UK Muslims: Racial tension in Birmingham turns deadly

Up in smoke

Last week, a pirate radio DJ named Warren G (no not that Warren G) aired an allegation of the rape of a 14-year old Jamaican girl by a gang of Asian (Pakistani) youths in a beauty parlour that exacerbated racial tensions between the two communities in the Lozells neighbourhood of Birmingham (no, not that Birmingham), England. A series of demonstrations followed to publicize the issue. “I have no proof and no facts, but I believe there are witnesses out there,” said Warren G. When a public meeting to discuss the issue was held in a community church, small groups of armed youth (from both communities) gathered outside with sticks and baseball bats. The ensuing disturbance then took a religious dimension when the Lozell mosque was reportedly attacked. “You can smash up as many shops as you like and people will put up with it, but when you start attacking a mosque, people aren’t going to tolerate that,” said one shopkeeper (who also noted that 300 Muslim youth were held back from fighting by their imam). Soon afterwards, two were dead and scores injured in riots that swept the neighbourhood. Lozells has seen racial tensions before, most notably in 1980 following the arrest of a black man after a police search. Over time, the demographics changed to reflect an 82% population of minority groups, dominated by Pakistani Muslims who also came to own the majority of retail stores (in fact, the owner of the beauty parlour claimed the rumour was intended to hurt his business). As for the rape allegations, no one has come forward (accusers say the girl was an illegal immigrant afraid of being deported) and police have failed to find any evidence after a forensic examination of the store (though two suspects are being held). Many observers have blamed the flare up on the gang culture that affects disadvantaged youth from both backgrounds. Leaders of both communities called for calm. “We join with police in calling for calm at this tense time. We acknowledge community tensions, but escalating violence is not the answer,” said community leader Salma Yaqoub. “I believe that we can have no opinion until [the police] have finished their investigations,” added Reverend Joe Aldred from the Council of Black-led Churches. “Some people are convinced that it did happen. We must wait and see.” But for many Afro-Carribeans, the overriding issues are socio-economic. “There are a lot of [black] people who think that the Asian people look down on African-Caribbean people,” said racism campaigner Maxie Hayles. “It was going to come out sooner or later.” Replies an Asian kebab shop owner, “We’re good at what we do. If they continue to [threaten us], then the Asian youth will come out on the streets again.”

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England.