Counter-protests prove 'peace and hope win'

Malika Speaks said it was 'positive' to see communities standing up together against racism

A city's Muslim community has said national anti-racism protests proved that "peace and hope have won over hate".

Shafeel Hussain, 35, who joined a counter-protest in Lincoln Road in Peterborough on Wednesday, said it was beautiful to see "more than 600 people from diverse backgrounds come out to counter division peacefully".

Malika Speaks, 29, former Peterborough poet laureate, said the responsibility taken by communities "serves as a reminder of the impact of unity and allyship".

Amir Suleman said that while the message of unity was strong, the unrest had affected him as a parent and said he feared the "threat of menace to my family".

Shafeel Hussain said Muslim families in Peterborough were anxious about elderly relatives and children going out on their own

Violence and disorder organised by far-right groups broke out around the country after three girls were fatally stabbed by a 17-year-old in Southport on 29 July.

Peterborough mosques reduced their opening hours this week as a precaution.

A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire Constabulary said there was no reported disorder in Peterborough on Wednesday, "but a peaceful counter-protest took place".

Mr Suleman, a presenter at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, said: "When Brexit happened there were similar fears of Islamophobia.

"My son is 18 and had to go to London for work today.

"But we were reluctant. We have told him to take a taxi instead of public transport in London. Those are the choices, sadly, we are having to think about."

Amir Suleman says that "as a family we will be thinking before we go anywhere"

Sameena Aziz said as a British-born, Muslim woman of colour, born to migrant parents, she felt unsafe.

"I am a qualified teacher - all my three children are in the medical field including doctors and a dentist, and my daughter-in-law is a barrister. So that’s five people from just one family," she said.

"The racists thugs want us to leave the country - but whose loss would it be?

"Why should we justify our belonging to Britain? I think Muslims are finding their voice and they know they here to stay."

Malika Speaks said it was critical the anti-racism support encouraged sustainable action from policy makers.

Sameena Aziz said the vast majority of society didn't reflect the narrative of the racists and said she had a lot of messages of love and support

Cambridgeshire police said the anti-racism protests on Lincoln Road ended peacefully with no arrests

Raheema Ahmed, 29, was born in London but grew up in Peterborough.

She said the incidents made her feel “at edge” and "fear being a women of colour" after she experienced racial abuse on Sunday.

"I was in a supermarket with my young daughter. She was crying so I took a banana from my shopping trolley and gave it to her - I was going to pay for it in the end.

"But suddenly a woman screamed at me and said ‘it’s people like you who are always stealing’ and followed me around the store.

"This is not the first time. In 2015, I was called ISIS when France’s hijab ban was kicking off."

Ms Ahmed said she remained "cautious" going forward.

"I have been scared to expose my elderly mum, who wears a headscarf, for fear of her safety," she said.

Raheema Ahmed said she is feeling 'on the edge'

Mr Suleman added: "I woke up this morning feeling more hopeful.

"But, for days to come as a family we will be thinking before we go anywhere."

Malika Speaks said: "It’s important to remain realistic about the impact the racist and Islamophobic violence is having on Muslims, people seeking asylum and global majority populations."

Peterborough’s MP Andrew Pakes said he was proud that Peterborough rejected hate and thanked faith leaders, the police and city council for working tirelessly to keep everyone safe.

"This hasn't gone away," he said.

"But we have showed as a city we know how to stand together when it matters."