Muslim Patrol incident

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The Muslim Patrol incident was an incident involving a group of young Muslim men that patrolled streets in East London in early 2013. The hooded men confronted passers-by and demanded that they conform to Sharia law.[1] The gang filmed their activities and uploaded videos online.[2] They targeted prostitutes, people drinking alcohol, women whom they considered to be dressed immodestly, and harassed others whom they perceived as being gay.[3][4] Five men were arrested as part of an investigation into the gang,[5][6] and three were given jail sentences on 6 December 2013.[7]

Online

One video uploaded to YouTube by the gang, "The Truth About Saturday Night", was viewed more than 42,000 times. In it, the gang confronted people, shouting "this is a Muslim area" at them. The hooded men are seen forcing people to empty their alcoholic drinks down drains, and instructing a group of women that "they need to forbid themselves from dressing like this and exposing themselves outside the mosque".[1][8]

A second video, beginning with a logo saying "Islam will take over the world",[9] showed the gang directing homophobic abuse at a man walking in Whitechapel.[10] The gang shouted at a man who appeared to be wearing make-up that he is "in a Muslim area dressed like a fag" and must leave. One gang member orders the man: "Get out of here quicker. You're dirty mate." After the victim says that he is a homosexual, he is forced to admit that he is "dirty".[10]

Their latest video featured the gang saying: "We are coming to implement Islam upon your own necks. Muslim patrols can never be stopped".[11]

The gang's videos were later removed from YouTube in January 2013 because they contravened the site’s policies on harassment, bullying and threatening behaviour.[8]

Police response

Scotland Yard said they were investigating the videos and the Metropolitan Police stepped up patrols in East London. A police spokesman said they were in contact with "local community leaders and influential people, local businesses and the local authority about the issue and what is being done".[10] Five men were later arrested.[5][12]

Condemnation

The East London Mosque condemned the patrols as "utterly unacceptable and clearly designed to stoke tensions and sow discord." They said the mosque was "committed to building co-operation and harmony between all communities in this borough."[10]

Gay rights group Stonewall said: "This incident is yet another reminder of the homophobic abuse that gay people face all too often."[12]

Sentencing

Three of the patrol members were sentenced on 6 December 2013. 19-year old Islamic convert Jordan Horner, who uses the Islamic name Jamaal Uddin, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault and two charges of using threatening words and behaviour, was sentenced to 68 weeks imprisonment. 36-year old Ricardo MacFarlane who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to one year for affray and two years for using threatening words and behaviour. A 23-year old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty and received a six-month sentence for affray.[7]

Analysis

Maajid Nawaz, the head of an anti-extremist organisation, the Quilliam Foundation, warned that Muslim patrols could become a "lot more dangerous", and if joined by jihadis, might even kill or maim people.[13] Palash R. Ghosh suggested that these "radical Muslim youths determined to impose their views of public conduct and morality" felt alienated from what they consider a "hostile and discriminatory outside society", and have turned to their faith to forge a separate identity.[14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Muslim 'vigilantes' confront Londoners in name of Islam". Telegraph. 
  2. ↑ "'Muslim Patrol' confiscate alcohol and demand women cover up in London". The Herald Sun. 
  3. ↑ Muslim 'Patrol' Harass East London Man They Believe To Be Gay Huffington Post
  4. ↑ ""Muslim patrols" target drinkers and gays in London". The Observers. 22 January 2013. Retrieved 4 April 3013. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "'Muslim patrol' gang: police arrest three more after homophobic video". Guardian. 
  6. ↑ UK: Muslim patrols hit London streets again retrieved 8 May 2013
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2519519/Muslim-Patrol-jailed-harassing-couple-holding-hands-men-drinking-bid-enforce-Sharia-law-East-London.html?ICO=most_read_module
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Dipesh Gadher (20 January 2013). "Sharia patrols snatch drinks from passers-by". Sunday Times. 
  9. ↑ "'Muslim Patrol' harrass [sic] men for looking 'gay' in London". Gay Star News. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 "Muslim Patrol: thugs abuse man in second 'vigilante' video". Telegraph. 
  11. ↑ "VIDEO: Fresh footage of ‘Muslim patrols’ emerges online". The Docklands and East London Advertiser. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Homophobic 'vigilante' video appears online". BBC. 
  13. ↑ "Muslim patrols are a sign of things to come". The Times. 
  14. ↑ "Muslim Patrols: Urban Britain’s Newest Street Gang?". International Business Times. 

External links

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