WARNING: This article contains themes and images some readers may find distressing.
Anti-immigration riots are causing havoc across the UK after social media posts falsely claimed the suspect of the Southport stabbing attack was a Muslim immigrant.
Three girls, aged 6, 7 and 9, were killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town of Southport on July 29. Eight children and two adults were also wounded.
A 17-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article. Due to his age, his identity was suppressed.
But misinformation about the suspect's identity quickly began circulating online, naming him Ali-Al-Shakati and claiming he migrated to the UK by boat in 2023.
On Tuesday, members of the Southport community gathered for a vigil. However, as the evening progressed, a riot broke out.
The local mosque was damaged, and 53 police officers were injured in the violence.
Since then, anti-immigration riots have swept across the nation, with more than 370 people arrested over the weekend.
On Thursday, the anonymity order was lifted in response to the unrest, and the suspect was identified as Axel Rudakubana.
The teenager was born in Cardiff, to Rwandan parents, and is not of the Islamic faith.
His misidentification has perpetuated "harmful stereotypes and prejudices" and provoked Islamophobia, according to the Executive Director of the Islamophobia Register Australia Dr Nora Amath.
"As a result, the Southport Mosque, as well as other mosques, have been vandalised and members of the Muslim community assaulted and abused. The Muslim and multicultural communities are left frightened and shaken."
Immigrants, refugees and, in this case, Muslims are once again scapegoated and demonised.Dr Nora Amath
Who is spreading misinformation?
Prominent public figures have spurred the growing unrest by circulating misinformation online which incorrectly links the tragedy to immigration and Islam.
Far-right campaigner and co-founder of the English Defence League (EDL) Tommy Robinson claimed the stabbing attack was "more evidence to suggest Islam is a mental health issue than a religion of peace."
He encouraged his almost 900,000 X followers to join the riots.
Merseyside Police confirmed members of the EDL were among those rioting in Southport on Tuesday.
Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. Credit: Getty Images
Other anti-migrant and anti-Islam X users are spreading misinformation, including @iamyesyouareno, who falsely claimed the suspect's identity was "Ali-Al-Shakati" and "he was on the MI6 watchlist."
"The government knew he was a danger to society but did nothing. Insane," they wrote.
Misinformation expert, Queensland University of Technology's Associate Professor Timothy Graham told SBS Examines the stabbing attack and misinformation has prompted an emotional response from "all people across the spectrum of ideology."
"This blame game occurs, people try to position it or frame it in a way that serves their own interest," he said.
He points to UK politician Nigel Farage, who questioned if police were lying when describing the stabbing attack as not "terror-related."
"They may not know the extent of what they are saying and how that is playing out online," said A/Prof Graham.
He said these posts may invoke "coded language" that works as a "dog whistle" — a subtle message intended to be understood by a specific group.
"It sends off all the signals that light up particular groups of people who already have everything ready to go, and who are already extremely concerned about particular issues."
Despite misinformation being a major factor in the riots, A/Prof Graham said it isn't the only contributing factor.
"It's unfortunately a classic case of a perfect storm brewing," he said.
"People are upset with what is happening in the world, there's extreme structural inequity where only a small portion of people have extreme wealth and a lot of people are struggling with the cost of living, and there's a lot of political mistrust in the UK."
Riot police hold back protesters after disorder broke out on July 30, 2024 in Southport, England. Credit: Getty Images
The impact on Muslim communities
On Friday, religious leaders from the Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths gathered outside the Southport mosque to read a joint statement.
Southport Islamic Centre Mosque chairman Imam Sheik Ibrahim Hussein addressed rioting in the community. Credit: James Speakman/PA
"There are some who have chosen to use what should be a moment of collective grief to sow the seeds of division, spread Islamophobia and attack the mosque here in Southport,” Qari Asim, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board read.
“We stand here today, united in our grief and resolute in our condemnation of those opportunists who have shamelessly attempted to undermine and divide our communities."
Anti-racism protesters make heart signs during a demonstration at the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool. Source: EPA / Adam Vaughan/EPA
"Unfortunately, these incidents have a reverberating global impact, especially for visibly-identifying Muslim women," Dr Amath said.
"Such events can lead to heightened fear, anxiety, and vulnerability, as they may become targets of hate speech, discrimination, or even physical violence."
She said many Muslim women are afraid to be in public.
"They're on guard just in case they have to 'cop it'."
It's unfortunately a classic case of a perfect storm brewing.Associate Professor Timothy Graham
Dr Amath hopes this serves as a reminder of the "importance of accurate and responsible political and media discourse."
"The violent riots we are seeing in the UK didn’t happen in a vacuum," she said.
"Unfortunately, we have seen the massive, violent consequences of such misinformation."
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Islamophobia in everyday life
SBS English
30/07/202407:21