By Edward Trower-
Police are investigating Islamophobic graffiti spray-painted onto a fish and chip shop and a bus stop.
The obscene vandalism appeared on the wall of Chris and Lucia’s Fish Bar on Hob Moor Road and on a bus stop on Heybarnes Road, both in Yardley. It is being investigated by police as criminal damage and a hate crime.
Birmingham City Council removed the writing on Hob Moor Road within 24 hours of it being brought to their attention.
“Obviously the graffiti being racial hate the Council needed to rectify it as soon as they could and they did,” said Nav Sadiq, co-founder of Bearded Broz, told reporters he believes the graffiti could be linked to the “Punish a Muslim day” leaflets sent to Muslims in Birmingham and across the country earlier this week.
“We’re assuming this is coming off Punish a Muslim day,” said Mr. Hameed.It’s a stone’s throw away from a school and you’re talking about a predominantly Muslim area”.The London 2016 terror attacks of 2017 and the Manchester terrorist shootings have left a bitter taste in the mouths of the most law-abiding brits, but some lawless individuals choose to be narrow-minded enough to blame all Muslims for the fanaticism and of a few rotten apples in the midst of decent Muslims. Muslims, like all individuals, have a right to go about their daily business without being targeted as individuals or a s a group. As far as criminal conduct is concerned, the law is only concerned with culpable parties, not all people who fall under their racial, cultural, or religious classification.
If Muslims are targeted because of their faith, the bullish Islamaphobes will be no different to terrorists who target people based on their origin from the West. People need to be more open-minded and respect that we are all different and unique. A Muslim should not be targeted because of their faith, however much we may object to it or disagree with its practices. Muslims, likewise, will not be expected to look down or target another because they are a none Muslim. We as human beings need to be more tolerant and open-minded, instead of being quick to condemn a whole group of people without knowing the individuals.
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said: “We deplore this sort of behavior and would urge anyone with information about those responsible to contact the police. We always aim to remove racist or otherwise offensive graffiti within one working day.”how to request graffiti removal can be found on the council’s website here.
A spokesman from West Midland Police added: “Officers continue to work closely with local communities and have increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance and be on hand to answer any questions or concerns that people may have”.
