Last Wednesday's terror attack in Westminster that killed 5 and injured more than 40 people, left behind the nation in shock. The diverse Asian community stood in solidarity to condemn the attack, including anti-terrorism march by the Muslims and prayers in the Temples and Gurdwaras.
Anticipating severe backlash, the Asian community in Britain fretted that they may be targetted by bigots. In fact the world witnessed a glimpse of that racism towards a woman in headscarf, who was spotted walking across the Westminster bridge in the aftermath of the terror attack. She was called many things, including 'cold', 'unperturbed by killings', though she clearly looked in severe distress. She probably even feared for her life, but nonetheless she remained subject to harsh criticism.
The Parliament, Westminster Bridge and the streets around remained full of floral tributes, as we went to press. A group of women from different backgrounds formed a human chain on the Westminster bridge on Sunday to show solidarity with the victims of this terror attack. People from a range of backgrounds including Hindus, Sikhs and Christians joined the event organised by Women's March On London. Many wore blue to symbolise hope.
One of those forming the human chain was Fariha Khan, 40, a GP from Surbiton. She told the ITV "The feeling of what happened here on Wednesday was really strong," she said.
"We thought of the ordinary people who were here and were mown down, standing here like this, it was very overwhelming." There were many from Ahmadiya Muslim community as well.
Jaspreet Singh, a City worker told Asian Voice, "I am born and bred in the UK. Growing up in north, in a fairly white society, my turban always stood out. But I did not fear for my life or for my identity. Since 7/7, I have been called what not on the streets, including Bin Laden. Sometimes I fear for my life. Someone ignorant can attack me anywhere on the road, taking me as a Muslim. I am not saying they should attack Muslims. But living with the fear of your life is very hard."
Manjit Gill said, "My faith since inception teaches us to fight against injustice and atrocities on innocent people. That's true Sikhism. But how to fight the enemy within our society? For someone ignorant the first reaction would be violence towards similar looking people as the terrorist and how to counter that?"
Sahira Akhtar told Asian Voice, “People kill in the name of Islam. It is a shame that our name gets tarnished in such incidents. Our religion does not ask people to kill in the name of God.”
What happened on that fateful day?
Khalid Masood, 52 year old and a possible lone wolf, drove over Westminster bridge hurting several people, mostly tourists, including children from France on a school trip. He then abandoned his car and ran towards the Parliament, where he was stopped by two unarmed policemen. Masood hit PC Keith Palmer with what seems to be a machete, injuring him beyond repair. When he went to lash out on the other policeman, he was gunned down by police in plain clothes. MPs and Peers were locked inside the Parliament. People ran aimlessly on the road, fearing for their lives.
Masood's action killed 4 and injured more than 40, many of who have suffered life changing injuries. Many people were also treated for shock to have witnessed the killing, memories that will haunt them forever.
Bobi and Sunita Nagi who were witnesses to this attack reportedly said, “People were flying in the air, there was a big sound as he kept hitting people. It's very sad. This whole incident has traumatised my family- our children. Something you have only seen in Hollywood films, to see that in person is traumatising."
Indian-origin MPs Keith Vaz, Valerie Vaz, Virendra Sharma, Seema Malhotra and Shailesh Vara and Lord Jitesh Gadhia were among the nearly 400 MPs, who were told not to leave the building until it was safe- during and immediately after the attack.
Tisa D'cruz, who worked in the nearby hospital said, "doctors, nurses and paramedics ran towards the incident. We were locked down in the hospital and could not step out for safety. My children were in the nursery nearby but there was a lockdown and there was no way I could go and pick them up. It was a severe panic moment.”
Pooja Raval, who was out with her brother Neelkamal Joshi to the London Aquarium, popped out to buy tickets for the Tower of London and was advised about vendors standing on the Westminster Bridge. As she started climbing the stairs, to get on the top of the bridge, she saw people running, crying, in panic for their lives. That is when she realised there was a terror attack on the bridge. Her brother remained locked down in the basement of the Aquarium till 6pm, till the area was cleared.
Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj took twitter asking for the wellbeing of Indian nationals if they were caught amidst the attack.
An Asian doctor was the first to treat the victims on Westminster
Junior doctor Jeeves Wijesuriya, the first to respond to the recent attack on Westminster, reportedly wasn't even on duty the day he performed emergency treatment on two of the injured victims.
Believed to be of Sri Lankan origin, Jeeves said he entered the police cordon to attend to PC Palmer and the attacker. "I heard the screaming so ran to help and the police ran me in," he stated in an interview. He said emergency services and police were "incredible as we tried to save both the officer and the assailant. We spent some time trying to resuscitate them both."
His bravery was commended by Tory MP Tobias Ellwood. Fellow medic and surgeon Simon Fleming complimented him on Twitter with a tweet saying, "Chairman of the junior doctors committee doing his job as responder. Patients first. #Proud."
President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Neena Modi said, "We're proud of you and everyone who stepped up. All sympathies with those affected by yet another senseless tragedy."
NHS medics from nearby St Thomas Hospital who responded to the atrocities have been applauded for rushing to help the wounded. A spokesperson of the British Medical Association said all the emergency services involved in the "tragic incident showed immense dedication and bravery. Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families at this difficult time."
Defiant Londoners went back to work the next day
Defiant Londoners headed back to their work 'as normal', including ones working in the Whitehall, telling those responsible for the terror attack that the events did not succeed in crushing their spirits and making them afraid. Londoners urged not to let terrorists create a culture of 'fear' in the city with the hashtag #WeAreNotAfraid that trended on social media as people vowed to defiantly stand up against hate.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons Prime Minister Theresa May said: 'We are not afraid and our resolve will never waiver in the face of terrorism.'
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, who said facing terrorism has become a part of urban life, and invited all Londoners and visitors to the capital to a candlelit vigil at the Trafalgar Square on Thursday 23rd, to stand in solidarity with the victims of the incident in Westminster.
Remembering PC Keith Palmer
Asian Voice hosts many events in the Parliament- several magazine launch and one of our award ceremonies. There have been instances when we have met PC Palmer on our way in or out, and one incident I recall when he particularly asked me if I was carrying a laptop or iPad in my bag. Having toldg I was only carrying a kindle, he said, “I like that one.” In my 10 years of experience as a political journalist, visiting the Parliament, every second day to cover a story, so many times we have passed by this brave and friendly officer. It is extremely saddening to think we will never see him again. Our sincere tributes to this man, who lay his own life to save the lives of so many.
Who was Khalid Masood
Masood, was born as Adrian Ajao in Kent and detectives believed he most recently lived in the West Midlands. He was also known by a number of aliases. Masood was not the subject of any current investigations and there was no prior intelligence about his intent to mount a terrorist attack. He was separated from his wife, though it is believed he allegedly forced his elder daughter to wear a 'hijab'. Few days before the attack, he was believed to have lived in West Midlands, with a Muslim woman and a child.
It is also believed he was known to police and has a range of previous convictions for assaults, possession of offensive weapons and public order offences. His first conviction was in November 1983 for criminal damage and his last conviction was in December 2003 for possession of a knife. He has not been convicted for any terrorism offences.
MI5 investigation revealed that the terror outrage may have been a part of a plot to blow up an Army base using a remote-controlled car, The Telegraph reported.
Masood was believed to have been radicalised in a UK prison by hate preachers, is understood to have been probed six years ago over alleged connections to four al-Qaeda-inspired terrorists.
Zahid Iqbal, Mohammed Sharfaraz Ahmed, Syed Hussain and Umar Arshad, were jailed for a total of 44 years in 2013 after admitting plotting to launch an audacious bomb attack on a Territorial Army base in their hometown of Luton. Ajao had moved to the town in 2009 following two stints in Saudi Arabia, and lived just a few hundreds yards from one of the ringleaders.
It is also believed that Britain is now home to 400 jihadi fighters who are now back to the UK and awaiting instructions to attack, the Sky has reported. This started the debate whether social media messages should be available decrypt in order to predict a possible future attack.
What MPs, Peers and the Community leaders have to say
Rajesh Agrawal, the Indian-origin Deputy Mayor of London wrote in City AM that, “I am truly proud and humble to be deputy mayor for business of this great capital, which showed such resolve and resilience in the wake of the terrorist attacks on Westminster last week.
“Our capital’s response was to show that we will not be cowed by terrorism and instead we showed unity, solidarity and exactly what it means to be a Londoner.”
Rt Hon Priti Patel MP in a statement said: “The terrorist incident in Westminster was horrific and shocking. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and relatives of those who died and with the injured victims. The events that unfolded are being thoroughly investigated and we all stand together to show that we will not be defeated by terrorism.” “I commend the police, emergency services and medical staff for the swift action and bravery they showed yesterday. They put themselves in harm’s way and in danger to help and protect people. I pay tribute to PC Keith Palmer for his courage and bravery. His family have my condolences and he will be in all of our thoughts and prayers.”
Lord Jitesh Gadhia told Asian Voice, “Last Wednesday's terror attack occurred just before the House of Lords was due to start its afternoon session. Our Chamber was immediately sealed and I found myself locked down in Parliament for several hours. At first, there was limited information since the security services were still establishing the scale and and scope of the incident.
“Gradually, we were moved from the Chamber to Speaker's Court and then Westminster Hall and ultimately Westminster Abbey - where Peers, MPs and Cabinet Ministers all found themselves in what could be described as the ultimate refuge in London. This was certainly an unnerving and harrowing ordeal which brought things into sharp perspective.
“As news of the incident spread, I started to receive messages from around the world enquiring about my safety. I am genuinely touched by all these expressions of concern and support. However, it was others who paid the ultimate price, particularly Police Constable Keith Palmer, who the Prime Minister rightly described as "every inch a hero" and other innocent visitors crossing Westminster Bridge.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, and their families, of this dastardly attack on democracy. The entire British Indian and British Hindu Community stands shoulder to shoulder in their hour of grief. We have one simple message for those who attempt to shake our confidence and divide our communities through terror: we are not afraid.”
Shailesh Vara MP said, “We saw an attack on this centre of democracy and on the citizens of 10 countries. The message that we need to take away from here is that not only is this evil ideology an attack on western countries and on the values that we hold so dear, but it seeks to destroy the way of life of people across the globe. I hope that the message will go out to all decent and civilised countries that we must all redouble our resolve to deal with this evil.”
Lord Meghnad Desai said, “I was on my way to India by an Air India flight which leaves at 8.45am. It was only after we landed in Adelphi, local time midnight that our mobile phones were found to have messages from friends about how I was. Then I found out switching on TV what had happened. I could see that it must have been a lone wolf attack.”
Speaking about Asians or if they will face any backlashes, he added, “I don't think Asians will face reprisals. People can separate terrorism from the usual prejudice about immigrants. That prejudice is much less. Even after Brexit results the attacks on Asians have been not as much as used to be the case back in the Seventies and Eighties.”
Virendra Sharma MP said, "It was chilling to see how fragile the operation of our democracy was, and that terror can strike at the heart of our nation. I would however like to pay tribute to all the members of security and the emergency services that performed their role so well, saving lives and keeping people safe. We can never guard against the irrational behaviour of an individual, but it is important that we remain vigilant. I urge peace, unity and cooperation, we must stand together as a community not apart and not scared, unbent and unbowed.
"We must not jump to conclusions, we must not sink to the level of people who hate us. I am proud to serve as British Labour MP and that means I represent all of my constituents whatever race or religion. The actions of a despicable and cowardly individual should not colour our relations with a religion. I would urge members of all faiths and none to be vigilant for signs of radicalisation and withdrawal from society.
"Britain is a multicultural nation, and stronger for it. We are built on our differences, but as Jo Cox said, 'we are far more united and have far more in common with each other than things that divide us.' We would do well to remember her words of community and cohesion, before we attack a community for the actions of one man."
