UK MP demands arrest for those shouting “Allahu Akbar”

British Member of Parliament Robert Jenrick made Islamophobic comments during an interview, stating that those who chant "Allahu Akbar" should be arrested by the police.

Speaking on Sky News, Senior Conservative MP Robert Jenrick made these remarks in response to a question about the behaviour of UK police in treating white people more severely than other ethnic minorities.

He criticised the UK police for their handling of pro-Palestinian protests since October 7, saying, "I thought it was quite wrong that someone could shout 'Allahu Akbar' on the streets of London and not be immediately arrested."

Jenrick also labeled pro-Palestinian slogans as "genocidal chants" and expressed disappointment with the police for not arresting protesters using such language.

In a post on X, Jenrick acknowledged that the phrase "Allahu Akbar" is commonly used by Muslims in daily prayers and as an exclamation. However, he objected to the "aggressive" way in which protesters were chanting it, finding it "intimidating and threatening."

x.com

‘Allahu Akbar’ is spoken peacefully and spiritually by millions of British Muslims in their daily lives.

But the aggressive chanting below is intimidatory and threatening. And it’s an offence under Section 4 and 5 of the Public Order Act.

Extremists routinely abuse common… pic.twitter.com/XpLJ9OilyC

— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) August 7, 2024

Jenrick's comments sparked outrage on social media, with Muslim MPs and activists condemning him for openly displaying his hatred toward Muslims on television.

x.com

Another day, another senior Tory being Islamophobic. Allahu Akbar means God is great - the Muslim equivalent of Hallelujah.

Jenrick's confidence in going on national TV to say people should be arrested for saying Allahu Akbar exposes his deep-seated prejudice against Muslims. pic.twitter.com/2OtruSaTvG

— Afzal Khan MP (@AfzalKhanMCR) August 7, 2024

x.com

x.com

This is pure unadulterated Islamophobia from Robert Jenrick and is precisely what has been driving these Islamophobic far-right extremists.

The media and politicians need to be held to account for their role in the the terror that has been unleashed on the streets of Britain. https://t.co/lqTlkLQDzS

— Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) (@MABOnline1) August 7, 2024

Ethnic and religious minorities in the UK, particularly Muslims, are increasingly concerned for their safety, as reports of attacks and riots by right-wing, anti-immigrant activists continue to surface.

Islamophobic attacks have increased following the spread of rumours that the perpetrator of the Southport stabbing attacks was a Muslim.

“There is a heightened level of fear in the Muslim community and we've had individuals say they are very scared about going to their mosques or Islamic centres for fear of being attacked, and many mosques have cancelled events,” director of Tell Mama (Measuring anti-Muslim Attacks) Iman Attasaid.