Kenya, Aug. 31 -- A provocative demonstration unfolded in a multicultural neighbourhood in northern England, where fed-up native-born British citizens marched through streets chanting "Allah, Allah, who the f- is Allah?" The viral video of this UK anti-Muslim march has left Muslims in the UK visibly shocked, capturing raw tensions between long-standing residents and immigrant communities amid rising concerns over cultural integration and crime rates.
Participants waved Union Jack flags and expressed frustration with what they perceive as a "population replacement" program driven by Eastern migrants, accusing them of importing foreign faiths and traditions and escalating offences like rapes, including those against minors.
This event, reminiscent of past far-right rallies, has reignited debates on Islamophobia in UK streets, with local Muslims reporting heightened fear and calling for government intervention under the Labour Party leadership of Keir Starmer, who has been criticised for siding with migrants against "nationalists and extremists".
The march, estimated to involve around 200-300 participants, started near a mosque in a predominantly Muslim area, echoing historical clashes like the 2010 English Defence League (EDL) protests in Bradford, where similar anti-Islam slogans were hurled.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with marchers shouting profanities directed at Islamic beliefs, while onlookers, many from the Muslim community, appeared stunned and retreated indoors.
Social media erupted with the footage, amassing over 500,000 views on X within hours, shared by accounts highlighting "native resistance" to multiculturalism.
Critics, including the Muslim Council of Britain, condemned the chants as "hate speech" that fosters division, drawing parallels to the 2024 riots following the Southport stabbings, where misinformation about a Muslim perpetrator led to attacks on mosques and a 43% surge in anti-Muslim incidents reported to Tell MAMA, totalling 6,313 cases in 2024 alone.
For the first time since tracking began in 2012, men were targeted more than women, reflecting stereotypes portraying Muslims as threats. Underlying this UK anti-Muslim march are deeper societal fractures exacerbated by economic pressures and immigration policies.
Native-born citizens, particularly in working-class towns like those in Lancashire or Yorkshire, voice grievances over job competition, housing shortages, and perceived leniency toward migrant-related crimes. Reports from 2025 indicate a 72% rise in offline Islamophobic acts, including vandalism of graves in Burnley and threats of rape and death, as documented by monitoring groups.
Far-right figures, inspired by Tommy Robinson's 2024 London rally where over 5,000 chanted "who the f*** is Allah", have amplified these sentiments online, blending anti-immigration rhetoric with mockery of Islamic tenets.
Counter-protests, such as those in Accrington where pub-goers embraced Muslim demonstrators chanting "refugees welcome", show pockets of solidarity, but experts warn that unchecked far-right mobilisation could lead to more violence, similar to the 2001 Oldham riots.
The Labour government's approach, focusing on community cohesion programmes, has been met with doubts, as some accuse it of ignoring native concerns while prioritising migrant rights.
This incident highlights the need for balanced dialogue on cultural integration in UK challenges, where native frustrations over rapid demographic shifts-with Muslims comprising about 6.5% of the population per 2021 census data-clash with calls for inclusivity.
Community leaders advocate for education initiatives to combat stereotypes, noting that most Muslims contribute positively to society through businesses and public services. However, the chant's profanity underscores a breakdown in civil discourse, prompting police to investigate under hate crime laws, though arrests remain pending.
International observers, including the UN's International Day to Combat Islamophobia on March 15, urge the UK to adopt strategies like Canada's special representative on the issue.
As the video continues to circulate, it symbolises broader anxieties in post-Brexit Britain, where polls show 34% of voters blame Muslims for recent unrest.
For Muslims feeling alienated, this UK anti-Muslim march evokes historical persecutions, yet it also sparks calls for unity from allies across ethnic lines. Addressing root causes like economic inequality and misinformation could prevent escalation, ensuring streets remain spaces for peaceful coexistence rather than confrontation.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.