Muslim Nations Worldwide Urge Their Citizens to Be Careful While in UK Over Anti-immigration Protests

Muslim countries across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East are calling on their citizens traveling to the United Kingdom to avoid the ongoing anti-immigrant riots that broke out over the weekend.

Protesters across the UK attacked mosques and asylum-seeker accommodation and burned down shops following the killing of three girls in Southport last week. The attacker was a 17-year-old Rwandan boy Axel Rudakubana, born in Wales. Misinformation suggesting he was a radical Islamist who arrived illegally in the UK on a small boat promptly spread online, sparking violence against Muslims and persons of color. Over 150 people ended up arrested.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries that have issued travel warnings to their citizens regarding the situation. Their nationals are recommended to stay away from any rallies and places of violence.

In the meantime, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has convened an emergency government meeting dubbed “Cobra” on Monday to agree on a state response to the situation as the police struggle to contain violence in UK cities.