Leading Muslim group say the acquittal of a man who burned a Quran, ignores rising hate in London.
Hamit Coskun, 51, was found guilty in June of a religiously aggravated public order offence, but his conviction was overturned last week.
Hamit Coskun was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June – AP Media
In the summer, the act was considered a religiously aggravated public order offence in Westminster Magistrates Court. The Judge said his behaviour was likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress”.
After Coskun’s case was funded by free speech campaigners, Judge Justice Bennathan said the right to freedom of expression, was a right worth having.
The Free Speech Union’s director, Lord Young celebrated this as a “huge victory”. However, Muslim communities are concerned over what they view as the normalisation of acts of hate on London’s streets.
Muslim Council of Britain Condemns “Normalisation of Hate”
Speaking exclusively to City News, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said there was a “normalisation of hate by politicians, certain media and social media outlets.”
MCB said it believes this rise in Islamophobia is not being addressed by London authorities.
While blasphemy laws in England were abolished in 2008, the MCB spokesperson said, “the issue here is: what are the politicians, media and statutory agencies doing to defuse the rise in this hate.”
What does London’s Muslim Community Think?
While FSU worry about of freedom of expression, many Muslims in London worry about the hate in the first place.
Nadia Hussein – Image courtesy of Georgia Hunt
Nadia Hussein, A 33-year old Muslim woman from Hillingdon, spoke to City News on the issue that she sees as important to Londoners.
She responds to the Judge’s view that offensive views must be tolerated.
“When people say Muslims must ‘tolerate’ offensive acts, it isn’t new to us. We’ve been practicing tolerance for over 1,400 years, just as Jews and Christians have endured hardship for their beliefs.”
By not only allowing acts of hate to take place on our streets, but celebrating it as “a victory for free speech” (FSU), Nadia says this only encourages more hate.
Another person said, “In London, we all respect each other’s beliefs. Allowing acts like this to take place without consequence is dangerous.”
“If we don’t take steps to educate and engage, the fabric that holds London’s communities together will break,” said Halima Arshad.
Boundaries of Free Speech
Moussa Kadri, attacked Coskun with a knife during his protest, and was given a suspended jail sentence last month.
He told the police he was protecting his religion.
The FSU says The initial conviction of Coskun’s action may have allowed for blasphemy laws to come back and would send a message to attack the blasphemer.
The court noted in the verdict, “the freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.”
Many in London’s Muslim community say this statement is a dangerous one to encourage.
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HeadlineLondon’s Muslim communities respond to Quran burning appeal
Short HeadlineLondon Muslims respond to Quran burning appeal
StandfirstUK's Largest Muslim Organisation speaks to City News about rising hate on London's streets, after Quran burning appeal is overturned last week.
Leading Muslim group say the acquittal of a man who burned a Quran, ignores rising hate in London.
Hamit Coskun, 51, was found guilty in June of a religiously aggravated public order offence, but his conviction was overturned last week.
Hamit Coskun was convicted at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June – AP Media
In the summer, the act was considered a religiously aggravated public order offence in Westminster Magistrates Court. The Judge said his behaviour was likely to cause “harassment, alarm or distress”.
After Coskun’s case was funded by free speech campaigners, Judge Justice Bennathan said the right to freedom of expression, was a right worth having.
The Free Speech Union’s director, Lord Young celebrated this as a “huge victory”. However, Muslim communities are concerned over what they view as the normalisation of acts of hate on London’s streets.
Muslim Council of Britain Condemns “Normalisation of Hate”
Speaking exclusively to City News, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said there was a “normalisation of hate by politicians, certain media and social media outlets.”
MCB said it believes this rise in Islamophobia is not being addressed by London authorities.
While blasphemy laws in England were abolished in 2008, the MCB spokesperson said, “the issue here is: what are the politicians, media and statutory agencies doing to defuse the rise in this hate.”
What does London’s Muslim Community Think?
While FSU worry about of freedom of expression, many Muslims in London worry about the hate in the first place.
Nadia Hussein – Image courtesy of Georgia Hunt
Nadia Hussein, A 33-year old Muslim woman from Hillingdon, spoke to City News on the issue that she sees as important to Londoners.
She responds to the Judge’s view that offensive views must be tolerated.
“When people say Muslims must ‘tolerate’ offensive acts, it isn’t new to us. We’ve been practicing tolerance for over 1,400 years, just as Jews and Christians have endured hardship for their beliefs.”
By not only allowing acts of hate to take place on our streets, but celebrating it as “a victory for free speech” (FSU), Nadia says this only encourages more hate.
Another person said, “In London, we all respect each other’s beliefs. Allowing acts like this to take place without consequence is dangerous.”
“If we don’t take steps to educate and engage, the fabric that holds London’s communities together will break,” said Halima Arshad.
Boundaries of Free Speech
Moussa Kadri, attacked Coskun with a knife during his protest, and was given a suspended jail sentence last month.
He told the police he was protecting his religion.
The FSU says The initial conviction of Coskun’s action may have allowed for blasphemy laws to come back and would send a message to attack the blasphemer.
The court noted in the verdict, “the freedom of expression, if it is a right worth having, must include the right to express views that offend, shock or disturb.”
Many in London’s Muslim community say this statement is a dangerous one to encourage.
