LONDON: The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) is deeply concerned over the potential of and reported opportunism of far-right groups in the wake of the UK riots. Messages from far-right groups on social media have suggested that some groups of far-right sympathizers want to use the riots as cover for burning down mosques. Others have spoken of the riots in terms of a race war and suggest taking action against ‘blacks' and ‘Asians' and ‘coloreds'. Of more concern was the actual appearance of the English Defence League in Eltham, London yesterday and the promotion of their effort via social media. Reports suggest that there may have been EDL members or supporters amongst vigilantes in Enfield, London. International media reports EDL leader Stephen Lennon aka Tommy Robinson claiming that up to 1,000 (one thousand) EDL members will be patrolling the streets. Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh said: “Whilst we know police took action to disperse the EDL from Eltham as well as a group of men in Enfield, we are deeply concerned that the threat of far-right violence in these days is not being taken seriously. “The demonizing rhetoric in the media in particular and from government and its institutions is being capitalized upon by far-right actors, and the government needs to publicly condemn this opportunism and make clear it will deal with this threat.” IHRC
