Hate crimes and Islamophobia has become just another part of our society with a recent example posted on the internet by a student. An unnamed Muslim, Sociology student posted a short video clip of an “ignorant” commuter branding all Muslims as “terrorists” on the London Underground.
In the wake of the Brussels attack, the 21 year old elaborated her ordeal saying, “I was on my way home, and got on the jubilee line, saw a vacant seat so I sat down. Not long after I had sat down, one of them starts speaking really loudly. He goes 'all Muslims are terrorists.” Refused to be drawn into an argument with the man, her silence only seemed to provoke him. “He realised I wasn't saying anything so carries on with his abuse. So what did I do? Turned around and smiled :)” she wrote. “I thought to myself this guy is obviously quite ignorant if he's going to say such comments... but no point giving him an even bad impression of Muslims, than what he already has in mind. Living in London, one would think that Muslims especially hijabis would get a lot of abuse because of the way we're dressed... and people always do ask me if I've experienced any islamaphobic comments...Up till today I could proudly say I hadn't, but thank you to the guy on the train for ruining that :))”.
Speaking to the press, she said a lot of people were present, but nobody said a thing, instead, choosing to ignore him. “I was shocked. I've never experienced anything like that. I've heard of it on the news but never thought I would personally experience it. It's become normal in society.” The video has been shared over a hundred times on social media with the Twitterati supporting the 21 year old. One write, “I'm so sorry that happened to you. Stay safe. You took the high road by ignoring him.”
The video also caught the Police's eye who condemned the video and encouraged victims to report such incident. A spokesman of the British Transport Police said, “Everyone has the right to travel safely, and nobody should feel threatened or intimidated when using the rail network. Victims of hate crime should be assured that they will be taken seriously by the police and that we will not tolerate hate crime. Anyone who has been a victim of hate crime or witnessed an incident should text BTP 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40.”
