The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Nationwide protests over anti-Muslim campaign
VIOLENCE: Letter on social media attempted to stir up religious hatred
Cities across the UK staged anti-racism rallies last night in a show of solidarity against a vile campaign to attack Muslims.
Dundee Central Mosque upgraded its CCTV system and increased the security presence in response to an abhorrent letter inciting people to commit grotesque acts of religiously-aggravated violence.
The letter, which has been circulated on social media, designated April 3 as “punish a Muslim day”, in which assailants would be awarded points based on the severity of their attacks.
Muhammad Bashir Chohan, president at Dundee Central Mosque, said that by yesterday afternoon they had not received reports of any incidents.
“We instructed all our community just to continue their daily life as usual as possible, because if they are going to sit at home and not attend their work or businesses, that means the right-wing extremists win,” he said.
Earlier, Scottish minister Humza Yousaf urged Muslims not to let “knuckle-dragging, far-right muppets dictate your life”.
Mr Yousaf, who is the most senior Muslim MSP, said he had been asked by those who share his faith about whether they should go outside yesterday.
He said people should take precautions if they feel it is necessary, but encouraged the community not to bow to the “bigots”.
Anti-racism campaigners condemned the hate letter at demonstrations in Edinburgh, London, Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds.
Organisers of the protest on the Mound in the Scottish capital said: “We will not let any of our brothers and sisters be intimidated in this way.
“We will not let the racists push us off the streets or divide us.”
The threatening document has been sent to people in England, including MPs, but hard copies are not believed to have been distributed in Scotland.
MSPs, police and faith groups – including members of Dunfermline Central Mosque and Fife Centre for Equalities – met at the Scottish Parliament to discuss the issue.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, who is chairman of the Cross-Party Group on Tackling Islamophobia, said they were aware last week of at least five incidents in Glasgow, which may be linked to the letters.