ANTI-MUSLIM MESSAGES STILL ONLINE
▶ On anniversary of attack at a London mosque, its leader calls for end to social media spreading far-right hatred
Anti-Muslim messages that convinced a British extremist to launch a murderous attack on worshippers in north London a year ago are still being promoted online, despite government promises to tackle Islamophobia.
Toufik Kacimi, the head of the mosque targeted, yesterday claimed that dozens of groups were operating with impunity online, calling for war between communities and seeking to “tear apart” multi-ethnic Britain through racist and extremist far-right sentiments.
Senior British officials and politicians gathered to mark the anniversary of the death of Makram Ali, a father of six who was mowed down by a hired van driven by extremist Darren Osborne, who had been radicalised after watching far-right material online.
Ali had just left prayers at the Muslim Welfare House in north London.
Osborne is serving a jail term of at least 43 years after being convicted in February of Ali’s murder and injuring a dozen other people.
It was one of several high-profile terrorist attacks last year, most of them carried out by extremists in London and Manchester.
Mr Kacimi, chief executive of the mosque and its charity, said he had installed about 30 security cameras and other security measures because of fears of further attacks.
“There are literally dozens of groups spreading their poisonous messages online without any problem,” he told The National. “They are calling for war and hate between communities, seeking to tear us apart. Realistically, things will probably only get worse.
“I am sick and tired of seeing videos where Muslims are abused or mocked for what they wear. This actually encourages some people and hate only encourages hate.”
Mr Kacimi, who fled the Algerian war 20 years ago, said ISIS and the far right were “two sides of the same coin and should never be given a platform”.
“Far-right supporters have become more and more extreme,” he said.
“They are gaining ground often through certain media outlets who give them a platform to spread their hate.”
Mr Kacimi identified YouTube and Twitter in particular as outlets where racist messages were being disseminated.
He conceded that the government had tried to clamp down on Islamophobia, but said it had not done enough.
“One of the beauties of living in the UK is the freedom of expression,” Mr Kacimi said. “But at some point, a line has been crossed and the government needs to prevent this. If freedom of expression causes hatred, damages or radicalisation, it has to stop.”
Last month, the government announced it was preparing new laws to make online media safer after a survey that found six in 10 said they had seen inappropriate or harmful content online.
“Terrorists are abusing these platforms to recruit people and incite atrocities. We need to protect our communities from these heinous crimes and vile propaganda,” Home Secretary Sajid Javid said.
Prime Minister Theresa May described the attack on Ali as an “attack on us all” in a message before a minute’s silence in his memory.
“As with all acts of terrorism the intention was to divide us, but we will not let this happen,” Mrs May said.
“As we remember the victims of this attack, Makram Ali who tragically lost his life, we should take strength that it is London’s diversity and multitude of communities that makes it one of the world’s great cities.”
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, told the gathering, which included members of Ali’s family, that “terrorism is terrorism, no matter the target and regardless of what motives the sick and twisted perpetrators who carry out these evil crimes”.
YouTube and Twitter in particular were identified as outlets where racist messages were being disseminated