Muslims being made to feel less safe, say MSPs after Edinburgh attacks
‘The feeling of unease in the Muslim community is palpable’ - John Swinney
Anger directed at minority communities is making Muslims feel less safe and feeding division, two Lothian Labour MSPs have warned in the wake of last week’s attacks in Edinburgh which left five people injured.
Irshad Ahmed and Katherine Sangster, both regional MSPs for Edinburgh and Lothians East, have written to mosques in the Capital to express their solidarity and wish the victims a speedy recovery.
They said in their letter: “We condemn the violence, and we will not tolerate this kind of abuse against members of our community.
“Voices that promote intolerance and conspiracy are increasingly hard to ignore. The protests in Glasgow and Belfast show the real world impact of anger that is being redirected towards minority communities. It makes Muslims feel less safe and feeds division in our communities.
“Edinburgh has a history of being a warm inclusive and welcoming place, but we cannot take the community that has been built over generations in Leith for granted.
“Racism and violence has no place here. It is contrary to the values of the vast majority of people in this city, and everything that we will stand for as your MSPs.”
Meanwhile, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge has appealed for people to “unite against those who seek to create division and hatred”.
At the opening of the full council meeting on Thursday, the first since the attacks, he said: “We recently saw a horrific attack on five of our fellow Edinburgh citizens. We were all shocked and stunned that such an attack should happen in this safe, welcoming and inclusive city.
“Edinburgh is very proud to be home to many faiths which we respect. Our rich diversity is what makes the city so special and our hearts, prayers and thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.
“There is no place in our city for islamophobia, nor will we tolerate any other form of discrimination, and I know that all my colleagues across the council chamber believe that.
“An attack on any one of us is an attack on us all, so let us unite against those who seek to create division and hatred and show that as a city we stand together with all of our communities.”
And in the Scottish Parliament, Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh North Western, praised the Muslin community for the way it had responded to the attacks.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, he said: “I am sure that all members will join me in expressing solidarity with Scotland’s Muslim community after the brutal and unprovoked attacks on the streets of Edinburgh last weekend.
“That community’s response to those attacks has not been one of violence or revenge; it has been to make a plea for tolerance and understanding. In a society in which tolerance and understanding feel increasingly rare, we would all do well to listen to them.”
First Minister John Swinney endorsed his comments and referred to his meeting with two of the victims of the attack when he visited Broomhouse Mosque.
He said: “The feeling of unease in the Muslim community is palpable. I reiterate my absolute whole-hearted commitment to give the leadership that is needed in Scotland to ensure that we live in a tolerant and inclusive country at all times.”
Lewis Hawkes, 36, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, charged with five counts of attempted murder "aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection" following a series of attacks in Edinburgh on June 19. He also faced three charges of assault and robbery, two counts of culpable and reckless conduct and a single charge of breach of the peace. He made no plea and the case was committed for further examination.