they give other muslims a bad name.

I wonder when people will realise that Daesh have killed far more muslims than they have non muslims. The muslims I know hate these extremists; firstly for the same reasons that non muslims hate them and with the added reason that they give other muslims a bad name
And thirdly because they are breaking every rule in the Quran

atenco yes, should have added that. I don't actually associate them with Islam at all because what they are doing is very unIslamic (is that a word?)

Muhajaba - The irony! Arguing the point that women should have the freedom to wear headscarves and any clothing they wish (which I should add I absolutely agree with), but then you go on to say to a poster asking about wearing headscarves in the aftermath of chemo, that you would object to her wearing some scarves as they should only be worn by Muslim women.

I wonder when people will realise that Daesh have killed far more muslims than they have non muslims
True, that's how bad they are, you've got to be the "right" sort of muslim. That's how hateful and evil they are, not content with killing us, they kill each other too. It's all they do.

Yes I said that there are a few styles only really worn by Muslim women, so yes out of the hundreds of ways of wrapping a headscarf, i would think it a bit odd if someone chose to wear one which would make them appear to be Muslim when they aren't. I live in Tunisia at the moment and occasionally I see tourists wearing a headscarf like we do but with short dresses. It looks bizarre IMO and doesn't sit right with me for some reason. I accept I'm in the minority and being ridiculous

Am I allowed to say burkas 'look bizarre and don't sit right with me'?

Grommit, don't be daft, no need to apologise

I have just seen the picture of the Muslim woman. She looks distressed. Cant believe someone would think otherwise.

Satishouse, I think you just did!

I did yes, but I wouldn't normally. It's not right to say that is it? And Muhajaba shouldn't say that about the way western women dress

I read her post as saying that she accepts she is being unreasonable.

Of course a non muslim woman can wear the scarf in any way she chooses.

What a Muslim woman does or doesn't do /say/ think/ feel is magnified and she will be vilified for it . We're not allowed to be everyday human beings . Let's say for a moment that the girl in the picture was walking by casually and carelessly . Why does it matter so much? Some Muslims are casual and careless although most of us aren't because our religion preaches compassion for the needy, helpless and suffering . But not everyone will be innately compassionate . We're just everyday human beings . If the girl hadn't had a hijab anyone would anyone be holding any other race or religion accountable ? No. We would think what a thoughtless person and move on.

We are robbed of our voice , thoughts , opinions, feelings and personalities by the very people who pretend they want to liberate us.

I don't think that western dress looks bizarre generally its just the idea of combining a scarf that covers the neck with a dress that's showing cleavage or something that seems strange. Its an odd look to me, thats all.

Very true Sherazade. It was until very recently that demands would be made very publicly on every muslim man woman and child to condemn a terrorist attack perpetrated by a man from a terrorist group in a different part of the world. And if you objected to the ridiculous double standards and the flawed logic, then you were automatically one of 'them' unless you apologised for the atrocities of a man you had never heard of before.

Britain First are so unrepresentative of the UK in general that they had a grand total of 20 people at one demonstration and only 60 people attended their National Conference in 2016. They are very good at emotive sloganeering combined with mis-leading photos though. I'm not sure why you would ask only Muslims about how they react to the photo of the girl on the bridge?