Humanist Society condemns racist and anti-Muslim rioting across the United Kingdom

August 5, 2024

The humanist community in Scotland is appalled by the scenes of racist and anti-Muslim rioting that have marked the days since the Southport stabbings. Now is the time to stand up for secularism and the benefits of a diverse society.

We stand with other faith and belief groups across the UK in condemning the violent scenes that have unfolded across the United Kingdom since Monday 29 July. That day, three children lost their lives and five other children and two adults sustained injuries when they were attacked at a dance class in Southport, England. This shocking incident has rocked the Southport community. The families of the three girls who were killed and the families of those who were injured deserve our total compassion and empathy.

This incident has prompted a backlash out of all proportion and reason. We have seen racist and anti-Muslim rioters wreaking destruction across many cities and towns. This has been been whipped up by far-right agitators spreading misinformation online. Those taking part have targeted asylum seekers and the buildings thought to be housing them. We have seen racially motivated attacks in the street. Mosques have been damaged, and the rioting has escalated into a more general disorder. Civic buildings such as libraries have been attacked and shops have been looted.

While our response to these events expresses a non-religious worldview, we wish to stand in solidarity with faith groups in condemning these attacks. In particular, we express solidarity with and support for Scotland and the UK’s Muslim communities, who have been specifically targeted.
Humanist Society Scotland

While our response to these events expresses a non-religious worldview, we wish to stand in solidarity with faith groups in condemning these attacks. In particular, we express solidarity with and support for Scotland and the UK’s Muslim communities, who have been specifically targeted.

Many of the rioters’ chants have expressed the idea that “England/Britain is a Christian country.” This sentiment, legitimised by what are now mainstream political factions, rejects the very principle of secularism: the separation of church and state vital to the functioning of a modern, diverse, multicultural democracy. It expresses a desire for public institutions to enforce a single, faith-based worldview across an entire populace. This would create a highly dangerous situation for members of smaller religious communities and humanists alike. It must be resisted at every turn.

We are also deeply concerned at the speed and ease with which agents of disinformation have been able to promote their messages via social media. This resulted in misinterpretation of a violent crime committed in Stirling over the weekend. It has also been centrally responsible for the rioting across England and Belfast. In the past, certain platforms took swift action against accounts spreading misinformation. But over the past year previously banned accounts have been reinstated and intentional falsehoods promoted.

We trust that violent rioting will be met with the full force of the law. The principles of tolerance, the rule of law, and diversity that define the UK must express themselves with new urgency in the coming days and weeks.

Humanist Society Scotland, August 2024.

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