British women learn to defend themselves against racist riots

The 28-year-old martial arts expert said she wanted to help women at risk learn how to cope with abuse, build relationships, and regain self-confidence after more than a week of attacks on mosques, refugee hotels, and police.

"It helps you become more confident," Maya Hassan said. "You know what you need to look for, how to perceive society, how to spot problems and get out of bad situations."

British women learn how to defend themselves against violence and racial discrimination (Figure 1). — People attend a self-defense class led by Stewart McGill in London, England, on August 10, 2024. Photo: Maja Smiejkowska

The Muslim community and ethnic minorities have expressed shock at the chaos caused by misinformation circulating online that the suspect in the stabbing of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, was a Muslim immigrant.

Martial arts instructor Stewart McGill said that more girls have signed up for his classes since the unrest began. He has taught them self-defense techniques, including kicks and the use of makeshift weapons like belts.

Elza Annan, 24, said she has become more confident: “I don’t want to have to use them, but it’s helpful to know how to defend myself against the racists I’ve encountered lately.”

The riots primarily targeted migrants, Muslims, and Asians, sowing fear among minority communities in the United Kingdom.

Tell MAMA UK, a monitoring group, says that anti-Muslim sentiment has been on the rise in the UK for some time, particularly since the conflict in Gaza on October 7 last year.

Since the riots began, there have been over 500 calls and online reports of anti-Muslim behavior across the UK.

Sunder Katwala, director of British Future – an organization that advises on migration and identity issues – has said that the United Kingdom is a "multiracial democracy".

But he argued that previous administrations had lacked a strategy for integrating different communities. While people from Ukraine or Hong Kong received government support, that support did not reach all groups.

The asylum system faces pressure, with a large backlog of applications, and the country's citizens are concerned about housing, healthcare, and education . "You can clearly see the lack of control, and that leads to fear," he said.

The riots largely subsided when thousands of anti-racism protesters appeared to defend immigration counseling centers, mosques, and hotels where refugees were staying.

Hassan, a Swiss citizen of Somali origin, moved to the UK in 2008 because she felt it was more welcoming to ethnic minorities than other places in Europe. She is considering organizing more classes.

The advocacy group The Three Hijabis held an online conference with Muslim women in Manchester, northern England, to discuss the psychological impacts of violence.

Shaista Aziz, director of The Three Hijabis, said there are concerns that the violence could lead to conflict or abuse, making many people afraid to go out.

"Today, I advised a dear sister to consider removing her headscarf for safety reasons..." she shared on social media platform X. "Across the UK, Muslims are having similar conversations."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who ordered increased protection for the Muslim community, called the rioters "far-right thugs." Nearly 800 people were arrested, some of whom were quickly brought to trial and sentenced to prison.

Maki Omori, 23, a participant in a self-defense class, shared: "I find it really scary to think about how I would defend myself. I want to make sure that if anything happens, I will feel prepared."

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