‘Counter-jihad’ movement will be a threat for years to come, say anti-fascists
Far-right ‘counter-jihad’ movements will be a threat for years to come as they look to stir up anti-Muslim hatred and prejudice, according to a new report by anti-racist group Hope not Hate.
The report, titled ‘The Counter-Jihad Movement: Anti-Muslim hatred from the margins to the mainstream,’ delves into the world of Islamophobic activism by groups and individuals.
Profiling over 900 groups and individuals in 22 countries, the report claims to examine shady links between “politicians, bloggers, street activists and funders in the widespread ‘counter-jihad’ arena.”
On Hope not Hate’s website the author’s say: “The report has been produced to raise awareness of the new face of the far right, which has for too long been ignored and its threat not understood.”
They further identify counter-jihadism as a threat that will continue to grow.
“Counter-jihadism, and the cultural war it is engaging in, will become a growing threat across Europe and North America over the next few years,” they wrote.
In the report they identify groups such as the English Defence League (EDL) and Britain First, and highlight their links with groups beyond the UK.
They also critique prominent figures as diverse as EDL founder Tommy Robinson, right-wing columnist Melanie Phillips and US commentator Pamela Geller.
The report was released in the wake of the Paris attacks, but before US presidential hopeful Donald Trump called for Muslims to be banned from entering the US.
Since then more than 500,000 Britons have signed a petition calling for Trump to be banned from entering the UK.
Trump advocated a total shutdown of Muslims entering the US “until our country’s representatives can figure out what is going on.”
“Until we are able to determine and understand this problem and the dangerous threat it poses, our country cannot be the victims of horrendous attacks by people that believe only in jihad, and have no sense of reason or respect for human life,” he said.
