Women of Color Turn to Self-Defense as Racial Violence Escalates in UK

Amid a surge in violent, racially motivated attacks on Muslims and ethnic minorities in the UK, women of color are increasingly enrolling in self-defense classes to enhance their safety and boost confidence. 

In the wake of the unrest that had targeted mosques, asylum seeker hotels, and law enforcement, Maya Hassan, a 28-year-old martial arts expert, organized a self-defense course at a London sports facility, drawing around 30 women, mostly Muslims from various ethnic backgrounds. 

Hassan, a Swiss national of Somali origin who wears a hijab, considers London more welcoming than many parts of Europe but recognizes the ongoing need for a cohesive strategy to promote integration across diverse communities. 

"It gives you a little bit more confidence," Hassan said. "You kind of know what to look for, how to be socially aware, how to spot things and how to get out of a really bad situation." 

The riots in Southport, northwest England, were ignited by false claims that a Muslim migrant was responsible for a knife attack that tragically claimed the lives of three young girls during a children's event on July 29. 

This misinformation, rapidly spread via social media, incited widespread unrest. The actual suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, was later identified as a British citizen of Rwandan descent, disproving the baseless allegations of him being a Muslim immigrant. 

The violence, which erupted after a memorial service for the victims, led to confrontations between demonstrators and police, with local mosques being targeted. Over 50 police officers were injured in the clashes, which were marked by anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans. 

The disorder has intensified fears among Muslim and ethnic minority communities, who are deeply unsettled by the attacks on migrants and Asian individuals. 

In the aftermath, martial arts instructor Stewart McGill has seen a significant rise in women joining his self-defense classes. He now teaches practical techniques for self-defense using everyday items, reflecting a growing concern for personal safety amid the heightened tensions. 

Elza Annan, a 24-year-old participant, shared her newfound confidence, "I obviously don't want to have to use these techniques but it is useful and beneficial to have them... especially because of recent events of far-right racists coming out and targeting people of color." 

Maki Omori, 23, another participant in the self-defense class said, "I found the thought of how I would defend myself really daunting," Omori expressed. "I want to ensure that if something happens, I feel prepared." 

For Hassan, the self-defense classes are a vital tool in equipping women with the skills and confidence needed to navigate these turbulent times. She is considering organizing more classes, as the demand continues to grow in other parts of the U.K., including Manchester. 

While the immediate violence has eased, anti-racism protests are anticipated to continue as communities unite against escalating intolerance and champion the rights of marginalized groups. 

The situation remains fluid, with persistent tensions between far-right factions and anti-racist demonstrators, signaling that the struggle for social justice and against racism is far from over and will likely persist in the coming weeks. 

Since October 2023, there has been a reported 335% increase in anti-Muslim hate incidents across the U.K., with over 2,000 cases logged by an organization monitoring anti-Muslim incidents in the UK. 

These incidents range from verbal abuse and threats to physical assaults, and women are disproportionately targeted—making up 65% of the reported cases. 

This alarming trend is not just a series of isolated events but a reflection of deep-seated prejudices that have been exacerbated by misinformation, political rhetoric, and global conflicts. 

The rise in anti-Muslim incidents has had a detrimental impact on community cohesion in the UK. Many Muslims report feeling unsafe in their neighborhoods, a sentiment echoed by the fact that 60% of British Muslims believe that anti-Muslim hate has increased over the past year. 

Sadiq Khan the London mayor told the reporters, “Like a lot of people of my generation, I felt triggered by the events of the last couple of weeks in particular.” 

“It’s difficult to explain the ripples when you’ve been targeted because of your religion or color of your skin and you can’t change either of those things. And whether you’re seeing physical acts of violence taking place in the North West or the North East, you feel it in London. 

“What’s heartbreaking to me is my children’s generation had never experienced what I had. And they, for the first time, were scared. I thought I’d be the last generation to be scared, simply for who I am. And it breaks my heart.” 

Khan also urged the government to reassess the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act, citing how the rapid spread of misinformation on social media platforms like Telegram has fueled recent unrest. “I think what the government should do very quickly is check whether the Online Safety Act is fit for purpose; I think it’s not fit for purpose,” he emphasized. 

Shaista Aziz, director of The Three Hijabis, a campaign group, noted that many women feared that the violence could escalate further, prompting them to stay close to home. "Today I advised a sister I dearly love to consider removing her hijab to stay safe as she travels through the northeast…" she said on X during the riots. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has ordered extra protection for the Muslim community, described rioters as "far-right thugs." Nearly 800 people have been arrested, with some fast-tracked through the courts and jailed. The anti-racism protests are likely to continue. 

Shabna Begum, head of the Runnymede Trust, criticized the mainstream political discourse: “After the ‘War on Terror’, the political conversation and legislation around counterterrorism was about targeting Muslim communities as a threat to national security.” This rhetoric, she argues, has contributed to the normalization of Islamophobic attitudes in the UK. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has ordered extra protection for the Muslim community, described rioters as "far-right thugs." Nearly 800 people have been arrested, with some fast-tracked through the courts and jailed. The anti-racism protests are likely to continue.