DTT: Mr. Zubair was out on Saturday to do some shopping. While he was going there, he recognized one old ‘Uncle’ whom he recognized before. They both exchanged Salaams (Islamic greetings). As Mr. Zubair was on his way in to do his shopping an old man behind him suddenly started shouting, he stopped and turned around. The old man asked Mr. Zubair if he was ‘Muslim’, to which he said, ‘yes’. The old man started saying that he did not like Muslims and that they should go back home.

The is what Mr. Zubair wrote in regards to the incident:

“This wasn’t how I imagined my Saturday morning to be…

As I was walking into my local supermarket I noticed an old man ‘uncle’ who I recognise, who happens to be Muslim. After shaking hands and saying ‘Salaam’, he went on his way and asked that I remember him in my prayers.

As I walked into the supermarket I could hear someone shout from behind me. On instinct I turned around and saw another elderly man walk towards me asking “are you Muslim?!” To which I replied “Yes” in a rather surprised tone. To which he said “go back to where you came from. I hate Muslims” he said pointing to me and uncle.

At first it didn’t register. But then he said it a couple of times to make his point. On instinct I took my phone out and started filming what this man had to say. Clearly it was a well thought out argument.

My parents have always told me to be calm, and not get into trouble. Biting my tongue I engaged with the man and as you can see in the video he has very strong opinion.

For anyone that doesn’t know, I was born in Bristol. My family moved to Cardiff when I was about 7. Wales is home, that is after all where my parents are. I’ve also lived in Manchester and Hull. I’ve lived in London now for 9 years so I consider myself a proud Welsh Londoner. So when someone says, “go back to where you came from” I’m a bit confused. Where should I go?!

I was one of two Asian children in my junior school, and 1 of 5(ish) in my high school. Ethnic minorities in Cardiff in the early 1990s were few and far between, but no one ever said anything or had an issues. No one has ever pointed out maliciously my religion or ethnicity, until this morning.

It’s clear to see where this anti Muslim / immigrant feeling is stemming from. In a few weeks we’ll vote on whether the UK will remain in EU. The Media & Politicians are scaremongering and the only argument that is being heard is of immigrants coming here and taking jobs, housing and the like. Ultimately you follow the line and it turns into an anti Muslim rhetoric. The likes of Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, Britain First and Donald Trump are the voices that are being heard.

Muslims and migrants end up being demonised, and the referendum becomes a pointless immigration debate instead.

The staff at the supermarket were really helpful and understanding. Luke, the manager, insisted I go to the coffee shop and in the most British of ways offered me a cup of tea. The man has now been banned from the store and I’ll lodge a formal complaint with the local police.

My family came in the 70s and along with other ethnic minorities suffered through racial abuse & discrimination. Yet they worked hard and built for themselves successful lives and contributed in every positive way they could to their now home country. This is our home. It’s my home as much as anyone else’s.

I’m proud to be British.

I’m proud to be a British Muslim.

I’m proud to be a British Muslim Pakistani.

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